Chevy Cavalier 2003 Valuation

[confession]

I've got a 2003 Chevy Cavalier that was T-boned by a city bus and am in the process of fighting the cities insurance company on repairing the vehicle. My main question is where can I find an accurate valuation of the vehicle? NADA and KBB don't have the CNG options. Edmunds is the only site I've found with any information of CNG cars they put it at about $7,800 private party and $9,000 for dealer retail.
The insurance company is putting it at $7,400 with a total loss value of $5,200
Repairs are coming in at $5,800 so at this point they would total it.
Obviously these cars are much harder to come by and regional availability varies greatly from region to region. Has anyone had a similar problem in getting a fair appraisal from an insurace company? and where would I even start?
My cars a 2003 cavalier with 32k miles, excellent condition (before the bus) all highway miles that I put on it after picking it up at an auction where it had 12k. I'm in Wyoming BTW.

Of course the local dealers and mechanics and such hear have no knowledge of CNG vehicles. I have to take it to Denver (120 miles) to have anything CNG serviced (thought I haven't had any problems with this vehicle yet).

Any help appreciated

[echamberlain]

Re: Chevy Cavalier 2003 Valuation

Try craigslist and ebay for comparable vehicle sales.

Also check your state laws, some states are pretty consumer friendly when it comes to a totaled vehicle.

[cngacrossusa]

Re: Chevy Cavalier 2003 Valuation

If all you are going to pursue is dollars, you will definitely want to go after Utah prices of vehicles bought recently. . . they are rising rapidly!!

Rather, I'd suggest that you make the city REPLACE the vehicle with similar one at the next GSA auction . . . whatever the price runs up to!! You are entitled to a specific vehicle since it was so unique. I think there is a blue bi-fuel 2003 Cavalier coming at a GSA auction in Maryland. If it had been a 1967 Corvette Stingray with 427 motor, would you be satisfied with just money?? Same logic applies to your Cavalier.

Make them get you another bi-fuel Cavalier at whatever cost!!

[confession]

Re: Chevy Cavalier 2003 Valuation

I want them to pay to repair the vehicle. If it's not valued high enough then they just cut a check instead of repair, at which point I pitch a fit that it's not easily replacable. At this point they would need a valuation of about $8,500 on the vehicle, they've started out saying it's worth $7.400.

I've gotten the last few prices off of e-bay and will search craig's list. Utah is close enough that I can claim it is the closest actual market where one can be obtained, so I'll check their on-line papers and craigs list over there.

Thanks for the help

[Highmarker]

Re: Chevy Cavalier 2003 Valuation

Confession,

My wife's grandmother paid $9,400 for her 2003. Of course it only had 11,500 miles on it. She bought it in August 2007.

[confession]

Re: Chevy Cavalier 2003 Valuation

The adjuster sent me the actual paperwork today. He's using NADA to price it out at $6,775 and adding a mere $600 for the factory CNG. Keep in mind it's still under the 7 year 70k mile warranty GM offers. I know it's their job to low ball you, but this one just made me laugh.

I have been following some ebay listings and found some craigslist that will help my case. Thanks for the help.

[freedml]

Re: Chevy Cavalier 2003 Valuation

If you use an out-of-the area value, be sure to add transportation costs, sales tax, etc. All the costs of putting the replacement in your driveway.

Show him the current Honda GX/Gasoline differential (about $5k)!

[cngsteve]

Re: Chevy Cavalier 2003 Valuation

They like to have it both ways.

Use marketplace valuation based on classified ads, etc. when it's a vehicle currently out of favor, like a Hummer or other gasoline-guzzler.

Use NADA when it's something demanding a premium in the marketplace due to the Utah effect, lower fuel prices, etc.

Hold his feet to the fire on the marketplace valuation.

[freedml]

Re: Chevy Cavalier 2003 Valuation

I would go see a chiropractor about your injuries and then see how quickly they settle for the full value of the car plus doctor bills. They should be kissing your feet that you're not claiming an injury, not giving you a headache.

[John Mitton]

Re: Chevy Cavalier 2003 Valuation

Show him the current Honda GX/Gasoline differential (about $5k)!

The differential in 2001 for the Cavalier was $5,935 which is probably a good baseline for you to then depreciate from. Please see post #9 here:
http://www.cngchat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21

[j03j03]

Re: Chevy Cavalier 2003 Valuation

My girlfriend (cnggirl) just bought a 2000 Cavi with 44,000 miles for about $7,300 if that helps at all.

[confession]

Conspiracy

I got the insurance to settle for the repairs to the vehicle, about $5,800. I just signed and notorized the stuff today, and wouldn't you know after work I get ass packed by another city vehicle. I swear they are out to get me. Looks like we get to do it all again.

Beware the City of Cheyenne has it out for alternative fuel vehicles

[300mileclub]

Actual sale prices (eBay, PublicSurplus, GovDeals) Dec 2015 through May 2016 (top deals in bold):

CARS
15 2016 160318 $ 25K 3000 MI _________________ Chevy Cruz
14 2014 160316 $ 19K 15K MI _________________ Chevy Cruz
11 2012 160420 $ 14K 16K MI NM0LS7AN8CT083137 Ford Transit Connect cargo
11 2011 160319 $6500 107K MI 3FAHP0HA5BR105914 Ford Fusion Altech-Eco NC bi-fuel
3 2004 160421 $ 872 124K DE 3G1JC52614S180607 Chev Cavalier bi-fuel
2 2003 160418 $1075 51K IL 2FDFP71993X189676 Ford CV bad injector
2 2003 160411 $ 962 27K IL 2FDFP71973X189675 Ford CV not running
2 2003 160124 $2000 118K FL 2FAFP71W63X101668 Ford CV (Crown Victoria)
1 2002 160324 $2429 39K AZ 3G1JC52472S191624 Chev Cavalier
0 2001 160408 $1125 196K UT JT2BN22K310001271 Camry
0 2001 160214 $4400 56K PA 2FAFP73WX1X195564 Ford CV
0 2000 160424 $ 650 236K TX 2FAFP7491YX193673 Ford CV 3000psi
0 2000 160205 $ 784 188K OH 3G1JC5240YS204867 Chev Cavalier

