[rpoz-29]

The engine on my son's '04 Mazda3 was hydrolocked in a storm last Thursday. His insurance company had it towed to a Mazda dealer where they said it had water in the engine. A new engine from Mazda is $7800 installed. According to VA law, because his car is less than 7 years old, AND the damage exceeds 90% of the actual cash value prior to the damage, it will become a "nonrepairable vehicle". That means if he takes salvage on the car, he can't put it on the road. His insurance company is required to tell DMV and they will void the title, and remove the tags. I could understand it had the car rolled over, or hit a tree, but not for mechanical problems. Any insurance experts out there?

[rpoz-29]

Mark, the issue is this "non-rebuildable" certificate. According to Virginia's DMV, if a vehicle that is less than 7 years old, or valued at more than $7,500.00 needs repairs greater than 90% of it's pre-claim value, it is totaled. If the owner wants to keep the vehicle, the insurance company is required to notify DMV who will issue the certificate which prevents the vehicle from being licensed for use on public roads. What I've done in the past is to take salvage and fix the vehicle. We had already located a remanufactured engine for a reasonable price, as well as a local independent shop that would install a used engine for $4,300.00 parts labor and a new clutch. I installed an engine in my other son's Integra and it was tight, but I guess I could do it to the Mazda if I needed to. I hate to work on FWD's. The dealer that Met Life had it towed to said a new engine was $7,800.00 installed, and a used engine was $6,600.00 installed. They valued his car at $7116.85, which puts him at 92.37% if he went with the used engine at the dealer. It really sucks. It was his first new car, he made the last payment last month, and the title came in the mail today.

[02midevil]

Are you sure the title isn't marked 'Salvaged' instead of 'non-rebuildable'. About 2-3 years ago my brother purchased a wrecked Saturn - front bumper and one fender and because of the age and KBB it was totaled by ins and marked 'Salvaged' on the title. It runs like a top even today.

Can you buy it back or is it shipped off to auction? I know a local used dealer/body shop who might be able to assist in buying back from a non-public auction if it goes that way.

PM me and we can go off line if you need a lil help.



How are those truck headers holding up?