If your car was totaled tomorrow, how would you replace it?

"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
03/29/2014 at 21:03 • Filed to: None

After seeing an idiot on the road this afternoon, I thought to myself "If I had hit him, my Sonic would be totaled". Then I wondered: if my car was totaled, how would I replace it?

Remember that insurance typically pays out the amount it would cost to replace your car with the same condition car, at least that's my understanding. Unfortunately that means I wouldn't get a great deal more than I owe on the car, so personally I wouldn't have much left over after paying off the loan. But that's okay! Clean slate!

I think I would go for 2 cars to replace the one. First I'd pick up something cheap that can haul RC planes and get me to work. I would want to spend less than $5000 on this, and a cursory search of Craigslist gives me a few options when it comes to trucks, vans, and SUVs. I'd probably go with an old Suburban, but I might be tempted to get an S10 (less practical, but I love the things)

Then I would take some time, save a little extra money, and find a C5 Z06. I saw some on autotrader for just under $20k

I could save money and get a non-Z06, but the Z06 should hold value better.

So that's what I would do, what would you do? Tell us what car you're replacing, and be realistic.

DISCUSSION (40)

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Jayhawk Jake
03/29/2014 at 21:06

Even though I just got my Focus ST a few months ago if it got totaled I would probably replace it with a pickup truck again. I've gotten 2 track cars in the last 2 months so the fun DD isn't as needed as it previously was.

Manuél Ferrari > Jayhawk Jake
03/29/2014 at 21:07

Hmm

If the 997 was totaled I would get another one. But this time I'd get the C2S.

Every day I wish I had spent the extra dough and got the C2S over the C2...

jkm7680 > Jayhawk Jake
03/29/2014 at 21:08

My A4 would be replaced.

I'd buy a Diavel Dark, and a 2015 Wrx Sti.

That does include some extra money also. So my car, and my bike, and my Gf's car would have to be totaled all at once.

Manuél Ferrari > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
03/29/2014 at 21:08

Awesome.

What track cars did you get?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 21:11

I think I'd have to replace my '08 E90 M3... with a '11 E90 M3 (w ZCP).

Manuél Ferrari > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/29/2014 at 21:12

Nice call!

How much is a used E92 GTS?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Jayhawk Jake
03/29/2014 at 21:14

Well, I have liability only insurance, soooo

davedave1111 > Jayhawk Jake
03/29/2014 at 21:14

BMW E30. If it's 'totaled' as in minor bodywork damage that would cost more to fix than the car is worth, I'd just buy it back from the insurance company and keep driving it. If I crash it hard enough to total it properly, once I'm out of hospital I'd have a look around and see what's going cheap.

Right now, I might buy this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1813563656…

Manual 1992 520i Touring, Ł900. Cheapish classic car insurance, reasonably economical, but high miles.

Maybe a newish Fiat Panda. Or a Renault Avantime. Or a Fiat Multipla. But all of those have much more expensive insurance, so probably another 'classic'.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 21:17

Too much.

dogisbadob > Jayhawk Jake
03/29/2014 at 21:17

That's why you should get gap insurance when financing!

My car is/was already totaled before I bought it, and they kind of half-assed the repairs, but for $700 it doesn't matter because it's still mechanically sound.

Manuél Ferrari > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/29/2014 at 21:18

You're probably right. That's why I've never tried to find out. Scared what I might find.

How nice would it be though... Faster and much lighter

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Jayhawk Jake
03/29/2014 at 21:19

My car's worth pretty much sod all so I'd be lucky to get Ł1500-2000 for it.

So, options are another Alfa 156 V6, an Alfa 75 3.0l, a Rover P6 3500S, an Alfetta 2.0l saloon (if I can find one), a Jaguar XJ40 4.0l, a Fiat X1/9, a Lancia Beta HPE or a Rover SD1 3.5l.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 21:22

92 Miata with a 1.8 swap and a 95 Doge Stealth Lemons car. The '78 DOHC Volvo 242 was traded for the Miata.

Manuél Ferrari > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
03/29/2014 at 21:23

Nice!!

