Totalled?

[joesmokabo]

Here are some pics of a car that my aunt just gave me. The repair estimates were about $3,100. The insurance company totalled it. I figure it'll cost no more than $500 if I get the parts from my local do it yourself junkyark.
What do you guys think? The colors don't have to match.

[gacyota]

You should be able to find a front end for that car pretty cheap. Fairly easy to reassemble. As long as the frame is not bent, GO FOR IT!!!

[joesmokabo]

The frame is straight. The damage wasn't that bad. It was only on the passenger side. It's an '86 and it only has 47,000 original miles. My aunt is in her mid 80s and only drove it when she had to. Errands and such. She bought it brand new and she said she's only been on the freeway a few times. She was afraid to go that fast. The interior still looks new.

Thought of something else late last night.

Since the insurance company totalled it and paid off my aunt, who actually owns the car now?

[gacyota]

Your aunt should still have the title to the car. It should still be hers (depending on various state laws I'm sure)

[re-tired]

In Fla if the insurance co totals it they own it and u have to rebuy it from them (a token amount ) and then retitled under a salvage title

[driver540]

For the most part, its the same in the Buckeye. They can usually be bought back for a minimal amount or they may even give the car to the owner. In your case, considering the age of the car, they probably just gave the car back to your aunt. Which will be in your favor,because that means they never had the chance to salvage title the car, since you said it was paid for and she had the title before the accident. 8)

[joesmokabo]

She is still waithing for the money. I think she should settle without turning it into a salvage. It would make it better for me. Even if I have to pay here the difference.

[joesmokabo]

Here's the scoop.

There was no problem changing ownership to me.
I went to the do-it-yourself junkyard and got everything I needed. My total was just under $100. Everything is mounted and in good working order.

The DMV needed a certificate from a licensed inspection station for the brakes and lights. Not knowing where to go, I called the California Highway Patrol. They do inspections. It failed without them even looking at the car. Even though I have receipts from the junkyard, they want VINs from the cars I got the parts from. They want to make sure that I didn't buy stolen parts or steal a car, myself, for parts. I told them that I was only there for a brake and lights inspection. Not for them to undo all my work to look for stolen VINs. Do bumpers, fenders and lights even have those?

I went back to the junkyard but since I bought the parts last month, the junkyard couldn't ( or wouldn't) help me. I thought I would have to buy new parts from a dealer.

I've, since, found a repair shop that is licensed to do such an inspection. Without all that other BS. I'm going to tell the CHP to go fly a kite. In the nicest way possible.

[F100lady]

Holy cow, Vin# for bumper, fenders, lights???? **Doink!** :shock:

I doubt there was that much traceability in '86....CHP can fly my kite, too.

Your idea to just go to a certified inspection station seems the best thing to do, IMO.

Hope it all works out OK for ya!

[joesmokabo]

I did find a certified inspection station. I just don't want to take it there until I get this overheating problem fixed.