What's provable 35.63 MPG worth in a 2000 Camry?

Last March my 2000 Camry 4-cyl LE traveled 997.7 miles on 28 gallons,
New Mexico to California. That's 35.63 mpg, or 18.76% more than the
30mpg EPA highway average for the make/model. At $4.50/gal in CA,
the average driver of 15,000 miles/year would save $356/year with my
Camry, versus the average. Since $356/year is nothing to sneeze at
and is a powerful indication that all's well under the hood, higher
actual cash value would naturally follow, one would think.

Now the question: With my gas receipts before him, how much would
a fair insurance adjuster add to the average market value for my
Camry? Proof of excellence is a big deal, isn't it? A great actual
mpg versus a "your results may vary" so-so estimate!

In June, a kid turned left into the rear door, and Farmers is trying
to make a total loss of it. I need advice to save my car from the
salvage yard. Your thoughts, anyone? (I really love my car.)

Thanks,
Jake

<jake.pinneberg@> wrote in message
news:bdd8228f-1f79-4349-bc0d-de6d8979d326@2g2000hsn..com...
> Last March my 2000 Camry 4-cyl LE traveled 997.7 miles on 28 gallons,
> New Mexico to California. That's 35.63 mpg, or 18.76% more than the
> 30mpg EPA highway average for the make/model. At $4.50/gal in CA,
> the average driver of 15,000 miles/year would save $356/year with my
> Camry, versus the average. Since $356/year is nothing to sneeze at
> and is a powerful indication that all's well under the hood, higher
> actual cash value would naturally follow, one would think.
>
> Now the question: With my gas receipts before him, how much would
> a fair insurance adjuster add to the average market value for my
> Camry? Proof of excellence is a big deal, isn't it? A great actual
> mpg versus a "your results may vary" so-so estimate!
>
> In June, a kid turned left into the rear door, and Farmers is trying
> to make a total loss of it. I need advice to save my car from the
> salvage yard. Your thoughts, anyone? (I really love my car.)
>
> Thanks,
> Jake

#1 Unless I miss my guess, the adjuster wouldn't value your car at 10c
more than the blue book suggests.

#2. Before you get into a hassle with Farmers, talk to your own insurance
company - telling them that you don't want to part with your car and asking
them for advice as to how to proceed. If you get huffy with Farmers you'll
get nowhere, but if you chat them up, they may make allowances for
you....after all, YOU're the aggrieved party, and it was THEIR insured who
caused the damage to your car. But talk to your own agent or company rep
first.

On Jun 21, 12:44 am, jake.pinneb...@ wrote:
> Last March my 2000 Camry 4-cyl LE traveled 997.7 miles on 28 gallons,
> New Mexico to California.  That's 35.63 mpg, or 18.76% more than the
> 30mpg EPA highway average for the make/model.  At $4.50/gal in CA,
> the average driver of 15,000 miles/year would save $356/year with my
> Camry, versus the average.   Since $356/year is nothing to sneeze at
> and is a powerful indication that all's well under the hood, higher
> actual cash value would naturally follow, one would think.
>
> Now the question:  With my gas receipts before him,  how much would
> a fair insurance adjuster add to the average market value for my
> Camry?  Proof of excellence is a big deal, isn't it?  A great actual
> mpg versus a "your results may vary" so-so estimate!
>
> In June, a kid turned left into the rear door, and Farmers is trying
> to make a total loss of it.  I need advice to save my car from the
> salvage yard.   Your thoughts, anyone?  (I really love my car.)
>
> Thanks,
> Jake

If you made it go 200mpg it wouldnt be worth more, nor if it had a
$20000 stereo, value is based on comparable cars as any camry will get
as good a milage, your value is based on condition and model, just get
another one if thats the big deal. But the real issue is what do they
sell for now, they hold their value well, just compare % depreciation
to other cars like Caddy and 4wd suvs, they go for beans these days.
You need to research and keep info on real offerings in your area, I
did, and got $1000 more after a crash after I presented the info to
the adjuster that their price was low

On Jun 21, 1:44 am, jake.pinneb...@ wrote:
> Last March my 2000 Camry 4-cyl LE traveled 997.7 miles on 28 gallons,
> New Mexico to California.  That's 35.63 mpg, or 18.76% more than the
> 30mpg EPA highway average for the make/model.  At $4.50/gal in CA,
> the average driver of 15,000 miles/year would save $356/year with my
> Camry, versus the average.

No, the average driver doesn't drive from NM to CA. Your recorded mpg
is great but not unusual.

  Since $356/year is nothing to sneeze at
> and is a powerful indication that all's well under the hood, higher
> actual cash value would naturally follow, one would think.

Not really.

>
> Now the question:  With my gas receipts before him,  how much would
> a fair insurance adjuster add to the average market value for my
> Camry?  Proof of excellence is a big deal, isn't it?  A great actual
> mpg versus a "your results may vary" so-so estimate!

One instance of great mpg is proof of excellence?

Instead, find comparable Camrys in your local market to figure out
whether or not the insurance settlement would buy you a replacement
car. You can seek out the best examples of 2000 Camrys at dealer lots
as comparables.

>
> In June, a kid turned left into the rear door, and Farmers is trying
> to make a total loss of it.  I need advice to save my car from the
> salvage yard.   Your thoughts, anyone?  (I really love my car.)

Once you have their best offer, you ask for the salvage value. Salvage
is the amount the insurance company can get for the car. Then you can
offer to buy the car for the salvage price and still collect the
settlement less your deductible. Once you own the car you can have it
repaired (but you should know repair cost in advance) and find some
other company to insure it. Or you can do what I did; sold it to a guy
at the body shop for much more than the salvage value + deductible.
Its gonna cost you too much to fix the car. Sorry but that's just the
way it is.

>
> Thanks,
> Jake

On Jun 21, 12:44 am, jake.pinneb...@ wrote:
> Last March my 2000 Camry 4-cyl LE traveled 997.7 miles on 28 gallons,
> New Mexico to California.  That's 35.63 mpg, or 18.76% more than the
> 30mpg EPA highway average for the make/model.  At $4.50/gal in CA,
> the average driver of 15,000 miles/year would save $356/year with my
> Camry, versus the average.   Since $356/year is nothing to sneeze at
> and is a powerful indication that all's well under the hood, higher
> actual cash value would naturally follow, one would think.
>
> Now the question:  With my gas receipts before him,  how much would
> a fair insurance adjuster add to the average market value for my
> Camry?  Proof of excellence is a big deal, isn't it?  A great actual
> mpg versus a "your results may vary" so-so estimate!
>
> In June, a kid turned left into the rear door, and Farmers is trying
> to make a total loss of it.  I need advice to save my car from the
> salvage yard.   Your thoughts, anyone?  (I really love my car.)
>
> Thanks,
> Jake

You cant prove your milage unless you filled the tank to overflow both
times and ran the numbers, speedometers are often not 100% accurate
and gas pumps shut off at different pressures making filling up
inacurate. Wasnt the wind at your back that day pushing you.