Sad story

[ppo]

When I turned 16 (I'm 31 now), my parents surprised me with the 1980 Fiat Spider 2000 that the neighbor up the street had inherited from his late brother-in-law. Blue interior, original silver paint, little rust, and 66,000 miles, I drove the car throughout high school and into college, and even got a new paint job. But as I went to college on the New Jersey Coast and picked up surfing, the Fiat took second place to pickup trucks and station wagons and found a place in my parents driveway back in PA. It sat there until last summer when my dad and I decided to bring her back to life. We put in a new exhaust, new front and rear suspension, rebuilt brake calipers, flushed and cleaned the fuel system, put in a new starter, fuel pump, master brake cylinder, and I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting. She's back on the road, but over the last year or so living at the New Jersey coast, some rust spots have developed. No biggy. I got an estimate for some body work and a paint job, and I was about to come home from work on Monday and start removing body trim. I came to the door at work and my coworker looked back at me and said, "something happened to your car." I walked outside and my mouth dropped. Some woman driving a VW sideswiped my baby tearing up the entire driver side and bending the rear axle. Now I'm afraid that her insurance company is going to try and total it despite the over $2000 I put into it last year. Any suggestions on how much Spidey would've been worth?

[mdrburchette]

I'm afraid they don't care how much money you put into it to make it roadworthy, however, it looks like it's worth more than I thought! Here's from Goldbook:

1980 FIAT 2000 Dsp/HP Eng Fair Good Exc Show Loan
SPIDER 1979-83 2.0/102 4C 4,500 9,000 13,000 18,000 S 8,000
Add: Turbo $500

Data updated June 2008.

Here's from NADA:

1980 Fiat 2000 Spider Convertible
PRICING

Original MSRP: $8,795 Low Retail Average Retail Value High Retail
Base Price $4,825 $8,250 $14,250
TOTAL PRICE $4,825 $8,250 $14,250
* This Retail price is based on a clean vehicle history report. Don't make a $8,250 mistake. Get a Free VIN Check today.


Note: Vehicles with low mileage that are in exceptionally good condition and/or include a manufacturer certification can be worth a significantly higher value than the Retail price shown.Disclosure statement

Other Vehicle Information Weight: 2,290

[ppo]

Thanks. Yeah, I saw that NADA pricing. I just hope they don't try and say that it's not even worth the low estimate because of the rust.

[apexwc]

I guarantee her insurance company will try to screw you on the value with their first offer. Remember, you don't just have to take what they say it's worth. Be prepared to show them comps., appraisal, and anything else to show the true value of the car - especially the info. that Denise posted. If they still give you a hard time then tell them to provide you with a replacement in comparable condition to yours. Another option you might have is to buy the car back from the insurance company with a salvage title after the claim is settled. Then you can spend the money putting her back on the road. My neighbor bought his tree-crushed Miata back for $500 and spent far less than the payout getting it roadworthy again. Of course, he should have left it under the tree and bought a Fiat!

[ppo]

Yeah, I will probably do that. Heck, I may end up being able to do most of the work myself and have the car fixed and painted with money to spare. If that's the case I may have to call the woman that hit me and thank her.

[dahliacactus]

Any helpful suggestions from other owners on how to prevent such a sad story? Any tips for getting her insured?

[mdrburchette]

I've got my Fiats insured with Hagerty Insurance. The price for full coverage is exceptionally reasonable...less than liability insurance with other companies. There are certain stipulations that have to be followed, such as your car can't be a daily driver and it has to be garaged. I haven't had to use the insurance but I do feel better about the coverage.

[kristoj]

I use Grundy Insurance (similar to Hagerty). The nice thing about collector car insurance is that you declare the value of the vehicle in advance. Your premiums are based on the value you choose. But as Denise stated, the premiums are very reasonable. I have my Spider insured for $12,000 and my premium is around $115 per year.

[dahliacactus]

Hmm... uh oh. Due to my life situation. Condo dweller, just one parking space, my car will have no garage, and would become my daily driver and only car.

Just get my documentation in order in case i ever have to dispute?

[pope]

Just being a smart ass, but I thought everyone in Seattle lived in trees or on street corners.

[ppo]

It's been a while, but I'd like to update my story. I actually got $4200 for the car, but they totalled it. I kept it and I'm using the money to get some additional body work and a paint job done. I actually need a passenger door. If anyone knows of anyone anywhere remotely close to south jersey with one in good shape please let me know.

[mbouse]

i am very glad to hear that you weren't tempted to part the car out, and are actually going to restore it.

[Gunsmith]

Can you still get a title and tag for a totaled car?

[mbouse]

in michigan you can. the car gets a salvage title, pink instead of green. therefore, any subsequent buyer will know that the car has been wrecked and repaired.

[ppo]

Yeah, I wouldn't have been able to see it taken apart because of the centimental value. They actually never even asked for the title or physically took the car, so I'm not sure what the deal is. I'm planning on changing it to collector tags and looking into one of the insurance companies mentioned earlier in this post.