So I got into a low speed slide on a patch of gravel and hit the chrome bumper of a pickup truck. My 2005 Renegade with only 54000 miles on it has been declared a total loss by my insurance company. I have babied this thing since I got it and other than noisy front swaybar bushings, it was mechanically and cosmetically perfect. I have never had a a better 4x4 in my life! I worst of the damage is the lower rad support that would have to be drilled at the spot welds and a new on welded in place but the engine and all of the accessories were untouched by the impact. The title has already been branded as a salvaged vehicle and I hear that the inspection process to get it back on the road is long and painful. I'm just about to sign off on the settlement but I love this jeep so much I'm having a hard time letting her go.
I have to kiss her goodbye!!
- Thread starter ae0022
- Start date
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Man that's not that bad, I'd fight to keep it!
Wow that totally *****, sorry to hear of this unfortunate mishap.
I agree with HJ. 54 k miles is nothing, like new ha ha.. Buy it back a possibility?
IDK but I bet I could fix it for a reasonable price, and then deal with the inspections.
I know labor adds up but, what are they offering? Probably the insurance shop/ high$ estimate damage is greater than cash to ya.?
I agree with HJ. 54 k miles is nothing, like new ha ha.. Buy it back a possibility?
IDK but I bet I could fix it for a reasonable price, and then deal with the inspections.
I know labor adds up but, what are they offering? Probably the insurance shop/ high$ estimate damage is greater than cash to ya.?
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Gunpowder
Full Access Member
Buy back and put engine in another Jeep Liberty. Plenty of them with bad engines due to the valve issues
Like the others said, doesn't look bad enough to total such a low mileage vehicle. Wish I could get a hold of it, I need an engine and nothing around here with that sort of mileage for a decent price.
boboborino
Full Access Member
I feel your pain. And can relate. I would like to know how many on this forum have written off a daily driver? Although I understand your all trying to be helpful, the logistics of taking a "Salvage" or " total loss" or "written off" vehicle and repairing it and getting it re-insured sound to me like a pain in the ass. Yes it may look "easily repairable", but if the damage is structural, whether to the uni body, or roof line, It's probably not worth it, UNLESS it's what you do for a living.
Bert
Bert
I'm wondering the same thing. But, straightening structural elements is not a fun or inexpensive thing.
oh i dunno about that. I fixed the car's crunched front end with a piece of 2" square steel tubing, a 5# sledge, a lot of pent up anger and frustration, and about 5# of welding wire.
only took me about 2 hours to get the new fender to fit right,enough.
eradicator006
Full Access Member
Yes we do, especially if the vehicle is 10 years older or more. They don't want vehicles older than 10 years on the road so they do what they can to write it off.
Recently someone I know had a 2002 Lincoln town car and they rolled in to a newer f150 at a stop light. Supposedly $19,000 in damages. Instant total loss. The repair estimate had some questionable things on it. $3000 for the left headlight assembly for example. Yet a replacement radiator was listed as $119.
boboborino
Full Access Member
To be honest, I never even realised (with an "s" I may add) that the OP was also located in Canada until I read your post, so you may be onto something.
Bert
Conundrum2006
Full Access Member
If it were my jeep my every instinct would be to try to save it. But they kind of already screwed you over by making the title salvage. Not sure how big a pain it will be to get it certified for the road again, in some states it's not so bad.
For the insurance company they look at it as preventing a nickel and diming to death scenario. Our neighbor has a 06 Honda wanna be jeep, forget the model, she had a front end collision worse than this and had to fight the insurance company to fix it. They did only to have the shop miss the transmission mounts were sheared, eventually the insurance company had to replace the transmission too, they told her they should have totaled it out to begin with. That's the kind of thinking the insurance companies have behind it on any older vehicle.
If your buy it back as salvage it is not worth a lot, think hundreds not thousands. At least that's how it was years ago at the junk yard I worked at.
They would have people who wrecked a car and thought junk yards would pay what was left on their loan for it. In reality they'd pay a few hundred for average wrecked cars, and thousands for late model stuff.
I did know somebody who rebuild late model salvaged titles cars, the inspection wasn't so bad in Florida. But the margin for profit was razor thin cause the rebuilt salvage title was worth considerably less.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
For the insurance company they look at it as preventing a nickel and diming to death scenario. Our neighbor has a 06 Honda wanna be jeep, forget the model, she had a front end collision worse than this and had to fight the insurance company to fix it. They did only to have the shop miss the transmission mounts were sheared, eventually the insurance company had to replace the transmission too, they told her they should have totaled it out to begin with. That's the kind of thinking the insurance companies have behind it on any older vehicle.
If your buy it back as salvage it is not worth a lot, think hundreds not thousands. At least that's how it was years ago at the junk yard I worked at.
They would have people who wrecked a car and thought junk yards would pay what was left on their loan for it. In reality they'd pay a few hundred for average wrecked cars, and thousands for late model stuff.
I did know somebody who rebuild late model salvaged titles cars, the inspection wasn't so bad in Florida. But the margin for profit was razor thin cause the rebuilt salvage title was worth considerably less.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
From experience - on an older vehicle; salvage, mileage or anything else means nothing! The car is already at a lowered value do to its age. it doesnt matter what its worth on paper! Its what its worth to you or the next owner!
I am so pleased to hear that you may have the KJ Back!
I look at it this way, with a bit of help from weld shop and some personal knuckle busting with parts, your low mile KJ will be riding in style again!!
(libsilver)
oh Ah and with a few (beerthought)we hope to see the re-build posts in action!:gr_grin:
Maybe even find/save up for a steel front bumper?
I look at it this way, with a bit of help from weld shop and some personal knuckle busting with parts, your low mile KJ will be riding in style again!!
(libsilver)
oh Ah and with a few (beerthought)we hope to see the re-build posts in action!:gr_grin:
Maybe even find/save up for a steel front bumper?
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