$1900: 2005 Mustang GT Convertible Manual Trans (Damaged) - Mine...Limited Time Offer

Accident damage thread and link to original purchase thread here: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/wellat-least-it-was-fun-while-it-lasted/144329/page1/

Location: Seattle, WA

Main details:

Runs and drives the same now as before the accident.

211,000 miles with all associated wear and tear.

Engine runs strong...Feels like all 300hp still there.

Appears to have decent shocks, which make it less wallowy than it could otherwise be.

Laggy drive-by-wire throttle closing...Might or might not be improved by a good cleaning.

Shifting will not drop into next gear until revs match...Might just need fresh trans fluid, might need synchros.

Light gear whine.

Squirmy rear on hard accel, control arm and/or panhard bushings probably shot.

Hit in rear quarter panel.  Damage to exhaust, bumper cover, tail light, outer panel, inner panel, possibly trunk panel, and possibly internal quarter panel convertible brace. 

Needs tires.

Insurance is giving me $1900 for it, so that's what I'm offering it here for. Due to state law, will be sold with bill of sale only.  Could probably also provide whatever other documentation would be required to apply for a salvage title.

Make it into a Challenge car, use it as a donor for something else, part it out, whatever.

Must have a commitment by Sunday, or insurance can keep it.

Wait.. is $1900 all they’re giving you or is that the cost to “retain salvage?” If that’s all they’re offering you I would ask to look at their comparables because that’s bunk. 

That's what it would cost me to retain...Their valuation of what the car was worth before being totaled was actually higher than I was expecting.  

If I had the space to keep it myself, I'd $2k Challenge it and then either use it as a donor for an vintage car or a Locost.

$1900 to keep it seems high to me.  Im not trying to queer your sale, but...

In two genuine experiences I have seen the "price to keep" offered to the rightful owner be higher than what the insurance company nets at auction.  

#1:  My '90 Infiniti Q45.  Totaled for hail damage.  Payout was $5k but if he kept the car the "price to keep" was $2,800."  We let the car go but watched the auctions.  I bought the car for $900 from auction.  

#2 is the Montero that I bought at auction and then later met the previous owner.  He too was offered $5,000 in total but the "price to keep" was $3,000.  I bought the car at auction for $1,300.   

It seems like reasonable deal to me, but I'm not an insurance auction regular to know what is typical rather than the exception at insurance auctions...And in all honesty, nor do I really care.

The purpose of this listing is simple:

If it's not worth at least $1900 to anybody here as a $2k Challenge car, race car, drift car, donor car, parts car, part out, decorative hot tub surround, etc...It's no skin off my back.

If it is, then I'm glad to be able to offer it up to somebody who could put it to good use. 

Either way, I'm getting paid the same. 

I will add that it's actually a little lower than one of our resident insurance guru's was expecting, as noted from the above linked thread:

Klayfish said:

Salvage value will be right around $2250-$2500, maybe a touch more or less...

...I looked up similar Mustang GTs with mild/moderate rear end damage that have sold at Copart recently.  That's how most carriers come up with a salvage value for owner retention.

That's not to say it might not go for less (or more) if it actually went to any given insurance auction...But an insurance auction this is not.  Keep in mind that the 'payout' on (and public demand for) this car is also probably a good bit higher than a Montero or 1990 Q45, so it might also be fair for it to sell for a higher price as well.

Going once...

Going twice...

Going back to the insurance company.