2004 4Runner SR5 totaled!

[fastgenious]

I let my son drive my 04 SR5 loaded V8 with 40K miles 4X4 to work the other day and he had an accident. The truck was totaled and thank God he was not hurt.

Roads looked fine and he was driving about 1 mile from work and someone changed lanes right in front of him and slammed on the brakes. He slid into the guy and caused minor damage to the Chrysler van in front of him. He then drove into the ditch which was packed with an ice snowbank and the bags deployed. Needless to say the front of the truck was completely smashed in.

My question is this SUV was mint and now I have to deal with the insurance company about the claim value. Any ideas what I should do and ask for? I know suv values are down but this truck was in new condition. Crap...

 

[peter78]

First off I am glad he was not hurt. Yes, SUV sales are down, but it was probably good he was not in a Honda Fit.

As far as prices, there is www.kbb.com and www.edmunds.com. I used Edmunds last month to help me when I bought a 2004 with 41,000 miles on it. I used their figures and all the prices were higher than that, so I think edmunds is a little low. See what the company is going to give and comare it to what is being sold in your area. I have done years ago after a wreck and found the prices were higher than what they were want to give me, I showed them the facts and they went up. However, if they are offering what others are going for, you may have to accept. I had a friend that bought a Izuzu car (they used to build cars once) and two years later had a wreck and they offered 3,000 less than what he owed. Since that was the going rate, he took a loss.

It is hard when you take good care of a vehicle, know the history and it is gone. Hopefully you will get a decent price and I am really glad your son was not hurt.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

:bigok: He's ok! That's so sucks but the important part is he's ok....

Good luck with the value. The good news is to replace iit with a used one should be possible. The value of SUV's in general is still pretty low.


:cheers:

 

[riceandpho]

get a lawyer and tell them what happen, the lawyer will do everything they can to get u the cash u deserve.

 

[peter78]

get a lawyer and tell them what happen, the lawyer will do everything they can to get u the cash u deserve.

The only trouble with that is they take 1/3, if they don't have to go to trial.

In college I got hit by a unisnusred motorist and Allstate was giving me a hard time. I got a lawyer and he was helpful. So, sometimes it is needed. I got about 1/3 more then they offered.

 

[fastgenious]

Thanks guys.

At this time I do not need an attorney but am trying to find out what a fair value cash payout would be from the insurance company. KBB and NADA are usually low on values, even though NADA states a $17,800 value. I checked out many suv's at Autotrader/Edmunds and others, and to replace what I had would cost anything from 18K-20K. My truck was mint and was in like new condition, and whatever I buy, I will have no clue on if it was ever taken care of like mine was. Maybe, I should check out new ones???

It sucks because I am anal about all my vehicles and I was planning on owning this one for a long time. I usually buy new every few years but I have kept this one since new. That is a good sign that the 4Runners are great vehicles.

 

[mrwebb]

I checked pricing on my 07 V-8 4x4 SR5 the other day and 19,000 was about what I was told to expect at a dealership on a wholesale to wholesale deal. Selling the truck myself would probably bring 21 to 22. This vehicle is garage kept without a mark on it. Only 5000 miles on the odometer. It's 18 months old and that's all it's worth! The problem right now for sellers is 0% interest and big rebates. That really hurts resale value on newer used vehicles. I hope you get as much as possible on your 04. If it were me and I could swing it I would buy a brand new one. Like I said, 0% interest if you finance. Around 6 to 8 thousand dollar discount off sticker price in the NC area. After the first of the year I'm sure you could get a great deal. Good luck.