Is it totaled?

[AKAndy]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all of your advice. Adjuster looked it today, so it's officially totaled. They came up with a number for a settlement, but I haven't accepted anything yet.

I'm wondering how would they bend the frame back on something like this? Seems like they'd have to remove everything under the hood first. What would I be looking at paying to buy it back? I'm thinking that it's going to be hard for me to deal with the hassle of a buy-back... working full time, going to school part time, the holidays coming up, and nowhere to store the wreck = BIG HASSLE. I'm leaning towards taking all the cash and buying something now. Looking at this one tomorrow:

Toyota 4runner - Limited

 

[Fireball]

What would I be looking at paying to buy it back? I'm thinking that it's going to be hard for me to deal with the hassle of a buy-back... working full time, going to school part time, the holidays coming up, and nowhere to store the wreck = BIG HASSLE. I'm leaning towards taking all the cash and buying something now. Looking at this one tomorrow:

Toyota 4runner - Limited

Given your situation it probably isn't the best idea. You should be able to buy it back for a few hundred bucks - but like you've said, after that you've got a lot of work to do. If you have a trusted mechanic/frame shop/body shop and they can do all the work for you and assemble all the parts, it might not be a terrible idea.

Just factor into the equation the cost and trouble of getting it all done, and then at the end of the day you have a vehicle with an R-title that won't be worth nearly the value of a similarly clear titled vehicle. Not saying it's a bad idea or NOT to do it, just saying you've got to make a lot of considerations before deciding what is best.

Also keep in mind you're in one of the best locations in the country to find a new 4R. When I was looking for mine, CO seemed to be a hot spot for the ones with my criteria (4wd, e-locker, <100k). Either way, good luck!

 

[AKAndy]

Colorado definitely does have a lot of 4Runners for sale... I just looked at the truck I linked in my previous post, and found that it has a locker, and the owner didn't even know it. It's a really sweet truck, can tell it's been garaged, and hardly any scratches or dents on it. Waiting on an inspection and title check, and if everything looks okay, I should have my new truck in the next couple of days.

 

[bgmac]

How much are you paying for the new one in the link? I ask because $6900 is a bit much. I paid less than that for my 98 limited w/112k miles back in march of 07.

 

[004Gunner]

Given your situation it probably isn't the best idea. You should be able to buy it back for a few hundred bucks - but like you've said, after that you've got a lot of work to do. If you have a trusted mechanic/frame shop/body shop and they can do all the work for you and assemble all the parts, it might not be a terrible idea.

Just factor into the equation the cost and trouble of getting it all done, and then at the end of the day you have a vehicle with an R-title that won't be worth nearly the value of a similarly clear titled vehicle. Not saying it's a bad idea or NOT to do it, just saying you've got to make a lot of considerations before deciding what is best.

Also keep in mind you're in one of the best locations in the country to find a new 4R. When I was looking for mine, CO seemed to be a hot spot for the ones with my criteria (4wd, e-locker, <100k). Either way, good luck!

A totaled vehicle can still have a clear title. It depends on a number of factors to include state laws, vehicle age, and for some reason, whoever possesses the title at the time of the accident. Of course if an insurance claim is involved it will show up on a carfax.

If the payout is good and you can find what you're looking for, dump the wreck and pick up something nicer. I kept my Runner because of the custom stuff I had added and the fact that my particular factory setup is hard to find in my area. Plus my maintenance records are second to none. I would strip whatever was added by you to the wreck as well. Insurance companies don't cover most accessories unless specifically added to the policy, which means you have the right to remove "personal property" from the vehicle. Good Luck!

 

[JohnsD90]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all of your advice. Adjuster looked it today, so it's officially totaled. They came up with a number for a settlement, but I haven't accepted anything yet.

I'm wondering how would they bend the frame back on something like this? Seems like they'd have to remove everything under the hood first. What would I be looking at paying to buy it back? I'm thinking that it's going to be hard for me to deal with the hassle of a buy-back... working full time, going to school part time, the holidays coming up, and nowhere to store the wreck = BIG HASSLE. I'm leaning towards taking all the cash and buying something now. Looking at this one tomorrow:

Toyota 4runner - Limited

dont do it, find a stick. and try to get a 99. and take the rack back, take crap that will easily come off with a screwdriver, and stuff like that.

