totaled mustang?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 9
From: midwest
totaled mustang?
my brother wrecked his 95 v-6 mustang the other day including setting off the air bags. blue book at best for his car is $4500. how much damage would there have to be before the insurance company declares it "totaled"
about the air bags...can i service them or is that beyond the scope of a do it yourselfer? also, is there some sort of core value for the old ones or can i just cut them out? lastly, how much are they to replace?
about the air bags...can i service them or is that beyond the scope of a do it yourselfer? also, is there some sort of core value for the old ones or can i just cut them out? lastly, how much are they to replace?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 946
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From: Orange
Depends on the insurance, normally it's 75% of the blue book value. The airbags alone will probably be good enough to total it. In the SN95 mustangs, the airbags are bolted into the steering column with 2 bolts and the passenger side one is also bolted in. You would also need to get new relays for them. Airbags are normally about a grand a piece for the SN95s.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
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From: Isanti, MN
In my experience, with a car that old, they total it out if there is any doubt. If they try to fix it, and it costs more than they think, they have to eat the cost. Normally, it's a better risk to total a car that old.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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My ins co totaled a 93 sable in 97 after a crash that did front end damage and popped the airbags. Air bags were about $1400 of the $4100 estimate they got to when they stopped adding. They didn't even get to the dent in the roof caused by the car starting to bend in the middle.
You don't recharge airbags. That's why they are stolen so often. Once they blow, that's it. The charge is gone of course and the bag itself tears as a way of deflating.
You don't recharge airbags. That's why they are stolen so often. Once they blow, that's it. The charge is gone of course and the bag itself tears as a way of deflating.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 759
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From: Omaha
My family owns a body shop and before the late 80s the insurance companys would pretty much fix anything. But now days they will total out about every thing. If you go to a bone yard that has late model cars a majority of the cars are wrecked due to them being totaled and most of those cars can be repaired and the damage isnt too bad.
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
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From: north west new jersey
the air bags, relays,crash sensors and control unit most be replaced, as to buying it from the insurance company not a very good idea as they will want the title and give you back one that states salvage only or other words a parts only car. let them take it
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Amarillo, TEXAS!
Originally Posted by captchas
the air bags, relays,crash sensors and control unit most be replaced, as to buying it from the insurance company not a very good idea as they will want the title and give you back one that states salvage only or other words a parts only car. let them take it
A vehicle that can only be exported or used for parts is issued a certificate of destruction.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Bass Lake, CA
if you want to retain salvage, here is how it works........
cars value is determined, NOT by using a blue book........ by using a database of comparable vehicles sold in your market area. this averaged number is adjusted based on prior damage, and vehicle condition overall (not the accident stuff,...). then a salvage value is determined, like what salvage yards are willing to pay... this salvage value is then deducted from your adjusted ACV for the vehicle (actual cash vlaue), deductibles that apply are also deducted, and you are left with the balance, and a salvage title.
imho, a v6 stang is not worth keeping.... it will have to be inspected once it is reconstructed, and the airbags for that car are 670.00 each....plus the control module, and both front sensors. total is over 2 grand for just the bags. the car will have front rail damage, apron damage, radiator and a/c damage etc..... your looking at way too much to fix it, you will have more in it done than you could have spent on an unwrecked car....
but, good luck!
cars value is determined, NOT by using a blue book........ by using a database of comparable vehicles sold in your market area. this averaged number is adjusted based on prior damage, and vehicle condition overall (not the accident stuff,...). then a salvage value is determined, like what salvage yards are willing to pay... this salvage value is then deducted from your adjusted ACV for the vehicle (actual cash vlaue), deductibles that apply are also deducted, and you are left with the balance, and a salvage title.
imho, a v6 stang is not worth keeping.... it will have to be inspected once it is reconstructed, and the airbags for that car are 670.00 each....plus the control module, and both front sensors. total is over 2 grand for just the bags. the car will have front rail damage, apron damage, radiator and a/c damage etc..... your looking at way too much to fix it, you will have more in it done than you could have spent on an unwrecked car....
but, good luck!
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Near Wamego KS
Like matts250 said, the value of the Mustang isn't going to be Kelly Blue Book dealer price (closer to trade value). Other thing to consider - that salvage title is ALWAYS going to haunt the value of that car.
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
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From: north west new jersey
the last two men said what i was trying to say, here in new jersey they give you back a title stating salvage and they mean it. when repaired it must be inspected by the state police and you must have all the receipts and it must be properly repaired. then they give you a rebuilt vehicle title that still haunts you. i've been though it to many times , salvage, flood or rebuilt it stinks and is not worth it,
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 251
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From: Ocala, FL
Lawyers enter into this too. DO NOT put this car back together without a functioing air bag system and try to sell it for anything other than salvage. It will be hard to sell and if next owner wrecks and is hurt or someone is killed, Guess What! You could be liable regardless of what was agreed upon at selling time! Wonderful times and rules we live under . 
We {an LM dealer} took in a late model Ranger from the local Chevy dealer for "air bag light on" repair. We found NO sensors, air bags missing with covers glued back on {looked good too}. Their used car department took the Ranger on trade, last I heard they were hunting down the previous owner! WOO-HAW! Hate to be him.
We {an LM dealer} took in a late model Ranger from the local Chevy dealer for "air bag light on" repair. We found NO sensors, air bags missing with covers glued back on {looked good too}. Their used car department took the Ranger on trade, last I heard they were hunting down the previous owner! WOO-HAW! Hate to be him.
Last edited by bobcatv8; Dec 22, 2004 at 09:23 PM.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,379
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From: midwest
the insurance guy was here the other day and he said he stopped at $7000 when it was totaled. it seems good that he had to stop at such a high price before the computer told him to stop. he also told me that before 8 years they have to take the car and after 8 years we can keep it