Hi-ho, newbie here. Just got an 88 vert. Anyone know how these are in an accident? I remember Mustangs of that vintage were terrible. Hoping Camaros, because of thier girth, would be better.

Are there crash test results for these? Anyone ever take a good hit in one?

Thanks in advance.

 

Probably just a guess I would hope that since they passed the federal crash test procedure that they would be ok. Without the roof there is alot of structure missing that would save you in a crash, BUT I would suspect that a direct hit at over 35 mph would more than likely total the car at this age and values... If your worried about safety, dont get a vert, If your worried about insurance and the possiblity of totaling the car then get an appraisal.

to the Instuance company NO 3rd gen is worth more than $2000 unless you have an appraisal. Insruance companies do NOT care what a car is technicaly worth, rather they take the original (used) price and every year they deduct a certain percentage amount for its esitmated value. So if you bought a car NEW in 1989 for $10,000, as soon as the car is titled its worth $7000, and each year they take a percentage amount off the value each year for depreciation. When a car gets more than 10 years old its almost worthless to the insurance co. Thats why you get an appraisal especially if its a nice car.

JOhn

 

okfoz, how does one go about getting one of these appraisal's? Is it something you just ask for from your insureance company? I suppose if your car is worth more, they jack the rate up too.

 

Buzz.. Never use the word no. When I wrecked my 92 vert a year ago I was prepared to fight. To my surprise they came back with $6700. With my deductible AND buying the car back I got a check for $6k. Took that and rebuilt it (still rebuilding it). That was no appraisal, nothing special, just going in and adding it with full coverage. So while MOST will be worth nothing, it all depends on your insurance.

Want my agent's number?

Kevin D.

 

About 2-3 months ago a guy posted pictures of the repair of his car after he ran into someone (or someone ran into him). The car held up well. He seemed to think that his subframe connecters help to hold it together. Looking at the car from the front you wouldn't think it was possible to repair. He was able to straighten the frame and rebuild it.

Maybe someone knows where this thread is, I don't have time right now to hunt it down.

 

Well from the looks of this they hold up well. The owners name is 90-irocdx3.

 

Randy - Just call your insurance co for a referal for an appraisal co they will accept. I called my State Farm agent for a referal and then the claim office to be sure. Gather as much info you can to take with you (ie Docs, similar cars for sale or sold w/ prices, etc). Should run about $75-100. My appraisal came back at $20000 cash value and my rates did not change. I would suggest giving your agent a copy for their records and put the original in a lock box.

 

Hell yea Im gonna give them a call, Ive kinda been worried about wreaking my Z with all the stuff Ive done to it I knew the insureance co. would not give me what she's really worth. Thanks for the heads up, 89raggtopp

By the way here is my Z, http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2413601/1

 

Well in my accident I was hit on head on at 50mph also i had someframe connectors on my which i highly recommend to buy. My 90 is now fixed and drives completely straight can't even tell it was hit even if u remove the fenders. I am sure if i didnt have sub frame connectors on my car the accident would of looked worse plus i would of probaly died, not trying to scare you though.

 

Tuche...
Your right I should not be so absolute...

Call your insurance agent they may have some recommended ones. I WOULD NOT recommended using one of their Adjusters as they will be more inclined to be lower, use an independant. The guy that does my appraisals used to be an Adjuster for 10 years so he knows his stuff, his is pretty cut and dried no arguments usually from Ins company.

You can also go to some local shows and ask around someone in your area does it. Expect to pay $50 to $150.

John

The appraisals came back $25,000 on my Yellow car and $15,000 on the vert as it needs a little work.

 

It's been a few years now (97 I think). I rearended someone at a stop light doing about 45 with the top down . The insurance told me it was totalled, I was ready to fight then they called back a day later and said they would repair it.

It held up just about as well if not better than other cars. Remember these are still mosltly steel cars not "dent resistant" plastic like most cars of today. If not for the airbag in the steering wheel, I would not be here today, or at least that is what the paramedic told me.. One thing is for sure, when those bags go off, they scare you almost as much as the accident. There's a powder in them I assume to help them expand quickly, and it floats in the air like smoke afterwards.

I ended up hitting my head on the top of the windshield brace (I'm 6'4") so a quick trip to the doc to make sure I had no dain bramage, and I was fine.

A couple of months in the shop and the car was as good as new.

All in all, I wouldn't reccomend demolition derby with a Third Gen, but they are pretty safe in a collision IMHO.. Drive it and enjoy.

 

May not be a vert, but I ended up rear ending someone because both of us got cut off and my car wouldnt stop lol, but the sound and force of the impact would make you guess i was in her trunk but when i got out there was a small crease in her bumper and nothing done to mine....and it was at like 15mph

2003 Toyota Camrys are pretty strong lol

 

not to scare you ether but to me i think all convertables are death traps because there are no supports to hold the windsheld up from hitting the driver

 

Yes, but if I'm gonna die, what a way to go!!! Rather be in my ragtop, than some $h***y Jap car, or econo box.

 

uhh yea, and im sure that bit of sheetmetal does a whole lot to hold it place in the event of a rollover...


heh, i kinda think this whole subject is silly...

 

The advantage of that sheet metal (as opposed the the covertible) is that the other end of it is attached to a B-piller which can offer some protection in a rollover by taking a lot of pressure off the windshield. I've had too much experience seeing the results of the different kinds of cars in accidents.

This subject is a good one. Any questions concerning safety need to be addressed. The problem is there are so many different accident scenarios involving many kinds of vehicles and objects that it's hard to give specifics.
The law of averages would say if accident safety is a high priority then maybe a Volvo might be a better choice than a Camaro convertible. But it's also a question of what kind of personal risk one is willing to take. I love my vert even though it doesn't even have a roll-bar like some other verts. I feel somewhat confident about my driving, but there's always the other guy.
And even a vert offers more protection than, say a motorcycle, yet these are risks most people are willing to take.

The data for 3rd gen verts is kind'a weak. Here is the NHTSA crash-test results for a '92 (does not specify type of roof and is only for a front collision) . . .
Good luck and enjoy.

 

WELL I GOT IN A CRASH IN ONE AND TRUST ME IT WAS BAD AND I WALK AWAY FROM IT ( BUT MY ROCK DID NOT)

 

Oh man, that's horrible. Glad you are OK! And sorry to here about the Iroc. Care to share any details? If not, that's understandible.

 

Looks like his caps lock key was a casuality as well.

 

Just came upon this old topic and had to comment on my experience. I had a 87 Forumla hardtop that I got hit in headon back in around 1990. Guy ran a stop sign as I was making a curve. My grandmother was in the front seat and my brother was in the back...no seat belt. My grandmother and I did have ours on in the front. Hit at probably 40-50 MPH. Car was totaled by insurance, but the 3 of us walked from the accident. I think I'm sore now from where the seatbelt grabbed me to this day, but I'm still hear to talk about it. So I'd say they do hold up well .

 

Glad you guys are OK.

The scariest scenario, that would seperate the vert from the others, would be if you parked it upside down. (not recomended)
But I try not to worry about that. After all, the vert driver is still WAY safer than a guy on a motorcycle and most would accept a bike to be an acceptable risk.