I just want to say that the value of used cars after an insurance company adjusts their value in accordance to a complex methodology really amazes me. I know that everybody thinks that their car is always worth more,but it just caught me off guard. I hit a deer this past week in central NY and there was damages to my front bumper,hood,headlight and passenger door. My car is a 96' Stratus 5spd w/214,000 well cared miles. The car was in conservatively average condition w/very little rust,new tires,brakes and that 2.0 engine and 5 spd works fine. However,being 12 yrs old and the mileage hurt the value I guess. The car was considered a total loss(which I thought it would) and the fair market value the insurance company came up w/was $700.If I wanted the car back I'd then have to pay a salvage bid of $250 off the top. Minus my deductibkle I will end up w/under $300.00. I will buy the car back and repair the car as best I can because I already know what I have in it,and know that it runs great.Especially with the way that the gas pump prices have been.I still maintain over 30 MPG,and can deal w/burning some oil. I guess I was just shocked when I found my car was valued far less than the prices on NADA.com and the Kelly Blue Book site. Thought I'd get closer to $1000 anyway. Anyway,just looking for some responses,or other experiences similar to mine.Thanks.