30 - Friday, November 1, 1991 ~ North: Shore News

AUTOMOTIVES

Carefully evaluate information when considering fuel conversion

RECENT PRESS reports have been critical of ICBC’s claims policy regarding vehicles converted to run on natu- ral gas and propane. This week, some background infor- mation on this issue, particularly for motorists who have invested in an alternative fuel system.

The stories concerned a claim involving a 1986 Hyundai, tendered a total toss shortly after the owner paid $1,500 to install a natural gas fuel system. The owner was told that installing the system had not raised his vehicle’s value by $1,500, and might have actually lowered its value in the local auto market.

We'll discuss market forces in a moment, but at this point it is important for owners of converted vehicles to know their vehicles are not devalued in the event of a damage or total loss claim to ICBC.

Custom paint, big sound

Bonneville’s interior completely redesigned

From page 29

neville is the SE which starts at about $23,000, and that’s the model I chose.

Aside from its dynamic new ex- terior, the Bonneville has a com- pletely redesigned interior which is more contemporary and _ better finished. The new analogue in- strument cluster employs large, at- tractive, easy-to-read gauges which

are within the driver’s line of vi--

sion and unobstructed by the steering wheel or driver’s hands, A nice touch are instrument lights that light up automatically when the outside light dims.

With a long 2,814-mm (I11- inch} wheelbase -and 1!,880-mm (74-inch) width, the Bonneville SE offers a comfortable, big-car ride and pienty of room for five or six people (depending on the con- sumer’s choice of bucket or spi:: bench front seats.)

My test car’s optional six-way power front bucket seats were ex- tremely comfortable and suppor- tive,

A fuel-injected, 170-horsepower 3.8 litre V6 engine and electronic four-speed automatic transmission offer quiet, smooth, flawless per- formance although the the Bon-

Ken Hardie

INSURANCE CORPORATION

OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AUTOTOPIC

systems, repairs or other changes to vehicles may not increase their value in the market place. A brand new paint job on an old car

will not likely result in a purchaser paying a great deal more for it.

Experience shows the market value of a fuel conversion systern can vary, up or down, depending on the size and type of vehicle and the geographic area in which it was operated.

Even though ICBC cannot con- trol these market features, we do not ‘‘devalue’’ a converted vehi- cle. Rather, we establish its value as an unconverted unit using the Autotrac data base which follows vehicle selling prices throughout B.C. Because Autotrac does not factor in fuel conversions, we then check the local market to establish a value with the conversion unit included.

The owner gets the greater of these two amounts.

If the vehicle is a total loss and the conversion system is

90 CAVALIER $8990 |

Auto, Air

Leather, ais, PW,PL, tilt, cruise, PS,

neville is not noted for its fuel t

economy. The Bonneville gets a maximum of about 8.3 litres per 100 kilometres (34 mpg) in high- way driving.

Standard features on the Bon- neville SE include a driver's side airbag, four-speed automatic transmission, power steering, air conditioning, split 45/55 front Tear seats with armrest, power door locks and windows, AM/FM stereo radio with four speakers, tilt steering wheel, 15-inch steel wheels and all-season radial tires.

A multitude of options are available, notably remote keyless entry, sunroof, cruise control, 16- inch alloy wheels and tires, theft deterrent system, heads-up display and a choice of sophisticated cassette and CD players.

At press time, manufacturer's suggested retail price for the SE was $22,898, SSE $28,598, and SSEi $33,398. For more informa- tion see the Carter GM ad on page 31.

salvageable but has not enhanced the vehicle’s value in the local auto market, ICBC pays the mar- ket value without the conversion equipment and will allow the owner to remove and dispose of it as he or she sees fit.

If the vehicle is not a total loss, 1CBC pays for repairs or replacement of vehicle and con- version system parts.

Whether or not converting a vehicle to an alternative fuel im- proves its market value, there are a number of other good reasons to consider this investment. Chief among them are lower fuel prices and cleaner air.

As with any other investment, motorists considering a fuel con- version should seek out and carefully evaluate all the available information.

87 COLT

|°5,450™

4 door auto, stereo,

great condition

NOTICE EXTENDED SERVICE HOURS:

.Nick Debenedeito welcomes THE NORTH SHORE to stop in and view the exciting new & used line-up of cars at:

HYLINDA! Where The Smart Money Buys

700 Marine Drive North Vancouver, 8.C. V7M 1H3 Tel: 984-7044 Fax: 984-9429

WHY RISK IT ALL?

gumsznr @)

+ ONLI. #035.

v6, | * PW, PL, tilt, cruise. Ped