1976 cost/value -helpppp, in a jam Options

[lostmybaby]

I was the happy owner of a 1976 914, till someone in a 1998 ford escort decided to hit the side of the car, right behind the passenger door, RIGHT at the engine compartiment and rear wheel. My mechanic feels the damage is, gulp, beyond repair. BUT, the car, like before, RUNS GREAT. Mechanically, the car was in GREAT SHAPE before the re-arrangment, now there may be a frame related problem etc. SO, I'm calling all 914 folks out there to help me in my battle with the insurance company. TOmorrow at HIGH NOON I will be told HOW MUCH THEY Feel the car is worth and how much they are going to give me for the massacre caused by their wonderful driver!
What is a good/average price to replace a mechanically sound 1976 914??? This car hummed, strutted, ran, and pretty much confused everyone with the lack of problems I encountered. I owned the car for 4 years and put over 25,000 miles on it without a hitch and was on my way to driving the car until I couldnt raise myself out of the front seat.
SO again, anyone, what is the price I should accept to replace something that is essentially irreplaceable???

HELlllppppPPPppp.

THANKS FOR THE REPLYS SO FAR.
THe paint was faded and the rear/targa chrome-like molding on one side was starting to losen. Very little rust and the interior -well the seats needed to be replaced, however I had the center console installed. The dashboard had one noticable crack.
I think I'll stand firm and argue for 4k.
Right???

[vortrex]

I was in the exact same position about 5 years ago. my car was hit after I only had it a week. my '73 2.0 was in very good shape before it was rear ended by an F150. I had paid $4500 for the car, as I said, one week earlier. the damage estimates were something like $3300 to fix. the insurance wanted to total it out, I wanted to keep it and get it fixed (stupid me). anyways, just be firm on whatever you want. they will most likely try and low ball you or make you do something you don't want to do.

did you do any "fix it up" type stuff in those 4 years? do you have the receipts if so? showing you put money into it can prove it was more than the "avg" 914 beater and better your case for more money.

[Bleyseng]

Boy, without any pictures of what condition the car was in before its hard to judge but here goes....
Excellence magazine puts out a price guide once a year and near as I can remember this is it.
73-74 2.0L in Excellent condition-$7500
in Good condition-$5000
in Fair condition- $3500
75-76 2.0L in Excellent condition-$7200
in Good condition-$4800
in Fair condition-$3200
Excellent condition is a car that is totally complete, well maintained, paint and interior are in excellent condition
Good condition is a car that is nice, complete, paint looks real good from 10 ft, a nice daily driver
Fair condition is a car that is missing a few things, runs decent, paint is ok, interior is showing its age
Location has alot to do with the value of these cars. These are West Coast prices, East Coast is more.

Maybe someone has the article for you, or check online.
Geoff

[Brad Roberts]

I would stand firm at 4k from what you described.

Oh.. go ahead and reply to each post instead of editing your original post.

Otherwise we wont know when you repsond.

B

[lostmybaby]

Gotcha Brad,
will respond to each post. THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS RESPONDED AND EVERYONE WHO IS THINKING "GOOD LUCK".
Also, should I get what I deserve for a classic that was destroyed while on its way back to form, I will be in the market for a replacement ASAP. Anyone in the San Diego area (as far north as San Fran) let me know if you know of a good conditioned twin trunker!

[campbellcj]

It sounds as if the other driver was at fault; if so, then your insurance company should go to bat for you. At least that's how it works here in Calif.

One other thing that might help is to contact the PCA Valuation Committee. There is a request form on the PCA web site, I believe. They can provide you an "official looking" letter, on PCA letterhead, stating the approximate value of your car based on recent market listings and whatever other sources they may have. This is NOT the same as a real appraisal, however, which can only be performed by an "expert" after an in-person inspection of the car.

Any photos, receipts, or for-sale ads for similar cars in similar condition will surely help your cause.

Good luck!

[vortrex]

one more thing...

if they or you decide to total it out, try and get your car and your money if possible. I somewhat remember having an option like this, but I didn't take it as I was living in an apt in the city at that time. I believe it would have cost me something, but not a lot compared to the amount of parts one could get from it.

