Advice On What To Do With Recently Crashed Tacoma

Long time lurker, first time poster. Thanks in advance for any advice.

I've got an 02 Tacoma, V6, SR5, TRD, Xtra Cab, Manual Trans. with almost 180,000 miles that's my daily driver. It's due for a major tune up, including all new tires, timing belt, water pump, etc. I haven't done much other than change the oil and transmission fluid since I got it 90k miles ago. It's a great truck and has never let me down. The frame seems solid, the last owner gave it an undercoating and the dealer did their frame thing a few years back.

Unfortunately, I lost control on some ice the other day and smacked the right front end into a tree. The front bumper, passenger fender and passenger headlamp are all shot, and the hood is going to need some work. Not sure yet if there is any issues with the wheel or suspension, but I was able to drive it to the shop (after I bent the bumper back off the wheel). The body shop quoted me $3,000, which didn't seem all that bad once I looked at their breakdown. They are hunting junk yards for me, and I am combing craigslist, but so for no hits. So I'm not sure I will be able to get their quote much lower.

So, the question is what to do next? Is it time to cut my losses, sell the truck as-is, and put my money into another used Tacoma? Or is it worth fixing up knowing that it will immediately need an additional $1,600+ in tires and maintenance and whatever else comes along as I roll the odometer over 200k? Let me know what you think, because I'm having a hell of a time deciding. Of course, money is tight. If the best option is to sell it as-is, what could I get for it? It seems like it would be a good fit for someone who wants a good trail truck.

Thanks Again!

 

What about insurance? Won't that cover repairs so you could still just outlay for the deductable and then tires, etc.

Kelly Blue Book says your truck is worth $4800 to $5200, so you are looking at putting in the total value of the truck with accident repairs (if no insurance) + new tires etc in the coming months. Not sure I like this scenario.

It's a tough call, which comes down to money. I would let insurance cover it (that's what its for) and then spend my cash on tires, etc.

 

Wish I had insurance, but I dropped collision insurance years ago. So it's all on my dime.

I think the KBB value of the truck in fair condition is about $8k. But I would still be putting over half the value into it.

Thanks for the reply!

 

If money is tight and there are no major mechanical issues stemming from the collision, keep it and fix it up. Check out LKQ, they are a fairly large scrap yard and have locations all over the country so if they don't have it local, they might be able to get it. If it's just cosmetic, I would bet you could fix it for well under $3k.

 

Blue book, sure - but when's the last time you found an 02 TRD 4x4 for $5000? I paid $4500 for my 99 with 263k and it needed tires, rack bushings, tie rod ends, and has been to hell and back. Probably twice.

If it's just cosmetic stuff, I'd be really tempted to price out a tube bumper and don't bother replacing the expensive front bumper/trim/etc.

 

I was also looking at tube bumpers online. There doesn't seem to be anyone who makes them in my area, so I'd have to get them shipped. Seem to run about $750-$1,000 after shipping, and are usually bare metal so there would be some additional cost to paint them. So the cost savings is not huge, But it would be nice to have a little added protection for the next time I decide to drive into a tree. Thanks for the input!