Tacoma

I will be attending the Nationals in Colorado with my wife's 1990 Red vert. It won a silver in Seattle (Missed gold by 1 point) and just mabe a gold in Colorado. It can be seen in at the show in the Springs. License plate Washington "SASSY 90" Red Saddle, Wife says sell. Will entertain offers over 13K. 48K miles now, will have about 50K after driving from Washington. Jerry Vaughan. frogsday@msn.com

My passanger side door radio speaker has a very small hole worn in the tan cloth cover. Need information on where I can obtain this type of cloth. Also,Do I need to remove the door panal to replace the cloth or does the speaker cover snap off? Red w/Saddle interior

I hope this is posted in the right area. I have a 1990 Reatta convertible with 48K miles on it for sale. This was a SILVER AWARD winner at the Buick Nationals in Seattle in 2007. Missed GOLD by one point. Won FIRST PLACE in the 2008 Buick reagionals. It is red/tan and should take a GOLD in Colorado Springs Colorado. as most of the minor point deductions have been corrected. Tape does not work. Has full documents except the flashlight. Runs and looks like new.This is a condition 2 to a 1 car according to the 2008 August "Cars That Matter price guide", valued at $20,100.00. Serious Collectors only. Min acceptable: 12K. <span style="font-weight: bold">Call or e-mail Jerry Vaughan (TACOMA) at 253 267 1939 or frogsday@msn.com. Photos available on request. </span>

Thanks everyone for the assistance. A word of caution on removing the alternator. The heavy cable connecting to the alternator has a black plastic cover that easily is removed. under that the cable end is protected by a another plastic cover just below the eye where it connects to the alternator. I don't think the cable or my alternator has ever been removed and therefor the plastic became very brittle from age and heat. also where the cable eye connects to the alternator post was almost welded together to the nut that comes off to remove it. What happened when I attempted to remove the nut and cable was that it was on so tight that I toqured the nut so much that the base of the post came loose from tha alternator. I then tried to get a second wrench on the cable and on the nut. I finaly got them (Cable and nut) broken apart but not without breakind some of the plastic housing around the base of the cable. As a result I don't think the alternator is pepairable. The loose post is still in it, but is just loose and wabbles around. The price of a new Delco alternator is $230 plus $14 core charge (Assuming the core is repairable. NAPA has one for $125, but I woun't use anything but OEM parts. I callec my local junk yard and I will be picking up a used Delco for $50 with a 6 month warranty. Thanks again all Jerry in Tacoma

Barney and Philip Thanks Jerry in Tacoma

I will be removing the alternator on my 90 reatta next week to have it rebuilt. I see 2 bolts at the top and left side, plus what looks to be a plug and 2 wires coming out of it at the top. I will assume the bolts get removed like any others, but how does the plug wires assembly (It seems pretty tight) come loose? does it just get pulled out or are there some hidden clips that I can't see. Also is there any other hidden bolts or wires underneath it. Should I dis-connect the battery first? I'll be sending the alternator in for rebuild. They tell me it shouldn't be more than a day. Cost in this area $90 to 120. Buick dealer wants 450 to remove, rebuild and replace. WoW. Non mechanic.

CRTNRDS Please tell us more about your wire wheels and tires. Brand, size, cost etc. The tires look like Vogue's. They really are very nice looking, and after seeing them on your Vert, I, and possibly others will consider wire. Thanks Jerry

CONTINUED: tELL THEM YOU FULLY EXPECT THEM TO FURNISH YOU A RENTAL CAR, AND THAT YOU WILL SEND THEM THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. Ask them how many estimates they need, but you reserve the right to have it repaired at a place of your choosing. Don't forget to have them reimburse you for "Deminished Value" in addition to the repair costs. If you have an attorney available spend a half hour with him or her on your state law's regarding notification and demished value. Jerry

Sorry to hear about the accident and also hope that no one was injured. In reading your story my question is: Did the police ticket the indivual that hit you? If they did, (and you can find out from the police department)I would hold off on contacting your insurance company. This is why: If you contact your insurer it will be reflected as an accident and could adversly affect your rates, but as a mininm it will go on your record for several years regardless of whether or not it is your fault or theirs. If they ticketed the other individual and you have their name and their insurance agent,(also look gor this on the police record. In fact the police will make you a copy of it for a buck or so)contact their insurance company. Deal with them from a position of strength. If they ask you to inform your agent, just tell them that it will be done in due course.

