The day I've been dreading

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Jim Corey, Mar 22, 2005.

  1. Jim Corey

    Jim Corey Guest

    It happened. Wife got rear ended in our 86 740GLE. We've had it since it
    was new, has about 350,000 miles on it. Was still in fine shape. But of
    course, all we get is "book value". Totaled for insurance purposes. Ha! Try
    to fix or replace it for the amount I get. Lemme see here. I'm insured.
    The other guy is insured. And because she was lucky enough to hit an older
    car, she's out $1100. (Even though repairs to our Volvo are substantially
    more than that). And I'm screwed because I keep a good car running. (But
    you should have seen the front of her Beamer!!). If we'd been driving our
    S-80, the damage dollar amount would have been far greater, but insurance
    would have fixed the car. But I'm convinced our 740 will be running long
    after the S80 is dead and gone.
     
    Jim Corey, Mar 22, 2005
    #1
  2. Jim Corey

    Rob Guenther Guest

    Sorry to hear about that :-( over 500K Kms on her... wow! We've only just
    broke 160K Kms (not even quite 100K Miles just yet) on our 1993 965 - owned
    since new too... and just like your 740, means more to us than its worth -
    still worth the nearly 40 grand it was when it was new (we'd get maybe
    4-5000 tops from insurance - 10%-15% or so, of its original value... despite
    the fact that it drives better then our brand new VW Golfs, which are both
    worth MUCH more, only because they are newer... Hell, even the paint on the
    Volvo looks better then my 99' VW)

    you pay throught the nose when your old car gets smashed up, and no one
    realizes it's still a $30000 car to you (or however much they were back
    then), nor do they care... or you pay throught the nose to own a new car...
    and pay more when it gets smashed up (that BMW folded up, because that's how
    cars in general crash now... it's safer for the occupants that way - but the
    car is written off easier)

    Your S80 is a pretty solid car tho, I would think... we've got basically the
    same motor in our 960, and it's definately one of the cars best features,
    and NOTHING has gone wrong with the engine.

    Are you looking at any specific replacement cars? There are still a lot of
    940's around - and we had a look at the XC70/V70 and they seem very well
    built and nice cars - a little pricey tho (tho technically, adjusting for
    inflation our 960 was more money then either one).
     
    Rob Guenther, Mar 23, 2005
    #2
  3. Glad to know she's OK.

    Our very first Volvo (only 6 years ago) was (is!) an '83 240. Pristine
    condition ... very low mileage ... and what happens only 5 weeks after
    we own it?? Hit a deer!

    Same story ... the insurance company wanted to right-it-off, but there
    was NO body/structure damage - as the deer came through the grill into
    the engine compartment before bouncing off into the ditch (like your
    Beamer, this deer didn't make it either!!).

    Insurance paid-out $2500 (CAD) and I pitched-in an additional $2K and we
    were able to rescue it from senseless demise. In the end I got any/all
    stuff in the front engine compartment replaced, plus we redid the Turbo
    at the same time (not that it got damaged, but while I was forkin' out
    the cash, I might as well redo the Turbo, eh?!).

    We were fortunate - our 'baby' is still with us (but sadly, up for sale
    now).

    Well ... I have another '86 740GLE for sale if you want it for parts? :)

    Yours,

    Allan


    .... and Jim Corey spake, saying:
     
    Allan Shearer, Mar 23, 2005
    #3
  4. Jim Corey

    James Sweet Guest

    Insurance companies will *always* try to lowball you. Stick at it, be
    persistant and refuse to back down. If you start talking about back/neck
    pain, mention suing for injuries, it'll get them sweating and all the more
    likely to give you a fair price.

    When my brother got hit in his '79 242 they tried to give him $600 and take
    the car as totalled (car still perfectly driveable) but he kept pestering
    them until they gave him $980 and let him keep the car.
     
    James Sweet, Mar 23, 2005
    #4
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