BZBZZZ down ... but not for the count!

[vt_maverick]

Notice the words 'hire' & 'pay'. As a victim, I've got to invest in the process to make myself whole!!!!

A manager is supposed to call me back. If I can't get any resolution, I'll have to go legal.

I agree 100%. Not that you want to sell BZBZZZ, but having a salvage title will destroy your resale value, which does unfairly damage you financially.

Let me tell you a story about USAA though. We used them to apply for a VA home loan for our current house, and they recommended a "USAA-certified" real estate agent that we could use. We were offered a $1000 gift card in exchange for using this agent, who we were told must maintain a membership/certification to be recommended by USAA (and I guarantee you there was a fee associated with membership). That arrangement is the clear definition of a kickback and is absolutely illegal in the state of Virginia. I pressed our loan officer on how in the world they get away with it, and she said she'd talk to her "manager" and call me back. This is literally what she said when she called back: "I've been reassured by my manager that our lawyers have researched the issue and found a loophole that makes this technically legal in Virginia." I told her I didn't feel comfortable with the potential that I could be violating the law and that we'd provide our own agent.

[tom4bren]

The total loss department is scheduling a meeting for me at the collision center to discuss the assessment with the assessor. Hopefully I'll be able to get the value bumped up just enough based on mods to get them to overturn their decision to total it. The meeting will happen sometime next week so I won't have any new updates for a while.

EDIT: Monday morning at 1000.

[vt_maverick]

Fingers crossed...

[tom4bren]

Well, the assessor is still going to recommend it be totalled but he is going to increase the value based on modifications to give me a 'little' better settlement. He wants to make sure that I have a little ($) buffer to make sure I get all the repairs done.

I'm not gullible so I fully recognize that I'll potentially end up with out of pocket expenses ... but I need the VX back on the road. Since Merlin said that 3 of the major parts will be back ordered (at least a month) I need to get the settlement done.

I should hear something today & I'll keep Y'all posted.

[JAMAS]

Good Luck!

[tom4bren]

The assessor found a complete Proton with a blown engine in PA. Since it'll be 'one stop shopping' for all used parts, he's having the shop re-write the estimate accordingly for re-assessment.

I should know something today.

Not to worry though, as soon as the shop has identified all the parts that are needed for BZBZZZ, I'll get the contact info for the bone yard & Y'all vultures can descend upon them.

[Jonnie]

OMG! Sorry to hear the bad news. Hope your VX is better than new soon!

[vt_maverick]

Good luck Tom!

[tom4bren]

Well, another 180 degrees.

Assessor just called. Despite being able to source used parts for fender, hood, & bumper cover, he's still going to recommend totaling it since it'll also need a steering box & airbag control module (which they are not allowed to use salvaged parts for).

He's submitting his revised assessment that'll leave me with about $6700 to effect repairs. It should be plenty as long as nothing major is found during the repairs that wasn't on the estimate.

At least now we can get started on the repairs.

[evillecutter]

so you get your vx back (salvage title i assume but who cares if you are keeping it) plus $6700? that seems pretty good to me could have been much worse - i hope you can get it fixed cheaper than that so you can have a little (well deserved) pain and suffering money

[vt_maverick]

Sorry to hear Tom but at least that explanation makes better sense. As EC says it really only matters if you plan to keep BZBZZZ forever anyway.

Best of luck for a speedy repair!

[tom4bren]

so you get your vx back (salvage title i assume but who cares if you are keeping it) plus $6700? that seems pretty good to me could have been much worse - i hope you can get it fixed cheaper than that so you can have a little (well deserved) pain and suffering money

No, no salvage title. Even though the insurance company totalled it, the title will not show anything IRT the accident. CARFAX on the other hand will be all over it (2 major accidents now).

Sorry to hear Tom but at least that explanation makes better sense. As EC says it really only matters if you plan to keep BZBZZZ forever anyway.

Best of luck for a speedy repair!

I do plan on keeping it forever so the diminished value didn't play into the decision.

I ordered the parts today:

Hood
Left front fender
Front bumper cover
Left headlight
Airbag control module
Radiator
AC condensor
Steering box
Fan
Air box

They were pulling the right window regulator for me but found the cable busted.

AFAIK the vehicle was nearly complete (blown engine) with the exception of the parts I listed above and the front grill & front right fender, everything else is still there.

The vehicle is at Millerstown Auto Parts in Tarentum, PA (near Pittsburg).

Call Dane (724) 352-3900

You'll probably have to make your own shipping arrangements.

BTW, the last 4 of the VIN are 0724. It doesn't look like it was ever owned by a member of the forum.

[tom4bren]

I called Indy yesterday. I'm on the waiting list for the HD torsion bars (probably available in about a month).

I think I'm going to go ahead and pull the trigger on HD ball joint kit (all my boots are ripped & it won't hold alignment) & a set of shocks (I think my OEM front left is dead).

BTW, I cleaned Merlin out of cladding screws (he only had 4) & he's back ordered me 16 more. It'll be more than enough for my repairs & I'll hang on to the rest if anyone needs them. Holy Carp!!! $3 each.

I called Dane & told him to keep any that he removes so Y'all can prolly get some from him too if you need them quick.

These are the shocks I'm thinking about:

https://www.independent4x.com/mercha...roducts_id=118

EDIT: I ordered the ball joints today. I'll prolly order the shocks before the end of the week.

[Marlin]

Sweet! Go ahead and get the rear lower links too! I am getting those as soon as tax return comes, I am tired of my bent ones (I mean really bent) and I can get rid of the rear axle rake. That means you can make some kind of summer trip down here with the VX?

[tom4bren]

AFAIK my lower links are in good shape so I'll hafta have another look before I pull the trigger on that.

I'd love to make a beach run this summer but I'm not even gonna make it a 'fer sure' on Moab until I'm actually driving the beastie again.