It's certainly possible, but do you want to go through all the hassle of finding all those part? You've got to find them, gather them all in one place, then take them all over to a repair shop and wait for the repairs. In the meantime, I doubt your insurance is going to pay for a rental car, which they would do if you just have them fix it. You also have the problem with this much damage of the repair place finding even more damage once they get inside. If you take the payout, that might be the end of the money even if there are other repairs. But if it's on their dime, they have to cover any overages on the original estimate.

I would say do it if the damage was cosmetic, but it's alot more than that, and alot more than you're describing. An entire rear end plus major parts in the front are way more than "a few suspension components". You could easily end up at the same $11,700 figure after doing all the work gathering parts.

If you have a parts list from the estimate, I would spend this weekend scouring the internet for used parts and see what kind of dollar amount you can find for just the parts. Remember, you have to save almost all your money on the parts side, because the labor figure is probably not going to drop much, if at all. Somebody's gotta put that whole thing together.

 

Understandable,
Here is the list


Front Bumper, reconditioned - 281.00- 1.9 labor- 3.6 paint
Front RT headlamp- 857.80- 1.5 labor
Radiator Support Lower cover- 153.67- .3 labor
Center muffler- 372.23- 1.5 labor
Rear Muffler- 404.81
Wheels- He found one used for 279.00 the other three are 878.52 x3
Valve Stem- 14
Balance- 60
2 Front knuckles 400.00
RF lower Control Arm 222.63
Rf Hub and bearing- 183.77
LF lower control arm- 222.63
LF hub and bearing-183.77
RF inner tie rod- 71.47
RF outter tie rod- 59.33
RT Rear Quarter Panel- 8.0 Hours labor 3.1 hours paint
RT Glass Nissan? 20.00 Tail Light assy
Rear Suspension Assy from auto recycler 1750.00
Rear bumper cover- 281.00



Total Parts 8242.93
Body Labor 19.6hrs at $48 hr 940.80
Paint Labor 9.9 hrs at $48 hr 940.80
Mechanical Labor 18.4 hrs at $55 hr 1012.00
Paint Supplies 297.00
Misc. 139.95



I can see your reasoning for finding all of the parts, may be difficult. as for rental, I dont need one, I have another car to drive.

How much would I be able to sell this for as it sits?

I know the wheel prices are rediculous, i will get some Time attacks for that price, and lower it while im at it. I dont know, im kind of lost after seeing this list. He missed a few things too, Im pretty sure my front struts are shot after that impact.

 

bump

 

Hmmm ... I don't know. They have over $2900 for wheels. You could easily find a used set of forged 19" OEM Rays under $1000 that were in great shape. Or buy a set of aftermarkets. That's about the only thing I see where you can save some real money if you did it on your own.

But, you have another option. See if they'll let you replace certain parts with comparable aftermarket parts. Specifically the wheels and the exhaust. The parts would probably have to be the same quality as the stock parts, and the car would have to be street legal (they probably wouldn't allow test pipes), but there may be some flexibility there. Might be a nice way to upgrade some parts.

If the parts have to be Infiniti, then see if they'll give you the money for the wheels and/or exhaust and you then go out and find a set of used 19's for $1000 and a stock exhaust for $250. It seems silly that they're spending $2600+ for 3 wheels that you know you can get in the Marketplace for far less.

 

Yeah, I agree with you there, for that money, Like i said id just throw some volks on the car and keep the darn thing. I have some buyers looking at it as it sits, It has some value being that it wont carry a salvage title. hopefully i can get a good offer and just take that and the insurance money and call it good.

 

I want to thank you guys for your input throughout this. truly appreciate it

 

Well sorry to get into this thread a bit late, i used to own a body shop and am a career bodyman, havent been on this site in a while, but i may have some decent input for you if the deal isnt done yet. If you do buy the car back from the ins company, it WILL NOT have a salvage title, just a damage disclosure. And honestly, take a look at alot of the things that need replaced. Im sure you or someone could swap most of the parts out. Id keep the car honestly...do you know how many cars are pretty hurt brand new? Fixed and put on the lot like nothing happened. Besides, if you have someone that can do a quality job then you shouldnt have anything to worry about. I moved out of iowa recently, but i do have a friend that does very very good work there if you are needing the car fixed. Him and his father have done alot of show cars together, but he used to work for me when i had my shop. Give me a call at 319 594 0231 if you are interested. Im sure you could pocket a few grand if you had him do it also. He just does it on the side now.