Thread: 2001 Grand Prix GTP in accident, need advice

I was in a minor fender bender with my 2001 Grand Prix about a week ago, front right fender and front bumper need replacing. Front right wheel tie rod and mount broke away from the frame due to rust and the minor impact, repairs have been estimated at $1700 and would be covered fully by my insurance.

The problem is because of the pre-existing rust on the underside of the car the tie rod mount can't be welded back on, so they can't and won't do the repairs to the underside of my car because it isn't possible to get it done and have the repair be safe for the future.

The value of the car is about $3500 so it won't be totaled, looks like I am going to get the $1,700 and a undriveable and unfixable car back.

Is there any sense in bringing it to a mom and pop place and getting it fixed as good as it can and just pay for it out of my pocket, or is it just not a safe thing to do?

If the car has to go bye bye, do I sell it for parts, donate it or what?

If I then need to get another car, what do people around here recommend, makes/model, new/used, need it to be under $25K.

Terry

The tie rod mounts to the inner tie rod and the steering knucklex both of which are available to buy....

The tie rod connects to the knuckle, there is not mount for it.

So whatever really broke is something more serious, I am guessing at the control arm on the subframe broke away.

A new/used subframe and you could be back on the road.

thanks guys, still pondering the whole thing.

Yep thats got to be the rear control arm bracket that ripped loose. I had the same wreck but no rust so we straightened it. A good salvage subframe isn't anything that a good body shop would "run away" from but most of them just aren't into fixing old cars like ours. If there is damage to the unibody structure hiding behind the fender and bumper, that would easily make it a total loss. And it would make a body shop not want to take chances fixing an older, low valued car. They might get screwed on the money if the damage grows once its all visible.

A mechanic shop would be the place to go, to get it driveable. They probably won't freak on needing a subframe (really not a big deal) because they can check alignment on-site whereas most body shops cannot. After that, off to a body shop for that part of it with no suspension headaches for them.

For $2,500 you can't do much stepping up. I'd try to fix the car if theres no structural damage. I just kept the smashed one, took the claim money and got another car just like the wrecked one to drive while I fix the first one. Now I have two and am thinking of selling one.

If I remember there was more internal damage mentioned to me by the repair shop who were doing the estimate, something about a engine mount and carriage bolt assembly also broke and the the whole engine shifted or something like that.

Anyways the insurance company has decided to total the car, they will be calling today or tomorrow to give me an offer on it. To a dealer in perfect condition it was worth $3500 but because of the rusted out bottom unknown to me the car is really only worth about $2000, the repairs were going to be close to that, so that's why it's being totaled by the insurance company.

Terry

Thats too bad. The dark blue ones are pretty. My advice still stands. Its tough to find another kind of car for the price that will provide transportation as well as a GP does.