I think I'm calm enough to post this now. (Less POed anyway)

My son managed to wreck his pride and joy last night.
Luckily, he came out of this with only a few scratches and bruises.
Looks like the tree came out with less damage than the car.
The lesson is, "Don't drive stupid, and don't mess with Mother Nature."

I'm sure an insurance company would say this is totalled, but what do y'all think?
I don't think the frame bent, but I'm not a collision expert.
Looks like the front bumper absorbed most of the shock. Didn't even touch the radiator or bend any of the sheetmetal in the engine compartment.
Back axle is horribly bent and will need to be replaced.

We don't carry collision on this car, so any costs will be out of pocket.
Would it be worth hauling this to a body shop to get an estimate?
Or should we just part-it-out/junk it?

 

It sorta looks like that may be toast. Because damage is to the front and all down the side. Im going to guess that the frame is bent. Trees usually do win that battle, unfortunately

 

That just hurts me looking at it.

Especially considering the SN95's are still heading south in price before they make their inevitable climb back up again, I'd say it's probably cheaper to look at another one and part this one out. I'm not in any way an expert, so my opinion is just that. So take it for what it's worth.

Is it a Gt or a sixer? If it's a sixer I'd especially say it would probably be cheaper to replace.

Just looking at Autotrader.com I found a ton of Sn95's in the 3-8k range, depending on mileage and appearance. Most of em were GT's too. Good luck.

 

It's a GT.
CAI, Eibach springs, Magnaflow exhaust, rebuilt 5-speed.

 

Argh, that is a pain.

I had some damage on mine a while back (I hit a mountain, not a tree. guess who won that one )

that ended up costing almost $6K, and we got a ton of discounts from our friends in the business. My bet is that any insurance would call that totalled, given the price of an early SN these days.

Salvage all the performancce parts, sell what else you can out of it and get another. I really think thats gonna be the only way to go here.

I'm sorry for the loss of the car, but good to hear your son is alright

 

Forgot to say it earlier, but I'm glad your son came out of this baring life lessons and not in traction or worse!

Strip the aftermarket stuff off if it's still usable, part it out if you feel inclined, and maybe look at a different one if you want.

Could also be a good growing-up lesson in "I'm taking out the loan, you make the payments, if you mess up, it's outta here" if you're inclined. Kinda to bring home the point that irresponsible driving (if that's what it was, it sounded like you thought he was messing around) costs lots and means you face consequences.

Good luck!

 

I'd look for another ride here, never going to handle or drive the same. Good to hear the driver is okay as well.

 

I would agree with the others on the forum. These 94-98 cars are really bottoming out in price. I tried selling my low mile fully optioned 97' GT last summer but the interest in the car was so low and the prices offered that it wasn't even worth it for me to sell. I have a feeling that you could buy another GT for far less than it would cost to fix your current car.

Not sure if you want your son having a more powerful car but i'd also recommend spending an extra 1-2k for a 99'-up GT you can get a lot more car for the money. I feel that the huge improvements of the 99-up cars are the reason why 94-98 cars are worth so little.......Though your news sucks at least nobody was hurt!

Good luck in whatever you end up doing (if you do decide to part it out I may be interest in some parts)

 

thats totalled for sure, you can buy a another one cheaper then the cost to fix it.

Like others said above, the 99+ are hugly imporved and are still inexpensive to buy.

 

Yes I agree here to, She is done, sorry to say. Glad your sone is ok!!

 

that's bad news but at least your son is alright. Sadly, if you want to salvage it,without breaking the bank, the only way is that you do all the work but that would be too much trouble, specially if the frame is bent badly. Guess that parting it would be a better choice here.

 

man, that stinks glad your son is okay!!! I dont see the problem with the rearend??? It was one of the super rear 4 wheel steering mustangs!


But i'd have to agree its a total loss. If the frame is bent it will never be the same. Estimate for repairs.....6-7k and up. And thats if the frame isnt bent

 

Definately totalled, without question. Glad to hear your son's OK.

 

Thanks to everyone for the replies.
Pretty much confirms what I was thinking.
We'll be looking for another 'stang in the future, but not the near future.
He financed this one at the "Bank of Dad" and still had eight payments to go.
My financial advisor (his Mom) isn't inclined to release additional funds. She says he needs to be "humbled a bit" and live life without a car for awhile. I guess riding a bus to and from work and college classes will give him some time to meditate on the error of his ways.

 

It certainly seems like the kind of lesson that lifts the pedal before you go too far next time... I think you've got the right idea, a little temporary pain and discomfort could lead to a lifetime of better decisions and may even save his life one day. Not that I'm trying to impeach the character of your son, we've all done stupid things, and we've hopefully all had to learn from them. I know I did.

 

My dad did the same to me for wrecking my first car, a mint 1977 dark blue Volvo 242 4spd. I was going to school in bus for a whole year! that REALLY sucks BADLY! But I thank him for teaching me a lesson.