This is my first post, and that's a "kudos!" to everyone on here because I've found answers to many questions in prior threads. I wish the circumstances for a first post were better, but... The car is a 2012 Prius c with 252k miles that we've owned since new. I have done everything on the maintenance schedule on time (25 oil changes myself, filters, etc.), including: last coolant flush at 222k miles, and installed the 3rd set of spark plugs at 240k. Well cared for. Underside kept clean. Stored in attached garage. Never any engine work, never a trouble code, never leaked oil. Just a really good car! Last week my wife hit a deer on the interstate (she's fine!) and insurance declared it a total loss. No surprise, considering: two driver airbags deployed (steering wheel and knees) and given that age/mileage. The adjuster's estimate to repair is $10,800 (it's over $3,000 for restraint systems, mostly airbags). The insurance payout is $4,400, and I can buy the car back for $1,200. I've bought a totaled car back before to use as a parts car, but that other car (2006 Mazda 5) only cost me $365. So one question is... Why is this salvaged car worth more to the insurance company? Is it the hybrid battery? If I bought back the car, could I harvest the battery and sell it to recycling? It seems possible to me that there is infrastructure that the insurance salvage system has access to that I don't. Mechanically: My wife was able to drive it off the road. It did not leak fluids after the incident. Steering works. The valuation report shows that the transmission seems unaffected. The front end crumpled good and took out the left headlamp assembly, but I think engine, steering, and suspension are OK, based on my review of the estimate and looking it over myself. I'm stewing over whether to buy the car back. I would not use it as a parts car; we're buying her a new car. Rebuilding it seems unlikely, but possible. I would not do that myself (time). I can talk to my body guy, and maybe he could do it for $7-8k. More likely is reselling as a salvage car, or parting it out myself, but I can't invest a TON of time into that. I can keep it in an outbuilding, but my wife would not want it around long term, maybe a year? What are the thoughts on recuperating the $1200 cost to buy my "good" salvage car? Thanks, Tristan
Can you get pictures with the hood up, if possible, showing the radiator, front cross-member? Driver's side view too would be good. Guessing it's in some impound yard though.
it's going to be tough to get a reasonable repair estimate with any hidden damage, so you can judge cost and market value to sell at a profit. i think i'd walk away. and don't accept their offer without fighting it, they always lowball
IMO you have done a near-perfect value extraction on this car. Let it go and start over. Sounds like it still has the original traction battery, which means it probably isn't long for this world. So add another $2000-2500 to your estimate for full rehabilitation because it's going to happen soon enough.
