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Comments
Sorry to hear about your TL being in a squeeze play.
I've been there and just had to make the
wrecked car go away at any cost. That's a shame.
A car you liked so much. Hope it works with the 335i.
Mine was a Corvette and a pothole that made the car
(even after alignment) not quite as precise as when new.
It had to go. Oh well...you'll have that.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Any chance you'd get another TL? Or are you looking for something different this time around.
What are the diminished value laws in Ohio? Could that help make up the value in trade?
Keep us posted.
A lot of times, the Ins. Cos will figure in the costs of a rental car, unseen damages etc and just total the car.
Modern, well equipped body shops can do a great job of putting a car back into pre accident condition. The old adage " It'll never be the same" doesn't really apply to a first class repair job.
Hopefully it won't devalue the car too much but...wow...18,000!
It sounds like nobody was hurt and that's the best news.
What did that idiot that hit you have to say afterwards?
Whether it's all in your head or not, I can fully understand how you feel about the car. I could never feel right about my car if it had $18K in damages. They may do a beautiful cosmetic job, but there could be things that are not visible to youi just now. Those things could show up later as problems. Another bad thing is that you will have to disclose that the car was in an accident when you do a trade. There's never any compensation from the other driver for that scenario. Then there is the loss of time, stress, and inconvenience because of the accident. Rarely does the victim come out a winner in this game of life.
I'm very interested in knowing this: Was the driver cited for cell phone use as part of the accident? We've discussed this issue here quite often.
Best of luck as you ponder your options regarding a new vehicle. Let us know what happens.
Richard
Richard
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I am sure they work off a percentage of value. A one year old TL must have a retail value of 25K+. Its easy to see why they fixed it.
My GF smashed her Elantra a day after she got it. It was around 9K to repair. I think she only paid 14 or 15K for it.
BTW, to back up Isell's point, that car was fixed right with all new parts and 3 years later runs/drives as new.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Richard
When I bought our Explorer the owner made a HUGE point of letting me know that when it was six months old, it got rolled on it's side after hitting a patch of black ice.
It's a 1993 and it was less than a year old at the time. He thought it would be totalled for sure but they refused. It took almost 10,000 in 1993 dollars to fix it.
The owner was convinced that it would never be the same and vowed to take his lumps and get rid of it when it got out of the shop.
He ended up keeping it 13 more years and 130,000 more miles. He said it never squeaked, creaked or showed any sign whatever that it had been wrecked.
He was very upfront about it with me and even made me sign a disclousure.
He said a guy who looked at it before I did passed on it for that reason. That person missed out on a GREAT car!
Now, we were talking about a 14 year old 2500.00 car. Had it been a much newer, more expensive car I may have passed on it too.
It could be a North Carolina thing. Each time that I trade, there is a form that says something like, "To the best of your knowledge, has this vehicle ever been involved in an accident which resulted in damage to the vehicle?" Also, such information is included on a full Carfax report. As you say, any good car person should be able to tell.
Richard
Well, technically the car wasn't even hers yet. She drove it off the lot the night before and was heading back to the dealer to sign the paperwork. I don't think it even had hundred miles on it.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Carfax can be so deceiving and "ACCIDENT REPORTED!" could have been a minor scrape on the bumper that got turned into an insurance company.
NO ACCIDENTS REPORTED does NOT mean that the car hasn't been in an accident since many never show up on a Carfax.
No...no one was hurt. $32K-$34K was the number the insurance company said my car was worth. So, the $18K wasn't close to a "totaled out" number.
I asked about diminished value. Insurance company acted like I was speaking Swahili. Asked my lawyer...he said I could take it to court. No guarantees. If I lose, I pay him. And, according to him, it would take some time.
I'd have to go dig up the invoice from the body shop and the police report. I believe the other driver was charged with failure to control. He acted like he was a couple pages short of a book when we talked after the accident. So, I don't know what his issue was. I don't know if it was an act, or if he really wasn't very....ummmm....bright.
kyfdx...if you're out there, how's your RWD 3 in the winter?
Believe it or not, I don't like the new "refined", redesigned TLs this year. I like the style of mine...in the minority, I know.
None of this is cut on stone. My girlfriend thinks I'm delusional (well....duh!). And, that my car looks and drives just fine.
But, I know me. I'll go look around a bit and see if anything really makes me want to take the depreciation hit and get into something else.
Right now, I am impressed with the 335i coupe, however. There's an S4 at the local Audi dealer. I'll go take a look at it tonight.
