97 Subaru, fix it or scrape it?

jeffrey_tc · Post by **jeffrey_tc** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:41 am

Hi everyone,:)

I asked for help here a month ago when my 97 Subaru Liberty was smashed by a truck. I would like to thank you all for your opinion earlier! but I need more:eek:

Please take a look
[ATTACH]3196[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]3197[/ATTACH]

The driver at fault agreed to pay me $2000 (waiting for his cheque now) and I found a smash repair who will replace the rear quarter panel, bumper and light for that amount.

Since the $2000 quote is much cheaper than the quotes I got from four other smash repairs ($ 3000 - 5000), I am worried if their service is reliable. I know I am being a skeptic, but please forgive me:o

My first questions is, how do I know if they are licensed or not? I got the smash repair's business card and I could find them on google map, yellow pages, star locals, etc. Does that mean something?

2nd question is, will safety or mechanical function be compromised even if I get my car fixed? will it be it better to fork out another $2000 and buy another car?

Many thanks!
Jeff

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 3:07 am

You could cut that whole corner off the car and structurally it really wouldn't make any difference so what you really need to look out for is cosmetics, personally I'd be looking for someone wrecking one and buy the light, bumper and pretty much anything else you can find cheap, even the whole quarter panel..... cut the whole thing off right up to the back wheel at the bottom of the door and above window level with a 9" angle grinder then let the panel beater unpick whatever he needs off it, I've done this quite a few times and saved thousands, you can even find mobile panel beaters if you can supply the parts, I had the whole front off an Impreza I bought which I paid $50 for by a mobile guy for $1,200.

Examples, admittedly I did a lot of work myself by stripping the cars, painting etc but I also made quite a profit on them.

Looks worse than it was.

The old rear quarter which was left over from the blue WRX in my sig put to use.....It was a red car originally.

End result, funnily enough both these hatches ended up back at pickles where I originally bought them from lol

My daily driver which I've had for over 6yrs as I bought it.

Years later.

niterida · Post by **niterida** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 3:22 am

that looks like a pretty big hit. Is the tail gate opening untouched ? If no then that might be why the other quotes were so high - they included the work to straighten it properly - and the last quote might just be straight panel replacement and hope the opening is straight enough or bodge the gaps.

Is it AWD ? might be better keeping the $2k, parting out the wreck and buying another car if it is AWD.

It may also be better selling as is and putting the money together and buying something else.

A lot depends on how much you can get for it as is - $500-1000 ??

Is it anything special - low kms, just had major work done, one owner, family heirloom etc. In otherwords if you fix it is it going to be worth it to YOU ?

I bought a 96 model Liberty wagon with a smashed tailgate last year - low kms so I thought it would be worthwhile to get a new tailgate. Turns out the opening was totally smashed and the top of the tailgate and opening were out of wack - even though I looked very closely (twice) at the car before buying it. So I would be running a ruler over yours to see how badly damaged it really is.

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 3:30 am

You'd probably pick something like this up for about $400 as it's a stat write off, provided you had room you'd make good money selling parts and using any good parts on yours that are on this. As it's an RX you score mags, roof rails, woodgrain, tailgate spoiler, top of the range upholstery etc etc & only about 10kl away

http://www.pickles.com.au/damaged/item/ ... 1202149794

jeffrey_tc · Post by **jeffrey_tc** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:10 pm

niterida wrote:that looks like a pretty big hit. Is the tail gate opening untouched ? If no then that might be why the other quotes were so high - they included the work to straighten it properly - and the last quote might just be straight panel replacement and hope the opening is straight enough or bodge the gaps.

Is it AWD ? might be better keeping the $2k, parting out the wreck and buying another car if it is AWD.

It may also be better selling as is and putting the money together and buying something else.

A lot depends on how much you can get for it as is - $500-1000 ??

Is it anything special - low kms, just had major work done, one owner, family heirloom etc. In otherwords if you fix it is it going to be worth it to YOU ?

I bought a 96 model Liberty wagon with a smashed tailgate last year - low kms so I thought it would be worthwhile to get a new tailgate. Turns out the opening was totally smashed and the top of the tailgate and opening were out of wack - even though I looked very closely (twice) at the car before buying it. So I would be running a ruler over yours to see how badly damaged it really is.

I am an amateur and really have no idea if the tailgate opening is intact

None of the smash repairs I consulted had talked about repairing the tailgate

I took 3 more pics, could you please give me a clue?
[ATTACH]3198[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]3199[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]3200[/ATTACH]

The car is a 2WD which has 250k kms.

I bought it 2 years ago for $5000 when it had 240k kms. I do not drive much and my plan was that it will run for at least 4 years til I finish my study...

The only major component that has been replaced is one of the control arms.

I would prefer to fix the car if it can run safely for at least 2 more years, if not then I will have no choice but take another $2000 out of my pocket to buy another car...

Thanks,
Jeff

jeffrey_tc · Post by **jeffrey_tc** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:17 pm

d_generate wrote:You'd probably pick something like this up for about $400 as it's a stat write off, provided you had room you'd make good money selling parts and using any good parts on yours that are on this. As it's an RX you score mags, roof rails, woodgrain, tailgate spoiler, top of the range upholstery etc etc & only about 10kl away

http://www.pickles.com.au/damaged/item/ ... 1202149794

thanks for your reply

gosh...if my car is only worth $400 now, then I will need to get ~$1500 from my own pocket to buy another one...

