I am happy to hear that it worked out for you.

I agree with EVERYTHING that's been said. If you're trying to keep the value of your car, go for it. If you want to use it as a trade in, go for it. Those are also valuable options.

It could be that I'm just not like everybody else. Truly. I buy a car, and then repair whatever goes wrong on it, even going to junk yards to fix something as simple as a radio button or as complex as an entire door. I call it recycling at its best. Currently, my car is so new I'm not doing that. But I would if I needed to. I don't care if it has a new hood, or new bumper cover, or a new wheel this go around... As long as it's still moving, I'm happy! Happy as a lark. And since it's paid for, if I sold it right now and made any money off of it, that would pay my house note or food for another month or two or 20, it's more than nothing.

My identity is not wrapped up in my car. This particular car only needs to be dependable. And at this point it only has to get me to and from work once a week, for at the least the next 6 years. Doesn't seem like a lot to ask from it.

Others may need more from their cars, and that's okay too. I'm thrilled I don't have to wait longer for my own vehicle. I probably baby the rental more than I would my own car? But it ain't my car, and it doesn't drive the same, and I don't have the same emotional attachment to it.

Rob, I'm very happy that you're happy with the resolution and how quickly it's now being done. I'm sure it's been a long two months.

I don't understand why you're being so dismissive of the concept of diminished value. It has zero to do with having your identity wrapped up in your car, it has to do with the car's value. Which admittedly will not come into play if you drive the car into the ground as you plan to, but may well come into play if you have a total loss next week. If you're not asking for money that you may be legally entitled to, you may be setting yourself up for absorbing unnecessary financial loss in the future.

I totally get it if you simply want your car back and don't feel like dealing with it, we're probably not talking a lot of money anyway. If you want to let the insurance company off the hook, fine. But again, please understand that this has everything to do with financial risk, and zero to do with people's relationships with their cars.

https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/diminished-value-claim/#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20if%20the%20market,value%20from%20an%20auto%20insurer.

Why am I dismissive of the dismnished value?

It only matters if you're going to sell the car or trade the car in. I never sell a car or trade it in. I'll buy cars with cash and keep them until they die.

What am I missing?

ETA: isn't the mantra, if you can't buy it in cash, don't buy it? I sure as heck don't ever want a car payment ever again. If others need, or want to do that, that's their choice? But I don't know why I need to be corrected about this? I can afford to buy a car with cash, and I'm not selling it!

I'm so sorry others can't but cars with cash. But it's their issue, not an issue with which I have a problem?

What you're missing is the possibility of another accident where your car is totaled. If the car was worth $18000 before the last accident and now has a reduced worth of $17000 because of the repair, your next claim will only get you $17000. So you're out $1000. The time to offset the potential for this loss is now, not after the next accident. Of course this assumes your state laws and insurance policies allow for this, a variable I have no idea about.

Don't care.

I have enough to buy another car. And I don't have accidents, typically. Can't name the last time I was in an accident??? Or needed another car. If it happens now so be it.

Mostly I don't understand why I'm always the person who needs to be "educated". I don't need to be educated. Frankly, I think I'm smarter than everybody else give me advice on this thread.

I understood the risk before, and I understand the risk now. I'm probably more educated than most people are about cars and car insurance and anything else you guys want to correct me about.

Especially when others think I don't understand something. They think they understand me better than I understand me.

I got it. A couple of the lecturers on this thread probably could stand a little more introspection of their own, rather than reading between the lines of my life; following me from one thread to another. And for the record, misreading, for the millionth time. I'm educated, I noticed, I understand. If you're educating other people, find another thread, or another way to educate people.

Y'all suck the joy out of everything. Guess you're bored, or don't have another life. Not surprised! Posted the happiest of news and of course you drag it all down.

What. Ever. I could say that I won the lottery, and you would find a way to bring it down. Thinking I don't understand about taxes, or how most people squander the money. I am not most people. I'm me. And if you don't know me, quick commenting. Quit reading between the lines because you're getting it wrong. For me.

On behalf of anyone who cared enough to try to offer helpful advice for consideration, I sincerely apologize.

So no one?

No one can admit that my thoughts were correct for me?

Others might benefit from obscure posts that had nothing to do with my situation?

Seriously? Stop trying to be so smart. Please go post on somebody else's post. If you can't admit that I'm right about my situation, don't post on my threads.

Bless y'all's hearts. You can't realize buying a car with cash is different than paying for a car with trade-ins or with payments? I'm so sorry y'all can't afford to buy a car with cash. Poor poor dears.

