Value of a GTS Sport

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SRN
Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2015 8:53 pm
Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Long story short, I was in an accident with my Suzuki Kizashi and Progressive has declared it a total loss. They are claiming that it is only worth $6,900 based on a comparison of three other Kizashi's sold within a 400 mile radius within the last 90 days. All three of those were AWD autos, not GTS Sports with 6-speeds. Now I can dispute this with an independent appraiser, but I'm not sure how to determine that a GTS Sport with a manual is rare and worth more. I paid nearly twice what they are estimating two years ago after months of searching.

KBB Lists the value at just over $8,000 and I'm not finding any for sale in the US after an (admittedly) cursory search.

So I ask you, Kizashi community, what is the real value of a GTS Sport and how did you arrive at that?
1986 Suzuki Samurai JX (Tintop)
1990 Mazda Miata
1994 Isuzu Trooper
2012 Suzuki Kizashi GTS Sport (6MT)
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KuroNekko
Posts: 5170
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

First, sorry to hear of the accident.

As for the value, it varies on many factors. Everything from condition, location, mileage, etc. factor into the value. I also should tell you that you won't be able to convince insurance or dealers that having a rare manual version is worth more. In fact, they will tell you the opposite. The value of a car is often determined by resale value or what people are willing to pay for it. Hence, manuals are actually detrimental because less people want them. On top of that, manuals cost less when new than an automatic so in no way do they actually spell more value other than for the intrinsic value to an enthusiast. While you and I value a manual Kizashi more than other models, the general public doesn't and the vast majority would rather have an AWD Kizashi. AWD is also popular these days so I'm not surprised to see the insurance compare your car to an AWD Kizashi as that would be considered the most desirable for the majority of buyers (and the ones that actually sell best).

While it seems totally unfair compared to what you paid for it, you have to remember you're driving an unpopular orphaned car and among them, one with a transmission most don't prefer. While I don't like such a low value (after all, I also drive a manual Sport GTS), I can see the angle they are taking and all things considered, don't think it's a terrible figure. It just sucks when compared to how much you paid for the car. This then begs, what's the car's model year and mileage? Mine is a 2011 Kizashi Sport GTS with ~74,000 miles in excellent condition and KBB.com is showing a value significantly less than your $8,000.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
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SRN
Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2015 8:53 pm
Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Mine is a 2012 GTS Sport with 80k on the clock. Prior to the accident it was flawless.

I get your argument, and I see where they are coming from. This car is only worth what its worth to the right person. I'm simply annoyed that I've paid Progressive tens of thousands of dollars for more than a decade without ever having a claim, and then they tell me this. But thats insurance, I suppose. Take all they can, give nothing. And, I love this car and really don't want to have a salvaged title on it.
1986 Suzuki Samurai JX (Tintop)
1990 Mazda Miata
1994 Isuzu Trooper
2012 Suzuki Kizashi GTS Sport (6MT)
KansasKid
Posts: 428
Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2013 2:19 am
Location: Kansas City, Kansas

Yeah, if you're going to have a Kizashi, it's best to get it on liability instead of full coverage ASAP. :(
My Cars (Their Names)
'93 Ford Escort (Jorge - Prior)
'06 Kia Optima EX (Sakuya - Prior)
'11 Suzuki Kizashi SE AWD (Azumi)
'09 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Base 5MT(Akari - Prior)
'11 Chevy Cruze Eco 6MT (Erika - Prior)
'12 Suzuki Kizashi Sport SLS AWD (Kitsune)
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KuroNekko
Posts: 5170
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

KansasKid wrote:Yeah, if you're going to have a Kizashi, it's best to get it on liability instead of full coverage ASAP. :(
At this point, I agree. Very few Kizashis now are worth over $10K therefore likely aren't worth full coverage unless one gets a very good deal or has a good reason to really need full coverage. I've had full coverage since I bought the car with only 7,500 miles on it, but my policy is expiring in a few weeks. I'm going liability only from this point on given the diminished value of the car and the fact that I have enough funds to replace the car entirely if absolutely necessary.
SRN wrote:Mine is a 2012 GTS Sport with 80k on the clock. Prior to the accident it was flawless.
I'm simply annoyed that I've paid Progressive tens of thousands of dollars for more than a decade without ever having a claim, and then they tell me this. But thats insurance, I suppose. Take all they can, give nothing.
Oh I absolutely hate insurance but it's something you need... you know, just in case. :roll: And they all seem to have absolutely no appreciation for loyalty. Discounts are a joke as the prices seem to go up and up since the start of a new policy. Someone hits you while you are literally stopped at a light and your premium still goes up just because you have an accident on record and it's irrelevant to them who is at fault. I had Progressive once waste 20 minutes of my time for a new premium quote only to tell me at the last minute their quote was going up because I didn't report an accident in which I had 0% liability. I told the associate that they wasted my time with an unfair practice and I was never going to give them my money. I ended up with a lower premium with Allstate.

