What Would YOU do?

So back in May I got re-ended by some girl talking on her cell phone. She hit me hard enough that it pushed me into the guy in front of me. Well she got out of the car and ran from the scene and left the guy who actually owned the car she was driving there. Bad goes to worse cuz the guy didn't have insurance so I had to go with mine. I took the taco to the shop and had them look at it and of course the frame is bent so badly that the rear bolts for the bed are bubbled up. My insurance company, (who I also work for) comes back and values my truck at $20K (2006 ex. cab 4x4 SR5 with 78xxx). The are getting a new frame from toyota (which I won't have until 7/23 due to toyota starting to replace rusted frames) and replacing it along with the front end damage, rear bumper damage and trailer hitch damage, and the seat belt light that came on. I tried to get them to total it but they wont unless the damage cost is 75% of the value of the vehicle. SOO, my question to you guys is once I finally get my truck back, should I keep it and drive it, or should I trade it in or buy something new??
Thanks Guys!

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac319/smithr1730/IMG_0710_zps77a793ce.jpg

Car that hit me

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac319/smithr1730/IMG_0697_zpse81ed5da.jpg

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac319/smithr1730/IMG_0714_zpsa31eb4fe.jpg

Obvious frame damage

 

Yea I did ask for DV, but if I go with that then I only get 18K and I can't get my parts back. But the good news is I have a strong relationship/insure the body shop its at so they shld do a good job..Im more worried about how itll drive once I get it back

 

Back in 2007 I had a brand new SR5 ext cab 4x4 that was in my possession for three weeks before someone rear ended me. I was hit by a fella talking on his cell while driving a 4x4 F350 crew cab dually. Traffic had come to a sudden stop in the rain on a freeway connector ramp and he wasn't looking. My frame damage/bed damage was a little worse than what you have pictured. They totaled the truck based upon a 60% metric. I would definitely push for total loss, or if they refuse, trade it in the day you get it back from the body shop...

 

Dang man that is really unfortunate. I think I'd go with the general consensus though, and probably trade it in once you get it back, depending on how it drives. Good luck with everything.

 

I had the exact same thing happen on my '09 except it was a Chevy Silverado.

This happened about 4 months after I had bought the truck and the frame was replaced. Back then the cost was $4K shy of the total cost of the truck new around $28K for all the repairs.

I can't tell from the pic, but my bedside had to be replaced along with the frame and hitch.

 

That sucks man. Glad you're okay.

On to your question. I know if it were me and they didn't total the truck I would trade it in. It may be fixed perfectly and there may be nothing wrong with it but it would always be in the back of my mind (my OCD would kick in lol).

Here's to hoping for a good outcome whichever way you choose.

 

Tell them you won't accept the truck back regardless of how well it looks after the repairs...if you can't push and get them to declare it a total loss, it would be sitting in some dealers back lot as soon as I picked it up from the shop, it won't ever be parked in my garage again.

 

I would trade that bitch in.

 

For 20k, sell and get a new one.

 

Once your truck shows up on Car-Fax good luck getting a decent price on a trade in.

 

I hold My Tacoma with nearly the same sentimental value as my wife.

If someone rear ended my wife and tainted her I would dump her and get a new one.

Forgiving her is one thing, but you cant erase memory.

 

That is funny as Hell!

I just caught some dude rear ending my wife!

 

Dang. Lol

 

What would I do? I'd trade it in once it got repaired on a 2015 TRD Pro. But that's just me.

 

The insurance values it at 20k but how much could you get locally for it? Do the research, the DV option might be a better one. Surely the will let you take your soft topper.

 

Keep it and drive the wheels off. I assume it's payed off. No payments, new frame, other parts that go with the frame, you don't have to move your mods to another truck, no payments But this is just me, I have a low tolerance for payments of any kind If you get it back and it ain't right. Take it back, the work should be warrantied.

 

If I could I would get rid of it.

 

If it was me I would probably drive it, but if you start having some of the issues listed above you might start considering otherwise. If there was that tipping point I would sell it, but you never know it could last.

 

This ^^^^ ...............................................and definitely that.^^^^^



and this too. \/ \/ \/ \/

 

This sounds like a great idea to me! Get it back see how it does, if its something you just cant live with then make the decision to sell it.