So I take my time and find the best XJ8 I can find, a beautiful 2000 in sapphire blue and oatmeal with a new transmission and 108k dealer maintained miles and in 9 days the camphor tree in my front parkway dropped a branch on my car.

My insurance says they may total my car!

This is the worst of it but there are scratches and or dents on the roof, rear deck and trunk, the mirror and the rear door.

Anyone know a really cooperative body shop in the SF valley?

Thanks

Eric

 

Let them total the car you collect a check and then you purchase the car back and the rest of the funds you get it painted.

 

I am so sorry of your misfortune. It would kill me if that happened to Growler.

 

Californian vandals... those scum. I am terribly sorry.
It is crushing to know that your car will never be the
same. Luckily, your blue car is a hand-painted car
with a thick clear coat. An excellent body shop may never be
able to get silvers to match perfectly, blues like this are
a whole different story, I have seen artfully matched deep
metallic blue panels.

Your car is beautiful! P4000 Pirelli tyres are only bought by the
most fastidious owners, who want every single thing factory.
I wish I had a set of P-Zero System 180 tread rating XJR tyres.
($369 ea.)

Have had the XK8 (back before sold) micrometer measured for
clearcoat depth, and it registered anywhere between 7-16microns
deep. That means the car recieved attention by hand, from factory.

A superior body shop should have no trouble restoring this blue.

If you buy it, you can get a big check, spend some of it on buying back
your lovely XJ8, and then another chunk on the resto. (I bet it is enough
to turn a profit, the insured value of XJs is higher than market.)

If you don't buy it back, you will receive enough cash to go for a newer
model, like 2002-2003, which is interesting. But I know these cars are
an emotional item. I would be very upset at the idea of the car being
repaired improperly or replaced.

Ian

 

Even given the fact that they no longer sell solvent based two stage base coat in California I am pretty sure they should be able to restore my car to my satisfaction.

I'm pretty good at spotting less than perfect paintwork on a car. I restore cars as a hobby.

Here's my Alpine I sprayed 12 years ago: (photo is a month old)



I'll let you all know how it works out.

Eric

 

Gutted for you, it comes in 3's by the way

You know the score so good luck with finding a good paint-shop and take it from there.

Jaguar use ICI paint scheme and standard paint codes, so paint match is no issue.

I'd love the 289 Tiger version of your car, it can embarrass AC Cobra's, E Type Jag's and even 250 GTO Ferrari's! awesome car as you'll know .

 

In most instances you will get a salvaged tille if they determine it is not worth fixing ... and many insurance companies will not sell it back to you.

If they do write it off I bet you will make out better taking the money and looking for a 02-03 with less miles.

The price of x308's is low enough ... one with a compromised title is close to worthless.

 

Or Plan C: (which I have in fact done more than once)

Buy it back, purchase a newer one- then part out the salvaged one. The bonus is that any parts needed at the beginning for the new one (trans? Motor?) can be removed before parting.

Note that the motor and trans ALONE are worth at LEAST $3-4K and the salvage price for you to buy back will be below $1K.

 

Sorry to seat that happened to your lovely car .

 

Eric,

Sorry to see that happen to a beautiful X308.

It would be criminal to total it. I hope your insurance makes an offer of cash plus salvage so you can manage the repairs and come out on top.

Graham

 

Yeldogt is right though as a salvaged car no matter how meticulously repaired is very hard to sell especially at anywhere near FMV.

I go Thursday for an estimate. Cross your fingers.

Eric

 

"Lucky" you. I hope Insurance company will pay you a good price.
I need the same kind of "luck".
Just spent $$$ for: new blower motor & installation, new headliner, and now new fuel pump with all related items (over $1000 just for that).
Only 53,000 original miles on this 1998 Vanden Plas.
Whomever designed location of the fuel pump with no access to it should be made to replace all Jaguar fuel pumps, just like Syzyphus is working in Hell.

 

This is the problem with all old luxury cars -- the cost of many general repairs is often more than 10% of the values of the car ... and accidents often total them. That is why it is important to understand how your particular insurance carrier computes the value.

The only time I have seen this work out is if the person is or knows someone in the body-shop business where you can get the work completed for less than normal retail.

 

I read your post last night and my 01 VDP got creamed this morning!!! Now, who will be number 3.

 

Can I say "damn women drivers" on here? Joking....of course.

 

62Sunbeam, who is your insurance company? Keep in mind that by California law you have the right to choose the shop for repairs. Discuss the repairs with the shop of your choice to make sure that they will do the job right, not just what the insurance company throws at them, i.e. blend times, colorsand and buff, r&i glass, etc. If the car is borderline and you'd like to avoid totaling the car, the shop can do a "no supplement" deal with the insurance company.

Buying back a total loss vehicle may make sense if the buy back price is low enough. The price is determined by salvage auction prices. I don't think Jags are setting those on fire, so you may be able to buy the car back reasonably cheap. Salvage title is ok if you will be holding onto the car for a long time. If you do retain the car and proceed with repairs, its best to photograph all the damage before and after. Also many shops take pictures of the repair process so you can ask the shop of your choice to do that for you. This will help greatly in getting the most for your car down the road when you decide to sell it. I love reading ads "salvage title due to minor accident". In your case you can say that if you back it up with pic's. Anyhow, sorry to hear about your mishap and good luck.

 

Yes, if selling is way down the road, then it is a very reasonable option. Most buyers of specialty cars are knowledgable enough to understand the realities of "salvage" and "total loss" as being purely economic decisions made by insurance companies.

Think of how many people would think they had died and gone to heaven if they could find a XK-E in similar condition with a "salvage" title. Or even a '65 Sunbeam Tiger.

The trick is to be able to document the cause of the branding on title.

 

Well they said it was worth too much to total. That's good to hear.

I didn't want to deal with all that crap.

The car will go in on Monday evening and I should have it back in about a week.

Eric

 

And that sir is the way to get things done. Kudos to you!

 

Well we have the before picture Eric. Be nice to see the after! Good result but..I would have sought revenge from the tree,is it still standing?