Really?! This happens NOW?!

[vjaneczko]

The damage is at the corner that holds the AC tank, the transmission computer and the engine computer. Odds are good the metal AC tubes are shot. I’m guessing that the wiring harnesses for the computers are torn-up, too. The hood and quarter panel are toast. Seeing that the grill is missing, I’m gonna guess that the headlight frame, which has to be shot, also caused damage to the radiator. Could also indicate there’s damage to the AC compressor, power steering pump and alternator. With the quarter panel chewed up the way it is, I’ll expect the suspension and steering rack are unsafe. Could have some damage to the water pump, timing belt, pullys, etc.

Since it happened around 4:00 pm, no one was around to start 'the paperwork' so I'm guessing I'll hear something tomorrow.

[matthew1]

Vince, my condolences. I know you loved that car. Good to hear nobody's hurt.

[jimmy57]

There is no rigid set of rules as to what they do with the car and how you keeping it affects the price you receive.
I'm not aware of any laws that would keep you from keeping the car.

The best scenario is they come up with a value that is acceptable to you and then they subtract net proceed amount from that and also they will not pay you sales tax. Net proceeds (there may an insurance term I'm not suing here) works like this: the car may be expected to bring $600 at the sale but they will pay an auction fee and tow it and pay storage until it sells. The fee maybe is $50 and the commission $60, tow $100, storage $60. Take all that away and they take $330 off the appraised value and you tow the car off the towing company's lot pronto.
Worst case: they undervalue your car and they cut the full $600 off your check neglecting that they would actually bank far less than the estimated $600 salvage sale amount.

[rspi]

Last night on my way home from a watch party, I seen one of those red wagons parked at a gas station a couple of blocks from my home. I guess whom ever was working there owns it.

Anywho, from the looks of the pic, it looks like they actually missed the wheel so it's possible that the axle wasn't jammed into the tranny. I can't imagine that the frame was not bent a little. You'd have to find a good place to get it to drive straight again.

My only other concern is if it was still drive able after being hit? Things are so tight up there, something could had jammed the intake cam and destroyed the head. Even if I was able to get the car fixed (which would likely cost about $2,500 cash if the motor is ok) I would likely get rid of it. That's what I did with a 960 I had. It's just hard to get them right after a nice wack in the front end like that.

[Ben850]

It looks as though the air bags did not deploy. I can't see evidence of a broken windshield on the passengers side. Mine did deploy, but I was able to salvage the car to better than before IMHO. I would venture to say you did not even suffer unibody frame damage as I did, but mostly fender mounting area. If that is the case, it will be all bolt on replacement parts, header panel, fender etc...
I was getting proud of mine at the time of the accident, and could not let it go. I did, unfortunately leave it at the tow yard for too long, and that cost me the most of it all.($1,000.) I still think it was worth it.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 2&start=14

Sorry to hear about it, and good luck with whatever your outcome.

[vjaneczko]

You're correct; the airbags and all the windows are undamaged. I still haven't seen it with my own eyes as it's in a fenced-in lot 40 miles from home. I'm hoping Shannon can stop by and lift the hood to take some pics of the insides. IF the frame is straight and the motor didn't get impacted, I may seriously think about repairing it.

If not, you guys will be seeing a few things going up for sale, like the IPD turboback, cross-drilled rotors & Akebono pads, and a lot of little bits that are fairly new.

[cn90]

Glad your girls are OK. Human lives are the most important, not the car.
However, I understand your frustration, I spent so much time rebuilding the car (overhauling front suspension, rear suspension, PCV, brake hydraulics) to end up with a crash 2 weeks ago.
I was hit on the LF wheel side, lucky to be alive.

You can see pics here:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=52378

I sold the car to a local guy who makes living on rebuilding cars. I sold my 98 V70 w/ 120K for $500 cash.
But I removed all the newer parts that I installed in the last 1-2 years, just in case I buy another 1997-98 model (don't know yet).

I sympathize with you because most of us here are Volvo enthusiasts, it hurts us to see our car totaled.
In contrast, people who treat cars like a commodity (or object) probably don't care "Oh car totaled, go get a newer car", so this is their attitude.
I am different, I treasure cars and the work I put in them, so 2 weeks later, it still "hurts emotionally" but I have also learned to move on.

[precopster]

Really sorry to hear of your car loss and I do sympathise with your situation, especially after spending 18 months mechanically restoring the '99 V70 I own. I saw your car on the IPD site afew weeks ago and you had done some great work; she was a beauty.

BUT you are one of the lucky ones not doing the rounds visiting your loved ones in hospital and hoping they will recover. If insurance is intact and they pay up promptly you can help your daughter move on to another car and make it just as nice.
In '98 my Nissan Prairie (oddball work car) was totalled by a runaway truck down a steep hill which took out 7 cars and a bus. No-one was killed but a young girl was wedged in an early Beetle b/w that truck and a bus. They cut her out and she only needed head stitches but if she had been carrying passengers they would have been seriously injured. The flat 4 ended up in the rear seat as her car was doing the ploughing of the 6 cars while stuck to the front bumper of the truck. The passenger side roof was crushed. The brake pedal of the truck had been welded poorly (should have been replaced) and finally snapped off! September 8th 1998 at 3pm and I'll never forget it.

[JimBee]

On the other hand, a rack-master can do wonders.

[JimBee]

I have an "extra" wagon I'm thinking about parting with. I've been tinkering with this one, but it has mainly sat for about a year since I've owned it. From 10 feet freshly washed it looks quite stunning. Up close, has some blemishes but is still pretty clean, including underneath. Gas filler repair has been done, has new heater core, ABS had been replaced, new heater power stage. All electrics work. Cooling system has had several flushes, likewise the trans, which seems to shift correctly and smoothly. I had a local Kennedy Transmission shop manager drive it around the neighborhood and he gave it a thumbs up. TB job and water pump should probably be done, I don't know when they were last done.
Radiator and intercooler seem clean and good condition. A/C blows warm air, but I think the system holds pressure. Compressor runs when jumped at the low pressure switch.
PO ran it into a large puddle and engine gulped some water.
Engine has audible clink. I suspect it's a weak lifter. Several techs have listened and don't know. Engine otherwise starts, idles and runs normally and doesn't seem to burn or leak oil. I've flushed the crankcase with Valvoline and some Seafoam, ran it for a couple hundred miles like that, drained and filled with Mobil 1 20-50.
Has rear suspension creaks and tailgate rattles, but closes tightly and has new struts.
Both front seats are 6 way electric adj. Dash, etc. are very clean.
I'd planned to work on it a little more and drive it around next summer. It'll be off the road for the winter, as it was last winter.
I might sell it though. Would probably ask $1,500.00.