Smashed up smart

[Subfleet]

I'll try a Canadian dealer thanks.
Last week was the first time I saw the car. I have examined it as best I can crawling under and over it and the tridiron is, I believe undamaged. I will try and get a quote for airbag replacement (anyone had that done ?). The repair shop said that the airbag, computer and seatbelts would need to be replaced and mentioned a $2000 - $3000 cost for that alone. Purchase as a salvage is $6300. Another non smart related prestige car dealer thought that it will be snapped up at auction at that price. I am handy with non modern era (computerized) cars. I can see no damage to any real mechanical parts. There was a coolant leak and I wonder what might be damaged behind the grill. Is the air conditioning between grill and dashboard ? If it proves too expensive to repair then might I get my money back parting it out. The advise I have had so far is to leave it be. Am I over simplifying/misunderstanding the build smart concept of sturdy frame with bolt on bits ?

[Subfleet]

Police witness said about 20 mph. The other car was a learner chainged lanes then stopped quick. I wasnt going fast and had time to apply brakes so 20 - 25 at most I would have thought. No real visible damage to the other car, another small car which was pushed forwards 15 feet. Does make me think about what collision with a small car would have done.

[chieftmc]

Looks like all plastic to me If I were you, I'd buy it back from the insurance company and replace the plastics!

[Subfleet]

I was fortunate regarding insurance but the observations above are I think, very valid. I will have to ask the same company if they would insure it again .

[WickedMessenger]

What about putting it on E-bay as a wreck, see if you get more than the $6,300 salvage price and if so, buy it from the Insurance? My guess is somebody would pay more. Set a reserve price so you don't lose your butt, just in case. By the way, for 20 mph I would not have expected it to look so bad. Rather a sad day when a 20 mph collision totals a car.

[JPaul]

Someone was looking for a totalled car:

Originally Posted by fuelfresh

looking for a wrecked smartcar with usa state title. Any style; any location.

[babybenz]

I would not even bother buying it back its not just plastics. look at everything in there the rad. and ac condensor plus u need everything in the front end and they want u to buy it back for 6,300 buy a new one it will be new and un wrecked. you dont want it then re sell it later with a salvage title

[Mitspowered]

As someone who has mucked round with wrecked cars in the past, I'd say two things.

The damage doesn't look to be too bad. But you will likely have a terrible time getting replacement parts for it-maybe not so much the plastics, but things like the headlights, maybe the coolent reservoir, maybe the radiator or the condensor, any minor structure piece and airbags will presently be nearly impossible to find used (until more of these are on the road and wrecked) and you will likely pay a pretty penny from the dealer (not to mention the wait time on getting the parts). Airbags for just about any car can be rediculously exhorbitant, and then depending on the airbag computer, you might have to replace it or have a dealer reset it (something I'd bet they would NOT be willing to do).
Secondly, unless your insurance would be selling the car back to you WITHOUT a salvage title, the salvage price seems awfully high. I seem to recall the standard salvage value of most cars to be 20% of NADA value. That should put you close to $3.5 to $4K, I would think.


Good luck, whatever you do.

[SMART]

YIKES...

[fuelfresh]

i am interested in purchasing your wreck. i have a post expressing this, somewhere under cars for sale. please contact me if interested. mark / phoenix, arizona / 480-345-2222