Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

breld

Just had a friend/co-worker come into my office for some advice. His son got rear-ended last week and his Golf R is deemed totaled. Naturally, the insurance company seems to be low-balling him on the value.

What are the best ways to provide evidence of market value in these cases?

jmonroe1

breld said:

Just had a friend/co-worker come into my office for some advice. His son got rear-ended last week and his Golf R is deemed totaled. Naturally, the insurance company seems to be low-balling him on the value.

What are the best ways to provide evidence of market value in these cases?

————————————————
Have the car towed to a dark alley and ask them to give it another look-see there.

jmonroe

roadburner

There are people who will appraise a car for a fee. Another alternative is to search for cars of the same age and mileage on as many car sale sites as you can. I'd also get numbers from Edmunds, KBB, and NADA. Auction results would also be useful. Be sure and let us know the lies that the adjuster spouts when presented with evidence of comparable sales.

xwesx

Also, ask for all of the comps that the adjuster used. Often times, particularly with specialty models like this, the adjusters use stuff that really isn't similar, and frequently for a myriad of reasons! Sometimes it helps to poke holes in their comps.

mjfloyd1

When my wife’s Q7 was totaled they tried to use lower trim level vehicles as comps.

corvette

breld said:

Just had a friend/co-worker come into my office for some advice. His son got rear-ended last week and his Golf R is deemed totaled. Naturally, the insurance company seems to be low-balling him on the value.

What are the best ways to provide evidence of market value in these cases?

Some of the outfits that do diminished value appraisals also do total loss evaluations. Might be worth spending a few hundred bucks to have a report from an appraiser. Could be tricky if the damage makes it borderline on being a total loss--if you get data and a report that supports a much higher value, you could in fact be arguing that the car shouldn't be totaled due to the damage no longer exceeding whatever threshold the state requires and/or the insurance company uses.

When my friend's Prius got totaled, the total loss adjuster accepted comps she was able to find from local dealership other than Carmax/Carvana, if I remember correctly.

corvette

They should have given me an award for collecting ALL of the test drive / ride along bracelets and stamps at the show.

corvette

I didn't take many pictures, but I'll try to post a few once I have a chance to go through them. Random observations from the show:
- It's not as large as it once was. I have no basis for comparison, but was told that it used to take up two halls instead of one. Also, there were a lot of vendors of junk like humorous license plates, household cleaners, gutter guards, etc. I heard that Jeep pulled out of the show at the last minute, which may account for some of the chicanery.
- Subaru, Ford, and Kia offered test drives. I drove a Solterra, a midrange Explorer with the 2.3 EcoBoost, and a Niro EV. They were all very impressive, however, the Solterra/bZ4X (and also the new Prius) have an instrument cluster that basically requires me to put the tilt steering wheel into my lap in order to see it. Perhaps this could be worked around by adjusting the seat height.
- I did ride-alongs on the indoor EV track of every brand that was available that I didn't ride in at the Detroit auto show.
- The Subaru product representatives were the most friendly I've ever encountered. I asked one of them on the show floor how to get to the test drive area, and she said it would be easier if she just walked me to the appropriate escalator because it was difficult to find. She was right, it was! The rep who rode with me in the Solterra told me that she works for a marketing contractor for Subaru and goes to all of the shows, and that NYIAS is currently the biggest/best and lamented that both the Chicago and Detroit shows are shells of their former selves. So, I might have to check NYIAS out in a few weeks.
- VW had two ID. Buzz-es on the floor. I liked it before, but now that I've seen it in person, I love it and I think I want one. The expected price point is a little over where I'd prefer to be, but if an attractive lease comes along, I'd probably pull the trigger. Very well executed.
- Toyota had two 2024 Tacomas on the floor and they were both locked and labeled as preproduction vehicles... Seriously? Unless I'm wrong, it's been on sale for a while now. The Tundras were open.
- Mazda was weird. It appeared a single local dealer bought and paid for Mazda's entire floor area.
- The Ford Bronco simulated off-road experience was fun, but was not worth waiting an hour in line. They said the line got up to three hours on the weekend!

stickguy

I think that ID Buzz looks really cool and would love to see one. I did not even realize those existed as any more than a concept yet.

Michaell

@stickguy said:
I think that ID Buzz looks really cool and would love to see one. I did not even realize those existed as any more than a concept yet.

They’ve been on sale in Europe for a while, now. Sadly, the US is only getting the three row version.

venture

I don't want to belabor the point, but leaving after the game:

jmonroe1

venture said:

I don't want to belabor the point, but leaving after the game:

————————————————-
You should have seen who I left the Super Bowl party with.

jmonroe

qbrozen

The Alto has left the building. She was anxious to register it today and come get it.

