Well, my 2003 with 117,000 miles has been totalled. On the way home from work last week a van drifted into my lane on a freeway onramp as we were going around a tight curve. I braked hard, rear end broke loose, fishtailed a couple times, then two feet in and I stuffed it into the bushes on the side of the freeway.

No mechanical damage, but front bumper and top needs to be replaced. Headlights as well. And almost all body panels need repainting because of scratches.

So Progressive has decided to total it. I don't have an offer from them yet. I'm thinking about buying it back and fixing it. Especially cause I can get parts from Honda at a discount as a relative works there.

Aftermarket parts were wheels, exhaust, intake, and factory front lip. I get $1000 of extra coverage without paying anything extra in premiums.

Questions:

1. What's the downside of having a salvage title?
2. Can I still get collision coverage after it's been fixed?
3. Who's a good experienced softop installer in the SoCal area? I'm thinking of a Robbin's top.

Thanks everyone.

 

I really dont have time to respond to your entire thread as im leaving work right now but i will say go with the oem top... nothing fits like oem...

 

just get another S or fix this one cheap and get liability only.

 

The problem with a salvage title will be when you are trying to sell it.

 

^+1. It will be very hard to sell, otherwise nothing, especially if you know what happened to it.

 

Not really worried about selling it, cause I'll probably keep it for several more years. But I'd still like to have collision insurance on it cause after it's fixed, it'll be the same as before, but just with the salvage title. All the damage is cosmetic. Nothing structural. They're totalling it cause they have to replace the bumper and one fender. The top alone is $1800, and half the car has to be repainted....

 

you can't get full coverage insurance on a salvage title.

 

hmm thats wierd i had a salvage tittle del sol and had full coverage on it so i don tknow but then again i have farmers

 

only certain insurance companies will insure a salvage title but the cost for it will decrease. i mean you obviously are not trying to make money out of this car just enjoy it so do it and ask insurance companies if they will insure it full coverage.

 

In CA you can have full coverage on a salvage title.

 

Can you tell us more about liability. I know its cheaper. Im tired of paying 142 $ a month for insurance.

 

liability is what many people call "one-way". This is going to be my more-or-less interpretation of it and there are definitely a LOT of technicalities so it's best to talk to your insurance agent instead of banking off a stranger on a forum (me). In essence, liability covers everything except your car's damages. If another party hits you and is their fault, their insurance pays you. If an accident occurs where it is your fault, no one pays for the damages to your car, but your insurance will cover the damages for the other party. In the event of an accident/incident where your car is damaged but there is no one at fault or no one that can be held accountable (theft, natural disaster, acts of god, etc.) your insurance will NOT pay you.

You can buy collision separate from theft, so if you're like me and is 6 times out of 7 not at-fault in accidents you may want to consider taking out collision coverage for your car. I leave it in since over time insurance lowers itself anyways. Over the course of 3-4 years I've been with the same company my rates have dropped considerably. With 1 (that damn 1 out of the 7 accidents I was at fault) at-fault accident on record my rate is still lower than when I originally signed. Full coverage on 2 S2000's and near maximum liability for 3 cars is under 200/month

 

Ill be talking to my insurance rep today. Great way of explainin it
Thanks

 

buy a new one!

 

Get a CR-Z, sorry for your lost man

 

Buy it back, part it out, buy another one. This is the best way to do it, trust me. It's too old and too high of millage for it to be worth fixing...

 

Do that. It's not worth fixing. Especially if you're going to end up with a salvage title.

 

Yeah i'd definatly say part it out and buy a new one it's no worth going through the hassle of a salvage title!

 

Some insurance companies (Geico being on of them) with give you full cover again after damage is properly repaired and inspected. You can have your vehicle repaired by who ever, however, if it doesnt meet their standards then they grant you liability only. Usually, their choice of inspectors are well known dealers and auto body shops in your area.....this is what happened to me and it all worked out fine