Sad news, truck totaled by hail

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

I can find a used/new hood and get it painted for under $400 or so. The roof I could care less about as you cannot see it...Figure that for under $1k I could get it looking great again as a 15 or 20 footer. Would spend the rest on painting the 911 and other projects.

Sounds like you answered your own question. The truck fixed with money left over for the P car. What's not to love? I hate that it happened and it is a hassle but you might as well make it pay to your advantage.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Joe, you can't typically get rid of a salvage title, at least not legally. But if you're keeping the truck, who cares? Plus, if the truck is really worth nearly $12k, you'll always be able to get $4k out of it, salvage title or not. Personally I've owned a salvage title truck and never had insurance worries, even for full coverage. This was with Geico, so I doubt you'll have issues.

[Laneco]

Joe,
Fix it for cheap, keep it, drive it until it dies - oh wait, it's a cummins - scratch that and drive it until you're tired of it.

Then sell it to the next guy cheap. Keep all the documents that show the hail damage it will help when you do sell it. The older a vehicle is and the lower it's value, the less salvage titles hurt. The value will be significantly diminished but you'll have gotton all your money out of it and quite a bit more when that day comes.

angela

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Laneco

Joe,
Fix it for cheap, keep it, drive it until it dies - oh wait, it's a cummins - scratch that and drive it until you're tired of it.

Then sell it to the next guy cheap. Keep all the documents that show the hail damage it will help when you do sell it. The older a vehicle is and the lower it's value, the less salvage titles hurt. The value will be significantly diminished but you'll have gotton all your money out of it and quite a bit more when that day comes.

angela

I have to agree. If the damage does not bother you, drive until you want something newer. Keep the insurance paperwork that shows why it was totaled. That will make a difference to the next owner.

[Rick Lee]

There's certainly no stigma around here if you're driving a hail-damaged car. I see them every day and we all got hit at the same time.

[vash]

rhino line the thing and keep on driving it.

[GH85Carrera]

There is a guy driving in the the metro area that had his entire jeep Rino coated. He never washes it and loves to go off road.

[gtc]

Just paint it white and put a Titleist sticker on each door.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by turbo6bar

If this is the truck that gets 30 miles per gallon, I'd keep it.

And comments like this from azzwads make it even better. Just did Phoenix to Tucson and return, all at 75 mph or better and getting 28 mpg on the run.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by gtc

Just paint it white and put a Titleist sticker on each door.

Thats the usual comment. "Nice golf ball huh?"

[mike5876]

pm'd you

[Joeaksa]

Mike, thanks for the info and may get ahold of your friend.

Joe

[madmmac]

Holy crap, I saw some of the videos on youtube (YouTube - Phoenix hail storm!! 10-5-10) pretty amazing stuff.

I don't think you want to bondo the bed, with the beating that at least mine takes, it would never hold up.

Just viewed the NOAA radar image and wow that was pretty impressive. (National Weather Service - NWS Phoenix) It looks like my place out on the West side just got a bit of rain....whew.

Hope it all works out for you Joe.

[Zeke]

If the bed looks like crap after any other repair work is done, throw a bed liner in it.

BTW, I bought a new Chevy CK series hood made in China for around 150 bucks.

Here is a place:
http://www.usautoparts.net/catalog/?N=10105+4294963364+1607+11921+9221

I found several just like it. 200 something for a hood. You can get fenders, etc. OneDay auto paint and you're good to go.

[kaisen]

Joe-

As many people have said, it's easy to fix. Assuming you keep it, and want to fix it.

You'll have no problem selling it for $4K right now, dents or not. Esp if you give them the proof that it regularly gets 30+ mpg.

Parting your truck out with net you $4K just selling the top ten 'big' parts (engine, trans, rear end, etc). So keep driving it and part it as a back-up plan.

BUT, negotiating with the insurance company is expected. Never take their first offer. At an insurance sale, it would NEVER bring $4K and they will have considerable expense and time logistically. They know this. They will accept much less.

There's another $1500 on the table, one way or another. Work for it.

[jyl]

Joe, that is a bummer. I think you dicker them to get $8-9K cash in pocket then spend $3K on a paintless dent guy, used or cheap body panels, some sanding pads and body prep sweat, and a good-enough paint job. The $5-6K left over basically means you drive free for the next 5+ years. I'm glad the Jag is almost okay.

[1990C4S]

I would keep it. The salvage titles to be avoided the ones that are a result of a serious collision and frame damage.

A theft and recovery, or hail damage are not as bad.

Just keep it drive it into the ground.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by gtc

Just paint it white and put a Titleist sticker on each door.

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Just did Phoenix to Tucson and return, all at 75 mph or better and getting 28 mpg on the run.

If you saw the 'Mythbusters' episode your mileage can only improve now....