Do you run the Miata open top or with a bubble top over a cage?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 21:24

They only made 135 (and 67 of the CRT).

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 21:25

It's just got a soft top over a roll bar. It's not a fully prepped race car just a weekend track car for Harris Hill.

EL_ULY > Jayhawk Jake
03/29/2014 at 21:25

My Mercedes was totalled this week. I'm looking at S60's :]

Jayhawk Jake > dogisbadob
03/29/2014 at 21:27

I have gap insurance

Manuél Ferrari > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
03/29/2014 at 21:28

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evo…

I so agree with the last paragraph

Manuél Ferrari > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
03/29/2014 at 21:29

Nice. That's the same setup my buddy has. He still drives it on the street too sometimes

quarterlifecrisis > Jayhawk Jake
03/29/2014 at 21:29

See, that's an interesting conundrum. If the C6 were totaled...I don't know, maybe an M3, or a 964 if I could find one for cheap enough, or something stupid like a 328 GTS. Or an E39 M5. Or an RS4. Can't pay cash, so it's all a financing gamble. A "nothing" is also a viable option for awhile.

If the truck got totaled....ummm...maybe some running shoes. Realistically, if the truck gets totaled, the C6 probably gets sold, and I go buy either a used Duramax, a Denali, or another TBSS and buy an incredibly cheap Miata or something of that sort to go flog.

I'm conflicted.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Manuél Ferrari
03/29/2014 at 21:31

Yeah the miata is a nice-day-around-town car as well.

Manuél Ferrari > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
03/29/2014 at 22:03

His other ride is a sport bike so a half track prepped Miata is big and practical compared to it!

OPPOsaurus WRX > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
03/29/2014 at 22:06

I just got a wrx and traded in a truck. Id be tempted to go back to a truck too especially with the track toys

OPPOsaurus WRX > Jayhawk Jake
03/29/2014 at 22:07

Id go for a cheap old wrx to rally cross and spend the rest on the newest f 150 I cold grab

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/29/2014 at 22:09

Yeah and I've gone from working on oil rigs in South Texas to oil rigs in West Texas. The roads out west are significantly worse.

OPPOsaurus WRX > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
03/29/2014 at 22:13

What made you choose the ST? I wanted the all wheel drive. After this winter I think it was a good choise. I feel like I should have tried the ST first.

Kylemaro > Jayhawk Jake
03/29/2014 at 22:25

with a gsxr or a 911. no reeson to live anymore lol

AcesNines > Jayhawk Jake
03/29/2014 at 22:25

If my 2001 Jeep Cherokee got totalled, I'd be happy at first because I'd get more money than I would get from private sale...

I'd probably then turn around and put that money right into a 2014 Cherokee. Because I'm one of the few people on the planet that actually likes the way they look.

Or lose it entirely and get me one of these:

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/29/2014 at 22:28

I live in Texas so snow (normally) isn't an issue. Cost was the biggest factor. I got one of the last 2013's available, combined with a supplier discount and end of the year incentives I was able to get the ST for roughly $5k less than a comparably equipped WRX. And although it's a little bit silly if I buy a new car I prefer it to be American, I grew up in the Detroit area and the ST is built in SE Michigan. Also the ST has better creature comforts than the '14 WRX and the '15 WRX isn't available in hatchback form.

f86sabre > Jayhawk Jake
03/29/2014 at 22:33

Good question. I really, really like my Evo and there isn't much on the market that has caught my eye. The Evo will do 0-60 in 4.8 and happily take the kids to school. Maybe an STi to see how the other half lives?

Want to know the only car that I really wanted since I bought the Evo? Here it is:

Kinja'd!!!

OPPOsaurus WRX > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
03/29/2014 at 22:43

Yea i'd the Focus had awd it wouldn't have been a question. I had 2 Ford s before this. Mt wife has one too. I'm thinking the Ecoboost Flex will be good for her to haul our kids in.

Jayhawk Jake > f86sabre
03/30/2014 at 00:02

Nothing stopping you from getting another evo of the same generation.