hit on the rear wheel and door; sell or keep?

[ricyoon]

hi folks,

I need your assistance in making a pretty important decision.
my 09 OBS was hit on the passengerside rear wheel and door by a pt cruiser.
The damage looks like it won't exceed 4000, replacing wheel, rear bumper, refinishing rear quarter panel and the door.
It worries me alot the fact that the point of impact was on the wheel itself.
I worry that the driveterrain will be affected to some degree and will likely have chonic issues that stems from it down the road. The car has barely 20k miles clean as a dime, runs like a champ and i also have equity on the vehicle.

The question: Should i keep and risk the possible driveterrain issues down the line? or sell and get a forester premium? (i can surely use the extra ground clearance and cargo room)

please note, the vehicle is still in the bodyshop awaiting repairs and will likely go to the dealership thereafter to have the drive terrain, suspension and allignment checked out. Yes, the vehicle still has factory warranty.

Thanks in advance.

[ricyoon]

hi folks,

I need your assistance in making a pretty important decision.
my 09 OBS was hit on the passengerside rear wheel and door by a pt cruiser.
The damage looks like it won't exceed 4000, replacing wheel, rear bumper, refinishing rear quarter panel and the door.
It worries me alot the fact that the point of impact was on the wheel itself.
I worry that the driveterrain will be affected to some degree and will likely have chonic issues that stems from it down the road. The car has barely 20k miles clean as a dime, runs like a champ and i also have equity on the vehicle.

The question: Should i keep and risk the possible driveterrain issues down the line? or sell and get a forester premium? (i can surely use the extra ground clearance and cargo room)

please note, the vehicle is still in the bodyshop awaiting repairs and will likely go to the dealership thereafter to have the drive terrain, suspension and allignment checked out. Yes, the vehicle still has factory warranty.

Thanks in advance.

[fatabbot]

Originally Posted by ricyoon

Yes, the vehicle still has factory warranty.

Although it likely won't on affected components (rear drivetrain, etc.).

Since it's only a 2009 and it has now been in a wreck, prepare to bend over if you try to sell it.

[algreen]

Has your insurance company offered to "total" the car? If so, I would go that route and buy a new car.
Everything really depends on the extent of the damage, and the quality of your body shop.

[ricyoon]

Originally Posted by algreen

Has your insurance company offered to "total" the car? If so, I would go that route and buy a new car.
Everything really depends on the extent of the damage, and the quality of your body shop.

4k in damages is no where near a t-loss consideration.
i suppose the body work is secondary if driveterrain won't have issues down the line.

[Wagondude]

The body shop should be equiped to check the suspension and alignment. A side load like the hit you describe will almost certainly kill the hub/wheel bearing. Enough force will bend the axle shaft and could also damage the bearings in the differential.

[ricyoon]

Originally Posted by Wagondude

The body shop should be equiped to check the suspension and alignment. A side load like the hit you describe will almost certainly kill the hub/wheel bearing. Enough force will bend the axle shaft and could also damage the bearings in the differential.

My thoughts exactly.
i guess this the only time i regret having symmetrical all wheel drive other than a blown tire.

[phatvw]

You are most likely entitled to diminished value compenstation in addition to the cost to repair the car. As another posted mentioned it will be more difficult to sell the car once it has been in a collision and no matter how well it is repaired it will ALWAYS be worth less than a car without collision history.

Do not sign ANY paperwork from the at-fault party's insurance company until you are 100% satisfied. And always conduct business with insurance companies in writing or email. NEVER over the phone. Remember that you have no contract with their insurance company so don't let them push you around. You have the right to sue the individual who was at fault and their insurance covers their costs. Don't feel bad about it its just the way it is.


Read more here (applicable specifically to WA state, but most likely equally applicable to other states as well)

Insurance Info You Need | Haury's Lake City Collision


Now with the way these cars are built, there is a rear sub frame and the whole rear suspension is designed to bend and take the load instead of the unibody itself. If the frame and the driver axle are not bent and its just the trailing arm, strut/shock, hub carrier, sway-bar, and brake assembly that needs replacement then I would keep the car. If the frame, axle and especially the differential need replacement then yeah I would look into swapping to another car. No telling what else went wrong if the damage went that far. If the axle is bad, but not seriously bent, thats not too bad. Specify that a new OEM factory axle be swapped in, NOT an aftermarket brand or a reman.



BTW if the rear strut/shock is being replaced, insist that they replace both sides - you don't want one side to be worn more than the other as this can lead to uneven handling. May as well specify the KYB brand which is cheaper than OEM, but performs quite a bit better. Remember you have the right to specify exactly what parts go on your car. Not insurance. Chances are the shop doing the work quote insurance the retail prices for OEM parts - Guess what, retail for one OEM shock is about the same as wholesale for TWO KYB shocks. So may as well get your money's worth while going through all this trouble.

[AWDFTW]

I merged your duplicate threads. Please don't do that.

[Typhoonk]

IF you have a lawyer use him/her.

Make sure your getting a repaired vehicle + the diminished cost of the resale value + warranty

they will always try to low ball you, just try to get want you want and nothing more. Or else it will drag on - just don't get screwed