I got rear-ended in my A4 last week. A high school student wasn't paying attention and rammed into me when I was stopped. She hit me hard enough to run into the car in front of me. I just tapped the car in front so the air bags didn't deploy. The car was solid as a rock and kept me safe but my baby has a crunched rear end and some front end damage. I only had the car 8 months!!! I took it to the most reputable shop that I know in Seattle and they said the damage was going to run about $9000 and will take 1 1/2 to 2 months to fix. The car wasn't damaged enough to be totaled but with $9000 worth of damage I'm worried that the car wouldn't be the same even though they say " the car will be fixed to the pre accident condition". <br> I guess I'm asking for some input of what anyone's experience has been for accident repaired vehicles. I'm trying to decide whether or not I want to keep the car after the accident or take a hit in the pocket and buy a new one. <br> Does anyone have any input on what the fair market value of my car before and after the accident?<br>Thanks<p>1998.5 A4 1.8TQM Bose, Sport steering wheel, trip computer, 15,000 miles (what can I say? I love driving it!!) Santorin Blue

I feel for ya!<p>I think in my experiences (broadsided in my Golf VR6, and hit at a 45 degree angle in an old Audi 100CD), the car can be repaired very close to the state it was in before the accident. IMO as long as the frame or chassis isn't damaged too badly, you won't need to get rid of the car. Be prepared though for many more squeaks and rattles that otherwise wouldn't have appeared necessarily. Both accidents that I went thru killed my cars only because the damage was so sever, even though they were repaired. If in a good mood I may even say that the paint job on the Golf was better than the stock paint job when I got the car :)<br>Good lucj though, whatever you decide<p>Adrian

I just wen through something similar with State Farm in the Seattle area.<p>State Farm claims that they will total a car if the damage exceeds 70% of the current value.<br>State Farm's estimators were incompetent and severely under-estimated the amount and cost of repairs to my car. Their estimate was far below the 70% figure. I was able to examine the car myself, with almost a complete layman's eye and identify significant areas of damage that the estimator had missed. When I presented my findings to the insurance company, I was basically blown off with "we will take care of fixing it, no matter the cost."<p>Well, 2 months later, the cost of repais has ended up being close to 85% of the (then) current value and I go to pick up the car tomorrow. Next time (pray there won't be a next time), I will get multiple estimates and not let the insurance company play such games. I suggest you take it to another shop or two and make sure they go over it with a fine-toothed comb, don't let them play the "we have to fix this part before we can even evaluat that part" game.

Edster,<br>A few years back I took my car to one of those oil change places. When they finished, I drove out of the garage and pulled onto the highway.<br>At around 50mph the hood flipped back, striking the windshield. I was able to bring the car to a stop without hitting anyone. The business paid for the cost of repairs which amounted to approximately $2500. I also demanded that they reimburse me for the diminished value of my car. The Lexus dealer was kind enough to write a letter stating that, in their view, the value of a damaged car is diminished by 50% of the cost of the repairs. With the significant damage to your car, this should be an easy case to make. I would solicit a letter from the dealer where you bought the car, or from some other reputable source, and make this claim against the company which insured the person who hit you. I hope this helps.

nt<br>

My family has dealt extensively, over the years with RNR Auto Rebuild in Bellevue, WA. I think they are on 132nd or so between Northrup Way and Bel-Red Road. Ask for Darryl. You need to call ahead and make an appointment for an estimate, they are that popular. Bellevue BMW uses them (at least they used to years ago) They have pictures and testimonials ALL over the walls of their waiting room. They have some incredible success stories, especially the pictures of before, during repair, and after. AMAZING. Fixed our 85 Subaru Wagon (in 87) for $13,000 (can you believe the insurance didn't total it?!) Sandwiched on I-5, dead stop and rear ended at estimated 55-60 MPH (no evidence of braking by rear ending car). Drove just great after they were done. Very professional. Very Competent. Very Service Oriented.<p>Kirk

I don't know him personally, and have not had work done there, but I have met him through someone I do know. He is highly recommended by this person, and also the local Alfa Romeo Club, I think. They are actually at 1514 128th pl NE, and their # is 425-453-2898.<p>Charles<br>

I don't want to tell the whole story, but to say I was not happy with their work would be an understatement. I think Maaco could have done better! :-(<p>Charles<br>

My wife had a head-on collision in a Pontiac Grand Am we used to have. The estimate was $5500. That was for used junkyard parts. When I insisted on new GM parts, State Farm claimed that using used parts was their policy and I would have to pay the difference for new. The car was never the same again. "State Farm, you suck!"

I wouldn't put new parts in a Grand Am either!(NT)

I walked in their one day this summer to ask about a ding on my car. I hadn't had to use their services for about 4-5 years, and as I walk up to the counter, the receptionist, can't remember her name, looked up and said, "Oh, hi Kirk, how have you been? Still driving the Jetta?" Now keep in mind, I dropped in, no pre-appointment call for them to look up my file. She squeezed me in to an appointment slot in another half-hour and I was thoroughly impressed that she remembered my name and my old car. Darryl also remembered me. AMAZING.<p>Kirk