VANS
8 2009 160209 $8900 44K CA 1FTNE24L09DA46294 Ford E-350 AT&T van
3 2004 160211 $4565 75K CA 1FDNE24M84HA95670 Ford E-250 cargo van CNG-only
0 2003 160518 $1435 71K IL 1FDNE31MX3HA46981 Ford pass van poor keys wrong
0 2003 160428 $ 380 ?K IL 1FDNE24M13HB21685 Ford E-250 cargo van not running
2 2003 160313 $3889 63K MO 1FDXE45M53HA33824 Ford E-450 utility box van
2 2003 160313 $3532 60K MO 1FDXE45M13HA33822 Ford E-450 utility box van
2 2003 160216 $4743 50K NV 1GCHG35U431227721 Chevy 3500 cargo van
? 2003 151230 $ 100 558K IL 1FDNE24M13HA46986 Ford E-250 CARGO VAN CNG Exp?
2 2003 151222 $2000 31K IL 1FDNE31M73HA46985 Ford Van
1 2002 160527 $3156 96K UT 1FTSS34M52HA85598 Ford E-350 cargo van
1 2002 160413 $3050 59K NV 1FBSS31M02HA81354 Ford E-350 15 pass van
1 2002 160326 $ 800 90K MO 2B7KB31T82K123186 Dodge cargo van
1 2002 160313 $1851 152K MO 1FDXE45M52HB75041 Ford E-450 utility box van
1 2002 160113 $4714 46K AZ 1GNGG25R921240388 Chev Express
0 2002 160109 $3550 36K AZ 1GNGG25R921241251 Chev Express bi-fuel tank exp
0 2002 160109 $3550 39K AZ 1GNGG25R921241170 Chev Express bi-fuel tank exp
0 2001 160518 $ 500 147K CT 1FTNE24M61HB33753 Ford E-250 econoline van rust
0 2001 160513 $ 450 69K IL 1FTSE34M61HB74778 Ford E-350 cargo van
0 2001 160512 $1026 95K CA 1FTNE24M11HB35121 Ford E-250 cargo van
0 2001 160426 $1172 9K MD 2B7JB21TX1K543021 Ram cargo van
0 2001 160207 $3000 53K IL 1FTNE24MX1HB74791 Ford E-250 van cargo
0 2001 151230 $2242 ?K CA 1FBSS31MX1HB33815 Ford E-350 15 seat tanks exp
0 2001 151230 $ 500 K CA _________________ Ford E-350 VAN tanks expired
0 2000 160523 $1491 127K PA 1FMNE31M5YHB87190 Ford E-350 XL Super Duty pass van
0 2000 160413 $1675 23K CA 2B7JB21T3YK178515 Ram cargo van
0 2000 160127 $ 793 ?K OH 1FTVE24M6YHA57915 Ford E-250 cargo van Junk
0 1999 160418 $3738 34K NV 1FBSS31M1XHA67809 Ford E-350 CNG only 15 pass van
0 1999 160321 $2081 246K GA 1FTSS34Z2XHB53424 Ford E-350 Ext cargo van
0 1999 160314 $1882 58K NV 1FBSS31M8XHA67807 Ford E-350 pass van non-op
0 1999 151210 $1660 38K DC 1FTVE24M6XHA57606 Ford E-250 cargo van
? 1999 151229 $ 212 ?K GA 1FBSS31M6XHC07921 Ford E-350 15 seat tanks exp
0 1998 160316 $5474 41K IL 1FDXE40S8WHB97160 Ford Econoline Bus bi-fuel
0 1997 160403 $ 418 96K MO 1FTGE24M5VHB76415 Ford E-250 cargo van 3000psi
0 1997 160316 $3025 34K IL 1FDLE40S0VHC02462 Ford Econoline Bus bi-fuel

CHEV PICKUPS and Silverado
14 2015 160127 $ 18K 6000 MO 1GT12ZEG7FF633934 GMC Sierra crew
11 2012 160515 $ 25K 67K OK _________________ Chev Avalanche IMPCO 4WD 9gge
9 2010 160510 $9000 122K KS 1GC4KXBG5AF137240 Chev Silverado 2500 LT CrewCab 4WD
6 2007 160213 $6039 67K MO 1GCDT19E878171555 Chev Colorado LS ExtCab 4WD
5 2006 160225 $2405 237K NY 1GBHC24UX6E182986 Chev Silverado 2500HD Utility Truck 6.0L V8
4 2005 160515 $2741 83K MO 1GBGC24U05E135864 Chev Silverado 2500HD utility pickup
9 2005 160508 $5500 178K UT 1GCGC24U05E265428 Chev Silverado 2500HD std cab
4 2005 160213 $4500 117K MO 1GCEK19T45Z266093 Chev Silverado 1500 bi-fuel 4WD Ext Cab
10 2005 000000 $3510 72K XX 91QSCI16051402___ Chev Silverado 2500HD
1 2002 160314 $6000 139K OH 1GCHK29G82E121924 Chev Silverado 2500 4WD Bi-Fuel 2 CNG tanks
1 2002 151222 $2125 80K CA 1GCHC23U42F238938 Chev 2500 crewcab
1 2002 151222 $1875 88K CA 1GCGC23U12F238637 Chev 2500 crewcab
1 2002 151222 $1332 133K CA 1GBJC34U42E190146 Chev C3500 Utility Truck
0 2002 151201 $6000 162K NV _________________ GMC YUKON XL 4X4
0 2000 160330 $1409 107K FL 1GCGC24R1YF471822 Chev Silverado 2500 bi-fuel
0 2000 151222 $3550 ?K AZ _________________ CHEVY 2500 BI-FUEL T059
0 1999 160526 $2889 115K AZ 1GCGC24R7XFO89776 Chev 2500 bi-fuel pickup truck utility body
0 1999 160311 $3190 93K AZ 1GCGC24R8XF098177 Chev pickup
0 1998 160413 $3200 37K NV 1GCGC24R0WE253244 Chev 2500 bi-fuel pickup
0 1998 160414 $1226 52K NV 1GCGC24R9WE253193 Chev 2500 bi-fuel pickup

