Busterbrown
Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2011
- Posts
- 253
Need some advice as what to do with our 2013 Chrysler Town and Country Minivan. Two weeks ago today, most of the Detroit metro area experienced turrential rains and flash floods, wiping out thousands of cars in a matter minutes. My wife was unfortunately in our minivan at the time in which the run off flooded the residential street she was on. Suffice it to say, the vehicle stalled in about 1.5 ft of water allowing about 1 inch of water into the front passenger compartment. Her shoes were wet but the water line stayed way below the seats only pooling around the front drivers and passengers feet area. 2nd and 3rd rows stayed completely dry.
2 hours later, (by the time I arrived there), the water completely receded from the roadway. Carpeting was soaked but only upfront. Upon turning the ignition key, dash lights lit up as normal but the starter never engaged. All I heard was a click. All doors and HVAC controls worked for the brief moment I turned the ignition key to the on position. Radio worked. Headlights illuminated. Mechanically, oil dip stick was at normal levels and looked like the new oil I just put in several weeks earlier. Transfluid was red and at normal levels. No signs of water penatration into the intake. Air filter is dry. Water line was right below the battery box.
Here is my dilemma. My comprehensive claim has already salvaged the vehicle. It now sits at a local auction center. We're about break even on the market value and loan value. Bank has been paid. I am to meet my insurance adjuster tomorrow to sign over the secured interest title and settlement offer. I have the opportunity to buy the vehicle back at salvage value tomorrow while I'm there. Van's market take would be about $25,500. Adjuster says most salvage value would be 30-40% of that.
Is it worth pursuing? Replacing carpeting and jute padding is the first obvious. Second would be to troubleshoot ignition issues. I do know there is a constant drain on the battery as I towed the vehicle back to my house before the insurance took possession of it. I charged it briefly with jumper cables and cabin/dash/headlights worked. After the 30 minute charge, the battery was dead again in about 2 hours.
This minivan is showroom new being a 1 year old vehicle. I know it will go to auction if I don't and someone will capitalize on it. I've just never purchased a total loss vehicle before. What costs would I be looking at if I did purchase it? New ECM? Is it just a blown fuse or circuit? How about just a starter solenoid? My main objective would be to drive it for a while (maybe a year) and sell it as a repaired salvage title.
My wife is against the idea. Thinks it's risky and we could loose thousands. I've never threw in the towel in fear of a challenge. I can't imagine $10,000 of repair and labor costs.
Any comments are greatly appreciated.
2 hours later, (by the time I arrived there), the water completely receded from the roadway. Carpeting was soaked but only upfront. Upon turning the ignition key, dash lights lit up as normal but the starter never engaged. All I heard was a click. All doors and HVAC controls worked for the brief moment I turned the ignition key to the on position. Radio worked. Headlights illuminated. Mechanically, oil dip stick was at normal levels and looked like the new oil I just put in several weeks earlier. Transfluid was red and at normal levels. No signs of water penatration into the intake. Air filter is dry. Water line was right below the battery box.
Here is my dilemma. My comprehensive claim has already salvaged the vehicle. It now sits at a local auction center. We're about break even on the market value and loan value. Bank has been paid. I am to meet my insurance adjuster tomorrow to sign over the secured interest title and settlement offer. I have the opportunity to buy the vehicle back at salvage value tomorrow while I'm there. Van's market take would be about $25,500. Adjuster says most salvage value would be 30-40% of that.
Is it worth pursuing? Replacing carpeting and jute padding is the first obvious. Second would be to troubleshoot ignition issues. I do know there is a constant drain on the battery as I towed the vehicle back to my house before the insurance took possession of it. I charged it briefly with jumper cables and cabin/dash/headlights worked. After the 30 minute charge, the battery was dead again in about 2 hours.
This minivan is showroom new being a 1 year old vehicle. I know it will go to auction if I don't and someone will capitalize on it. I've just never purchased a total loss vehicle before. What costs would I be looking at if I did purchase it? New ECM? Is it just a blown fuse or circuit? How about just a starter solenoid? My main objective would be to drive it for a while (maybe a year) and sell it as a repaired salvage title.
My wife is against the idea. Thinks it's risky and we could loose thousands. I've never threw in the towel in fear of a challenge. I can't imagine $10,000 of repair and labor costs.
Any comments are greatly appreciated.
