Howdy. Looking for some advice -

I got rear ended last week, and the insurance company has declared my T4R a total loss. So.. I'm debating whether to buy it back and attempt to fix it.

The T4R is a 2000 SR5/Highlander w/120,000 miles. Well maintained (I bought it new), and just put new tires, OME lift on. BTW, they value it at $11K - I'm waiting to hear back on the buy back salvage price.

The frame damage doesn't seem that bad, but body panels are not aligned any more, some small creases in the quarter panels, rear doors will probably let water leak in.

Anyone have experience with getting their frame fixed/straightened?

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I had an 04 king ranch superduty frame pulled that had hit a concrete barrier tweaked the front end. After it was pulled you would never have known it had ever been hit. If the truck is in fact fixable then id say let them total it and give you a check plus the truck then have it fixed. Most the time you can do pretty good in a situation like this and end up with your truck back plus maybe in your case 9k or so in your pocket to fix it and what not.

I can't help you with advice, but this still irks me about insurance. I hate that they will try to tell you what they will settle for in satisfying you, the victim.

Swap back on the stock stuff (tires, suspension) and take the $11k. That's what I would do.

While there are stories like this out there, there are far more where the vehicle was just never the same again. Squeaks, rattles, and other fun stuff.

X2, if you loved the 3rd gen, buy another, clean one and start over. Or buy it back for parts.

I think Ian hit the nail on the head. If you can get her back at a cheap price and get someone you trust to take at a look everything to see what your dealing with from a structural standpoint you may have the option of having a base to build a trail rig from, otherwise you might just buy her back to part out. If you get it at the right price, a couple light assemblies, fender flares, seats (dibs if they're tan leather ), and some parts here and there (not to mention the engine/tranny) and you could have your money back and then some.

My buddy just got t boned last week in his 92' honda accord and i'm actually looking into buying his back if the Ins Comp. totals it for the same reasons i've stated above. Not a bad deal really if you can make the money worth the work.

If you're looking for a dedicated trail rig, this would be perfect. But not for a road car anymore, that frame looks buggered.

Let the insurance company total it and buy the truck back from them. You will get your runner back plus at least 9k in your pocket. Take the runner to a local trusted body/frame shop and have them straighten the frame. Most of the panels will probably line back up when they straighten the frame out. It might cost you 2-3k to get it all fixed. You will end up with your beloved runner back plus at least 6 grand still in your pocket. If you currently hold the clean title in hand without a lien there is a good chance you will still have a clean title even after the insurance company totals the truck out. This has happened to several friends of mine including myself. It's pretty much a win win win situation.