Brutalized by a Dodge! -- need advice

[spewey at comcast.net (Spewey)]

T. Reed wrote:
> Dang it.
> I've put a lot of money and hours in to this car.
> 
> 
> So I'm asking the list.. what should I do?

Sorry to hear that too.

That will get totalled.  When I wrecked my 1983 MkII back in 1993, I 
t-boned a brand new Lincoln Town car after a jacked-up primered Suburban 
waved him through for a left turn not seeing my low-mobile in the right 
lane and it was totally his fault. My whole nose was bent down but his 
rear doors and quarters were goodly fucked because he had to buy a 
traffic signal as well. (aside to Jeff: southbound Cretin @ Summit)

In the end, I had to spend several hours over several days on the phone 
with his agent complaining that $1400 was just not enough.  Though I 
hadn't done many under the hood mods, I had the rockers replaced and 
kept it looking very sharp.  They said cosmetic/body work was the only 
way it could be 'above book' or whatever and I may have faxed some 
receipts to them for a few hondo of that work. Eventually, they gave me 
$2800 less $100 to keep the car and title so I bought an A2 GTI and put 
the seats in it.  Later that JH lived in a 1978 Bunny.  But I digress...

The euro lights may well count as valid cosmetic mods unless they are 
illegal.  Get it inspected by them and estimated on your own and then 
act like the Russian police with them on the phone:  stern, but fair. 
Don't be afraid to politely end any talks with "I'll have to think about 
it." After you get your check, I would guess you may be able to get it 
fixed for around $1000 but not with the windshield out.  Skip that.  Is 
that part bent?

Good luck and don't commit to anything that isn't a check and getting to 
keep the car too soon.