Totaled my truck. Buy back or Let go?

Got in a pretty serious wreck last night and lost hard against a jeep with full armor. His insurance contacted me earlier and the agent told me he didn't seem to be disputing anything and based on his statement it seems like a straight forward case for them to take liability. Big, reputable insurance, so fingers crossed that there are no issues getting to a settlement.

That being said, I really like this truck and had planned on getting another work vehicle and making this a project toy. I'm considering buying it back but I'm not sure if the damage is going to be too much to deal with. Does anyone have experience with buying vehicles back from insurance? What is the average difference between settlement value and salvaged value?

 

Seriously hope all parties sustained no injury.

As for the truck, cash out, it's a 5 lug.

/thread

 

Glad you are okay. Let that one go.

 

That truck looks completely screwed. If you were to try to fix it you'd probably end up finding a lot more wrong with it than you thought. Just take the money and buy a better truck.

 

I have plenty of experience in this field. All my vehicles have been insurance auction purchases.

You most likely won't get much of a payout for this particular truck. I'm guessing $1500 optimistically.

With that said, you may be able to "buy" it back for around $250. You will still get some cash, just less if you keep the truck.

As others said, the 5 lug Tacoma's have very little resale. If you want a cheap project, you won't get anything cheaper.

In addition, quite often, if you "buy" it back, the truck might not get a salvage title since it never left your possession.

It would take a huge sentimental attachment to keep this if it was my truck. YMMV.

 

Time to let that one rest.

 

Jeep driver didn't seem too rattled. My truck pretty much wrapped around his battering ram of a bumper. I went from 45 to a dead stop in about 8-10 feet. I surprisingly climbed out without a single scratch or bruise but I did get a chest contusion and torn muscles in my arm from gripping the shit out of the steering wheel. Got all checked out in ER with X-rays and CT scans just to be safe. Sore today but overall very thankful for what I was able to walk away with.


Figured that would be the response I'd get. Just sucks cause I have a lot of memories in it and it has low miles.

 

Op, I'd take Kirk's word as gospel on this subject. Let it go.

Glad you weren't seriously hurt.

 

Thanks for the knowledgable response. Sentimental value is ultimately what is making the option worth considering to me. I've been with this truck since it was purchased new. I'm going to have to replace this with a car for work, so another 1st gen wouldn't be in the plans until well after the 3rd gen is paid off

I'll likely just have to let it go but it won't be without some heavy feelings.

 

What they said. From what I can (or can't) see, you'll be working with a hood & p/s door as a starting point. The rest is roached or in question. Pop an emblem off & hang it in your garage as a sentiment. I still have an SS396 emblem from when a guy rear-ended me & totaled my Chevelle in '73.

 

I'm amazed you weren't seriously injured. I'd say a guardian angel was looking after you. but like the others say, take the money and run.

 

Sentimental feelings often lead to bad financial choices.

 

I like the comment on grabbing an emblem and framing it on the wall.

 

Take the money and get another project toy, that one is down for the count. That frame is toast, among other things. Glad you're okay, looks like one hell of a hit

Goddamn Jeeps

 

Glad you're okay, your truck makes it look like a deer hit the side of mine, as I was just tboned a week ago.

 

What if you find another one with a blown engine? Might be able to keep the heart of your truck pumping. Glad everyone made out OK that looks like a pretty serious thump.

 

That truck is so messed up that it probably would have been totaled if it was brand new and you had just purchased it the previous day. As someone who is deeply attached to his own 5-lug, it pains me to say this, but take the Jeeper’s insurance for every penny and run with it!

 

What’s wrong with 5-lugs?

 

nothing wrong at all with them if you just need it for the get-around-town & no crazy offroad stuff imo
does your '10 5 lug handle the PA winters and snow pretty well?
my 4wd i usually use it only in the winter blizzards and perhaps some mud roads near my uncles farm in KS