A Time for Mourning... SHO Totalled.

[DeepPower]

Well...

I was driving home yesterday on the expressway, left-hand lane. I slowed down for stopped traffic in front of me. I was going 18mph with about five car lengths between me & the Audi in front of me when...

A Jeep two cars behind slammed into the pickup behind me, which plowed into my SHO. I was pushed between the Audi and the concrete divider.

I will save you the details, and the photos are too painful for public display. I'm battered and bruised, I see a doctor tomorrow. I had the flatbed take my car 30 miles to my trusted mechanic. The front end's not too bad (needs front tires and rims, suspension) but most of the damage is the rear-end. My trusted mechanic said insurance will total the car.

So here we are. It is what it is, at 317K miles.

The Geico insurance adjuster will look at my '89 SHO next week Monday or Tuesday. In the past 12 months I've had the top-end of the engine rebuilt (engine still runs), rebuilt suspension, new struts, new brakes (lines, MC, booster). I have all receipts, about $5K+ worth.

I will worry about my next car next week.

Now I need to ask the SHO community - how do I get the adjuster to appreciate the value of the car? Any suggestions appreciated, respond below or private-message me. Condolences appreciated.

 

[zoomlater]

Sorry to hear about your accident and I'm glad you are okay. Here is a thread that had links on determining car value. I would also show you adjuster some recent sales of Gen 1's and 2's (if you look in the Sho Finds section) cars that have been selling for more than before) or articles talking about future collectables.

https://shoforum.com/index.php?threads/if-you-paid-more-than-book-value-for-your-sho.127138/

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/autos/1002/gallery.cheap_collector_cars/5.html

 

[Devin]

Bummer. Glad you are okay!

 

[SHOdded]

x3 on above. It was painful (and still is) for me to lose my SHO, but being able to walk away was ultimately more important. Hope you find a replacement you are equally happy with.

 

[luigisho]

You're not going to get much with over 300k miles on it. If I could swing it and was looking at another SHO I would consider buying it back to pull all the good stuff. Not sure what you could get vs what you paid for the parts if you tried to sell them. Sorry dude. It sucks having a low book value car in an accident. At least you sound like you're ok

 

[rubydist]

Unfortunately, the only way insurance is going to value the car very much is if you have a stated value or appraised value policy. The interesting thing about that is on my 66 F100, the stated value policy is less than a full coverage policy with my regular insurance company, and they do not limit the miles I can drive it.

 

[DeepPower]

Sorry to hear about your accident and I'm glad you are okay. Here is a thread that had links on determining car value. I would also show you adjuster some recent sales of Gen 1's and 2's (if you look in the Sho Finds section) cars that have been selling for more than before) or articles talking about future collectables.

https://shoforum.com/index.php?threads/if-you-paid-more-than-book-value-for-your-sho.127138/

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/autos/1002/gallery.cheap_collector_cars/5.html

Thank you, everyone.
It was suggested to me I look at Hagerty, also referenced in the first link above, they insure older, unappreciated cars:
https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1989-Ford-Taurus-SHO

Back end looks similar to this:
https://shoforum.com/index.php?posts/1407198/

 

[sperold]

Buy the car from the insurance company, it should be about $300.00. Get it out of the storage facility they have it in now.

The insurance company will total it for almost any accident you are involved in. They don't want to fix anything if they can avoid it.

They will argue with you over $100.00 on the value of the car, while at the same time, cheerfully pay any storage costs and rentals if applicable.

The first offer you get will be around $2000.00 as a base and the more information you provide, the higher the payout, but get the info to them quickly. Once the price is set, it is extremely difficult to get it to move up, so attack them with information at the beginning.

 

[pjtoledo]

read your policy, understand what it says.

 

[zoomlater]

Are the rear quarters bent/dented? I bought a similar rear ended/slight front damaged 92 for $350. The rear quarters only had a very slight crease, but the rear panel was pushed to the spare tire well. A really big tree and a winch with some help from a friend and we were able to pull it out enough to put a replacement bumper, trunk, taillights, rear panels with shims. I drove that car for the next 7 years before passing it on to another owner. If the car is repairable without too much trouble... it is something to consider.

 

[DeepPower]

Buy the car from the insurance company, it should be about $300.00. Get it out of the storage facility they have it in now.

The insurance company will total it for almost any accident you are involved in. They don't want to fix anything if they can avoid it.

They will argue with you over $100.00 on the value of the car, while at the same time, cheerfully pay any storage costs and rentals if applicable.

The first offer you get will be around $2000.00 as a base and the more information you provide, the higher the payout, but get the info to them quickly. Once the price is set, it is extremely difficult to get it to move up, so attack them with information at the beginning.

Good advice. BTW right now the car is with my trusted mechanic, insurance hasn't appraised it yet. I'll get them the info up front.

 

[Toolman]

Sorry! Ugh!

 

[Devin]

Oh, and don't post anything else about the accident.

 

[thegreatbriguy]

hope your ok. this seems like a fair evaluation and replacement. fb ford taurus sho owners club

 

[zak]

How did the seats perform in terms of protecting you from the rear hit? I know when Fred H. got hit in a 95 on the Tappen Zee bridge the seat ended up breaking rearward IIRC.

Glad you are ok, but keep an eye out for neck soreness etc.

 

[DeepPower]

The seat performed well. Stayed solid. I do have soreness in the neck and jaw, thanks for asking. I'm guessing all this will go away with time. My concern though is that right now I'm looking for work as my present contract as a Technical Writer is expiring soon, and I don't know how impressive a candidate I'll make in this condition.

 

[itwonder]

My experience is they will first try to value it based on comparable Taurus (SLO's not SHO's). You will have to educate them. I doubt your receipts will carry much weight. I gained traction when I began insisting the insurance company locate and provide a comparable replacement car. Eventually, we reached an acceptable number, and I kept the car.

 

[DeepPower]

The adjuster hasn't looked at the car yet, but I've spoken to him on the phone. He used to work at a Ford dealership in the early 90's, so luckily he's very familiar with the SHO.

 

[SHOCH]

My receipts got me some more back,(drunk biotch) depreciated with mileage but more, fight like a bastard, their job is to screw you. IMHO

 

[DeepPower]

I gotta tell you, it's a good thing I pulled the Konis and replaced them with Monroes. I was planning on getting the Konis rebuilt. Now I need to decide if I should get them rebuilt first or just sell them as-is. Too bad I didn't pull the Eibach springs, they still have bounce and I could have sold them as well.

The top end of the engine has also been rebuilt. If anyone wants to make arrangements to buy it, let me know before Saturday.