Glad to have a stack of cash with which to shop.

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

The Alto has left the building. She was anxious to register it today and come get it.

Glad to have a stack of cash with which to shop.

————————————————-
What is that, 2 cars in 2 days? You’re either a hellava salesman or you’re giving those things away. In any case I guess it’s nice to have some money and more parking spaces.

jmonroe

qbrozen

I think you may be counting the same car twice. Deposit on Sunday and final transaction Monday. Unless you are thinking of the Daihatsu, but that was a while ago.

Oh, and the driveway is totally empty for the snowfall. Volvo is in the big garage and Opel is where the 2-post lift resides.

kyfdx

@corvette

"The expected price point is a little over where I'd prefer to be"

evergreen

oldfarmer50

breld said:

Just had a friend/co-worker come into my office for some advice. His son got rear-ended last week and his Golf R is deemed totaled. Naturally, the insurance company seems to be low-balling him on the value.

What are the best ways to provide evidence of market value in these cases?

Run it through Carvana and Edmunds TMV. I’m sure the insurance company is trying to cheap out by offering wholesale book value.

stickguy

Those are wholesale numbers. You need to find retail numbers.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

Those are wholesale numbers. You need to find retail numbers.

Carvana perhaps (although you can view retail on their website) but TMV will give you dealer retail as well as trade-in I believe.

xwesx

Congrats, Q! That's how the transactions are supposed to go! It's great to see it go to someone who exhibits some enthusiasm for the medium!

roadburner

I filled up the 4xe today; 48.6 mpg.

corvette

My best friend has access to a very generous corporate discount through Enterprise. She rents frequently from her local office for work trips, and they usually give her an upgrade, which she's not picky about, because the company is paying for gas. Today, she rented a car to drive to her sister's wedding two states away, so she had to buy her own fuel. The free upgrade was to a Jeep Gladiator, which she really liked other than the 16 MPG or so that it got on the highway. I've never driven one, but she praised its ability to soak up potholes.

qbrozen

You ever notice how you always come across vehicles you want when not shopping and finding nothing good when buying time comes around?

nyccarguy

@qbrozen said:
You ever notice how you always come across vehicles you want when not shopping and finding nothing good when buying time comes around?

Such as…

qbrozen

@nyccarguy said:

@qbrozen said:
You ever notice how you always come across vehicles you want when not shopping and finding nothing good when buying time comes around?

Such as…

An example of what I haven’t found? That’s a tough one.

Well, when I chose the xterra, it was between that and a v8 JGC. Can’t find any good ones of those at the moment for cheap.

stickguy

qbrozen said:

You ever notice how you always come across vehicles you want when not shopping and finding nothing good when buying time comes around?

Same with houses.

qbrozen

What y'all think of this?
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/706439997

I did find a TB SS near me, and it has under 80k miles, but it is $12k. A good deal based on others I've seen, but well above my self-imposed limit.

nyccarguy

@qbrozen - Listing says it is a 5-Speed Manual, it isn't. Pics show it parked in front of an Autozone which can't be a good thing. 2007 Saab 9-5 Wagon

rayainsw

Wanted to wish everyone on this forum
a terrific New Year!
- Ray
Taxes filed - so good, so far, here!

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

@qbrozen - Listing says it is a 5-Speed Manual, it isn't. Pics show it parked in front of an Autozone which can't be a good thing. 2007 Saab 9-5 Wagon

hmmm... I have a feeling you aren't seeing the right thing. Should be a 2008 Envoy. Definitely says 4-spd auto and it definitely is NOT in front of an autozone.

tjc78

@qbrozen said:
What y'all think of this?
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/706439997

I did find a TB SS near me, and it has under 80k miles, but it is $12k. A good deal based on others I've seen, but well above my self-imposed limit.

Nice shape … but a very low spec.

qbrozen

@tjc78 said:

@qbrozen said:
What y'all think of this?
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/706439997

I did find a TB SS near me, and it has under 80k miles, but it is $12k. A good deal based on others I've seen, but well above my self-imposed limit.

Nice shape … but a very low spec.

I want low spec. The less crap to break, the better. I’ve been turning my nose up at leather seats and moonroofs these days.

Was just thinking I should try to get yet another brand I’ve never owned. Can’t think of anything that works, though.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

@qbrozen - Listing says it is a 5-Speed Manual, it isn't. Pics show it parked in front of an Autozone which can't be a good thing. 2007 Saab 9-5 Wagon

hmmm... I have a feeling you aren't seeing the right thing. Should be a 2008 Envoy. Definitely says 4-spd auto and it definitely is NOT in front of an autozone.

