Tacoma has been totaled.

Yep. We generally see at least 2 comparables where I live that are required for every valuation.

 

Recycled parts guarantee 25-30% markup, aftermarket and oem can be even more.

 

Sone shops don’t want the liability…. But generally I tell people legit shops aren’t in the business of totaling vehicles unless necessary. They make money repairing vehicles.

 

Sounds like you have a shop that's working with you and on your side here, that's a positive for sure.

 

Niiice..but seriously, tell me they caught him.

 

Much wisdom there, crusher..

 

honestly we are totaling 60-70% of vehicles inspected nowadays. It’s tough, between parts/labor/calibrations/less recycled parts available, and liability/safety issues…

 

In my experiences working on my 98 Tacoma which has nothing left except the frame and cab (read new doors, glass, interior, suspension, enging, trans, fuel tank and lines, braking system) and rehabbing my wife's 4runner after a guy turned infront of her and was held responsible for 100% of the damage to her truck, look for a recent part out of any white 1st gen for the door (swap your trim, glass, door card) and you may have to go aftermarket for the fender as those with the flare holes are more rare than doors which every truck from 95.5-04 share the same sheet metal. Bumper and light can probably be reused until you can find a replacement the same way as the door. Body shops are shady and do meh work 90%+ of the time. On top of that there's a very high likelyhood that they'll put aftermarket parts on your truck without telling you in LA.

Suspension parts are easier to find OEM / high quality aftermarket and look up part numbers with your vin online.

 

They perps haven't been caught. Black97v6MT said it appears that the perps vehicle was sporting a buzz saw. The only person I know who's car sports a buzz saw is speed Racers.

Your experience is vastly different than I plan for myself. I will not be looking for anything. The body shop will fix the car back to factory spec and I'll move forward with life. If they don't then I'll collect a check and go buy another vehicle. It's my son's truck so it's not a big deal to me. The only sad thing is that it was an original paint and body truck with no rust. For collector's it's a drag but it's not like they only made a few hundred of these trucks.

You state body shops are shady and do meh work 90% of the time? Well no need to worry as the shop I work with falls in that other 10% of shops and have always done stellar work for me.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/c-and-c-collision-alhambra

 

Fair enough. I’ve been fixing old jalopies long enough to see the results.

 

Interesting to watch the shift in the industry as many shops start to try to total vehicles because they make more money on totals. Not consumer friendly at all. Think Kristen Felder, Larry Montanez, Collision Hub-type stuff.

 

LOL speed racer LOL

do you have any idea exactly What cut that long slice in the door bottom like that
i am curious, to say the least.
so i can keep a watch out for those types to avoid on the road
something like that WOULD total my taco out, there is NO doubt about it thanks Toyota

 

Could be the front bumper tow hook was installed on the Honda. The kids like to drive around with those installed. Could also be the corner of the bumper impact bar from the Honda. A snow plow blade will cause that kind of damage too, but I doubt the Honda had a plow.

 

I have no idea what caused that slice in the door. All I know is I have strewn parts from the accident and there is a Honda Accord driving around with no front end. I'm just bummed that my son didn't think to look for the front bumper with license plate. We could have got the guy. Still looking though.

 

Agreed, I am seeing that as well with certain shops. Especially in states where the limit on daily storage is not there.

 

Could be the impact bar edge slicing through the outer panel on the Tacoma pretty easily.

 

I would definitely ask what the salvage value/buy back is if it totals. If its low enough it might be worth putting a knee assembly/wheel/tire on it and doubling your money.

 

100% buy a camera for your trucks guys!

 

Don’t beat yourselves up. A lot of adrenaline and shock take over when something like this happens.

You're the good guys in all of this. The hit and run perp is the one who should be living with regret and fear.

But this is just another instance that makes me want to get dash cams in all my vehicles.

 

Makes sense at least re the used parts, those aren't always easy to find here in the Northeast due to rust for one thing, plus myself owning a regular cab..

I think it depends too if it's an indie shop versus somehow connected to a dealer, dealers are hoping to sell you a new ride if yours is totalled.

This. Cheap insurance.