help with wrecked 03

[lovemybadkitty]

My wife got into a low speed accident yesterday and the other car T-Boned the passenger center support pillar both doors are wasted and cannot be opened. Question is can the center support be repaired? The 4runner is excellent otherwise. 4X4 sunroof sport model with nothing else a problem. yall think? Scrap? :cowboy:

 

[wnelax04sr5]

probably can't be repaired easily or without becoming a rebuilt or salvage title. id total it rather than have either of those things, unless you absolutely can't part ways

pics of damage would help determine what it would take to repair

 

[awdjunkies]

I understand everyone's circumstances are different. Safety is #1.. Especially if your wife is, and will always be driving it..... Just my 2 Pennies..

 

[lovemybadkitty]

cannot take pics of door pillar since doors will not open. as far as safety issue I understand its not safe but out of work now and cannot pay car payments at this time. I will be driving 4runner and wife gets tundra. seems like you guys have given me the advice I needed.:cowboy:

 

[darkgun82]

I'd honestly have to see it to tell, but repair isn't bad. Unless you have body work experience don't try it. You're probably looking at $5k damage minimum, if you post a few good pictures of what you can I'd be able to tell better. Repairing a pillar do not make a vehicle any less safe...of course when done right.

I've almost cut cars in half to get pillar sections to repair other vehicles, and some I just put on the frame rack and pulled with no problems.

 

[kwallin686]

I am in the process of going through this on my 2005 Volvo S40. Almost identical damage as what you are describing but maybe not quite as bad as I could still open the doors and drive the car. They did not total the car and are in the process of repairing it right now. Both doors are trashed, center pillar, rocker panel and rear quarter panel are all damaged. They are replacing all of those parts, which means they are cutting out the old stuff and welding in new stuff. I cannot believe this doesn't make it a salvage. I also cannot believe they didn't total it. They are saying the car is worth about 8,100. Cost of repair came in at 6,400. They gave me a rental and informed me it would likely be at least a month before I would get the car back as that major part that will be welded in is coming from Sweden!! It's been a total pain in the ass. I hope yours is easier to deal with!! I've attatched a picture of the car so you can get an idea of how our damage compares.

 

[darkgun82]

That's almost 80% value!!! How the hell did they not total that? As for cutting out the pillar...just from the picture you provided that pillar shouldn't need that, but looking in person could be different. The only cutting on that vehicle is cutting out the spot welds that hold it on. The real cutting is just replacing the quarter panel. I'd be fighting them hard on the fix vs total unless you just want to keep the car

 

[kwallin686]

That's almost 80% value!!! How the hell did they not total that? As for cutting out the pillar...just from the picture you provided that pillar shouldn't need that, but looking in person could be different. The only cutting on that vehicle is cutting out the spot welds that hold it on. The real cutting is just replacing the quarter panel. I'd be fighting them hard on the fix vs total unless you just want to keep the car

Yeah from what I've researched, a lot of states consider it a total loss if the cost of repair is greater than or equal to 80% of the vehicles worth. But every state is different and here in Colorado it must be 100%. No I don't want the car anymore and I was hoping they would total it. I am looking at buying a 4runner tomorrow actually and that's why I registered with the forum. I figure I'll just sell the Volvo when I get it back from the body shop.

Either way this whole process has sucked. I hope it works out better for the OP! This site has a good explanation of when a car is totaled and what percentage each state uses: http://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2013/12/05/240841.htm

Here is a pic of what they have already cut out: