 inGearX3.1415 9265
join:2000-06-11
New York | Sandy ... mom GAVE AWAY her damaged car :/ help analyze! so 200,000+ cars might be damaged after Sandy ...
my moms car was one of them...
it was a 2001 Chevrolet Impala
we got it in 2003 for $9500 and had it ever since... was running OK
by OK I mean first 4 years no problems - but lately:
* it needed tuning of this and replacement of that ... I think averaging $1300 a year
* check engine light was on... and at times on a highway it would not want to shift into higher gear seamlessly - you needed to release the accelerator/gas pedal wait 3 seconds - "let it catch it's breath" and then press it - and it would go into higher gear...
* had some dents, scratches, wear and tear here and there ...
but other then that seemed OK
I will admit - she could afford a better car and was a bit shabby to drive around in a 10 year old car - just because we got so used to it - I guess it is a bit like wearing your favorite 10 year old shirt...
Some family / friends pointed out from time to time that we ought to look to upgrade...
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So came Sandy - and our car got COMPLETELY submerged :/
we did not have comprehensive insurance for flood damage...
Her mechanic - a family friend - said repair is difficult ... and it will be nothing but problems ...
So NYC said they will start issuing tickets from Oct 5th for alternate side parking ... so what it's $35 a ticket for two times a week ... if they even would issue tickets on our street...
but my mom needed to fly out for a few weeks...
So I am still trying to understand how / why ... she said it was even hard to find anyone to tow / take it away...
someone bought it as scrap - the deed ... for $250 !!!
someone is making a TON of money!
I'm like WTF!?!? Mom WHY?
maybe my math or logic is wrong... but I'm like repair it - for $... well here is the thing - how much realistically would it cost to get it running to OK condition ?
I am not sure if the engine took on water...
and etc...
but repair it for $x and sell it for $y
$y - $x = $z = profit
drive it around until you get a new car
NOW the market will be full of these flooded cars - driven to other states... re-registered... and sold as nothing happened...
NOW due to the demand for cars ... an average price for a used car will go up...
I'm like WHY ?
can you please shed some light on this ...
I am angry and bitter about this...
how much would it be to fix the car to running condition ?
what am I failing to see?
thank you very much... |
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 JtmoPremium
join:2001-05-20
Novato, CA | The car is now useless, you would need to tear down every mechanical component (tranny, engine) and clean replace. Also every electrical part is now shot. Likely would cost you more than the car cost new to 'properly' repair it. Even a bandaid approach would be more than buying a good used car, plus the nickle and dimeing or should I say the $100/$1000 repairs that will come up every few weeks. Let alone the smell..... |
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 MooJohn
join:2005-12-18
Milledgeville, GA
 ·Windstream
| reply to inGearX
The debris shows the entire engine was submerged; there is water in it and the transmission too. There is nothing left to salvage on that car. Every single piece of electrical gear is junk - every computer, every relay, every harness. Before the incident the car was worth $3k at most, and that's without considering the transmission or CEL issues. It would cost 2-3x that easily to get that into reliable condition. I'm sure you can make it drive for much less but it won't last long before issues start popping up - but I guess that would be somebody else's problem, right?
I'm surprised that your biggest concern is that she won't be able to unload it on some unsuspecting slob dumb enough to buy a flood car. Hopefully CarFax will flag all VINs from that region so buyers will inspect much more closely.
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John M - Cranky network guy |
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zach3ZachPremium
join:2000-05-04
Saint Louis, MO
1 edit | reply to inGearX
I'm surprised that she was able to get someone to tow it away and give her $250 for the title.
Count your blessings.
By the way I looked up the price of the car on Blue Book and the Top value was only $3000. With all of the damage done like I said, count your blessings. |
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 TA63ST215WPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-23
there
kudos:2 | reply to inGearX
She got scrap value for scrap. |
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 BonezXBasement DwellerPremium
join:2004-04-13
Canada | said by TA63:She got scrap value for scrap.
well slightly less then scrap value, all the steel melted down is still pretty worth while, it's the tearing it apart that is a pain in the ass.
just rough guessing your looking at, at least 2400lb in scrap steel. the gas tank can be recovered and sold(plastic tank), anything plastic is still good. realistically she got less then scrap value. |
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TA63ST215WPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-23
there
kudos:2 | Considering the tow, I think she did ok.
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The talented hawk speaks French. |
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BonezXBasement DwellerPremium
join:2004-04-13
Canada | yea scrapyards have been pretty cheap lately, charging you money to tow your car for them to part out and make huge amounts over what the cost to run their own tow truck. |
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 SnakeoilIgnore Button. The coward's feature.Premium
join:2000-08-05
Mentor, OH
kudos:1
 ·RoadRunner Cable
 ·magicjack.com
| reply to inGearX
Add another thing.
You'd have to remove all the fabric in the car. As a warm, wet environment is a nice growing medium for mold and other "Icky" things.
So besides all the mechanical stuff, there is also the other things to consider.
Count your blessings. They being she survived, and you got 250 for the car.
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Is a person a failure for doing nothing? Or is he a failure for trying, and not succeeding at what he is attempting to do? What did you fail at today?. |
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 WarzauPremium
join:2000-10-26
Naperville, IL
kudos:1 | reply to inGearX
I'm with everyone else. Car is worthless, you should be glad she got 250 for it. EVERYTHING would need to be service. Engine rebuilt, trans rebuilt, electrical broken down. interior,etc,etc,etc. |
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nonymousPremium
join:2003-09-08
Glendale, AZ Reviews:
·Callcentric
| reply to inGearX
If someone makes a ton of money selling some of those now flood damaged parts they are crooks. Some stuff after proper cleaning would be fine but there is now a ton of stuff you wouldn't want to use again.
Plus how long flooded and how long before cleaned is also a factor. If it just sits there with the salt accumulation for a long period even some stuff that could be saved would be garbage. |
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 JuggernautIrreverent or irrelevant?Premium
join:2006-09-05
Kelowna, BC
kudos:2 | Well, body parts, interior plastic, and parts like the intake manifold are still good after a cleanup. The rest is trash. There is money to be made, even off these cars. Lots of money.
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I'm not anti-social, I just don't like stupid people. |
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WarzauPremium
join:2000-10-26
Naperville, IL
kudos:1 | Yeah but where would she keep a parts car  |
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JuggernautIrreverent or irrelevant?Premium
join:2006-09-05
Kelowna, BC
kudos:2 | I was referring to the wrecker. They'll make $2000 off this car, minimum.
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I'm not anti-social, I just don't like stupid people. |
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WarzauPremium
join:2000-10-26
Naperville, IL
kudos:1 | I was being sarcastic. |
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 digitalfuturSees More Than ShownPremium
join:2000-07-15
BurlingtonON
kudos:2 | reply to inGearX
A car over 5 years old that costs $1300 a year to keep on the road, over and above normal maintenance, should be sold or scrapped before it's submerged. |
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BobAccount deleted
join:2012-07-22
New Jersey | reply to inGearX
A flood car is worthless, and the title is required to be marked "FLOOD". I'd say that getting $250 is a really good deal. Did I mention that a flood car is worthless?
Although I don't understand why you didn't have insurance coverage. |
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 jmpenguinJmpenguinPremium
join:2004-01-16
Labelle, FL
 ·HughesNet Satell..
| Many people only have the minimum insurance that the state requires. Many do not carry comprehensive insurance because of cost may be more than value of vehicle.
It may surprise you; car insurance does cover flood damage to cars, as long as you have selected the right coverage on your auto insurance policy. A flood can easily total out a car and the only way to get your insurance company to pay for the repairs or your total loss is to carry comprehensive coverage on your policy.
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Comcast HSI or AirCard either Sprint or ATT WINXP-Pro, LAN Firefox Thunderbird Gmail
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 ROCINANTEOriginal Member 007Premium
join:1999-06-29
Hartsdale, NY | reply to inGearX
What you are failing to see is that the car is worth only $250 in its current condition. Yes, some mechanic may be able to partially clean/repair it on his own time and part it out for a profit. The question is, do you have the tools and knowledge to do that? If not, then it is not worth it. The mechanic's profit is not your concern.
Anyway, she will get a tax deduction on the loss.
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CRUNCH THIS!
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| reply to inGearX
we did not have comprehensive insurance for flood damage...
OK, explain this, no comp ins at all, or just for flooding?
If you/she didn't have any comp ins...kick yourself where ever it hurts the most... |
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