Someone hit my Prelude, and their insurance is offering to pay around $4800 if I let them take the car, or $3800 if I keep the car and it gets a salvage title.

This is what the damage looks like.In addition to this damage, my Prelude also needs all the ball joints and tie rods to be replaced, is leaking fluid, and I have to put half a quart of oil into it every 300 miles.

Should I keep the car and use the $3800 to fix the damage and all these problems? I already put in a lightweight flywheel and stage 1 clutch before this happened.

Or should I sell my car to them and take the $4800? WIth the $4800 I plan to get an Integra GSR, thinking that it will still be just as fun and more reliable and easier to work with.

 

The damage doesn't look that bad. Personally, I'd take the $3800 and fix the Prelude.

 

you can do lot of fixing with that kind of money

 

If it is just the door and fender, you can probably find those used in the right color fairly cheap, and then use some of the money to fix other issues, as long as you are losing oil from a leak, not burning it through an engine that is on it's last legs.

Just to keep in mind, if you go and get rid of the car, and spend 4800 on an Integra, it could have as many or more issues that you need to deal with as well. At least here you have the car, and can spend the money on maintenance to get it in better shape.

 

I'm with snobordboy here for sure. he hit it spot on with every word.

If I were in your situation, I'd take the 3800, replace every balljoint, tie rod (inner and outer), almost every bushing, then pull the motor and rebuild it with some goodies.

or you can take the 3800, pull the motor and tranny, sell the chassis as is as a roller (can almost definitely get 500 bare minimum for it), then build the motor and buy a rolling civic or teg chassis and drop the H in that

 

Fix it and keep the prelude rolling.

 

No.

Tell them you want the $3800 and they cannot brand the title.

They absolutely have the ability to do that, it doesn't cost them a dime to let you keep your title clean, and I've been through it myself.

 

That ain't bad. Keep it.

 

If they can do this I'd definitely go that route, don't see why they'd NEED to salvage it.

 

the payout is largely what determines whether the title gets branded as salvage. if the total payout is equal to or greater than bluebook value, the title gets branded. In order to not have the title branded, he'd have to accept a smaller payout

 

yes, I think it is good to take the $3800 and fix the car, good luck, my friend.

 

Insurance has to pay you unless you are in a state that mandates where you get your repair done that's not allowed. They also cannot require you to sign the salvage title document since you hold the title. I had my prelude hit in VA but wasn't paid a dime, the other driver was. Travelers did an estimate on my car and reprted it to car fax it was a salvaged title. The dmv says it is not. Verify the insurance rules. Also if you are near Virginia I have a front fender you can have which you could have painted band it's very easy to install yourself.
best of luck.

Kimberly