I have a 1988 240 Wagon, being 20 he has some aging problems (spedometer, odd electrical problems) but overall a great car. He, his name is Frank, got into a wreck about a month ago and I have been mulling over whether or not to get him fixed. I just wanted to ask some "experts" what they think Franks prognosis should be.
The car hit him in the front fender and knocked the wheel. It looks like the only damage was to the fender but it is possible that there is some underlying structual damage. The mechanic says that to replace the fender (used) is $800. Will it really cost that much? Plus if anything else is bent or broken then it is definatly not worth fixing. Should it really cost that much just to get it drivable again. I hate to see him go, he only had about 230,000 miles behind him and his engine is good for many more.
If he goes how much do you think I would get for salvage?

-Rich


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1000 salvage if the rest of the car is in good shape. If not you could part it out for decent money if you have a good conditon vehicle. The fender should not cost you much if you find one at a juck yard o smeone parting oneout. If you have suspension damage you might be better off getting a new vehicle and use this one for parts. Good luck. I hate to see a good 240 die...........

 

Look under the hood to see if there is damage to anything under there. Does it still drive fine? The most likely thing that would be broken is something in the suspension. Your alignment is surely off. Look at the tie rods, the shocks and struts, the support arms. If there isn't any damage to anything under the hood which it doesn't look like there should be the fender is just asthetic. You can pick up a replacement at a junkyard for less than 50 bucks. 800 is a bunch of ****. They are just trying to milk you because they think you are stupid. If it drives and steers fine then you only have the asthetic fender problem. If the wheels shake or it steers bad check out the suspension like I said and you will have many more good miles.

 

look at www.car-part.com go to the page with the asterisk for the lowest priced part, then you can sort by distance and find the closest, cheapest part. I would think you can find one for $50 if you get lucky it will be the same color.

 

That's too bad. I agree that you can find a good used fender at a junk yard but you really should find out if there is frame/suspension damage first. If there is, part it out.

 

If you need a strut you can get that at carpart place too. From the look of it there is very little damage there. Mine the fender was smashed, the strut bent, and all the engine and transmission mounts broken, the air mass sensor brokenand there was no frame damage. These are tough cars.

 

By the picture it looks like only body damage.
The wheel still looks like it sits straight. Have it checked by someone else.