Not sure what to do with my car, any ideas?

[martinky24]

Had this car for roughly 8 years, loved every moment of it.

Was already in the market for a new car, and then I hit a deer in the middle of the night going 70.. don't think it's worth the repairs... how can I get the most out of what's left of the car?

Located in Centrail IL FWIW

pics : https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q4t8r1bvvohxto8/AADwmc0sRw9G00IZdBsX-bxBa?dl=0

[atypicalguy]

Pic not visible. Details would be helpful

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[Skippy]

Yes, pics would help. Also, what car are we talking about?

[martinky24]

My mistake on the pic, didn't realize it wouldn't work.

Here's an album:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q4t8r1bvvohxto8/AADwmc0sRw9G00IZdBsX-bxBa?dl=0

150k miles, pretty good condition, still runs...

[martinky24]

Updated.

[babymog]

Totalled, likely around $4k with used parts, maybe more with the radiator leaking? I suspect that airbags are okay.

Unfortunately the economics won't support insurance repairing the car as it is likely worth less than the repair costs. If you really love the car, buy it back from insurance (assuming it is insured), depending on your state of residence it might still have a clear title, obtain used parts from this forum or local u-pull yards, get the bumper support and surrounding area pulled out by a body shop and mount used parts, have it painted, probably get it all finished for around $2k.

Or junk it / part it.

Sorry to see the carnage, looks like it is a clean car.

[atypicalguy]

Buy a twin and use this one for parts

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[martinky24]

To be honest at this point I'm ready to get rid of it, I realize the car is worth less than the fix... Just wondering if there's a best way to go about doing so. I do understand the parts will be worth a bit but I'm not mechnically inclined enough nor do I have the time/effort to go toward making that happen... But yes airbags and basically everything except those panels and the headlight are in tact

Edit: Also (I should probably put more effort into checking) but I genuinely think those stains were there before I parked car.. but worth checking

[Skid Row Joe]

Parts car!

[Hirnbeiss]

Plan your visit to the new or pre-owned dealer late on Nov 30. Play hardball, and they will move on price and trade. VW/audi will probably be most aggressive given their ongoing diesel problem.

[97 SL320]

I dispute that you hit the entire deer while traveling at 70 MPH , the damage is minimal. ( unless all you hit was an outstretched back leg then I'd believe that. )

Needs Hood, R fender, R headlight / turn signal. Try the nation wide salvage yard inventory search car-part.com

Hidden damage would be the area behind the headlight , radiator, hood hinges.

Does the front door open without hitting the fender?

This car could be roughed out in a day and driving again assuming that the rad is OK and you are not too particular with fit and finish.

Most direct route would be to sell on Craigslist with pictures from all angles not just a bunch from the front.

[babymog]

Did the same in a 124, same speed, didn't look as bad, deer come in different sizes and the steel is fairly stout if you hit it right.

Hit a deer in Michigan my E150 van at 65 and drove home, broke lots of stuff but kept fluids and lights worked (adjusters broken though).

[Skippy]

If you want to get rid of it quickly, and it's still driveable, CL with pics "as is where is" and a price to match. Otherwise the junkyard will give you a few hundred for it. Fixing it before selling isn't likely to be profitable.

[lsmalley]

Easy fix. That front fender is a removable shell. You can get all these parts at a junk yard for cheap and replace in a day. Only thing I see is right fender, hood, and light. If it were me, I'd keep it.

[babymog]

Did this once, I've had several 124s.
Right Fender
Right Lamp Assembly (complete, possibly including connector and bulbs)
Right turnsignal complete as above
Right light wiper & motor (optional? looks like you might not have them working?)
Possible right wiper wire and washer hose (as above, might not be working)
Right filler panel
Hood
Right hood hinge
Bumper cover
Bumper impact strip
Bumper crush blocks (expanded polystyrene)
air filter should be okay, intake tubing in fender might be damaged (check)
Misc. fasteners
Straighten radiator support and hood support
Straighten bumper bar
Straighten crushed Right frame tip / bumper mount
Check and straighten frame as needed
There is no wiring in that area other than lights, so should be good there.

As these cars are designed to be sacrificial to cushion impact, the above straightening "frame work" will be necessary, the bumper cover has foam blocks behind it and some deformable plastic, but then it is the designed-to-crush frame tips absorbing impact.

As the OP doesn't want to repair, it seems that it is an opportunity for someone handy with a spray gun to make him an offer, might be a good deal for both parties. As lsmalley has mentioned, used M103/W124 parts are plentiful (several guys on the diesel forum also).