Not driving the camaro for a while

[phil97.3.8]

I got in an accident a while back ~8 months or so ago. Anyway the insurance co gave me a Certificate of Destruction on the car. I'm working on getting it to a rebuilt title. This C.O.D. they gave me basically does not allow you to get your registration updated, which mine is expired as of 2 months ago.

I've driven the car a few times since then, but in fear of getting arrested or something I don't really drive the car and it sits in my parking lot all basically 24/7.

What should I do in the meantime to keep the car in good condition?
Gas stabilizer stuff? Let the car idle/drive around the parking lot sometimes?

Sounds ridiculous but I want to keep my car and not sell it back to the insurance co for another $1000. They already gave me around $3500 or something for it. If after another few weeks of trying to get the DMV/insurance co to change the title I might just accept its fate and get another car. It's just that I've had the damn car for almost 7 years and it's a part of me you know? It's still in really good condition. All the accident did was bust my rear glass and a few minor cosmetic damages like a couple dents, dented exhaust tip, minor scratches, etc. I just don't want to get rid of it!!

The Certificate of Destruction says that the car's damages exceed 80% of the car's value. I fixed the rear glass for $400, and it needs a paint job anyway. No frame damage or anything that makes the car unsafe to drive. The whole situation is ridiculous.

[silversixx]

Re: Not driving the camaro for a while

That does sound ridiculious. Sorry to hear about that, I woundn't want to get rid of my car when its not even messed up hardly. As for keeping it in working condition, if it were me i would just take it for a spin every now than then, like twice a week to the store or somthing. I would also put a car cover on it. thats what I do when I dont need to drive my car for a week or so; just keeps crap off of it and protects it from well everything.

-Jonathan-

[SpeedingFirebird]

Re: Not driving the camaro for a while

What should I do in the meantime to keep the car in good condition?
Gas stabilizer stuff? Let the car idle/drive around the parking lot sometimes?

Start it once a month and just move it a little in your driveway.

[summitlt]

Re: Not driving the camaro for a while

a car that sits is usually junk, i had a truck that sat for a while, and after 5k about every bearing needed replacement.

run it and get it to operating temp, not just started. best bet is to drive it.

[T-Mill]

Re: Not driving the camaro for a while

yea, best bet is to at least let it go through the gears about once or twice a week... but be careful... if it's fate may already be determined, there's no sense in costing you money and getting the car impounded

[phil97.3.8]

Re: Not driving the camaro for a while

Well I started it about 1 to 2x/ wk and drive it around the parking lot for 15 minutes at a time. Haven't had time to crank it up for a week. Battery dead. Jumped it from roommate's car. Drove around again for a little while, couple days later car doesn't start. No battery at all. Can't turn on lights, accessories, anything. It's a 1 year old red top battery. I'm getting PO'd!

I bought my roommate's 93 Corolla to use in the meantime for $500. Not a bad deal, bought a new plate, but then my plate FELL OFF on the way to work the other day(one plastic screw that had been holding it on for a while while he was driving it) and I got pulled over, have to go to court for that one!

Bad luck all around on the car situation. Hopefully things will work out and I'll be able to keep my new 3 wk old job for like 2 yrs, and in a couple months be able to buy a new car OR get my Camaro back on the road, still working on that.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Oi Bird V8]

Re: Not driving the camaro for a while

dont feel bad i havnt even seen my firebird in mounths i think 6.... and as soon as i do get it back itll be goign into a garage for winter :(

[UDLOSE98]

Re: Not driving the camaro for a while

:wavey: welcome to the not driving the camaro club

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Not driving the camaro for a while

make sure you drive it. just idling while cause extensive carbon build up and will do nothing for you.

[Rob Bell]

Re: Not driving the camaro for a while

So Phil97, did anyone tell you what actually needs to be done to get the car acceptable enough for the rebuilt title? If the only thing holding it back was the glass, then maybe replacing that is enough. A few dents and scratches certainly wouldn't make it unsafe to drive. If you can get those dents fixed and a new paintjob on it, it'll look like a new car.

You have any pics you can post?

And remember, the insurance company strictly looks at the numbers. So yeah a 97 Camaro isn't going to be worth much.......on paper. But if it still runs good and was a good car, I can certainly see fixing it up. It'll be a lot cheaper than taking a chance on something else you know nothing about. At least you know the history on this one and how well you've taken care of it.

[phil97.3.8]

Re: Not driving the camaro for a while

UPDATE: Anyway, called the insurance co back and asked once again if I could get somebody to look at/inspect the car for damages, and see if the car is "safe for the road". No, no, no they say. In other words they don't care if it's totally refurbed from ground up. I don't understand it, and apparently neither do they. Idiots. They were willing to give me another $1074 for the car though.

I just got a new job that seems like it could be real good to work at. I just graduated UCF so I'm now officially an electrical engineer.

SO, in light of all that I called the insurance co back and said yeah I'll take the $$. They came to my apt today, took pics, took my certificate of destruction, and gave me a check for $1074 in addition to the $3300 or whatever from before. Altogether I got $4300 for the car. Not too bad.

I'm driving the 93 Corolla right now, but hopefully in a couple months I'll be getting something much better. I'll look for '02 Camaros, newer Mustang GTs, Subaru Imprezas, whatever. I want the NEW Camaro, but that's 2 yrs away. I'll figure something out.

Oh, and I asked her if they needed a factory radio in the car when they come to haul it out. She said yes but you don't even have to connect it. Cool, so I can just take out my non-factory speakers and sub/amps in the back and be fricking done with it. I'm putting the factory radio in the passenger seat! Screw em! lol

[Camarorulz]

Re: Not driving the camaro for a while

Definitely fix it, the car drives well and is safe...

EDIT: damn, I just saw your post. Damn those f-ing insurance agents for forcing you into that! :( Good luck car shopping.

[phil97.3.8]

Re: Not driving the camaro for a while

yeah wish it hadn't turned out that way, she was my baby...oh well, just got my stuff cleaned out and audio system out, put the old radio back in the hole without even a screw! If in a month or 2 when I get a new (or newER) car, I might sell my custom built box, not the equipment just the box. It is on my cardomain page. I'll keep you guys posted if I need to sell it, ie it only fits Camaros. Really nice box.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/849743/1