Me, I agree with you totally. I too am not my car. I buy a car and drive it until it is laid to rest. You are absolutley right. Only difference is I do not make car payments. I save up instead of buying cars. When I get a car I pull the money from the car account. I buy cars that last. I only made car payments once in order to have a credit report. Since I never used that it was money badly spent.

It is staggering that such a small dent could be valued so highly. It is a racket.

Well shoot, Rob. I started my post by expressing my happiness for you with the resolution. Then I acknowledged that diminished value might not come into play for you, given your intention to hold onto the car. Then I acknowledged that you might simply not feel like dealing with any of this.

All within my first post on this thread.

Then I came back and, at your request, further explained something that by all indication you weren't understanding.

I'm sorry that my well-intentioned posts were troubling.

Still love you.

Really can't stand others who tell me that I do not understand. I do understand. Maybe others don't? But maybe it should be addressed some other way? I know?! I'm the exception to prove the rule!

" Frankly, I think I'm smarter than everybody else give me advice on this thread."

I think this attitude and resorting to excuses/rebuttals/prevarications in response to comments have long been apparent. Too bad.

Rob - are you OK? Your rant seems (to me) to be way out of proportion to the advice offered. If its not applicable to your situation (and it appears it isn’t) then feel free to ignore it. IMO no one is talking down to you. They are just pointing out another possibility to consider to make sure you are fairly compensated.

That said, I think its great the car is fixed and you will get it back this week.

Rob glad that you are getting your car back , and sooner than anticipated. It's incredible the price of repairs. The damage doesn't "look" like all that substanital but ouch at the $ to fix it!

The info that @moosemac offered is good to be aware of.

The link that @foodonastump provided was super informative and so easy to follow.

I am curious if it is available on one's policy, what the time limit is to file a claim?

We've not had anything like that happen with our cars but it's still good to keep in mind.

We too tend to buy cars outright and drive them almost to the forever point.

No I am not okay. I came on to celebrate, and instead of people celebrating with me, though a few did, others feel the need to explain to me why I shouldn't be celebrating, or how I don't understand what I fully understand. Even when I explained what it is that I understand, and why it isn't necessary to tell me.

The car was fixed, and I was getting it back far sooner than I needed, so what salient thing did I leave out?

Now if you want to post additional information for somebody else to understand, maybe it should be framed as such. I'm not dumb, and I've lived long enough to know how to build up my credit, and how car financing works. How many of the people giving me advice, can pay cash for their cars? And yet I'm being talked down to for doing it in a way that's admirable.

" I'm not dumb, and I've lived long enough to know how to build up my credit, and how car financing works. How many of the people giving me advice, can pay cash for their cars? "

You keep beating this drum for some reason as if it were meaningful. Let me help you recalibrate with a different perspective.

I've never not been able to pay cash for a car. And I've never done so. Why? Because usually at least once a year, the finance businesses related to car companies have financing specials by offering well below market loans. And at other times, to enhance sales, below market rates can often be found. I've made thousands and thousands of dollars over the years by borrowing at cheap rates and investing those same funds at higher rates of return.

Debt should never be used to buy something unaffordable, beyond one's means. When used thoughtfully, it can vastly enhance investment returns and wealth.

Elmer I bet you taught your kids some of that that financial stuff like your idea, above, about gaining $ through knowledgeable financing. You sound like you are a really good parent. (As well as saving $$ yourself by knowing those things).

Thanks for the kind comments, lucille. All of my kids have followed different non-financial professions than I did - not a bad thing. They consult with me as they choose to.

One of my kids had an odd situation where a car owned for several years was bought back by the manufacturer on a recall, along with a "we're sorry" supplement. The payment was enough to buy a new version of the same model, which what was desired. It happened the brand had a 1/2 percent per annum loan special going on. I suggested to my kid that rather than use the cash to buy the new car, instead to get a 100% loan for the new car and invest the lump sum.

When the loan term ended, my kid had earned nearly $10K on the spread, had a paid off car, and an investment balance equal to the car's new value plus growth over the 5 years. They recognized the benefit of the suggestion. I'm glad to earn additional "dad points" when possible.

My 2 cents, FWIW:

While the number of comments make it seem like lots of negatives, it's really only from a small number of folks. I try to focus on the positives and respond to those, rather than letting the negative stuff get under my skin.

I do know our brains are wired to emphasize negatives - an ingrained survival trait that doesn't always serve so well in modern times.