My 90 Vert has a number of original engine and Body labels and stickers containing various information. Some of them are getting a little ragged. Are these still available anywhere? Jerry

Try coming to a sudden stop (Just brake hard at a stop light or other safe area)and at the same time move your upper body (fast)toward the steering wheel. Just make sure no one is behind you. The belt works on a pendlum.

I spilled some tomato juice on the driverside about a year ago, took both off to be dry cleaned. look like new, no damage to the leather seats.

I bought some universial real sheep covers from Costco about 5 years ago for my Lincoln. I believe they still sell them. Mine are in very good condition abd being used daily. Sorry, Don't recall the costs.

RAWJA I don't think the BBB has a problem letting the public know what company's have had complaints lodged against them. Also E-Bay uses a STAR system to let customers know of problem compay's and individuals. RAWJA! What is AACA's problem, and what would your personal solution be to the situation. Also could you state where the AACA states this policy. Jerry

Does anyone have an in with a police officer or department who can track a VIN number to an owner.

My wife seems to want a 1991 Maui Blue convertible but it must have Gray Interior only. Was this combination ever made in 91, and in what numbers if known. Thanks Jerry

I'm still looking for a flashlight to complete my 90 package if anyony knows of one available.

I drive my 90 about once a week, starts right up, runs fine have never had any battery or charger problems. My battery guage stays on 12 O'Clock, Never changes whether I idle or run at 60.

Some very good replies folks, Keep the comments and information coming, especially ones regarding what the insurance company's are telling you. The more we know of how they operate the better armed we are to fight for better compensation; and better we know what type of coverage and in what amount is needed on our part. Jerry

Chuck Sounds like my wife. Is Helen a good driver? HaHa, But would you be covered to the local market, or what if an accident were your fault. Wouldn't you be hung out to dry in the Kansas sun? Jerry

UP-DATE I just returned from my local Geico adjustors facility,and having spoke with Andy, The head adjuster, Here is the essance of our 45 min conversation. Washing state (and I assume other) requires that insurance companies use outside (third party) adjustment figures. They do this by using the repair and value figures supplied to them by a national company called "CCC Information Service Group Inc" out of Chicago. Web site CCCIS.COM. CCC supplies their service to over 350 insurance companies and 15,000 Collision centers nation wide. CCC is an ackronim (sic) for Certified Collateral Corporation. The have 2 basic data programs they sell. The first is a system called "CCC Value scope for the basic value of an automobile and the other is CCC Pathways for the cost of parts and labor. Andy stated that when a vehicle comes in an adjuster looks at the vehicle to determine the parts needed plus labor and when a vehicle gets to the point that it's close to the vehicle value figure (He didn't give a percentage figure) then it's considered a total loss. At this point they don't take into consideration condition or milage. The adjuster will then get into the "Judgement Area" This is where he looks at milage and condition. He says they look at the local market for like replacement vehicles. NOTE: He did say something interesting though about CCC. He said that they pull a lot of their "Auto Values" from Auto Trader. as their source, I asked him whether it was AT's asking or the actual sold price, and he said their figures were based on the published asking prices. As you know Auto Trader is based on a mix of private and dealer listings,and the dealer listings have profit built into them a little more than a private asking price. One would think that these prices would tend to reflect a higher value. We then got into the Reatta Arena. He had never seen one. We got to talking about NADA,KBB,Black's, and my "Cars that matter " book which I happened to have with me along with my Photo alblum of my Reattawhich I showed him and we talked about. When looking at values He said that none of these books come into play, ONLY CCC. We talked about how Customer and Adjuster values differ many times and that many cases wind up in court. He and I both understand these things. His bottom line is this: Adjusters are willing to negotiate with you but you have to have back-up data to do it. His recommendation is this: If you have a vehicle you feel is worth more than the figures in the CCC system you need documentation whereby you can prove your position. This would include Detailed Recent photos that are dated.(Some cameras have dating capability).Or possibly from a recent car show.They must be detailed and clean enough to show all aspects of the vehicle inside and out. Low usage must be proved, possibly from oil change receipts, or repair recipts from others. Awards and or Trophy's. In other words YOU must provide proof that it was an exceptional vehicle and worth more than what they could provide you. Regarding Salvave value he said you have an option. They will pay you what an agreed value less the salvage value. This is determined thusly: You both agree that the value of your 1990 Reatta Coupe is $7,400. He says they call around to the salvage auction yards (Here it's Coparts)Coparts will hold the vehicle for auction or make a determanation as to an estimated auction value. Lets say it's $1,800. The insurance company will then offer you a check for $7,400. or a check for $5,600. and you keep your reatta. Summary: It seems as though CCC is the big player in this game. Also I like the idea of a simple letter from an attorney, but you wou shoukd be prepared to give your attorney the same data. IE photos etc to prove your case. I would be interested to see postings on what you all have found out. Jerry