I'll keep everyone posted.
My buddy heard from his MB dealer that they have KILLER conquest lease deals if you trade in another luxury make - $479/month with $0 down for 15K per year lease on an '11 ML350 4Matic.
Good luck!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
And, I can't blame them. What determines how much damage would dimininsh the value of a car? And to who? Some buyers actually don't care as long as the car was properly repaired.
I wouldn't overeact and dump a perfectly good car unless this was something you were planning to do in the first place.
And, it's funny. I guess some people actually like the "beak" front ends that killed sales for Acura.
Lastly, I would seriously think twice before buying an Audi especially an S4.
Besides my "regular" email address which several of you have, I also have my "isellhondas" email that is listed in my profile.
I don't check it very often, maybe once a week..sorry jayrider but I checked it today.
I had a new message from Victor Monterroza - mackabee!
Whatever it was, I couldn't get it to open even after waiting five minutes or so.
Maybe I should have waited longer. Heaven is a long way away.
Actually called tangerine red. I don't see it too often, but I like it with black, red or white exterior. I think of red as kind of a fun color.
I came to the conclusion, when I drove the 5 Series BMW I felt about 10 years older, when I drive the convertible I feel 20 years younger.
It is an easy choice. I would have got my present car in white or black with a red interior, but the dealer didn't have little samples....so we just went with what I could figure out......James Bond Blue with beige interior.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I don't check it very often, maybe once a week..sorry jayrider but I checked it today.
I had a new message from Victor Monterroza - mackabee!
Whatever it was, I couldn't get it to open even after waiting five minutes or so.
Maybe I should have waited longer. Heaven is a long way away.
Wow ... just, wow.
Think it might have been spam, or a message from a relative?
I would think heaven has the best IT infrastructure, so it can't be a hardware or network issue.
Nice to hear from you and glad there weren't any injuries. My wife has a 2008 335ix sedan, I have a 2008 328 Cabriolet. There is no comparison between the 335 and 328....feels like another car. Our cars are standards, don't know if that is of interest but if you have any interest in driving standard give it a try.
I was going to get an automatic and my wife has always preferred manual. When I tried the car she was testing I tried a manual and discovered it is just more fun.
I think 4 weeks is very optimistic...that is a best case senario. Seems they build certain models at certain times, so timing will matter. We ordered my car first but my wife's car was delivered first...they took about 6 to 8 weeks to arrive.
Your BMW is a lifestyle choice...it will change your view of the world and driving....you will love it!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Not sure if I could convince the wife she would rather have a new benz instead of the remodelled kitchen though.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
It could be a North Carolina thing.
The NC thing is that if the vehicle sustained damage at least 25% of its value at the time, the title gets branded.
$18000 in damage is a lot! It is not fair that you have to disclose that the car was in an accident and you probably take a loss on that as well. Maybe, the dealer assumes a fix up is as good as new since it was done by a certified garage.
We had to disclose a trade in was hit from behind and had $3000 worth of damage but i think the trade in value remained the same.
You never feel the same driving a car when your car has been damaged that badly. The insurance company should let you trade it in and choose a new car...and you get full trade in value....you were just an innocent victim but you take a loss! :sick:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That clause was on our invoices too! Had to disclose and sign...in Ontario Canada. I don't know if it is law or just a dealer thing though.
We did see that carfax is not always to be trusted either. Therir reports are worth looking at, but are not 100% accurate.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My friend that bought the 7 Series said he told the BMW dealer he was also considering an Audi. The salesman, and he is a straight shooter, no B.S., said, Audi's are excellent cars, you will take a much bigger hit on depreciation in 3 years.
Having said that, the Audi interior is as nice as it gets. I like the A4 and with quattro drive and that turbo 4 cylinder you will get great mileage and performance. It is a better value than BMW in that way.
My 3 Cabriolet goes really well in snow, with 4 snow tires. Don't forget, they will be run flats which I think are fine, though some don't like them.
Hope that helps!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The S4 is a great driving car and is reasonably priced for the way it handles and the performance it provides. Audi is very reliable these days....I would seriously consider one.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I just won't touch one. Before I buy used I run a CarFax or Auto Check.
If anything comes up accident-wise or title-wise, I'm no longer a buyer.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
I drove my 3-series all winter with no issues... and, the winter tires had already seen 3 winter seasons on my wife's convertible, before I got them... Think about that... my wife, who still asks me about every six months if her X3 has AWD, drove 42 miles round-trip, every day, in a RWD 3-series convertible with winter tires.... and, never had an issue..
