OT-Valuing Our Cars-OT

[randroid]

Folks,

I recently became disabled and am applying for benefits from Social Security, and they're going to see Pigiron ('48 P-15) on my 'assets' list. I anticipate them saying something like they've seen the 'Barret-Jackson' shows or 'American Pickers' and they know my car is worth at least $30,000, so I want to prepare for that eventuality in advance.

I'll take and print pictures of it with no paint, no windows, no dash, etc., but I would like to give them something even the simplest bureaucratic mind can comprehend: Numbers.

Is there a break-down of the valuations of the individual aspects of our cars? Perhaps the POC has a table that shows value deductions for no paint or windows but I don't have a clue where to start looking. I realize that a used car is worth what you can get for it but I'm afraid such a concept might be beyond their ability to grasp, so any assistance on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

-Randy

[desoto1939]

try old cars weekly, I know they have several price guides. lookup www.oldcarsweekly.com

rich Hartung

[Young Ed]

Randy the only really official way to do it is to have an actual car appraiser come out and look and have an appraisal done. That would be something they would understand. If you show them a price guide it is still arbitrary as to what condition its in. They might look at the pictures and rate is #3 which is probably way higher then you want them to value it at.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Randy, as your car is as I gather is under construction, off the road and disaasembled the value of said car is current status in case of distress sell is very little compared to a driveable model. One could easily get comparisons from the good ole e-bay for said cars in like condition and state this as the common value of the vehicle. If they think the car is over that value then I would have to ask for an apprasial and tell them you will kindly take their money and transfer the title to them..

Edited August 16, 2010 by Tim Adams

[Don Coatney]

Randy;

If your car has no paint, windows removed, not driveable, etc. why would anyone even bother to add it to your asset list? It has little or no value at this time.

[Young Ed]

Randy;

If your car has no paint, windows removed, not driveable, etc. why would anyone even bother to add it to your asset list? It has little or no value at this time.

Don this is the government we're talking about here. I dont need to say anymore......

[Flatie46]

Sorry to hear of your dissability. Good luck with getting a fair appraisal.

[JoelOkie]

NADA has listings for antique and classic car valuations, from just running, on up. Maybe you can figure out how far you aree from the bottom retail.

[Big_John]

Randy;

If your car has no paint, windows removed, not driveable, etc. why would anyone even bother to add it to your asset list? It has little or no value at this time.

I gotta agree with Don. If its under construction, not registered to drive, then its really not a car. Its a pile of parts.

I wouldn't list it myself. The government bureaucrat sitting at the desk isn't gonna go check on it.

[Niel Hoback]

I gotta go with Don and Bigjohn. Its not a car at all, its a collection of parts. Don't list it at all.

[Dennis_MN]

I gotta go with Don and Bigjohn. Its not a car at all, its a collection of parts. Don't list it at all.

You know, the government doesn't really want to pay out money for disability and generally will look for reasons NOT to pay it out. Folks have had to shell out a lot of money for lawers to help them collect and then it took years.

My question is, how can you be disabled and have a car to restore? Or if you are restoring a car are you really disabled? Just saying.....

[greg g]

So how did we go from evaluating the worth of a hobby car, to questioning Randy's Doctor's opinion of his ability to do his job? I don't think any of us needs to get between the medical professional and the patient. Standing and walking on hard slippery floors, dealing with extreme temperatures and or changes thereof, carrying heavy loads on questionable footing, and doing it for 8 hours 5 or 6 or 7 days or nights a week, has nothing to do with his ability to tinker on a car, railroad engine, crossword puzzles, or home made space shuttle on his own schedule, on his own terms.

Given the choice most of us would prefer not to be considered less than able, but with age, arthritis, loss of strenght, flexibility and balance that comes with advancing age, some of us face the fact the jobs we did well for most our lives are not our friend anymore.

Perhaps Dennis you should walk in Randy's shoes before passing long distance judgment of his circumstances.

Between my knees, shoulders and neck, heart, arteries and other alements I am nowhere near as able as I was 10 years ago, and thnkfully I am in a position not to have to go to work on a daily basis, or likely I would be in the boat with him. Should I sell my old cars also????

And Randy I would classify Pig Iron as a hobby item not an asset. As for verifyable value, what did you have it insurred for?

[Young Ed]

I think Dennis was just looking at it from the governments point of view. And I could totally see them asking those same questions. Just like when I paid $500 for my truck but had to buy a bond for $2500 because thats what the book said it was worth even though we all know something is truely worth what anyone pays for it.

[Plymouthy Adams]

for sure I think Randy is in for a long uphill push, I do hope that I am wrong and his application is approved without putting him in dire straights..however I must admit I have dealt with the government before also...however I agree that the question was not put to Randy as questioning his "disability" but the fact they may do just that

[greg g]

I agree the powers that be need to determine is a disability claim is justified, but I don't believe we here are qualified to make that judgment. It's a difficult enough life changer without having others ( those not involved) questioning the circumstances. And I know there are folks who take advantage of whatever the systems will allow, usually to the detrement of those who need ths systems support, but lets give folks the benefit of the doubt as to whether they are in need.

[randroid]

Folks,

First and foremost let me thank you for your many fine and informative replies. It was good of each of you to have done so.

Most of you have been following my whining about cardio-vascular surgeries for the last year-and-a-half but we have some newer members who haven't so I would like to take a brief moment to explain:

In November of '08 I was diagnosed with PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disorder\Disease) by the VA. It's where the arteries in my legs become blocked even though I have never had a problem with cholesterol levels and my calves cramp as though I'm a dehydrated marathoner. In short, I can't walk, so I can no longer do the job I've done for the last thirty years.

I checked SSA's Disability website and I meet or exceed their qualifications straight down the line so I want to be entirely straightforward with them when filing my claim so there won't be any loopholes. If it has four tires it's a car and must be listed as such, and what this post is about is being able to get away with telling them it is next to worthless.

From February until March (a year later) I underwent five surgeries to correct it, but this year they said there was nothing more they could do for me and sent me to the amputation people because that's the next step (no pun intended). Should my claim be disallowed I can get an attorney to get it for me for 30% of what they owe me but my claim is so solid I'd likely also get a bonus so I doubt that would happen.

I've had the car for over twenty years and I haven't always been disabled, and it's torn apart now for painting, but without an income the painting has become somewhat of a joke on this forum.

I'm not naive about how the government works but now-and-then they can come through, the Veteran's Administration being a good example.

Thanks again to all of you for your input; I shall put it to good use.

-Randy

[Captain Neon]

I think I know Randy well enough from this forum, and living not too terribly far from him for one year, that Randy isn't one to take out disability unless he really is disabled. I sympathise with your situation. I tend to lean to wards Don and John's advice. Don't list Pigiron as an asset. She has gobs of sentimental value, as does my '46 P15S more door. I pray nothing happens to my ol' girl while I'm alive because no amount of insurance money could ever fully compensate me for her loss.

[Greenbomb]

Put the car, I mean pile of parts, in the shed/garage, take off the wheels and put it on blocks and take the doors off. Voila!! A pile of parts!

I hope this all works out so you can keep it and still get a settlement. Keep us updated.