I posted a different listing for you to look at

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

What y'all think of this?
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/706439997

I did find a TB SS near me, and it has under 80k miles, but it is $12k. A good deal based on others I've seen, but well above my self-imposed limit.

The truck looks clean inside and out. It is a little crusty underneath.

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

@qbrozen - Listing says it is a 5-Speed Manual, it isn't. Pics show it parked in front of an Autozone which can't be a good thing. 2007 Saab 9-5 Wagon

hmmm... I have a feeling you aren't seeing the right thing. Should be a 2008 Envoy. Definitely says 4-spd auto and it definitely is NOT in front of an autozone.

I posted a different listing for you to look at

OH. I thought you were commenting on mine and then posting an alternative.

The Saab is cool but can't tow worth a damn.

You call that Envoy crusty? And you live in NY? Damn, I consider that super clean. Like surprisingly so. You should see the stuff at auction!

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

@qbrozen - Listing says it is a 5-Speed Manual, it isn't. Pics show it parked in front of an Autozone which can't be a good thing. 2007 Saab 9-5 Wagon

hmmm... I have a feeling you aren't seeing the right thing. Should be a 2008 Envoy. Definitely says 4-spd auto and it definitely is NOT in front of an autozone.

I posted a different listing for you to look at

OH. I thought you were commenting on mine and then posting an alternative.

The Saab is cool but can't tow worth a damn.

You call that Envoy crusty? And you live in NY? Damn, I consider that super clean. Like surprisingly so. You should see the stuff at auction!

I said a little crusty. not poke your fingers through the frame crusty.

qbrozen

come to think of it, I never have owned a GMC, if I want to be specific. 2 Chevy, 1 Caddy, no GMC.

In case anybody is bored and want to think on something different, here is my list of previous brands.
Alfa
AMC
BMW
Caddy
Chevy
Chrysler
Daihatsu
Dodge
Fiat
Ford
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jeep
Land Rover
Lincoln
Maserati
Mazda
Mercedes
Mercury
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Opel
Ram
Saab
Subaru
Suzuki
Toyota
Volvo
VW

Maybe I should look for a Lexus GX? But is that any further away from Toyota than GMC is from Chevy?

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

What y'all think of this?
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/706439997

I did find a TB SS near me, and it has under 80k miles, but it is $12k. A good deal based on others I've seen, but well above my self-imposed limit.

————————————————
How much suspension work do you plan to do but at that price it could work.

jmonroe

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

come to think of it, I never have owned a GMC, if I want to be specific. 2 Chevy, 1 Caddy, no GMC.

In case anybody is bored and want to think on something different, here is my list of previous brands.
Alfa
AMC
BMW
Caddy
Chevy
Chrysler
Daihatsu
Dodge
Fiat
Ford
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jeep
Land Rover
Lincoln
Maserati
Mazda
Mercedes
Mercury
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Opel
Ram
Saab
Subaru
Suzuki
Toyota
Volvo
VW

Maybe I should look for a Lexus GX? But is that any further away from Toyota than GMC is from Chevy?

With the GX as opposed to the 4Runner you do get the V8 which doesn't take as much of a mileage hit as compared to the 4.0 V6 in the 4Runner. The GX also gets the "better" suspension. While just as capable although not as cool as a 4Runner, used prices are more palatable. You'll still be paying somewhat of a Toyota tax though.

qbrozen

This qualifies as different.

https://www.erniesauto.net/details/used-2002-isuzu-rodeo/100816294

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

This qualifies as different.

https://www.erniesauto.net/details/used-2002-isuzu-rodeo/100816294

I LIKE IT!

[Deleted User]

Here's different as well:

https://edmunds.com/pontiac/aztek/2001/vin/3G7DA03E61S528687/?radius=6000

qbrozen

OMG that price!!

pensfan83

Pittsburgh Auto Show is this weekend and I hope they have a Tacoma that it isn't locked.

stickguy

Rodeo looks nice. And a real good deal. I would take that for the winter beater. Wish me luck convincing my wife to sell her car for it.

explorerx4

@qbrozen,
If you are going to Waterbury, bring backup.

kyfdx

dad23 said:

Here's different as well:

https://edmunds.com/pontiac/aztek/2001/vin/3G7DA03E61S528687/?radius=6000

Man, the Aztek really was ahead of it's time.

corvette

@qbrozen - might be tough to find, but I always thought the Isuzu Axium looked premium and upscale. You could also look for a VehiCROSS if you wanted something more expressive. Not sure about the towing capability of either.

kyfdx

Should be lots of parts for the Rodeo. Isn't that the one they shared with Honda?

Michaell

@kyfdx said:
Should be lots of parts for the Rodeo. Isn't that the one they shared with Honda?

Yep the original Passport was a rebadged Isuzu.