I had a good amount of time on the 5 hours of highway driving this weekend to think about how I want to proceed on this situation. The precursor was the fact I have already been considering selling the Stinger later this year depending on how the year turned out, this only seals the deal.
If the car was written off (total loss), I'd jump on that with no argument, especially since I carry a limited waiver of depreciation which is still valid.
If the car is repaired, I'm completely certain that I am going to be continually bothered by the fact I am paying for a salvage title vehicle, but at a new car price. Also, my even larger concern is the fact I have already been fighting the dealer for popping sunroof noises, and a plethora of others that I haven't bothered to bring up. I know the repair shop will be sourcing the OEM replacement parts through my regular dealer, and I'm certain they will somehow become aware the car has been involved in a collision. Since I already can't seem to get fixes out of them, having collision damage will only give them even more leverage to deny my claims, so I'm considering the fact that I likely won't get anything further fixed on the car (other than legitimate failures of items). For the sake of my sanity, I see no other logical outcome than to get rid of the car. I only hope that I am able to persuade the insurance company of the offender to offer some type of settlement to offset the diminished value of the car due to the collision, I'm certain this is a thing, and I've inquired with a family friend in the insurance industry regarding this.
My big dilemma now is what do I replace the Stinger with? I will not purchase another Stinger, and I have a foul taste for Korean built cars lately after two ownership experiences. I don't want to touch domestic. Japanese seems plausible but nothing stands out. Of all options, I'm currently leaning towards a Golf R in a small field of options. It's built on a solid chassis, is well into its generation and should have all kinks ironed out. I would lose a sunroof, a bit of engine sound, hud and a few features, but I looked into that car before the Stinger and other than the fact it's relatively expensive "for a Golf," it seems to hit a very nice mark right between performance and comfort, with good build. I'd also only consider a lease so I don't feel such an obligation to keep it mint for resell, and I can care less about some defects since it will eventually be turned over to be someone else's problem.
Curious to see if there are some other options I've missed, but I'd like to retain some level of performance, gain some refinement that the Stinger didn't deliver, and isn't outrageously expensive (preferably under 50K CAD or thereabouts). All the premium German cars get too expensive once optioned, and Japanese cars somewhat similar, plus often missing the mark of exactly what I want, like the 10K premium they charge to make it a coupe rather than a sedan. I would like a smaller car.
Of course, this whole "new car" situation is under the assumption that they're going to fix the Stinger. I just see it being easier to trade rather than to sell to the terrible lowballers in our city, just get it over with. If I was paid out for the car completely, that gives me options in the used market with the equity.
