Is my 96 Totaled?

Yesterday morning my 96 Tacoma was rear-ended while parked in my girlfriend's driveway in FL by a car that was involved in a wreck on the main road and flew into my girlfriend's yard. It hit the back of my truck, pushed it forward about 15-20 feet, where it hit a glancing blow to the house with the right front.







It still drives fine, a slight running from the front right tire if I do a hard brake; otherwise fine.

I bought this truck new in 96 and have loved it over the last 197,500 miles, in which time it has given me no trouble at all. Over the last 3 years I have probably only put 5,000-7,500 miles on it though (still regular maintenance/oil changes, this spring I changed out the diff with Mobile Delvac, trans with Redline MT90, flushed the brake fluid, flushed the radiator and replaced with Toyota red, and oil change/filter)

It looks like no frame damage, fuel tank is good, drivetrain appears good, no damage to radiators or condenser in the front.

The adjuster is coming to look at it today, and I really hope that they don't try to total it. From looking at what is for sale, a 96 Tacoma in good mechanical condition is very rare (rare in that nobody seems to be selling them) and all the ones I have found are in the $4500 range. I doubt the insurance will want to give me $4500 and I don't want someone else's old truck, I want my truck that has been gently driven (still on the original clutch and brakes (crazy.. maybe the brakes got changed at some point and I lost the record but I sure don't remember it)! I keep waiting for the clutch to start slipping but it never has)

Any tips on how to keep this from being totaled? From the pictures, anything come to mind that I may be overlooking? To me it looks like the rear bumper did its job, absorbed all the impact and energy by folding under. Tailgate still closes and opens and latches if you fiddle with it...

Thank you,

Steve

 

Damn, it looks like your girlfriend lives by the Daytona speedway. well you know they are going to just total her, the easy way out. I am sure others will tell you there are ways to pry their offer up, with the frame recall our trucks are not common. I think it can be fixed and somewhat easy. to me I would try to keep the truck get as much money as I can, put it back and try to ad to it and give the truck a little overhaul.

 

If it is totaled, just buy it back from the insurance and start over. Good Luck.

 

I found a bumper today for $75, I am tempted to put it on, push in the back dent and pull out the front right a little and get back to driving

 

Can you have them hold the bumper until after the adjuster comes? You never know what they will say.

But yeah, I would probably do that if you are sure the frame isn't bent.

 

They are holding the bumper for me It is from a 96 Tacoma at the salvage yard that I previously got a washer tank and a door sill plate from Same color as mine but the bed is totally gone as well as the right front panels and front bumper.

I am getting more encouraged about not having it totaled.

Steve

 

even if they total it you could buy it back.

How bad is the house damage?

 

The house damage is very minor thankfully for two reasons; on of being that the at fault driver has only $15,000 of property damage insurance which has to cover the replacement of a 2002 Passat that was absolutely destroyed, the damage to my Tacoma, and the house damage. It being FL, I am happy that they had insurance at all....

 

Like they said, they will total it, and you can by it back for a song.
In So Cal, it would end up with a salvage title (pink). You will have to get the brakes and light certified to get it back on the road. You can get insurance, but not full coverage. I have owned at least four salvage vehical over the years. If it over ten years old the insurance comps will salvage you car/truck for trivial reasons.