I have a 1988 Iroc, 350tpi, t-tops, power everything, etc...

Last year it was wrecked quite badly in a hit and run. I spent 8 months rebuilding her, it wasn't perfect, but it was pretty damn close.

Those are some older photos, but you get the idea.

And then last week, this happened.

Another hit and run, luckily they caught the person this time. He was drunk, but the car was insured.

I think we can all agree that this is a total. My question comes in here, what should I expect for my car? I have no experience when it comes to dealing with insurance companies, but from what I am seeing, it would cost at least 6-10k to replace my car with something equivalent. Does that sound fair to you?

I am really bummed about this, but hoping it leads to something bigger and better. I bought this car when I was 21, I am now 34, I have learned a lot about these cars in the meantime, so hopefully I can do it even better this time. Thanks for any help.

 

Tried my best with the photos, not sure why they are showing up like that. You can see all the photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/17239557@N05/

 

Yeah, Frosty, I would guess its totaled also. Find and print out comparables, that are currently for sale. Take those with you to the meeting with the insurance folks. If they are not wanting to be fair about your car, you may have to go after the insurance for some pain and suffering money, to help replace your car.If you were driving the car at the time of the accident. You might also want to talk to your insurance company, I know your insurance is not liable, but they do keep a few high priced lawyers around, they can give you advice. They really don't want to get lawyers involved, and you really don't either, but its a good threatening tool. Sorry about your car. Hope everything works out for you. BTW look it up on NADA.com,on the classic section, it'll be valued more than regular book.

 

http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Ca...t-Coupe/Values

 

I question the value system NADA uses. I clicked on it to see what Frosty's Iroc would be. The average shows about $6,000, while my 82 TA's average shows $7,000. I am certain his Iroc is more valuable than my TA. Hopefully, the insurance company uses a better value system. Sorry about your loss, been there.

 

I was surprised at what the IROCs seem to be going for these days. Trying to find an equivalent replacement is surprisingly expensive, and difficult. Not seeing a lot of 350 irocs in my area. Lot's of 305's.

I have been bookmarking Camaros for sale that are equivalent to mine to get a guideline on price, we'll see what they offer me and take it from there.

The car was parked when it was hit, I was not in it, so pain and suffering isn't an option. Not that it hasn't caused me pain and suffering.

 

From personal experience as other have said, get lots of other cars that are the same and show what the car is worth. From my experience they will always low ball you. Stick with it and they will be more reasonable, just don't expect it to take just a day or two. And point out every single thing that adds value to the car. If there are options on the car, it will add value to the list prices. Hope this helps

 

Okay...here's what you do...let the insured drivers agent come out and assess it......if the car is operable, AFTER he assess it, then run it down to your fav body shop, and geta real estimate.

Now, while all this is going on...toss the NADA, Kelly, etc, guides out the door...start looking and printing out pic and asking price...sold prices are very helpful, of cars like your, options, condition, etc...and what is being asked and what they are going for.

Now you have all your ammo in the gun and loaded...the adjuster says "car totaled..we'll give you X..

You easily comeback and say...no...I need X"..here's why...

Trust me, YOU have to do the leg work/home work on this...even if it comes back as totaled..you have the option to buy it back...

Case in point.

My DD (01 Civic) was totaled last year, KBB, Edmunds, all said the car was worth like 1600...so then I began to search...trying to find on...FFS, nothing less than 6K...

So I got the insurance offer of, something under 2K...I called them back and politely said "No, just drop a car off to me like I had"...they got the hint.

two week later, another letter and I had an offer of a 6200 settlement on my car...I acccepted.

I took that money, bought a cream puff '90 4 door Buik (yowsa) for my kid to use for school...she got *** ended...the whole thing started over again...'90 Buick (Only had 63K on it, full power and leather, etc)...was only worth 800 bucks according to them.

I called back like before...said fine...can't take you money, find me a 4 door V6 car with under 65K on the clock, drop it off"...

Two weeks later...offer for 3200 on the car.

My point in all this, if you are not at fault, you hold the cards, personal injury lawyers, are happy to take a retainer for a few hundred bucks, send a letter to the Ins company...the Ins company then knows the cost involved in litigation, and usually folds in your favor...this is assuming you don't like to call them yourself.

Yes, I know you were not injured, but a lawyer is a lawyer and will easily pull out his form letter for a few C-notes, and send it on your behalf.

All my babbling above aside, one thing I would keep mum about, is the "just got hit, I spent all this time fixing it".

Anyway...do your homework on what a car like yours would be going for...be surprised what a hour or two on the web will get ya.

 

I agree with 8mike9. just tell them to bring you a car like you had. All you are asking is to be made whole again.

 

Well, first off, thank you all for the help and advice. Unfortunately, I found out the person who totaled my car had let his insurance lapse two days before the accident.

So, I drove straight to his house and informed him of who i was. I told him I was expecting to be compensated for my loss. He agreed. However, I am not naive. I am well aware, as the rest of you may not be, my name here is bigfosty because I am 6'2" and tip the scales at 275lbs. I was not expecting him to act any other way in my presence. He asked me to give him a few months to make it right, I am giving him that chance. In the meantime, I guess it's time to start parting her out. So, in the next week or so, I am going to try and start tearing her down. If you need something send me a pm, otherwise look for my classified ad.

 

I'm not well versed in these matters but I can tell you that it's obvious the guy is just stalling to let time pass for certain legal matters to go out of date. Drag him to court NOW while you have a chance. Do the research and such as shown above and let him have it. Otherwise, even though you know where he lives and such, you're going to get dragged through the mud and have nothing at all to show for it.

 

The statute of limitations is 3 years for property damage in California, so I have plenty of time. I have all my paperwork ready, police report, NADA prices, equivalent car prices, etc..