somewhat long read and pics - SRT Forums

DARKmpr · 11-21-2009, 05:35 PM

well ... (possibly) another srt gone. sorry fellas. wrecked the srt on I-95 last night. thankfully, im ok. cant say the same for the car. havnt found out yet, but pretty sure the insurance co. will total it. however, i love this car more than so many things and waited 7 years to finally get one. need some advice and opinions from you guys whether you think its rebuildable or not. theres alot of sentimental value behind this car so im willing to spend a few grand to fix some of these major problems you'll see in the pics below, mainly frame damage. btw, i was at fault, i learned my lesson big time. and possibly the hard way so, no need for any flaming. if you guys want the story i guess i could type up the "book"

anyway, although i am heartbroken over the doubtfulness of being able to restore the car, i am very thankful i am still here and truly amazed that i walked away from the accident without a scratch. i have NO IDEA how it happened. as i said before, i've learned my lesson and i intend on driving any of my "toys" more responsibly, maturibly (if thats a word), and smart.

thanks for all the help anyone gives me! my biggest concerns is obviously both right and lower, upper and lower frame rails. what,d ya guys think?

orange_blaster · 11-21-2009, 05:43 PM

If the frame is damaged you're pretty much srewed, blewed, and triple-tattooed. I would honestly part it out and come out ahead as much as possible, then... start over. Glad to hear no one was hurt. Sorry for your loss.

DARKmpr · 11-21-2009, 08:16 PM

cmon fellas ... almost 40 views and only one member brings me bad news ... wasnt there a thread on here that i saw a guy took two wrecked neons and practically welded the back of one to the front of another? anybody recall that? as for my neon, in pic number 3 and 4, is that part of the frame able to be cut out and a undamaged frame welded in? from another salvaged srt?

hercfe · 11-21-2009, 08:23 PM

If the frame wasn't damaged, that would turn out to be about 6000 dollars worth of damage(which is under the total percentage for most insurance companies). The frame looks like a pretzel up front though. depending on how deep the damage goes, you're looking at (I almost guarantee) a full total. As far as repair, if you have the cash, anything is possible. Keep in mind, though, that very few of the parts for srt's are available cheaply. you're almost guaranteed to pay oem value for even some reconditioned parts because of the demand for them. specifically the hood and fascia. plan on sinking about 10000 to have it straightened and repaired. if you have the tools, plan on close to 5000 in parts and a few hundred hours. honestly, even with the sentimental value, you're better off totaling it, buying it back, parting out what you can, using the part out and total money to buy another srt, keep the motor from the wreck and build it fully, and drop that in the new one. that would be a much more fun, and rewarding project.

glad to hear you're ok brother.

OrangeBlastSRT · 11-21-2009, 08:25 PM

ive seen them rebuilt with frame damage, idk if your insurance company will think the same thing seeing it tho..

hercfe · 11-21-2009, 08:32 PM

yeah, luckily the economy is on his side right now. insurance companies are going to pay out what ever cost's the least to them right now, so total percentages are getting higher and higher. they would rather pay 9500 in repair than 9550 to total. funny how the big picture really affects all the little shit===>not saying your accident was trivial bud. don't take that the wrong way.

toasteroven · 11-21-2009, 08:32 PM

I don't know if I'd keep it with that much frame damage... unless it was paid off and I got another one.

Motorboy1 · 11-21-2009, 08:36 PM

X2 hercfe

DARKmpr · 11-21-2009, 09:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by hercfe

If the frame wasn't damaged, that would turn out to be about 6000 dollars worth of damage(which is under the total percentage for most insurance companies). The frame looks like a pretzel up front though. depending on how deep the damage goes, you're looking at (I almost guarantee) a full total. As far as repair, if you have the cash, anything is possible. Keep in mind, though, that very few of the parts for srt's are available cheaply. you're almost guaranteed to pay oem value for even some reconditioned parts because of the demand for them. specifically the hood and fascia. plan on sinking about 10000 to have it straightened and repaired. if you have the tools, plan on close to 5000 in parts and a few hundred hours. honestly, even with the sentimental value, you're better off totaling it, buying it back, parting out what you can, using the part out and total money to buy another srt, keep the motor from the wreck and build it fully, and drop that in the new one. that would be a much more fun, and rewarding project.

glad to hear you're ok brother.

your absolutley right, its pretty much a pretzel. is it possible for that to be straightened. i was thinking more along the lines of have that part of the frame cut out and another salvaged srt's frame cut out and welded in. how much you think front bumper, two fenders, and hood alone will go for? how much for just frame straightening if its possible? and who the hell straightens frames? thanks for the "glad to hear your ok too" its a miracle im alive. for those of you wondering ... short story >> got a little swirly comming off an exit, left, right, swung back left HARD and dove right into the gas tank of a semi. exploded. front end of car got ran over by trailer, and then spun across four lanes of interstate to the median. i never believed in miracles till last night when i walked away with a sore shoulder and neck!