I don't need recalibrating (I can buy a car with cash? But I need to build credit? Get real) or an understanding for any reason!

There are many points of view in life. There's more than one way to get at something. And I don't care about your point of view. Start your own threads, or comment on somebody else's threads. I wouldn't listen to anything you said if you paid me money to. I know you're a know it all, but I don't care what you know. Or if someone backs you. I'm glad you both agree, but I don't agree with either of you! Go away

WOW!!!! I am gobsmacked!! ^^^^^^^ Not that anybody cares. LOL

holy hell 🤦‍♀️

edited to clarify, holy hell rob. Way overreaction

Yep. Don't care. If y'all will allow it, holy heck!

Doesn't matter. If it's not me, who will be next? Y'all keep doing it, you'll keep getting what you're getting!

And I'm right. If you don't stand up to them, you deserve what you get.

Rob, I am very glad that you are about to get your car back. Car problems are the worst. It does seem that we are picking up cars on a Friday at 5:00, 6:00, right before closing time. I think it is very important to look over your car very good. Try the doors, the windows, the blinkers, etc. I say this from having a bad experience several years ago.

I'm going to try everything, and I expect to ask them for the wheel to be taken off.

I'm not leaving till it's all right! Good advice Jewel ❣️

If you can't recognize there's another answer, you're a part of the problem.

Keep kissing up!

I don't care if there's diminished value, because I'm never selling my car, if that doesn't matter to you, you shouldn't be on my thread. Go away! Fiind somebody who can't buy a car with cash!

If you can't figure out why, that's probably your issue, not mine. You probably finance your cars. If you can't buy your car with cash, maybe you should listen to me. Or don't.

Finance your cars, and create lots and lots of debt! Yes, your way is the better way!!!! Follow idiot to your doom.

Seriously? Could y'all be any ruder!

Go away. Follow the "educators". Finance yourselves to the gills. There's no impairment here.

You can't see their ideas might have alternate solutions? Maybe there is impairment....

but not in my on my part!!!

Stop attacking me.

I might give you more

credence if you hadn't justified all you said with "it's a tangent it's a tangent it's a tangent!" Yet another person who cannot apologize for what they said? That, and the fact that you're an elmer sycophant. Please go bother somebody else. And he has yet to apologize to me for misunderstanding when I said about anybody coming from Puerto Rico THE LOCATION. I don't know why y'all can't admit it, but you can't. So insane!

My only satisfaction comes from knowing that other people can see what it is you're doing.

Good grief, yall, calm down.

I will be first to say I wasn't slighting anyone by saying I didnt make car payments. I know that is not possible for everyone. I am not comfortable with debt as my parents were way too comfortable with it. I am frugal to the max and do in fact save for a car but I buy bottom of the line no frills good quality cars that I drive forever. I drive a Subaru, no bells and whistles. It was actually a better value for me than the used cars which had things like moon roofs and leather seats with heat. I dont value such things so no value for me but if it is what is important to you go for it. I have a used Nissan pickup that we haul things with. No 4x4 which would be better so we dont use it when it is icy in winter-pig on ice. Super cheap because not 4x4. Ancient and still chugging away. Just sensible stuff. No disparagement meant. I get the value of buying solid and keeping the vehicle and I also do not care about things that devalue the car. My truck has no resale value. It still runs though.

Rob, since you said you still love me, hopefully you'll take this in the supportive way in which it's intended.

It is clear that you have ankle biters here, as must be abundantly obvious to any regular, objective reader. It's perfectly understandable for you to swat them away when they bite. But they're not always biting, and perhaps more importantly not everyone is biting. Sometimes conversations just veer in unintended directions, it's not always with malicious intent.

Take the debt thing. I understand being debt adverse, as I'm the same way. Unfortunately I'm also risk adverse. Put them together and you're looking at someone who's sitting on enough cash to pay off my four year old mortgage, but knows that's not a smart move, yet is afraid to invest the money instead. Literally paralyzed. Even safe investments don't appeal to me as I feel I should be more aggressive. So here I am. I'd welcome well-intentioned advice, even if on a thread I opened a to show off my orchids.

You on the other hand recently mentioned some incredible returns on a stock investment. Would you have made this money if rather than buying stock, you had paid down the house note you mentioned upthread? No. So as you can see, even you have benefited from holding debt. It's not bad advice to consider this. Unsolicited advice isn't always bad advice.

