Posts Tagged ‘Rear Bumper’
Details about the car are below. We have priced the car at $500. The Blue Book private party price is $695 and Edmunds private party price is $577. We’ve had 5 responses – one person stood us up. We have responded to 3 people and have had no communication after that. I’m waiting for an email from one person who found our ad on Craigslist. Is our price too high for a car in this condition?
New parts:
*New tires & front end alignment (November 2008 – only 1500 miles on the new tires!)
*New radiator (Summer 2008)
*New serpentine belt (Summer 2008)
*New brakes (March 2009)
*New top motor mount (March 2009)
Good things about this car:
*Low insurance cost (we’re in our early 20s and we pay $40/month)
*Easy to drive – great first car!
*Very roomy
*Cool seat covers – appropriate for guys or girls
*Low mileage for a car this age (approximately 7500 miles per year)
*Good gas mileage (26 hwy, 18 city, 21 combined)
*Large trunk
*Spare tire and jack take up no room in the trunk!
*Has a great CD player and speakers
*Rear window defogger
Bad things:
*Leaks coolant
*Leaks transmission fluid
*AC doesn’t work properly – likely needs freon
*Heater doesn’t work
*Small dents on right side of car and on hood
*Paint scraped off on rear bumper – my aunt accidentally bumped the back with her car
*Right side door creaks as it opens – door works fine, though
*Headliner is hanging slightly – doesn’t affect driving or anything
*Back driver’s side window doesn’t close fully, needs a new clip
On the original ad, we also have pictures of the car. Here are the pictures I have included with the ad:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85718819@N00/sets/72157619304971490/
500.00 is the minimum amount to price a car that runs..
of the bad things listed, only two or three matter..the coolant and trans leak and the ac/heater problems
The tires, brakes, and radiator cost more than you are asking for the car……
Someone else hit my car while it was parked. It was very cut-and-dry. I got a police report, the officer talked to the driver. It states that my car was legally parked and the other driver is at fault. The damage is minor rear bumper damage, nothing too terrible. I filed with his insurance company, and after a lot of frustrating phone tag, an insurance adjuster came out and wrote me an estimate for $450. I had an adjustment for $734 from the local body shop for my make of car, and I showed it to him. I expressed my dissatisfaction with this estimate, and he said the body shop would settle with the insurance company directly for costs in excess of the estimate. $300 is a little much. Since it’s minor damage, I think the body shop will probably take the money and do a shoddy job on the car. It’s my understanding they are supposed to repair my car to pre-accident conditions. I got another estimate for $745 this weekend. I can’t get it fixed for $450. What are my options? (cont’d)
There is one issue–previous damage on the bumper that I was not responsible for. I’m not asking them to repair that damage, but the adjuster took lots of pictures of it and probably used it as leverage in his adjustment. The paint is flaking at the new spot of damage, there is a clear difference between the two.
Also, I signed nothing when he came out and I haven’t done anything with the check. The letter with the check states, "You will be responsible for any charges that exceed our estimate," so it looks like I’m going to have to pay $300 to get my car fixed and I’m not happy about it. The guy lied to me, probably thinking I’m stupid enough to just go cash the check.
Obviously, this is extremely minor as far as car insurance claims go. I talked to the driver and he said he would make sure my car got fixed.. etc etc. Talking to him might be a last resort. I have nothing in writing from him.
These are the worse type of claims to settle to everyone’s satisfaction, ever! I work in the industry and look at this type of damage numerous times a week. Everyone has old damage on their bumpers, that’s what bumpers are for for heavens sake.
So here it is, you are entitled to be put back to the position you were in prior to this accident happening. If you had old damage on your bumper that is not this person’s responsibility and all you will get is a paint allowance. You didn’t mention how old your car is, that factors into things as well. Paint depreciates just like your car does, it oxidizes and loses luster. Would you be happier with the insurance company repairing that one spot on the bumper and you ending up with mismatched paint? I don’t think so.
Finally, if you are getting quotes in excess of $700 for minor bumper damage only then you are getting hosed unless you are driving a luxury vehicle. You could get a used bumper, have it painted and replaced on your vehicle for less than these quotes. Don’t tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about because I do. The offer is fair, take it and get your bumper repaired.