[Nat DeBery]

And I would simply learn what I need to know as a I go along (already know quite a bit) and can add it to the resume. I don’t have much to lose in life right now so this may be a door opening that was previously unseen. And believe me, when I want to do something I care about, I will stop at nothing to achieve it.

 

[Nat DeBery]

The more I look however, it makes the most sense to simply get paid out to replace it, which will be the number I’m looking for anyway. There isn’t a single manual one in the nation under 39 and I don’t even think any are slicktops. Combine with rarity of color and I think I have a good case.

 

[brettstoner]

You can ask the insurance company for the buyback price and see if it interests you. Then rebuild and get it inspected to get salvage title and make it roadworthy again. As for buying it at auction odds are it will probably go to the nearest Copart auction which you must be a business to bid. I would not go that route. In fact I would probably look up comps at Copart to get a rough idea of what the buyback price would be.

Hate to say it but rarity doesn't equal valuable. In fact they will probably think the lack of a sunroof and a manual would warrant a lower price since that would be considered a more base vehicle. I would absolutely find similar year, color, options, condition, and miles to show the adjustor and/or appraiser to show what it will cost to buy a comparable vehicle.

 

[Nat DeBery]

Yeah I’ve got several comparables with a manual at close mileage but I will harp on the fact that it’s a manual until they drop me. If it has to have a roof guess I’ll bolt the bloody seat to the floor then. And then not another soul can drive it but me.

 

[Nat DeBery]

Another question, mods obviously won’t add value to insurance payout unless any of you have had an experience where it does. However, what’re my chances of being able to have car brought to a shop and certain mods removed? And will that effect insurance payout?

 

[2014ltdltz]

@Nat DeBery - Sucks to see the damage. Odds are the insurer will total it. Is it fixable? Yes, but at what cost and with how much effort, emotion, etc.? Only you can answer that. Since most collisions are like yours (involving front end), replacement used parts are less numerous, more in demand, and generally more expensive when you do find them. I hope you are physically well after the fact - something not to be trivialized or overlooked. You are alive. Wishing you the best.

 

[speedrye]

Another question, mods obviously won’t add value to insurance payout unless any of you have had an experience where it does. However, what’re my chances of being able to have car brought to a shop and certain mods removed? And will that effect insurance payout?

I've talked to my agent about this before, and they said it wouldn't be a problem, so long as the stock parts are reinstalled. If I recall, my policy only covers $1,000 in aftermarket parts. Check with yours to see if you can get any extra payout for parts that were upgraded and damaged.

 

[Nat DeBery]

Got it. Considering these cars are generally parted out, since I want my differential would I need to reinstall a stock diff? Or could I simply put it in the trunk along with say the driveshaft? Ideally want to save a bit on r&ring the parts

 

[brettstoner]

Until you sign the title over it is your car. You own it. You can take what you want off it. However, if you don't put a factory part back on then the insurance company will deduct the value of the part you removed. Grab a junk yard rear end out of a G8, caprice, Camaro, etc and swap it back. Heck I had a rear end I took to the scrap yard about about 6 months ago because I couldn't give it away! LOL. Hit up CL, FB, Car forums for a granny gear rear end nobody wants. Easy to do in a half day. You also may need to pay the tow bill and storage fees to get it towed out of the lot to some place where you can work on it. Most storage lots don't allow that sort of stuff on premise. Either way be honest with the adjustor if you are taking the car back to stock or signing over the title with missing parts. You don't want to be accused of insurance fraud because you started taking parts off after the insurance company paid out an agreed amount.

 

[Nat DeBery]

Thanks Brett. Would a G8 GT diff fit in an SS?

 

[FASSTER]

Yeah I’ve got several comparables with a manual at close mileage but I will harp on the fact that it’s a manual until they drop me. If it has to have a roof guess I’ll bolt the bloody seat to the floor then. And then not another soul can drive it but me.

