Technical Totaled Abarth Spider

[Kevin Jennings]

Am looking for advice. A vandal in Austin, Texas took a rock and beat up my 2019 Abarth 124 Spider. Front windshield destroyed, back window completely blown out and abrasions on the drivers side window. Some damage to the hood and trunk cover. Antenna destroyed. The car has 26k miles and was in pristine condition. Always garaged, I pampered that vehicle something awful. Long story short, the insurance company wants to total the vehicle. I just cant wrap my mind around the fact that my car was totaled with a rock. I guess i have two questions. Do you think the vehicle is repairable; and, if not, would it be in my best interest to retain the salvage ? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

The rear window in a lot of modern convertibles are bonded/stitched into the fabric of the roof as such the only way to repair a broken back window is a new roof, as you can probably appreciate that is many thousands of dollars and in the states there are a lot of parts issues with these cars following covid, there may be spares here in Europe but shipping a whole roof to the states may add another big lump of money to the costs. If parts can be obtained at all. So while it seems mad it may cost thousands for just getting the parts over, then there may not be the people with the training and knowledge to be able to change the roof

So even if you kept it after it being written off you may not be able to get the parts to repair it anyway

 

[Kevin Jennings]

The rear window in a lot of modern convertibles are bonded/stitched into the fabric of the roof as such the only way to repair a broken back window is a new roof, as you can probably appreciate that is many thousands of dollars and in the states there are a lot of parts issues with these cars following covid, there may be spares here in Europe but shipping a whole roof to the states may add another big lump of money to the costs. If parts can be obtained at all. So while it seems mad it may cost thousands for just getting the parts over, then there may not be the people with the training and knowledge to be able to change the roof

So even if you kept it after it being written off you may not be able to get the parts to repair it anyway

Advice much appreciated, Andy. That seems to be in line with what I'm finding out. Its just crazy to look at an otherwise perfect vehicle, just one with smashed windows.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Advice much appreciated, Andy. That seems to be in line with what I'm finding out. Its just crazy to look at an otherwise perfect vehicle, just one with smashed windows.

I know such a shame, there was someone on here not that long back who needed a new clutch for one of these and could not yet one anywhere, effectively making it mechanically totalled. I think he did manged to get a used part from somewhere but you don’t normally go around fitting used clutches to cars

 

[Kevin Jennings]

I know such a shame, there was someone on here not that long back who needed a new clutch for one of these and could not yet one anywhere, effectively making it mechanically totalled. I think he did manged to get a used part from somewhere but you don’t normally go around fitting used clutches to cars

Along those lines.....I was thinking that the car would have significant salvage value as all other parts are pristine. And, obviously, they no longer make the vehicle.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

It may be worth parting out if you’ve got the means to do that , the value of parts and the pay out form the insurance may more than pay for a replacement in equally good condition

 

[348azeus]

Just change the parts and repair the bodywork parts. The insurance would have priced for new. I’m quite sure the soft top and hood is the same as the Miata so there is an alternative source for you. If you look here there is a diy account of changing the hood at home - leave this to a garage and it gets expensive. https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=727456

 

[The Panda Nut]

Advice much appreciated, Andy. That seems to be in line with what I'm finding out. Its just crazy to look at an otherwise perfect vehicle, just one with smashed windows.

You could probably sell it to someone in Europ if its in great condition and they would be able to get the bits and repair it??

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Just change the parts and repair the bodywork parts. The insurance would have priced for new. I’m quite sure the soft top and hood is the same as the Miata so there is an alternative source for you. If you look here there is a diy account of changing the hood at home - leave this to a garage and it gets expensive. https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=727456

This is actually a very good point, while “fiat” parts might not be available.

The underpinnings are of a Mazda which looking at side by side reviews the windshield, and roof look to be the same.

It may be cheap to repair with mazda parts just the body panels are going to need fiat parts and any body trims