If you are going to pony up for the turbo, you might check out a 135i coupe.... can't hardly tell the difference from the front seat, but you'll save about $5K...
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Pretty sure you will be driving a new car soon.
It's one thing when an older car gets damaged, you have gotten a lot of use it.
A newer one, I have the same reservations as you about future consequences.
A track day in SC is nice way to take your mind away from the past.
I guess your heart is doing ok, since you didn't mention anything.
Oh really? Based on what?
Show me one with 100,000 miles that hasn't been a money pit and I might believe you.
Early results mean nothing.
I suppose I could be wrong but I doubt it.
Or you could buy a car with a clean Carfax that had been in a major wreck.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Why don't you sell it to her then? Then if she complains about any rattles or problems you can tell her "it's all in your mind".
My dad's last car was a 1998 Lasabre and when it only had about 500 miles on it he was T-boned. $8,000 in damages. He drove it until he died a few years later. It sat in a garage for the most part until I bought it for my son around 2005. He's put about 60K miles on it since and crashed it twice but it still runs pretty good for an old beater. I guess if fixed right a damaged car can still go the distance.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
What a great idea! I'd make her sign one of those "I know what I'm buying" things though.....
While you are taking test drives, try an SHO that has MyFord Touch.
My new Explorer has it (no Nav).
A lot of the car magazines have criticized it, but I like it.
Of course, I could be biased.
at a dealer, they are the pros. Since they would sell me a repaired car as if it did not matter, I have no problem with selling them one! If they don't ask, up for them to inspect it.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Oh really? Based on what?
There are lots of sites you can go to and check...seems that Audi's get an average rating on most, and some years register above average. I am not saying the Audi will be the same as a Honda for reliability, some things are more important to some people than others.
If reliability is your #1 priority then buy a Toyota or a Honda product. If you want some additional enjoyment from the driving experience, an Audi will give you that with a reasonable degree of reliability.
2010 Audi A4 J D Powers reliability
J D Powers 2010 Audi A4
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I haven't heard from him....that was 3 weeks ago.
My friend put me on the phone to Dealer B where he bought his car and with a factory incentive got a 25% discount. I told him what I was looking for and he found one about 500 miles away, but it has more on it than what I really need.
I said before, Dealer A doesn't do much discounting and really did no discount when I bought my current car...they said they only get 2 a month and have a waiting list.
Dealer B has found one in the colors I want and they will discount it 10% off MSRP
I have asked what they will do on a 2012 without $5000 worth of options, which include Navi system, 19 inch wheels, sound system.
If he still takes 10% off I might be very interested. I was hoping to get a 4% discount. I have done my research, with the help of a few people who posted how to find that info, so I have an idea of how much my trade should be worth.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That is quite a jolt. I wonder if perhaps his son used his old tag and tried to send you a message. His son looks like a movie star. In fact, the entire family was blessed with good looks. It was amazing when I saw pictures of them at the beach. It's also possible that Victor sent you a blank message just to let you know that he is watching all of us. I like that idea.
BTW, thanks for getting me straight on Carfax. I'll be a little more wary of them in the future.
Richard
Richard
Come on now. It used to be "feel of the road" and we have graduated to changing our view of THE WORLD?!
Richard
Richard
Thanks for clearing that up for me.
Richard
Just think. If GG marries her, he gets the car back! :sick:
Richard
Dealer B is on top of things. My friend was moving up from a 335 to a 5 Series. The salesman said BMW had a special on 7s....the 5s were so good and were selling so well BMW had to mark down the 7s $15000. Then $5000 dealer discount and $5000 cash discount.
The discounts were equivalent to the depreciation on his 2008 335. So, he uses creative arithmetic like I do, he figures he drove his 2008 335 for free for 3 years, since the depreciation equals the discount. How could he turn that down.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Journalistic licence!
Next it will be viewing the Galaxy in an entirely different way. :P
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That email is spam. At least the one I got is.
It's one of those "Re" spams that have been going for the last few weeks. The message said, "Have only unforgettable sex." The link I wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole. I don't cllick those for fear of allowing a page to load malware onto my computer.
I would run a good antimalware program if you don't already have one if you tried to open it.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I think I'm well protected. Hope so anyway. tahat must have gone out to everyone on is list but how?
Alot of us in the office email people in China and that seems to be where the spam comes from. Some people in the office get 100s of junk a day that are filtered out.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart