2000 Grand Prix, in garage for 3 years after a front collision.....repair it?

[picghaw]

I'm a girl with minimal car expertise, hence the question. If I knew how to work on cars it would be given because I love the car and haven't been able to part with it. I traveled for work, so I didn't need a personal car but I'm home now hence considering this.


Its my first car (brand new with the highest package) out of college and it has 167K miles. It did have some issues prior to the accident(gear hard shift, power steering leak, a/c doesn't blow cold air etc..I've posted on some of these before), so when I had the front collision I hesitated to spend $2K to fix the body AND since it was jammed in the front, the claim adjuster didn't give me a true estimate of any mechanic damage the caused by accident .

1. Is there anything mechanical that would be damaged beyond repair due to a sitting in the garage for 3 years?
2. What steps should I follow and could I do it myself....if someone could explain it to me like I'm 5
3. Jump starting didn't work a year ago, so I guess the battery is dead? Is it safe to assume I need to buy a new battery? I bought the Schumacher battery charger to try a revive the battery....good idea? My other option would be to remove the battery and take it to Autozone to check it.
4. My concern is that is could be expensive endeavor if I have to pay for everything, I welcome opinions.

My goal would be to get it running first and then take it to a couple of mechanics for estimates. I already called local shops for parts and some are out of stock.

I attached a couple of pics

 

[BillBoost37]

I would sell it personally. The radiator support is almost surely mashed which will make it necessary to pull the support etc and without the right machinery to do so most folks can't do it well. Then the AC is going to need to be fixed, a battery, all fluids, grill etc etc. You are looking at spending more to fix it than it's worth.

 

[picghaw]

I would sell it personally. The radiator support is almost surely mashed which will make it necessary to pull the support etc and without the right machinery to do so most folks can't do it well. Then the AC is going to need to be fixed, a battery, all fluids, grill etc etc. You are looking at spending more to fix it than it's worth.

Hi Bill, there was fluid leaking and the assumption made has been the radiator was affect. The car does have a sweetest smell which I think is a good confirmation(If I'm remembering correctly) even 3 years later. I've attached a couple more pictures (had a brother cut it open 2 years ago while be visited on his vacation).

You are looking at spending more to fix it than it's worth.

Yes, this has been always been my hesitation but since I'm considering buying a car btw $1-2K, maybe even $3K....I always come back to trusting/knowing my old car better than someone else's. I don't know....

 

[picghaw]

I was only able to attach 1 picture...hit the maximum allowed

 

[FordMan77]

That doesn't look too bad but I can't see either corner of the rad. support. Impact bar looks to have taken the brunt of it. How did the 2 fenders get mangled up if the hit was centered like it appears it was?

 

[ItHurtz]

If the rockers are trashed it aint worth it when it bananas in a few years.

 

[picghaw]

If the rockers are trashed it aint worth it when it bananas in a few years.

Unfortunately I can't add anymore pics that could help and since the car was running after the accident(actually took a 50 mile trip that evening), I foolishly parked it as normal in the garage so I can't back it up now and re-take pictures.

What are the Rockers? I could take a look.

If it helps, the claim quote has:

1. front bumper + bumper assembly,
2. front hood,
3. radiator,
4. condenser assembly,
5. front lamps with complete headlamp/park lamp/mount assembly
6. fender assembly

So the general consensus is not even try to get it running (it could cost money..new battery) and just junk it? I'm sad but that's why I decided to post as I trust fellow GrandPrix lovers would help me come to a practical decision.

 

[picghaw]

That doesn't look too bad but I can't see either corner of the rad. support. Impact bar looks to have taken the brunt of it. How did the 2 fenders get mangled up if the hit was centered like it appears it was?

I'm a careful driver..1st & only accident in 15 years, I had been out (travel for work) for 1 month and in that time there had been a lot of weekly snow which was melting so it was practically an ice rink when I got back home...mostly cos my sibling didn't shovel driveway (just the sidewalks) weekly like he promised.

