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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!genrad!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!dennisg
From: dennisg@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Dennis E. Griesser)
Newsgroups: net.auto,net.consumers
Subject: Fix a totaled car?
Message-ID: <1972@sdcrdcf.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 14-May-85 21:12:03 EDT
Article-I.D.: sdcrdcf.1972
Posted: Tue May 14 21:12:03 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 16-May-85 23:45:23 EDT
Reply-To: dennisg@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Dennis E. Griesser)
Organization: System Development Corp. R+D, Santa Monica
Lines: 20
Xref: watmath net.auto:6857 net.consumers:2286
Summary: 

In article <404@ttidcc.UUCP> hollombe@ttidcc.UUCP (The Polymath) writes:
>> and NEVER fix a car when it can be totaled.
>The last serious problem I had with my car  was  a  fire  under  the  hood.
[explains problem, solution, and resolution]
>Moral:  It's nearly always cheaper to fix a car than to replace it.

It may be cheaper to fix the car, but not safer.

In the case cited, fixing the car was the best choice.  Sharp of you to make
the right decision!  BUT some accidents cause slightly more damage than a
soggy carburator.  Fixing some types of damage may be economical, but result
in an unsafe car.

I have heard that structural damage to unibody cars should NEVER be repaired.
The car is designed to buckle in impact.  This soaks up a lot of the force.
A repaired car, especially if steel plate is welded in, will probably not
buckle right.


[standard disclaimers]