We're all just people killing time in a chat forum. The vast majority of us post with good intentions the vast majority of the time. Taking a deep breath before responding sometimes helps keep me away from trouble. Sometimes, not often enough. 🙂 But enough to where I recommend it.

OK, here's the main salient point you haven't mentioned here:

" I don't care if there's diminished value, because I'm never selling my car,"

But, what people are trying to point out here, and which you have not acknowledged, is that if your car is totalled in another accident, the insurance company will only pay out the diminished value of the car, so you will suffer a financial loss. People are pointing this out because they (mistakenly, obviously) care about you and want you to be aware of all the factors involved.

All it would take is for you to say "I don't care if I get less for my car if it is totalled, I'm prepared to take that risk," so people know you've heard and understood: they're not mind readers. But you're too busy making snarky "Bless your li'l heart" comments and telling anyone who doesn't agree with you or who you don't like to "go away!" (how old are you?) to simply clear up any misunderstandings or concerns.

"...if that doesn't matter to you, you shouldn't be on my thread. " Guess what? On a public forum, anyone can be on any thread.

"Frankly, I think I'm smarter than everybody else give me advice on this thread."

Wow. Just wow.

Rob, pretty much all of your posts turn into you having a meltdown and lashing out. Please, consider help.

The vast majority of us post with good intentions the vast majority of the time. Taking a deep breath before responding sometimes helps keep me away from trouble. Sometimes, not often enough. 🙂 But enough to where I recommend it.

Good advice, and I thank you for helping to change the tenor of this thread, for me, anyway. I took a deep breath, deleted my last post. And will practice more deep breathing, in the future.

I try to focus on the positives

Good advice also. I think that we all have good things to offer.

Rob may have gone overboard, but I see her point. She posted good news, and expected others find it to be good news as well, but most of you rained on her parade. Someone decides to educate her about something she didn't need to be educated about. Perhaps that person thought they were being helpful, but giving a lecture to someone who didn't ask for information can feel controlling to some of us, and we don't like it, especially when others jump in with their opinions, as well.

Rob, I'm very happy for you ! I know it must be a great relief to be getting your car back, and having this incident settled.

Woodrose, it's the way she responded to those who were trying to be helpful that's the problem, IMO.

More 2 cents from me:

To those who frequent this forum, it's pretty clear there are some long standing feuds between some folks here. There are also some folks who seem unable to refrain from stirring the pot. People tend to argue and beef a lot with each other because they're getting something from it - maybe not everyone's cuppa tea, but there it is.

Sometimes it's a just way of letting off steam.

True, carolb. But most people here don't go on a childish diartribe, insulting other people by saying they're smarter than the others and being insulting and having a "holier than thou" attitude. This is her MO. I'm guessing that she has only friends and family who agree with her all the time. God forbid that they should offer a different way of looking at things or another viewpoint.

She's rude and quick to anger. Best to just SOB or say "Way to go, rob!!!".

NO pony in this race, but this just seems apt:

you may have a point there, @martinca_gw sunset zone 24 !

So much truth there.

Can't we all get along//////////

@woodrose - good point. while I understand the advice was likely well intentioned, each of us need to live life in a way that feels right to us. I, too, tire of receiving unsolicited advice.

Unfortunately, I think the only way to guarantee not receiving unwanted advice on social media is never to start any posts...😏

So now I'm actually wondering how the car turned out!

The car is perfect!

I think I'm coming to the conclusion that some people want to disagree with EVERYTHING you say. They're only happy if you're unhappy. They weren't trying to be helpful, they were just trying to be know it alls. Because... after I explained why it didn't apply to me, I kept getting told why I was wrong. I admit it can be right for some people, but it wasn't right for me. Oh well!

I wish them well, but I don't think they can understand they are not helping. Helping, in the instance would have been celebrating with me. Love you all! I apologize with disagreeing with your disagreement. Doubt anybody will apologize for their behavior (you know who you are!), but that's not my issue-it's theirs.

Best!

Glad it all worked out well!

Glad it worked out just as you hoped!

Thanks! I appreciate the well wishes. I will focus on that.

I'll forgive those who have made ugly accusations, slandered my person (real therapist, don't diagnose without meeting in person) and strange assumptions based on I'm not sure what (which is actually against the forum rules). I hope they find the kindness that is lacking.

I appreciate anyone who is happy for me l, and that celebrated with me! I wasn't looking for advice, but if somebody was looking for that I hope they found it on this thread.

Seriously, Dawid? This nasty thread is over a year old. This is your first post ever. Why'd you have to go dig it up?

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