I am a student and never expect to replace my car after just 2 years...

alang · Post by **alang** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:53 pm

smash repairs come under the motor traders association (MTA) they should have licences and certificates on the wall for you to see including business register from the ATO Australian tax office. the last three photo's make the boot door look in its normal position have you climbed in the back and had a look at the seal on the driver side it should have no gap in it and the boot door should be straight no twist run a tape from the inside of the boot door back to the back door opening on ever side from the same spots to check. As said before buy second hand parts to replace broken ones and remove as much of the damaged parts your self to save money

jeffrey_tc · Post by **jeffrey_tc** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:27 pm

alang wrote:smash repairs come under the motor traders association (MTA) they should have licences and certificates on the wall for you to see including business register from the ATO Australian tax office. the last three photo's make the boot door look in its normal position have you climbed in the back and had a look at the seal on the driver side it should have no gap in it and the boot door should be straight no twist run a tape from the inside of the boot door back to the back door opening on ever side from the same spots to check. As said before buy second hand parts to replace broken ones and remove as much of the damaged parts your self to save money

thanks for your advice
I finally got the $2000 cheque today

Based on the damage on the car, do you think the $2000 quote is unreasonably cheap for a licensed smash repair in Sydney?

Unfortunately, there is a little gap between the door and the tailgate opening through which I can barely put a finger in:(...
The door looks to be in its exact position, I guess there is a slight deformation of the opening. Is this a BIG deal?

[ATTACH]3201[/ATTACH][ATTACH]3202[/ATTACH]

alang · Post by **alang** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:43 pm

was it a hit from the rear or a front to rear side swipe. if its from the rear could have pushed it forward that little bit run a tape down the sides to find out. its not out by much

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:28 am

I have just re-read your original thread.

May I ask how you arrived at a $2k settlement for $4K worth of damage?

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:34 pm

You have to realise that once the outer guard is cut off they can easily adjust any minor damage on the inner panel with the tap of a hammer as it's only a thin piece of metal so I honestly wouldn't be worried, when they put the new outer quarter back on they will get all the welds to line up with the inner so it will be fine...........I think you are worrying too much, just ask what and how he is going to do it and ask to have a look around at his other work in the workshop. Good luck

jeffrey_tc · Post by **jeffrey_tc** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:17 pm

alang wrote:was it a hit from the rear or a front to rear side swipe. if its from the rear could have pushed it forward that little bit run a tape down the sides to find out. its not out by much

I was parking on the left side of a one-way road and it seemed the at fault driver hit my rear right side with his front left side:o

I will try to find out if the opening was pushed forward. Anyway, I am happy to know that the gap is not a big deal!:D

Thanks, alang

jeffrey_tc · Post by **jeffrey_tc** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:51 pm

sven '2' wrote:I have just re-read your original thread.

May I ask how you arrived at a $2k settlement for $4K worth of damage?

It was a long story...

In the first place, I only visited those smash repairs which have big workshop and nice office. The quotes they offered ranging from $4000 to $5000.

However, the driver then confirmed that the truck has no insurance and he claimed my car was only worth $1500.

After that I asked for opinion from the mechanic I visit regularly. They do not do any panel work, but they found someone from the smash repair next to them to inspect my car. That smash repair said that they could fix my car for $2000.

The negotiation had lasted for nearly 2 months and I really need to money to either fix the car or buy a replacement. This is why I decided to settle with $2000.

Thanks,
Jeff

jeffrey_tc · Post by **jeffrey_tc** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:04 pm

d_generate wrote:You have to realise that once the outer guard is cut off they can easily adjust any minor damage on the inner panel with the tap of a hammer as it's only a thin piece of metal so I honestly wouldn't be worried, when they put the new outer quarter back on they will get all the welds to line up with the inner so it will be fine...........I think you are worrying too much, just ask what and how he is going to do it and ask to have a look around at his other work in the workshop. Good luck

Thanks very much for your comfort, d_generate!

I know I am too anxious:twisted: After all, the 97 Subaru is my first ever car which my parents bought me 2 years ago. I really do not know what to say to them if it is destroyed before I finish my study...

Anyway, I am very happy to know that my car can be repaired with the $2000 I received.

Jeff

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:35 pm

jeffrey_tc wrote:It was a long story...

In the first place, I only visited those smash repairs which have big workshop and nice office. The quotes they offered ranging from $4000 to $5000.

However, the driver then confirmed that the truck has no insurance and he claimed my car was only worth $1500.

After that I asked for opinion from the mechanic I visit regularly. They do not do any panel work, but they found someone from the smash repair next to them to inspect my car. That smash repair said that they could fix my car for $2000.

The negotiation had lasted for nearly 2 months and I really need to money to either fix the car or buy a replacement. This is why I decided to settle with $2000.

Thanks,
Jeff

Sounds like quite an ordeal...small claims court would have = longer settlement, if any.

All the best with the repairs - I remember well poor uni days.

Sven