Need some advice please.
Purchased my Coupe about 6 weeks ago from a forum member here.
Was very chuffed with my purchase and sported a huge grin every time I got in the thing.

Some 5 weeks after I bought it though, some age addled old woman in an Astra decides to drive directly into the back of me as I waited patiently at a roundabout.

Her: (Shrilly). “You stopped!!”.
Me: (Turning puce, Eyelid twitching) “It’s a roundabout. I stop at roundabouts when there are cars on them”
Her: (weirdly) “I’ve just filled up with petrol….” .
Must admit this bamboozled me slightly. She’s just smashed her radiator on the back of my coop and she’s twitching about the £20 quid’s worth of petrol she’s just put in it. Crazy old coot.

Anyway. Enough of my whinging. To cut a long story short. Body shop the insurance co directed me to(her ins admit full liability), put in a quote that was more than it is worth
Consequently it’s an “uneconomical to repair write off”. Gutted.
I will retain the “salvage” from the insurance company though and am pondering my next step. Would like some advice on what to do…..Sell for parts and start hunting again……, repair….., Any other suggestions?
Some facts.
Car is Bezzers old one. 99/T 20VT Speed red with aircon & leather. 59k miles. It was in extremely good nick.
I’ll let the pics attached do the talking, but to summarise the old bird hit me virtually dead square, slightly to the Kerbside. The Driverside rear wing is untouched. Boot door is punched in and the floor of the boot has folded in so that it’s pressing against the spare (which is now wedged in).
Also means the car can’t be locked as the boot catch does not engage and the central locking rejects.
Bumper is trashed.

Nearside wing is damaged and I think this is why it has been labelled a write off. Garage quote included putting it on the jig to check the chassis has not been bent.
As far as I know this is hugely expensive? They’ve based this on two tiny dents on the roof. In the photo’s I’ve left the Bodyshops markings on so you can see where. Have to say though these are barely visible to the naked eye. ( I spoke to the guy who did the quote and, in his words: “We’re not 100% sure it needs to go on the Jig”). I am pretty clueless on such subjects though.

Conscious that this post is getting long. I even have a copy of the quote the bodyshop did, so I have all the info, but can’t really decipher it to know if it is OTT.
Would prefer to repair it, but only if I am not going to be out of pocket hugely.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13962278@N00/sets/72157594381289271/

All advice/opinions greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
IJK

Sell it to me!

Ill repair it!

Lol only a butcher would repair that without a jig.

Sorry IJK, I can't offer any advice but that is a lovely looking car, you must be gutted. If that were me I would be mad that another road users mistake cost me such a nice car. I hope you manage to get yourself into a position to have her repaired and put back to glory

I think carlt knows what he's talking about - he's seen a lot like this no doubt.

Just get another one, it's never gonna be the same is it?

You could repair it, but its not going to be cheap, its shuttered infront of the wheel, so the shell has gone sqew, hence the roof is kinked etc.

Its worse than barnacles.

I'd say i'd quote you 2k to pull and paint, would be perfect again, but depends on what you think.

IJK dont wanna be harsh in your time of trouble but if your not going to repair it would you sell your bumper and grill lol

Cheers Chaps. Must admit, i am torn between repairing it because i like it so much and (as whatmortyres said) about it never being the same.

CarlT What does the 2k pull and paint price cover? (Apologies for my ignorance)
Any very rough estimate on a back on the road price would be much appreciated.

Shakey, If i end up breaking it you have first dibs on the front end!

2k will be repaired, done back on the road. Properly too.

We have all the coupe data for the jig, and ive pulled more coupe's than an AA breakdown truck.

You can see much of my work, yes thats bad, but its nice damage in a repair sense.

Otherwise break it, if you can be bothered, have the time and means. Its not as easy as some people make it to be.

If you been paid out good money you should end up with a better car and some money left over.

Okay. Cheers.
Insurance assessor only looked at it on Thursday. I should have a settlement figure early next week. Once i've argued the toss with them and got a final amount i'll do the sums and decide.
Thanks for your help CarlT. I'll be in touch.

cheers IJK on the subject if you do break it ill have first dib on your skirts too (if you can get them off without damage!) haha

Sorry to see this Ian, I really am

It was a beauty

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!

Not like this !!!! (In a planet of the apes stylee)

That was a cracker

- death to the offender!INFIDEL !!!!

(Can you tell i liked it?)

unlucky mate....

Just heard back from the Insurance company.

Settlement figure is okay. (is it worth rejecting the 1st offer out of hand even if it is not totally unreasonable? Could rustle up a few ads showing replacement cost is more.....).
However. For me to retain the salvage they will deduct 25% off the settlement figure . Is this a standard percentage? It's a hell of a lot more than i was expecting. Though i may have had unrealistic expectations

So there paying 5k and want 1250 for the car???

What cat??? C or D?

Thats how they rate it, on category, if its a D and your repairing thats not bad, but you wouldnt break it for much more and it wouldnt sell for any more than 1k in that state.

12% from the company i deal with, the coupe is worth nothing salvage, i'd buy that for 500-750 from my insurer.

Infact, tell em to stick it, will cost em one hell of alot to take it and auction it.

If you tell me who your insurer is ill know where the car will go

Take your dosh, i got some better coupe's for sale for 4k

Insurer offered me £1100 for my 2hundy that an idiot drove into, I refused that first offer and sent in evidence of similar examples from autotrader at higher prices than their offer. From that I suggested the true value was £1400. I was delighted when they then offered me £1400 soon after. I dont think you have much to lose if yours looks undervalued and you aren't in a great hurry. It take a couple of hours' work at most - worth it even if it goes up by a few hundred quid

That sprint blue car is my perfect coupe, sprint blue, LE kit (but with anthracite wheels)

Next year... it will be mine...