Thanks guy's for the comments. I suspect that if you have an agreed value that there are a number of restrictions that go along with that type of policy. To understand agreed value policies better could you list some of these restrictions if any. I have heard that some not only restrict milage but also the type of driving done, IE: Only to and from a car show, or emergency or if your primary vehicle is broke down or to a repair facility. Must be a locked garage; No other drivers but YOU. But what if you'r in an accident on a sunday afternoon and you decide to have let your wife drive the 50 miles home because you had a little too much to drink. are you covered. The question is what happens to your coverage if you violate any of these restrictions? Will your insurance tell you to go pound sand. I have coverage on my 90 vert with Geico along with my other two cars so I don't worry about these agreed value restrictions, but I do worry about how they would value my car.I have a call in to Geico now asking them not only to tell me my value, but also how they would arrive at it. I would think that if we all aked the same questions that our answers would be very interesting and varied. Lets all call and see what they say.

I've observed the dialog of many of our members who have had insurance problems after an accident in trying to determine an equitable payout. It would be interesting to know from what documents the insurance companys are using as a basis for the values and the payouts. IE: are they using some internal document that only they have access to. I know they do when repairs are involved, but total value may be another thing like the local Kelly Blue book, NADA or something else. I post this mainly that it should be an important aspect of what we should be (AS THE BCA and REATTA DIVISION)focusing our efforts on. As a Reatta collector I believe the values to be more in line with "Blacks, Cars of particular interest, or thoes listed in Cars That Matter". The questions I have are: 1. What documents are presently used by the insurance company's, 2. Why are they taken to be more valid than what we feel they should be from the later books above. 3. How do we get the insurance compainy's to use the higher values. It is obvious that either the company's documents are wrong or Cars that matter or Black is wrong. It might behove us to form some type of an official committee as an official arm of the BCA and form an attack plan and challange them (Ins Co's, and all the Books as to the validity of their data, and let them justify their numbers. Sometimes the court of public opinion carries weight, especially when you challange someone as to their credability. Everyone can't be right, given the spread in the numbers. IS THIS A FIGHT WORTH FITING? Your thoughts please. Jerry in Tacoma

Booreatta: The sun was out for the BCA Nationals wasn't it,Glad you and everyone else that came enjoyed it; and yes! Washington is a very wonderful state to live in. We have the rolling hills of Kansas (With wheat fields,corn and potatoes) in the North East part of the state, South East is the Deserts of New Mexico with grape vinyards as far as you can see. We have the Mountains and Ski areas of Colorado(The Cascades)running North to South through the center of the state. Also the Tropics of the Olympic Mountains and the Ocean to the far west. Not to mention Puget Sound,Its Islands and ferry boats. Don't tell anyone though,We're trying to keep it a SECRET. Actually New York get more rain than we do. Have a wonderful day, I'm going Salmon fishing tommorow. Jerry

Howard is correct on his care points, but if you'r worried about the sun damaging your interior/exterior finish you may just want to consider moving here to Washington; We don't have any Sun. Just kidding, I would suggest that if you plan to show your car, or just keep it for an investment, that you keep it ORIGINAL. Learn what's original from the brand of tires to the water hose clamps. When you have repairs done you'll need to tell your machanic which parts to use, many times even the Buick folks don't know. In general use only Delco replacement parts and Goodyear tires. Check this site at least twice a week and you'll learn a great deal as we all have. Good luck, Jerry Vaughan