While I feel for your anger in your situation, I'm somewhat relieved that the Kizashi is now not worth full coverage. I can just get liability and save hundreds a year. While I won't treat it like a beater by any means, it's somewhat nice to run the car on the cheap. It's truly a car that isn't worth much on paper, but when you experience it behind the wheel, you understand its intrinsic value. This especially rang true when I recently drove a 2011 Subaru Impreza 2.5 Premium with a 5 speed manual. It was comparably spec'ed to my 2011 Kizashi Sport GTS but hands down, the Kizashi is a much better drive and has a more premium feel to it.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
DiggerDerrik
Posts: 171
Joined: Sat May 14, 2016 6:52 pm

I have a 2010 GTS (not the sport). It was totaled back in July with about 118,000 miles. They gave me $6200 for it. I’d say you’re being ripped off.
2016 Ford Explorer XLT Ecoboost
2010 Kizashi GTS FWD
2011 F-350 Lariat Crew Cab 4x4 6.7
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Ronzuki
Posts: 2382
Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:33 pm
Location: Lancaster County, PA

That's what they do...rip off their customers. Don't be in a hurry and don't let them think you "need" the money. It took over a month to settle on a price for our '08 SX4 that was totaled by insurance. They pulled the same line about "they found the same vehicle" yadda yadda. I said "great you found me an exact replacement! Buy it at that price and deliver it to me, I'll take it.". I ended up with much more than their first offer. An amount much more in line with what I'd have to pay to buy a similar replacement. Every Friday evening, after working all week, a different person would call with a different offer. They certainly have their human nature psyche down to a science. The longer it goes, the more money their losing with storage fees and lost salvage auction potential.
Ron

2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded :D :D )
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top ( :| sold)
Kizzy13SLSAWD
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2017 6:53 pm

I am a licensed agent for a better, more reputable company who shall remain unnamed. :D Progressive is not a company that I hold in high esteem for many reasons. In my dealings with them, it seems to be a common practice for them to low-ball settlements for their customers or deny claims altogether based on obscure clauses or limits that are unique to their policies. They also record losses against clients the minute they mention it on the phone ... regardless of whether or not they choose to turn in the claim and seek a payment. While technically "legal" in most states, it's a really lousy way to do business in my opinion.

If I had an accident, I would not want to have them as my company. I also wouldn't want to be hit by someone that had Progressive without having full coverage of my own (so that I could go under my insurance and let my company's lawyers duke it out with Progressive in the background).

All that being said, I unfortunately don't see the proposed settlement as actually being all that low. If anything, it was on the high end of the similar cars that I was able to find (nationwide). What Progressive is looking for - and what you should look for - are comparable cars in the vicinity of where you live. The insurance company is only required to pay you the "Actual Cash Value" of your car before it was totaled. KBB is entirely irrelevant as that is nothing more that some random company's opinion of the value of your car. What counts is what real people are actually paying for similar cars in your area. Actual Cash Value. If it's a rare car (like a 6-speed Kizashi), they should give you a bigger radius to find similar cars, but the pricing of a car in California can be 20% different than one in Iowa... so closer is generally considered more accurate.

If you can provide Progressive with some current listings that demonstrate cars similar to yours are being sold for more than they are offering, you definitely have a shot at increasing the settlement. If you had added anything custom to the car (Stereo, subwoofer, wheels, etc) you can ask for that equipment to be factored in as well. You certainly don't have to accept what they initially offer, but based on the numbers I saw (quick search of CarGurus, Autotrader, and Cars.com), I wouldn't expect to get a lot more (and almost certainly not $8000). Frankly, the AWD CVT comparisons may be helping you... the manuals (though more desirable to a person like me) seem to be selling for about $1000 less...

Last bit of advice, if you have a good agent, you should be talking to them. A good agent will be there to help you and advocate for you with the company. A big part of my day is talking to adjusters and underwriters to be sure that my policyholders get the all coverage that they paid for. If you purchased online to save yourself a couple bucks or have a crummy agent... then sorry. I do wish you the best of luck, and I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your Kizashi.

Oh - out of curiosity, did the airbags all deploy? The Kizashi has like 8 airbags that generally run $2,000 a piece... so for a majority of them on the road, an airbag deployment wreck = totaled.
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Ronzuki
Posts: 2382
Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:33 pm
Location: Lancaster County, PA

All you have to do is look at the money man behind Progressive and you'll find out all ya need to know about what they're all about.

Agreed, if you have a 'good' agent, they can advocate for their customers in ways the insured can not.

The airbag bill alone for the SX4 was over $8k. So, totaled. EVERYTHING associated with the air bag system must be replaced... bags, inflators, dash steering components, all sensors...including the seat cushions. For liability reasons. That's the only way for anyone to guarantee the system will function in the future after it's repaired. Some cars, a mere deployment damages the superstructure behind the dash and that's all they need to know to total it.

Hence one of the many reasons why you never ever want to purchase a salvage vehicle. Like that SX4 of ours. You think that body shop that won it at auction is going to replace all of that stuff in a totaled vehicle he paid 1800 bucks for? Everybody that touched that car since it was wrecked was starting it up and driving it around here and there with no coolant it as well. What could go wrong there?
Ron

2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded :D :D )
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top ( :| sold)
DiggerDerrik
Posts: 171
Joined: Sat May 14, 2016 6:52 pm

Correction, they valued my car at $6100 not $6200. I purchased it back from them for $990 and still commute with it daily. However my car was rear ended. No airbags deployed. I didn’t see anything mentioned by the OP about airbags or how bad the damage was. Perhaps buying it back is an option for you.

I also had Progressive at that time, but I’ve since changed companies. Not because of anything to do with the claim but because of rate increases while adding our 17 year old to the policy.
2016 Ford Explorer XLT Ecoboost
2010 Kizashi GTS FWD
2011 F-350 Lariat Crew Cab 4x4 6.7
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