Water damage - 2000 Hyundai Sonata

I have a 2000 Hyundai Sonata with 96K miles on it. My car was parked
in a low lying area and during rain it got submerged upto half the
wheel level. There was some water on the floor of the car (around 1-2
inch). I removed the car from the spot within 15 minutes of this
happening. Now the car won start, the engine cranks like usual but
does not turn over. The mechanic says that crank sensor has gone bad.
But he also added that even the computer might be damaged in which
case I am looking at 1500-2000 dollars. Is the computer located at
such a low position in car ? Also when I removed the car the Air Bag
warning sign had come up even though there was no physical damage to
the car.

-mm

 

Call your insurance agent and start looking for a new car. If electrical
got wet, more problems will show up over the next few months as connector
corrode, etc.

 

Agreed. Insurance companies routinely total out flood damaged cars for this
very reason.

 

Can anyone suggest how much this car can sell for (*as* a water
damaged car). The car does not run but is definitely good for parts or
if someone can fix it. I am looking to sell it to an auto-repair-shop-
kind-of place. The car has never had any engine or mechanical trouble.
Has 96K miles on it. The water did not rise upto battery or engine
level. So at the most components attached to the chassis of the car
can be considered ruined. I am just looking for a ballpark number so
that I can negotiate with someone. Thanks.

-mm

 

About $100

 

No auto repair facility is going to touch that car. For one, they seldom
use used parts in most repairs and with almost 100K on it, it's about a
guarantee that no one will want to touch it. If you could get a couple of
hundred for it I'd be surprised. If you can - I'd sure take it.

If you have comprehensive insurance on the car, then turn it in to the
insurance company. It may not have a lot of value by the book, but that's
probably the best deal you're going to come across.

The other thing you can do is part out the car. That's probably the most
profitable route, but it's also the slowest route to financial freedom. An
engine and a tranny for a car with that kind of mileage can go for $200
each, on up - depending on what part of the country you're in. Doors that
have zero rust on them might be worth $50 apiece. Same with hood and trunk
deck. It's hard to sell parts on your own, but if you can afford to wait on
the people that need the parts, it's probably the most money you'll get out
of the car.

 

You could see if the local Fire Department wants to use it for extradition
training. You could assign some reasonable value to it, and get them to sign
off on it - hey it's worth what it's worth to them - and you get about 25%
of whatever value that you can agree upon as a reduction in income. It
doesn't wind up back on the road, and it serves a purpose.