So...someone crashed into my 1998 Celica GT :-(, What to do? Options

[marblesmike]

Hey guys,

So I had my car parked on the street over the weekend and one of my elderly neighbors slammed into my car. The rear bumper is completely damaged (looks like it's about to be folded in half), as well as the tail lights and rear side panel on one side. The hatch still works and locks, but air and water is getting in the trunk now. I might be forgetting something and can upload a couple photos later. The car still drives okay, although I've only driven it twice since it's happened so maybe I'll notice something as I continue to drive it. Fortunately the driver left her information and lives right around the corner so we're going to go through her insurance company to handle things, especially since I don't have collision.

So right now I'm debating whether or not it's worth using the insurance money to repair body or if I should use that money, sell the car as is for $1500 or so, and then get something else. I'm leaning towards just repairing the car since I enjoy driving it, have recently upgraded the speakers, changed the distributor cap/rotor and plugs, changed the alternator so I know what's been done on it recently maintenance-wise. Plus, we're not sure if her insurance company will set a cap amount due to the age/wrecked condition of the car. They might declare it a total and just give me $3000 for the value of the car.

Thoughts anyone? What would you guys do?

[richee3]

Do all other panels still line up perfectly? Doors, fenders, hood, etc.? If the gap is no longer consistent you could have frame damage, which I wouldn't fix if it was mine. Otherwise let her insurance company fix it up and continue on your way to 1,000,000 miles.