Tacoma lover in a quandry

So you own a 2003 base model Tacoma, bought it brand new, paid off in 2004 and love the truck. Taken care of it and have put only 120,000 miles on it. Runs like a champ-has ALWAYS started and been more dependable than anything you have ever owned.

Only now, your baby has been savagely hit, and the dealer estimate for repair is $7100.00. Truck is only worth 3500.00 best (needed a charcoal carbon filter before the attack). The closest salvage truck (with all the parts you need, and even still starts with no rear end!!!) you can find is in IN, and you live in SE MI.

What do you do?

 

Scrap it and move on. It's not what you want to hear, but that's the smartest option. I am sorry for your loss though. These trucks quickly become members of the family!

 

if it's insured, it's gonna get totalled, unless you buy it back from the insurance company, and get a salvage title. Sorry for your loss, but it's time to move on.

 

How bad is the hit? $7100 is not a lot of money to restore to as before condition. There's money to be shaved here if you have access to a parts truck.

 

Go get the parts truck and put it back together!!

Unless your asking because you already decided to move on

Pictures would be great

A few years back the repair costs from getting hit by a run away shopping cart was enough to total my truck .

I got the estimate for fun never did any work to the truck

Then since then two tiny Pa . deer ran into the drivers side door

 

Can you do the work yourself?

What's your plan if you don't salvage the truck?

 

I have insurance, it just wasn't enough-had to downgrade to a step above state minimum 2 days before. Have ALWAYS had insurance, never gone without (only have 1 ticket in 42 years and the damage came from someone backing out of her driveway). Getting $1000.00 for the Mini-tort (MI ins double speak for neener neener neerer-we're a no-fault state).

For the other 2 gentlemen who posted I need to cut bait, I know, it is hard, but thanks for not being snide/crass. The last asset I had. Oh well-guess it is time to move on to a vehicle I can afford comprehensive ins for.

 

For it being a base model move on to something else.

 

7k looks steep for what I see. I understand shops write everything they're entitled to.

But I bet that could be made presentable for a lot less than that.

I do a bit of buying fixing and selling. I see a $250 door, $100 fender, a fender liner and front bumper, possibly a grille and some others odds and ends.

Shop around and see if someone will work with you

Www.car-part.com is a junkyard search I use to even find body parts in the correct color

 

Those pictures were kinda what kind of damage I was guessing

Seems I need to open a body shop

 

120K on an '03?, I'd find a way to fix that rascal. I'd hardly call that a total.

 

My 1st reaction was to say take the money and move on. Had you not posted photos that would be my advice. But looking at the photos I think this is one worth fixing.

 

appears the estimate has been WAY overpriced-i would like to keep it-need some reasonable quotes-I will keep looking-thanks for all your advice..........

 

Move to 6 lug gen 1 double cab

Don't look back

 

That would depend on what his insurance company offers. The damage was estimated at $7100. But value is about $3500 according to the OP. With the deductible he may not even get $3000 in his pocket. I think there is a real possibility that he can buy it back as a salvage and get it usable for a lot less than $3000. Maybe not show truck new, but acceptable to drive.

Now if the insurance company offers $7100 and they keep the truck, I'd take the money and run.

 

lol my estimate was over $10k to fix, I spent maybe $2500 fixing it (got ripped off for the bed at $2250 ). If the frame, motor, and cab are good then id say fix it if you can do it yourself. just my opinion

 

You can fix that for next to nothing. The hardest part will be color matching the new pieces.

 

Get more estimates from independent body shops. Bet the $ drops 30-50%

Take an auto body class and use your truck as a work piece.

Find a similar truck with a bad motor or trans, make one good unit.

There are options with a little hustle.

 

With a little shrewdness you could have it looking pretty darn spiffy for ~2k imho