I guess I hit gas too hard after it failed to accelerate pulling into driveway and it just took off...OR there is something else wrong with it. It was a front collision into the garage and hit the back of the garage which had a wood-built in table. I hope that explains things....the pictures above were taken when the claim adjuster came to assess the damage.

I guess its still a mystery what happened and this is only logical explanation that makes sense ... or else there is something mechanically wrong with the car that caused it.

 

[FordMan77]

The rockers are under the car where the rear door and quarterpanel is, just in front of the rear tires. If there is a ton of rust there or up inside the rear strut towers (you'd have to pull the carpet back in the trunk and look at the top where the strut bolts poke through to see it) then it may not be worth it.

The headlights/corner lights look like they are still ok, but of course I can't tell if they are broken loose from here or not. If they aren't broken then I'd just pull them out and get a new headlight bracket assembly, re-bend the steel mounts behind it and bolt it back together. The fenders are trash, but you may actually get lucky and find the same color in a junkyard. Same for the hood and front bumper cover.

Did it set off the airbags?

Honestly it's up to your budget and time if you want to fix it if all else checks out. I'm pretty sure the impact bar behind the front bumper cover is spot welded on so you would either have to have that done at a shop or have the existing one pulled back out if it's not too far gone.

I see a radiator and A/C condesor on the list. If it's not loosing antifreeze then likely the radiator is just fine. Hard to say on the condensor as I can't see it in any of those shots. If it's not leaking coolant then the only thing that would be needed to get it running would be an oil/filter change and throw a good battery in it. Should fire right up. If you do decide to take it for a drive to get quotes then please do yourself and all other drivers around you and find a way to strap that hood shut. And not with a bunge cord, I mean like a tow strap. The last thing you need is to have the hood come up at speed.

 

[BillBoost37]

All that from a table. Hmmm you did a good job.

While this is the car you know, it's no longer the car you know. It's been 3 years and that can change a car. You said the hood is open? Send the pictures to me in a pm and I'll post them for you.

 

[picghaw]

The rockers are under the car where the rear door and quarterpanel is, just in front of the rear tires. If there is a ton of rust there or up inside the rear strut towers (you'd have to pull the carpet back in the trunk and look at the top where the strut bolts poke through to see it) then it may not be worth it.

The headlights/corner lights look like they are still ok, but of course I can't tell if they are broken loose from here or not. If they aren't broken then I'd just pull them out and get a new headlight bracket assembly, re-bend the steel mounts behind it and bolt it back together. The fenders are trash, but you may actually get lucky and find the same color in a junkyard. Same for the hood and front bumper cover.

Did it set off the airbags?

Honestly it's up to your budget and time if you want to fix it if all else checks out. I'm pretty sure the impact bar behind the front bumper cover is spot welded on so you would either have to have that done at a shop or have the existing one pulled back out if it's not too far gone.

I see a radiator and A/C condesor on the list. If it's not loosing antifreeze then likely the radiator is just fine. Hard to say on the condensor as I can't see it in any of those shots. If it's not leaking coolant then the only thing that would be needed to get it running would be an oil/filter change and throw a good battery in it. Should fire right up. If you do decide to take it for a drive to get quotes then please do yourself and all other drivers around you and find a way to strap that hood shut. And not with a bunge cord, I mean like a tow strap. The last thing you need is to have the hood come up at speed.

Hi Fordman77,

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.

So ...ummm...did I mention that I need car things explained this to me like I'm 5 .....:th_shakinghead2:. If the rockers are in the rear of the car that was unaffected by the accident, they should be fine right? Or are you saying that the rockers are connected to the front/body of the car such that this collision could have affected it?

Yes, headlights/corner lights are ok.

No, airbags didn't release.

yes, there was a fluid leak which was in the back of the car, so I didn't think it was coolant/anti-freeze. However, the adjuster claimed it was. It has a sweetest smell that's till present in the car today and I believe that is the smell of coolant/anti-freeze. How can I check?