 

[Tomsriv]

If it were a valuable or rare car it could be fixed but it would be a lot of work. I crashed my Riviera into a curb head-on at 30 mph in the fog. It even broke the engine off its frame mounts. I got a junkyard frame delivered to my house for $350 and spent weekends the next 2 months swapping out the frames. That was 10 years ago and its still driving great.

Technically you could try to straighten the frame and buy a new fender/front end but wheel alignment would probably not align correctly. What would be better would be to swap that 5 speed into another car, or resell the car to someone that wants those parts. You might be able to get more for the wreck since it has the rare trans.

 

[silverfarm]

same boat

I had the exact same happen to me a month ago.
I had a 2000 4R SR5 with 230,000 kilometers on it, stock, well maintained and running perfectly.
Same type of impact spread the front rails and tore off the crossmembers.
Total write off.
Looked into buy back and having it fixed. 3 shops said it was too much of a job and that based on what they could see as was not additional damage unseen.
My thoughts were it would never drive the same.

Was happy with settlement, counted blessings and got a 2003 4R sport.
i was determined to get another 2000 but started lookin at 4th gens and for my purposes it is a great vehicle.
Let it go, move on. be thankful, change is good.

Good luck with which ever you decide.
Main thing is you and the other are OK.
Mod your outlook accordingly.

 

[AKAndy]

Looked into buy back and having it fixed. 3 shops said it was too much of a job and that based on what they could see as was not additional damage unseen.
My thoughts were it would never drive the same.

Was happy with settlement, counted blessings and got a 2003 4R sport.
i was determined to get another 2000 but started lookin at 4th gens and for my purposes it is a great vehicle.
Let it go, move on. be thankful, change is good.

That pretty much sums up how I'm feeling about this... nice upgrade btw!

 

[AKAndy]

How much are you paying for the new one in the link? I ask because $6900 is a bit much. I paid less than that for my 98 limited w/112k miles back in march of 07.

Haven't agreed on a price yet, but from the shopping I've done so far, this doesn't appear to be an unreasonable price (hopefully the seller isn't reading this ). Demand is very high here and trucks sell fast. I checked Pittsburgh and Philly Craigslists, and it looks like similar models are selling for $1000-1500 less than in Colorado. Due to the increase in market value over the last year, my settlement is going to be more than $1000 greater than what I paid a year ago, even though I've put 22,000 miles on it since I bought it.

 

[004Gunner]

Due to the increase in market value over the last year, my settlement is going to be more than $1000 greater than what I paid a year ago, even though I've put 22,000 miles on it since I bought it.

That's a nice settlement! Any idea what's causing the market increase?

 

[AKAndy]

That's a nice settlement! Any idea what's causing the market increase?

Not totally sure, but my guess is the bad economy is decreasing new car demand and increasing used car demand. The other thing that crossed my mind, although I have no idea how much impact it has had, is cash for clunkers decreasing the supply of used suvs and trucks.

 

[004Gunner]

Not totally sure, but my guess is the bad economy is decreasing new car demand and increasing used car demand. The other thing that crossed my mind, although I have no idea how much impact it has had, is cash for clunkers decreasing the supply of used suvs and trucks.

Ah yes, how could I forget about that beautiful brain child otherwise known as "cash for clunkers" :jump: I din't see too many 4Runners having their engines blown up so your car shopping market should still look good

 

[AKAndy]

Got my new ride!

Picked up my new truck today... 96 Limited auto w/ locker. I thought about waiting around for a 5spd, but this one was just too perfect to pass up. It's in quite a bit better shape than my old 96, and I love it so far. Looks like it's been garaged it's whole life...body is near-perfect, and it runs great. I'm stoked that I actually came out ahead on the deal! :bluejump:

Thanks to everyone for the advice and the moral support!

Andy

 

[EndofAll]

Similar Experience

i also had a very similar front end collision but i think im going to try to repair mine

 

[Mark_BC]

i also had a very similar front end collision but i think im going to try to repair mine

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