Looking to get some feedback about what my car may be worth. I tried to sell it a couple year ago but because it has such high mileage the only serious offers I got were rediculously low (less than $800). Because the car is worth more than that to me I kept and and have since put another 40K miles on it without any major repairs or investment.

Fast forward to last week and a sever storm rolls through and now I've got hail/storm damage- mostly the roof, some hood, trunk, and fenders too, as well as a small crack in the windshield (1/2"). I have insurance for this with a fairly reasonable deductible. Although I don't have an agreement to replace the windshield yet, for the cost of the deductible all the dents will be removed, returning it to it's pre-storm condition.

Now I'm not saying my car was perfect before the storm, it definately shows it age and mileage... and then some. Couple small dents, lots of stone chips on the front bumper/hood, rear bumper scratched, and so on. The interior isn't too bad but has the typical driver seat rip/hole and wear showing on the sunroof ****. Mechanically everything works (do need to reset the airbag light and fix driver's heated seat), all power options, heat/AC, audio, display, etc... current needs are a timing belt (due very soon- will do myself if I keep it) and tires. Just passed PA state safety inspection and emmissions less than a month ago. Past year has seen a new MAF, ICM, and a downpipe. Car runs and drives perfectly getting about 29mpg currently.

Car is a 1999 Audi A4 Quattro Sport w/cold weather package (AEB motor). Mileage is currently 268K and growing. What's it worth as a whole before repair, after repair, or as a part out? Just honest opinions is all I'm looking for right now. Even with the dents it's hard to find a car that drives this nice, all wheel drive, and gets okay gas mileage. I don't know if the insurance company will give me a check without fixing the damage.

Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading.

 

I was dissapointed to see that no one commented, at all....

Well, the insurance company is going to replace the windshield. I guess what I'm having a hard time getting my head around is the estimate (without replacing the windshield) was already over $2900, I would expect it to be over $3K with the WS replacment. Seems far about the actual value of the car with such high mileage, even if it were in prefect condition otherwise. I almost wish the insur co would just cut me a check, could really use that money to do much needed mechanical repairs.

 

Well since the economy is crappy everyone's been raising labor rates and parts mark up so for hail damage on the roof and hood I can believe $2900. That also covers paint work since it's hood, roof, and trunk you're looking at a whole car repaint if you want everything to match properly.

 

I kind of wish we would get a hail storm here. I would like a full re-spray lol.

Honestly I can't imagine you getting much more than 1000 for it. Especially since the TB hasn't been done yet. You said you'll do it yourself if you keep it, but that means whoever buys it has to do it, so thats at least (if they do it themselves 300ish (because of the miles I would want to do all the pulleys and what not). If you go to a shop, 6-1000 probably..

I wouldn't be suprised if the insurance just totalled it. If it's going to cost 3k just to fix the body and the car is a '99 with 270k miles?


I think I would just sell it for the best offer. You might be able to part it out and make more off it, I don't know though. With that many miles it seems like everything would be pretty worn out.

 

If you feel that you won't get much for it despite it being such a great car, then why not just keep it? If you have the know-how to do the timing belt yourself then I can't imagine that there are many maintenance repairs that scare you. I would love to have an inexpensive daily driver to keep the miles off of my toy, and it sounds like that's what you have.

 

Yea, I've been actually trying to coax the IC to total it, but they wont. I don't know if anyone has ever mentioned how many miles the car has on it to them (I figured the body shop would do that). I get the impression that they believe it's a $7k-$8k car, little do they know....

Anyways, I'm pretty sure I'm keeping it no matter what.

Oh, BTW, the body shop believes they will be doing all the repairs with "paintless dent removal"- no paint or body work. So that $3K estimate is just labor- there is no need for materials. So now maybe you can see why I don't understand it much, oh- and they told me they would have it done in less than two days. They're raping my insurance company, and for some reason I feel bad about it.

 

I can understand where you're coming from, but how many $1000 A4's do you see? I have yet to find one that was driveable...

The t-belt has been done twice so far, once by the previous owner and once by myself at 190K. And I've replaced a lot of those "worn out" items... aside from the aforementioned parts I've also done the clutch, all the brakes, wheel bearings, TRE's, front control arms, one driveshaft, and I use Mobile 1 oil. I keep the car running as best I can as it is my only vehicle right now (sold my Jeep but I've got another one in the driveway that I'm repairing). So, if I had to, I would feel very confident driving it across the country tomorrow.

 

Regardless of mechanical solidity, you'll be lucky to get a buyer at that mileage. These cars run a LONG time but buyers look at miles and run away. I'd keep it, maintain it, and just keep driving it until it dies, and then replace the car. Part out all you can at ghat point and send the rest to a metal recycler for more money.