Questions and Answers

Subaru Hit The Wall

Q. I just had a car accident on the highway last night - I swerved out of control and hit the concrete median. No one was hurt, but I'm afraid my car (1992 Subaru Legacy Wagon, 4WD) might be totaled. It still runs, but the front is pretty badly bent.

We got a tow to our home in Brooklyn, NY after the accident. I'm not sure what to do with the car now - should I take it straight to an auto repair shop for an estimate? Is their a particular kind of shop I should be looking for? I think whatever estimate I get is going to be over $3,500, which is probably more than it's worth to repair it. Then what are my options? Should I try to get some bids to find out what the car is worth in spare parts? Should I try to trade it in?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks and Best Regards,
Ted

A. That's a pretty tough call to make from here, but I tell you what you can do. Call Fiero & Mandaro Collision Works, Inc. on Ditmas Blvd. and ask for Al Fiero. He will take a look at it for you and tell you what your options are and you can go from there. I took the liberty of contacting him and telling him what happened. He will help you sort out what the car needs and tell you what's the best way to go. The phone number is (718) 385-8400

Since you had the accident with it, trade in value is probably zero. If the estimate to repair the damage is too high, then your only option is to junk it and get another car.