how much to fix my car

[xa0o]

Hi, I'm hoping there is some sort of mechanic on the forum to answer this question.

My car was hit in a parking lot, the rear passenger wheel is bent (the axle is bent?), the wheel well (area above wheel) is pushed in on the passenger side and the right side has some wheel well damage as well. The damage on the passenger side is so bad that i would assume there is at least minor frame damage. The wheel rubs against the top of the wheel well.

I contacted the girl that hit the car, she left a note, and she claims that another car hit her car and therefore her car was pushed into my car. And since i only have liability insurance, i will have to pay for the damages out of pocket.

My question is, given the description, would it be worth fixing the car? I know it's pretty hard to accurately give an estimate based on the above, but i really want to get at least a ballpark figure before i waste more money getting the car tolled to a body shop.

Btw, the car has about 186,000 miles on it. and is a 99 CE. I have seen 2002 corollas on craigslist for as low as 3500.

Thanks a lot.

[fishexpo101]

Can it be fixed - Yes. Will it be cost effective - Probably not. Even if you could fix it, there is a strong chance that the car will not "run" right, especially if there is some frame damage. Even a seemingly minor accident can cost a small pile of money.

If any frame work needs to be done - count on atleast $3K. Rear quarter of the car is welded on - can be fixed, but lots of labor in either cutting and welding in a replacement panel and/or pulling the existing one. Chance are - you're looking at cut and weld - about another $1500 or so.

Have it appraise, damage wise - lots of shops will do that for free. Contact your insurance and/her insurance see if there is any compensation that can be brokered. Doesn't matter if she was pushed into your car - she left the note, most states, she would be considered at fault. The thing going against you is it is on private property (parking lot) - so no police report, no paperwork.

If I was in that situation - I'd be looking for another, clean car and consider parting out the car you have to recoup of of the costs.

[xa0o]

Originally Posted by fishexpo101

Can it be fixed - Yes. Will it be cost effective - Probably not. Even if you could fix it, there is a strong chance that the car will not "run" right, especially if there is some frame damage. Even a seemingly minor accident can cost a small pile of money.

If any frame work needs to be done - count on atleast $3K. Rear quarter of the car is welded on - can be fixed, but lots of labor in either cutting and welding in a replacement panel and/or pulling the existing one. Chance are - you're looking at cut and weld - about another $1500 or so.

Have it appraise, damage wise - lots of shops will do that for free. Contact your insurance and/her insurance see if there is any compensation that can be brokered. Doesn't matter if she was pushed into your car - she left the note, most states, she would be considered at fault. The thing going against you is it is on private property (parking lot) - so no police report, no paperwork.

If I was in that situation - I'd be looking for another, clean car and consider parting out the car you have to recoup of of the costs.

*sigh* that's exactly what i thought was the case. My insurance, "luckily" for me, the girl has the same insurance company, which means they will at all costs try to not pay for the damage. I talked to the claims rep and she basically said that no1 is at fault and therefore they won't be covering anything.

i love my rolla and am considering getting an 02 (newer rollas are ugly). Anyone have any suggestions on other fuel efficient cars that are as reliable as the corolla is?