FORD PICKUPS
5 2005 151217 $6000 162K OR 1FTSX21535EB96892 Ford F-250 5.4L SD XL SuperCab 4WD
3 2004 160418 $1945 102K NV 2FTPX17Z64CA72601 Ford F-150 bi-fuel ext cab tow
3 2003 160409 $2000 202K SC 2FDPF17M33CB05670 Ford F-150 pickup
3 2003 151214 $ 5K 117K CA _________________ Ford F-150 2WD regular cab
1 2002 160515 $8100 65K VA 1FTRW07L32KD61106 Ford F-150 CrewCab
1 2002 160205 $5000 111K CA 2FDPF17M92CA36272 Ford F-150 XL
0 2002 151210 $1738 72K OR _________________ Ford F-150 2WD XL no rear window; bad gages
0 2001 160517 $ 926 80K NY 1FTPF17M01KB85054 Ford F-150 XL pickup
0 2001 160518 $ 830 49K CT 1FTPF17M51KA17474 Ford F-150 pickup
0 2001 160125 $2550 162K RI 1FTPF17M51KB25593 Ford F-150 pickup
0 2001 160104 $ 250 165K RI 1FTPF17MS1KB25593 Ford F-150 tanks expired
0 2001 151222 $1625 80K CA 1FTPF17M21KB25602 Ford F-150 pickup Exp 08/2015 18.8gge
0 2001 151222 $1028 48K CA 1FTPF17M61KB25604 Ford F-150 pickup
0 2001 151222 $1550 4?K CA 1FTPF17M21KB25602 Ford F-150 pickup
0 2000 160127 $1624 52K GA 1FTPF17M3YKA13935 Ford F-150 pickup no key
0 2000 160108 $2025 79K RI 1FTPF17M8YKB36128 Ford F-150 tanks expired
0 2000 160108 $1600 116K RI 1FTPF17M6YKB36127 Ford F-150 tanks expired
0 1999 160427 $2200 66K NV 1FTPF27M2XKA76819 Ford F-250 pickup
0 1999 160418 $2025 45K NV 1FTPF27M3XKA76831 Ford F-250 pickup CNG only
0 1999 160413 $2350 29K NV 1FTPF27M4XKA76823 Ford F-250 pickup not running
0 1999 160407 $1597 70K NV 1FTPF27M6XKA76824 Ford F-250 pickup non-op
0 1999 160407 $1288 81K NV 1FTPF27MXXKA76826 Ford F-250 pickup non-op
0 1999 160407 $1035 60K NV 1FTPF27M0XKA76835 Ford F-250 pickup non-op
0 1999 160324 $2686 62K NV 1FTPF27M7XKA76833 Ford F-250 pickup
0 1999 160317 $3493 107K CO 1FTRX27Z6XKB76066 Ford F-250 XL SuperCab
0 1998 160413 $ 710 92K OK 1FTPF27M1WKC13313 Ford F-250 pickup no engine
0 1998 160204 $2447 125K AZ 1FTRF17Z5WKB29655 Ford F-150
0 1997 160211 $1600 92K TX 1FTFF27M0VKD58899 Ford F-250 pickup XL