[Bleyseng]

Good reply Paul, I think the biggest factor in a 914's value is how much rust does the car have. If its "rust free" the car is worth more even if the interior has seen better days, paint is faded, tired motor. Those things can be fixed for not alot of money, rust repairs are expensive. Racers are always on the lookout for rust free cars.
I would try for $5000 and keep the car to part out.
Geoff

[boxstr]

I have sold 914s for $7000 for an extremely nice condition 73 2.0. But for some reason price kind of drops off when they get to 75-76, the 2.0 will help. I have been offered a very original 76 2.0 with all the goodies, including the Rivs. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) for $4500. Needs minor detail but no major rust and a very good running and driving 914. It should sell for $5500-6000.
I think that the Excellence figures should be of some help. Good luck, sorry to read about your accident.
Craig C. Laughlni CAMP 914

[Gint]

FWIW, cherry, one-owner 72 1.7 w/166k miles. Ins Co. totaled the car and paid me $4900

[Dave_Darling]

Yeah, and how did that happen???

--DD
(who will probably never let Mike live that one down... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) With luck, the reminders will keep his Six from suffering the same fate!!)

[Gint]

Hey Dave,

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/finger.gif) :finger2: (IMG:style_emoticons/default/finger.gif) :finger2: (IMG:style_emoticons/default/finger.gif) :finger2: (IMG:style_emoticons/default/finger.gif) :finger2: (IMG:style_emoticons/default/finger.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Boldylocks]

For everyone in this post who helped back in January.
Just want to let you know "Lostmybaby" was resurrected as Boldylocks.

As you can tell, I did get a new car, a new job, a new roomate, and spent some time running around the country with a short film that got into a festival in New York.

Thanks, I should be getting the 1.7 back anyday, dropped by the Mechy this morning and saw the little sucka up on the lift with the engine in -ahhhh. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif)

[Bleyseng]

OK Lostmybaby/Boldylocks,

How much did the insurance pay so we can use you or not use as a reference point.


Geoff (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[Jeff Bonanno]

whatever it was, he got an addnl $300 for the "murdered" car. i gave it to him. and if he is using the same mechanic (no names mentioned), i wouldn't trust the new 1.7 to him.

i won't fault boldy and DAPO him because of what his mechanic did with/to the 2.0. it was not 'babied' tho as suggested in a previous post.

jbb

[Boldylocks]

Wow, Bonanno, you picked up the 2.0L from a car that was smashed and you drove away, and continued to drive in the car and you have ugly words for the mechanic. Thats not very nice, or did you barely make it home? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

The car ran for 4+ years under the mechy's care without any issues, other than oil leaking from known spots (the recirc-tubes).

What did you find when you opened it up? Were there other probs?

I got over $4400 for a car the the insurance company considered to be dead. Bonanno got a running 2.0 liter engine for $300.00.

Ohh by the way, if there is something I need to know about the mechy, please let me know so that I can find a better mechanic. Seriously, I've had good experiences with him but would like someone who can help me take better care of the car.

what is DAPO

PM me.

[tod914]

Here is what you do. You negotiate the highest amount they are willing to give you. Then, tell them you will settle for that if you can keep the car. Typically, buy backs are pretty cheap on 914's. Then you can part it out sell it or do what ever. Should be worth a few more grand if you part it out.
BTW, sorry to hear of your misfortune.

[TheCabinetmaker]

what is DAPO

dumb ass previous owner!

[Boldylocks]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)
That could be me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Nooooo.
But I had a 914 2.0L for nearly 4 years without a problem. Drove the thing EVERYWHERE everyday without a hitch -and drove fast enough to get out of a few tickets and, well, yeah, paid for a few as well. Hell for one whole year I commuted from downtown SDiego to Carlsbad, everyday, fast. Now it should be understood that I fed the car a dose of oil every 6-8 weeks due to its lack of potty training, and my parking space at work was clearly marked -but thats 4 years of daily driving for an owner who couldnt put in spark plugs - I'm getting better, my enthusiasm is getting more personal. I'm shooting to spoil this current car, but in the meantime I may just baby it.

Well, thats why I'm on the board, trying to make sure I can start 'spoiling' my car. I considered 4 years of pretty trouble free everyday driving to be a good sign of at least a car in great shape, perhaps even considered babied, babyied, bab-yed,? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool_shades.gif)

[rhodyguy]

sorry about all's misfortune. i'm so lucky i got my car back in good condition. when the adj. started pricing parts he turned white. "wow, doesn't take long to total one of these". then i turned white and went away and let him work. that tread took a personal turn. think we sound like that geoff?

kevin