Quote: Originally Posted by OrangeBlastSRT

ive seen them rebuilt with frame damage, idk if your insurance company will think the same thing seeing it tho..

yea, i really dont care if they total it or not. i mean, money is somewhat of an issue, but trust me the car is very sentimental to me! as of now im more concerned if its rebuildable so i can keep it forever.

Quote: Originally Posted by toasteroven

I don't know if I'd keep it with that much frame damage... unless it was paid off and I got another one.

why so? think it cant be fixed? haha, i dont kno bout you guys but i hate thinking about getting "another one" even though i may have too. i had plans to have this car forever.

scox1026 · 11-21-2009, 09:12 PM

part out everything except for the engine and trans, buy another srt, use the old engine for a future build, swap engines when your finished with build... go crazy fast... prolly still cheaper than trying to fix a crushed frame..

hercfe · 11-21-2009, 09:19 PM

hood, bumper, both fenders, fascia, radiator supports, intake mani, wiper cowl, splash shields, fmic, wiper reservoir, pwr steering reservoir, misc. engine work, misc trans repair, inner fender wells, headlight/fogs, upper strut mounts/front clip repair, probably new k member, steering rack--probably about 5000 worth of new and used parts alone. expect another 4-5000 for labor.

now, let's talk about frame/unibody straightening or repair. chances are, that frame will NEVER be able to be straightened. cutting and welding can be done, but its not as easy as just cutting out the bad and welding in the good. it will most likely be a complete front clip replacement that will be done. plan on another 2-5000 for that.

now that we've talked about most of the parts and labor, your gonna need to paint it again. plan on another 1500-5000 for that depending on how good you want your paint to look and what color you want.

you didnt even mention if your airbag deployed. if so, add on at least another 500-1000 for that alone.

in all honesty, after thinking about it more, there's no way in hell your insurance company will try and repair that car. expect a phone call about a total check soon.

keep in mind too, all the damage i can see is superficial. who knows really how bad the damage is.

HVACer · 11-21-2009, 09:28 PM

Once you decide to part it out, I'll take the sunroof (assuming it's in good condition)

HVACer · 11-21-2009, 09:32 PM

Here ya go. If your insurance co totals it, take your money, buy this one http://www.srtforums.com/forums/f165...4-sale-538151/ .

DARKmpr · 11-21-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by hercfe

hood, bumper, both fenders, fascia, radiator supports, intake mani, wiper cowl, splash shields, fmic, wiper reservoir, pwr steering reservoir, misc. engine work, misc trans repair, inner fender wells, headlight/fogs, upper strut mounts/front clip repair, probably new k member, steering rack--probably about 5000 worth of new and used parts alone. expect another 4-5000 for labor.

now, let's talk about frame/unibody straightening or repair. chances are, that frame will NEVER be able to be straightened. cutting and welding can be done, but its not as easy as just cutting out the bad and welding in the good. it will most likely be a complete front clip replacement that will be done. plan on another 2-5000 for that.

now that we've talked about most of the parts and labor, your gonna need to paint it again. plan on another 1500-5000 for that depending on how good you want your paint to look and what color you want.

you didnt even mention if your airbag deployed. if so, add on at least another 500-1000 for that alone.

in all honesty, after thinking about it more, there's no way in hell your insurance company will try and repair that car. expect a phone call about a total check soon.

keep in mind too, all the damage i can see is superficial. who knows really how bad the damage is.

from what i saw at the yard, intercooler was in good shape as was all the piping and everything enginewise minus the air intake. battery and all suspension parts looked good. wheels still in good condition. was leaking antifreeze though. anyway, you could subtract the labor because i am pretty mechanically knowledgeable and would probably be able to repair everything myself minus the frame. THANK YOU very much for you knowledge and suggestions as well!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by HVACer

Here ya go. If your insurance co totals it, take your money, buy this one http://www.srtforums.com/forums/f165...4-sale-538151/ .

HAHAHA ... that bad boys got almost 70 grand on her. my baby only had 35 and i bought it for only a grand more. plus its not black. .... its gotta be black.

DARKmpr · 11-21-2009, 09:54 PM

oh ... and neither air bags deployed so were good there too