So...this happened yesterday (7/10/23).

[ScottM]

I was driving on my way to work in the a.m. and had a minor medical incident and ran into a tree. I only remember minutes before it happened (going forward on a green light) and then basically next, waking up in the hospital. Very luckily only minor bumps and scrapes and that that tree was there to stop me. Allstate is stating that at this point, based on the explanation via phone of the car, it may be a total loss. My problem, at this point, I really love the Stinger. I've looked at other cars that are similar (looks, speed, comfort AND hatch) and it seems there isn't really anything out there that has that for the Stingers pricing. Although the customer service of my closest KIA dealerships is not too great. My plan, if they total, is to get a newer stinger (my baby is a 2018, with 42,500...miles). Am I missing something else out there that I could try out or am I spot on??

*edit* - in case you were wondering, ceramic coating and full front clear bra DOES NOT completely protect the front end.

 

[LordKOTL]

My condolences....but...

...
*edit* - in case you were wondering, ceramic coating and full front clear bra DOES NOT completely protect the front end.

That had me rolling!

 

[Rodtheviking]

RS 5 Sportback.. but..the price

 

[Snicklefritz]

no, you are spot on. get a new stinger. but that doesn't look totaled to me. your airbags don't look like they deployed?

 

[ScottM]

no, you are spot on. get a new stinger. but that doesn't look totaled to me. your airbags don't look like they deployed?

No airbags. The cockpit seems unfazed. It's just that front end damage that I saw. Seems the tree literally said "stop and stay there". I'm sorta hoping for a fix, but worried about the results if fixed.

 

[Snicklefritz]

looks like you crossed the road. at least you missed the wall! that would have likely deployed airbags and mashed your entire front in. looks like your wheel and suspension escaped too. it looks close, but it could come in under half of your car's resale value, which with your low miles is probably near $30,000 right now.

 

[ScottM]

looks like you crossed the road. at least you missed the wall! that would have likely deployed airbags and mashed your entire front in. looks like your wheel and suspension escaped too. it looks close, but it could come in under half of your car's resale value, which with your low miles is probably near $30,000 right now.

Yeah, seeing how close I came to that wall.

I wasn't even "driving" at that moment. I'm figuring the gods were with me.

I'm thinking it'll be close to saving it as well. Hoping for the best as it doesn't seem that bad. We shall see.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

Glad nobody got hurt. But what do you mean by minor medical incident? Did you just pass out? Does it happen often? I am sorry if I misunderstood your story.

 

[ScottM]

Glad nobody got hurt. But what do you mean by minor medical incident? Did you just pass out? Does it happen often? I am sorry if I misunderstood your story.

Actually, I had a seizure, which I haven't had in about 7 years. I've been on meds since my first one ever, 7 years ago. The Dr said, from what they could tell, that this was an isolated incident. More tests (diods on my head), but I believe it was heat...mixed with some life stress. It was a wake up call to take care of myself. Glad I'm ok and I'm very glad nobody else got hurt.

 

[AdrianG]

I would push for them to total it, then retain the vehicle if it doesn't cost too much to do so, and fix it myself whilst also buying a new car.

 

[boosted1g]

... but it could come in under half of your car's resale value, which with your low miles is probably near $30,000 right now.

Pretty soon replacement bumper plus headlights will cost $30k

 

[cwfl]

s4 or s5 maybe? or g70 i guess

 

[ScottM]

Soooo, as of today, the stinger is totaled. I don't think so, but it's a money game I guess. They offered me $39,300 for it. The car was paid off, so the total is "mine" (and the wife's). One of the things that came up here was keeping her, fixing her up and such. Is that worth it? How much would it cost for me to buy it from Allstate (is it a standard price type of thing)? What about the title, would it show "totaled" or something of that nature? As you can see, this is not my thing. I doubt I'd go into the "fixing up my stinger business", but maybe it would be worth it??

 

[Ohiocruiser]

If it was me, I would buy it back, fix it myself (the damage doesn't look that bad), and kept a lot of money from that deal. Obviously, the buy out price would be a deciding factor here. It will be shown on the title. The resale value will be down the toilet. But that wouldn't matter because I would be driving it till the wheels fell off. But that's me. I don't know your situation.

 

[ScottM]

@Ohiocruiser yeah, I'm not sure. From what I see, it's just the front end (bumper, hood, cooler and such) and I don't believe any part of the engine has been touched (but I' not sure internally). The rest of the car is clean (inside and out). My biggest fear is taking they buyout cash they give me, buy it back...spend who know's what to fix her back up and have $2.56 left.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

If you are mechanically inclined, and dont mind driving it for a long time, it might be financially beneficial. Like I sad, I would be fixing it myself. I see $3.5-4k in parts looking at the pictures. So if buy out is under 10, I would be seriously considering it, after making sure the frame is straight, and engine and transmission are good.

 

[ScottM]

I'll have to check with them to see the buyout cost. I don't see me doing it myself, which would double the cost at least...but worth a look. Most likely I'll get into something new though. I imagine the wife slapping me across my face for suggesting we keep it. Though, at least I'd have a place to sleep when she kicks me out for attempting to keep it.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

If you can't do it yourself, just move on. You have a lot of options for $39k.

 

[AdrianG]

I'll bet the buy back price from them is substantially lower than 10. Don't they usually do it by weight for most vehicles? When my Cadillac was totalled the appraiser tried convincing me that it would be thousands to retain it, in reality it cost me 800.
Unless the cost to retain it is astronomical, I would absolutely keep it and repair it at my leisure. You might be able to find some wrecked Stinger(s) with the front mostly intact and pull the needed parts from it for minimal cost. There are online auto recyclers that have a very wide selection of parts.

 

[boosted1g]

I would view your car as if it is a completely different option, a different car then you were driving before.
The real cost of buyout is the big factor here.
If you can buy it and fix it for 15-20 and plan to drive it for many years it's worth it .
At that point you are basically paying 20k for a used upper scale car, divided out by X number of years. So totally worth it vs the out of pocket cost of anything else.
If not then walk away because 30-35k for a 5yr old car with almost no resale divided by X years is likely a very poor investment.