For the hood, the bolts/hinges/whatever holds it down is still working perfectly. It opens and shuts (manually) and stays down ok. The front tip part of the bummer was jammed in and I had my bro cut it open..maybe 2 years ago.

 

[picghaw]

All that from a table. Hmmm you did a good job.

While this is the car you know, it's no longer the car you know. It's been 3 years and that can change a car. You said the hood is open? Send the pictures to me in a pm and I'll post them for you.

No, it hit the back of the garage brick wall, a table was attached to the wall. It was a big impact, so much the car bounced back .... almost about 50% out of the garage. Yes, I froze when this happened and didn't hit the brakes....it happened so fast. I think it was a skid (trac light came on) on ice....honestly its still a blur to me...still can't believe it happened. My mom ran downstairs cause it shook her upstairs.

Yes, it may be too late. I don't why I hesitated posting about this before, but I'm a practical person in general. If the facts from the forum show its not cost efficient and its better to buy one instead, I'll concede to that.

 

[cheatah faheatah]

Folks here are mentioning the rockers because though unrelated to your accident, those parts are known to rot out on these cars and putting money into fixing crash damage may be unwise if other parts of your car won't last long anyway.

 

[picghaw]

Folks here are mentioning the rockers because though unrelated to your accident, those parts are known to rot out on these cars and putting money into fixing crash damage may be unwise if other parts of your car won't last long anyway.

AH! I got it. Thank you so much.

I'll take a look at the rockers later tonight. I'm glad I posted and should have earlier. I knew talking to experts will help make the answer clearer...its not a unanimous Yes so far and valid concerns have been raised..same that I've I always had. I'll sleep on it.

 

[cheatah faheatah]

Keep in mind that it's an almost 20 year old car with plenty (not a ton) of miles on it, crash damage & other mechanical issues. A good used car identical to yours is only worth around $2,000. Also factor in if you need to pass a State Inspection. The real value of the car is up to you ! Others on here have spent triple or more ( not to mention sweat equity & time ) of the book value on their beloved rides to resurrect them. Since it seems you will be paying others to do the work, the cost will add up FAST.

 

[FordMan77]

Yea, shop time is going to eat up a bunch of cash if you (or someone you know) can't do the work. And I fall into that category of having far more into my car than it's worth, but then again now I know exactly what has (or hasn't) happened to it. Sure, the sum of the parts are far greater than book value but in the end I still enjoy it. And when my rockers rust out I'll return the car to stock and find another one to mess with.

 

[brettstoner]

Honestly my personal opinion dump the car for a couple hundred bucks and look for your next car. They made a million of these cars so they are not exactly rare or valuable. Pull any new or valuable parts to sell or keep for future replacement. The cost to repair the car and get it roadworthy is not worth your time or money. I just looked on CL in my area and there are 27 Grand Prix's for sale. 2-3k buys a decent replacement.

 

[BillBoost37]

So ...ummm...did I mention that I need car things explained this to me like I'm 5 .....:th_shakinghead2:.

We all did when we first learned things. Not everyone knows everything (no matter what Scottydoggs says hahaha). You are doing something a lot of people don't do, researching and learning. That's a very good thing and kudos. Hope all works out on whichever route you choose.

 

[Bronco Boy]

Honestly my personal opinion dump the car for a couple hundred bucks and look for your next car. They made a million of these cars so they are not exactly rare or valuable. Pull any new or valuable parts to sell or keep for future replacement. The cost to repair the car and get it roadworthy is not worth your time or money. I just looked on CL in my area and there are 27 Grand Prix's for sale. 2-3k buys a decent replacement.

Beat me to it.

 

[GT2000]

It all depends what you want to do. Are you attached to that car and want to keep that car, or could you care less if you had some other car. That is what it really boils down to, what do YOU want.