Can Anyone Tell Me What This Car Is Worth?

I have a Saturn 1996 SL2 5 speed with 120k miles. The care has always been
serviced and is in prime condition inside and out.

A few months ago someone backed into me and caused some damage on right
front. It will need light assembly replaced and side panel is cracked as
well, and hood which probably has to be replaced(unless it can be knocked
out). Other than needing a muffler the car is in excellent mechanical
condition with everything in perfect working order, air, casette etc and is
in perfect drivable condition.

The insurance adjuster did a very thorough report and valued the car at
$2300 without the damage of course. Body shop says it will cost $900 to
repair with a new hood.

I don't know if I want to bother repairing it so does anyone have a rough
idea what I can sell it for? As I said it needs a muffler too and maybe some
pipes or entire assembly.

Thank-you

 

$2300 would be in the right neighborhood for a replacement car from a
used car dealer. If you were selling it yourself you would get a few
hundred less most likely.

So figure before wreck you could have sold it for 2k and it needs 900
worth of work. I would think you could get 900 to 1200 for it as is.

Steve B.

 

Nada Guide for my zip area reports:

Low Retail Clean Retail Value High Retail
Base Price $1,700 $2,475 $3,050
Mileage - 120,000 miles
TOTAL PRICE $1,700 $2,475* $3,050
* This Retail price is based on a clean vehicle history report.

Assuming you have A/C.
The side panel is probably $300-$400 for a used panel and paint/labor.
The hood another $300-$400 for same.
A muffler and tailpipe should run less than $175.

As for what it is worth, totally depends on what a buyer will pay.
I don't mean to be glib, but I recently sold a 1978 full size Ford van
for my asking price of $1300. I have no clue I would get my asking price
- I expected someone to nibble it down to $900. The fair market value
listed told me to expect about $500-$800. Despite the body cancer, is was
mechanically sound and suited a buyer's need.

 

The OP also noted "It will need light assembly replaced".

 

I recently went to the local self serve 'picknpull' auto wrecking yard and
purchased all the plastic body and door panels and front bumper and a hood
for $50. total. Even the color was right so little/no paint work will be
needed. IIRC they were having a 1/2 price sale that day but even full price
is a huge bargain.

The self serve yards are great because you get to practice the removal
before you pay and you get to fully inspect the parts after removal. You
also get to keep all the fasteners and when you find a car the same as yours
you can get spare parts like starters and alternators that commonly fail.
When buying starters and alternators you are advised to take them to
AutoZone or similar for testing while still under warranty. These cars are
not difficult to work on and with a little TLC can be economically
serviceable for a long time. Occasionally you can find serviceable tires on
rims selling for less than the bare cost of mounting.

The only real caution I would make is where there is damage to the steering
system which can be very hard and expensive to repair properly and can lead
to alignment problems and severe tire wear.

Good luck, YMMV

 

You still have a self-serve auto wrecker ?
....they haven't existed in my part-of-the-world for 25 years !
or more .. Enjoy it while it lasts.
john t