I joined back in 2017 but have yet to post…

When I was looking for my SS, I really wanted a slicktop. I’m 6’5” and wanted maximum headroom. I searched for a while but eventually I gave in and bought one with a sunroof. Turns out that I have plenty of room. Even with a helmet. Theres not a ton of extra space but it is fine. Really glad now that I didnt settle for an automatic to get the slicktop, or miss out on the SS all together. Sorry about your loss, good luck.
Mike

 

[tungsten]

I suspect you'll be out of luck with color and sunroof, but if they give you trouble on the manual point them over to the Hagerty site. Their valuation pages notes a +15% adjustment for manual SSes. Also, send them recent Bring a Trailer auction results for comparables.

 

[ESindon]

I joined back in 2017 but have yet to post…

When I was looking for my SS, I really wanted a slicktop. I’m 6’5” and wanted maximum headroom. I searched for a while but eventually I gave in and bought one with a sunroof. Turns out that I have plenty of room. Even with a helmet. Theres not a ton of extra space but it is fine. Really glad now that I didnt settle for an automatic to get the slicktop, or miss out on the SS all together. Sorry about your loss, good luck.
Mike

A VERY Belated Welcome to the SS Forums @FASSTER !!

ES

 

[brettstoner]

Yes a G8 rear end will swap with no issues. If you change ratio and keep car it may need to be reprogrammed in HP Tuners. If you are just throwing it in to make it a roller then no issues. Probbaly the 10-15 Base Camaros, Base G8, or Caprice will be cheapest as a lot of guys swap them out for a better ratio.

 

[G8a550]

It can be like that in ice or sleet, there's no slowing down while sliding.

Most definitely if running summers. They are completely useless once it gets under 30° and throw snow/ice/freezing rain/sleet into the mix and it's when, not if, an accident will happen.

 

[skywriter]

The car's front end did what it's supposed to do: sacrifice itself to keep you alive. So you're alive and you get to figure out why. Chevy imported thousands of our SS' but there's only one you....

 

[Nat DeBery]

Most definitely if running summers. They are completely useless once it gets under 30° and throw snow/ice/freezing rain/sleet into the mix and it's when, not if, an accident will happen.

That’s the worst part, I usually throw my snows on much earlier but have been traveling so much for work I didn’t have the time. When I left my house it was 40°+ and damp, not ideal but certainly drivable and I knew the limit of these tires. It’s amazing how fast weather can change sadly. But I’m certainly looking to get another SS already modified as a summer only car from now on.

Found a manual ‘84 240D for winter escapades and daily driving until then.

 

[Rod Clatter]

If it was me I would tow the thing out of the storage lot where it is accuring fees and take it to my house. Then I would allow the insurance company to conduct their apprasial and see where it comes in. I would provide pre-crash pictures, similar comps, and a list of options to the adjustor. If you feel the offer is too low I would hire an independent appraiser to provide a counter price point to submit to the adjustor. If the insurance company is still too low then I would seek arbitration. I would not pay for an attorney personally. The expenses of an attorney will be too high to litigate the value of a car. Source- my family owns an insurance company and I investigate crashes for a living. LOL

This is exactly what I would do. After the memorial, of course. You will get through this. My neighbor who lived to be 100 always said to not worry too much. Most things work themselves out whether you worry or not. A year from now you will look back at this as just a bad experience. Life is good. Be happy you have your health and friends here.

 

[Rod Clatter]

The more I look however, it makes the most sense to simply get paid out to replace it, which will be the number I’m looking for anyway. There isn’t a single manual one in the nation under 39 and I don’t even think any are slicktops. Combine with rarity of color and I think I have a good case.

I found one a couple of months ago but it has a hole in the roof. So what? There were three or four MTs on Auto Trader when I was looking 2 to 3 months ago...Good luck, Brother. The sun will shine on you again. Don't worry.

 

[Type3]

Sorry to hear! But glad you’re okay though!