Do you think it's totaled?

[guitarfish]

My son lost control in the snow and hit a couple of boulders with his 2004 GP. The preliminary damage:
- Airbags popped
- Windshield cracked (pass side - not sure if from airbag, or structural)
- Driver side wheel destroyed
- Air conditioner refridgerant leaking
- Hood bent
- Left front fascia, fender, headlamp, etc all destroyed
- Right fender bent (not sure how)
- Sunroof popped open & won't close (not good - structural issue?)

The car is worth about $7K on paper. We're hoping it can be repaired. What do you guys think?


See rocks he hit in background:

[BNaylor]

Sorry to hear that. I've seen worse. The damage looks repairable from the pics but it won't be cheap. However, possible structural damage based on your description and may be a candidate for a total out. Did you inspect the undercarriage? How about any subframe damage, control arms, struts, (steering and suspension) etc? Also, look for inner apron damage where the fenders mount. Depending on the total cost it may be well over at least 50% of your existing value.

Will this be an insurance claim? Best thing to do is get repair estimates or see what the collision/body shops say.

[richtazz]

From an insurance company standpoint, the car is totalled due to the airbag deployment, as repairs will cost more than the car is worth. Depending on the severity of the structural damage (the sunroof no longer closing is a bad sign), it's probably not worth fixing because it will be near impossible to get back straight. Also, looking at the shot from the passenger side corner, the passenger fender is no longer aligned with the door, so it appears the entire front sub-frame is pushed over that way from the impact.

[guitarfish]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

Sorry to hear that. I've seen worse. The damage looks repairable from the pics but it won't be cheap. However, possible structural damage based on your description and may be a candidate for a total out. Did you inspect the undercarriage? How about any subframe damage, control arms, struts, (steering and suspension) etc? Also, look for inner apron damage where the fenders mount. Depending on the total cost it may be well over at least 50% of your existing value.

Will this be an insurance claim? Best thing to do is get repair estimates or see what the collision/body shops say.

Yes, this is definitely an insurance job. The ins. co. is planning to take the car to one of their inspectioni facilities, as opposed to sending an adjuster to the yard where it's at right now. I guess this will allow them to do a more thorough inspection.

I haven't seen it in person, but I don't believe he drove over the rocks, so I don't think the undercarriage is messed up. Of course, I'm assuming strut, wheel bearing, half shaft, etc all got damaged. We should probably hear something next week. Sigh.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by richtazz

Also, looking at the shot from the passenger side corner, the passenger fender is no longer aligned with the door, so it appears the entire front sub-frame is pushed over that way from the impact.

Yeah Rich which could mean the inner aprons are probably bent/damaged which is not good. But the shops do have frame straightening capability which means it could be fixed but it will never be the same car again.

Also, inner apron sections can be replaced but it won't be cheap. I would go insurance claim, if covered, on this one because out of pocket will be too costly.

[nfoss]

So, that's my car up there...

It FELT like I went airborne for a second. Of course, with the airbags popping, the violent noise associated with hitting boulders and hearing plastic/metal rip away, and me blacking out for a split second, I could be wrong.


Anyone selling a black Grand Prix GT1?

[tblake]

tough break man, Happens to the best of us.....

Maybe going a little fast for the conditions?

[guitarfish]

Well, it's totalled all right. Over $12K of damage.
Among the damage: left frame rail, apron, radiator support, AC condensor, fan, engine cradle, dash pad, air bags, windshield...
ok, somebody make it stop.

Thanks all for your help.

[dugan50]

Questions like this are asked and answered all the time here. There are specific items that are required replacement items when a deployment occurs or when an airbag light comes on...and there are some items that are "check only". Check out this website for the EXACT answers to your questions including fault code charts. This site tells you exactly what needs to be replaced and how to access them (seat belts & all) on over 3500 cars. It's a pay site, but it's little money well spent to get the correct answers and to see exactly what you're after...it uses pictures, not text, so you can see what you’re looking for.
http://www.airbagsolutions.com
Good Luck...it's not too bad of a job & if your state allows it, used parts or parts from ebay should be ok

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by dugan50

Questions like this are asked and answered all the time here. There are specific items that are required replacement items when a deployment occurs or when an airbag light comes on...and there are some items that are "check only". Check out this website for the EXACT answers to your questions including fault code charts. This site tells you exactly what needs to be replaced and how to access them (seat belts & all) on over 3500 cars. It's a pay site, but it's little money well spent to get the correct answers and to see exactly what you're after...it uses pictures, not text, so you can see what you’re looking for.
http://www.airbagsolutions.com
Good Luck...it's not too bad of a job & if your state allows it, used parts or parts from ebay should be ok

Douglas, what happened to your authorized vendor title? Do you really think pushing a boilerplate advertisement for your company will help this member and a totaled out car?

[guitarfish]

Originally Posted by dugan50

Questions like this are asked and answered all the time here. There are specific items that are required replacement items when a deployment occurs or when an airbag light comes on...and there are some items that are "check only". Check out this website for the EXACT answers to your questions including fault code charts. This site tells you exactly what needs to be replaced and how to access them (seat belts & all) on over 3500 cars. It's a pay site, but it's little money well spent to get the correct answers and to see exactly what you're after...it uses pictures, not text, so you can see what you’re looking for.
http://www.airbagsolutions.com
Good Luck...it's not too bad of a job & if your state allows it, used parts or parts from ebay should be ok

Thank you for the SPAM which went with my breakfast this morning. Maybe READ the thread next time. Consider yourself blocked.

[DJ JEFF]

I thought there is an immediate ban imposed if you advertise on here?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by DJ JEFF

I thought there is an immediate ban imposed if you advertise on here?

It depends but not necessarily true or the proper course of action depending on the circumstances. Mr Douglas Gan is an AF Authorized Vendor according our records and free to advertise at his discretion but subject to review of AF Moderators. The problem is he does not have the Vendor title showing therefore he must contact AF Admin as soon as possible and get the issue resolved. If not resolved in a timely manner then his post will be moved to spam.

[GaryFenza]

judging from my auto body expierence, its totaled from an insurance comapnies view. Alot of damage occurs but is not noticable, like a few others have said.....struts, links, control arms, tie rods, suspensiion in general, frame.

[hshift]

I am currently searching the forums for info on GM airbags for an Olds 98 I am
re-building after a front end hit. This guy dugan50 posts in any and all threads relating to airbag deployment, not with useful info, but with thinly covered ads for his compay's airbag service. I have blocked him as well.