My trusty 2006 xb (bought new, 179k miles, took great care of it mechanically, still running like a champ) was sadly just declared totaled after someone took an illegal turn out of nowhere from oncoming traffic in rush hour in the rain… slide, boom, front end all crunched up

Limited time to decide whether to take a higher payout and leave the car with ins co to be scrapped, which is a really sad proposition, or accept 1k less, get the car back and attempt to fix it on my own. Confused how accurate the insurance co’s repair estimate is and how to know whether the check will actually be enough to fix it sufficiently at a shop.

Here’s a photo of the damage. Still drives and as of a week after the accident no obvious leaking fluids. The insurance co’s estimate mentions replacing the radiator and AC supports as well as of course all the obvious cosmetic stuff. Geico says estimated 5k in repairs, offering me $5400 if I take the car back or $6400 if I leave it with them.





Soooooooo…. If anyone has any helpful info please lay it on me! I hate the idea of sending this awesome little box to the scrap heap but I also don’t want to make a stupid financial decision. Any recommendations for solid Scion-friendly body shops in Portland OR that would be willing to advise me well and possibly do work on a totaled car?

I figure if worse comes to worse and I take the car back and find out the cost of fixing it is just too much, I can sell it as is for at least 1k… thoughts(?)

Thanks in advance. Great to have access to others who appreciate this funny little toaster-mobile as much as I do!



*forgive me if this isn’t posted in the correct place… poked around for a while and still confused where to put my query.

 

Looks like you'll need:

• turn signals
• bumper cover
• bumper foam
• bumper/crash-bar

Good useable parts from junkyard car = $250-300. New from dealer? I haven't looked, but would estimate $2500-3000.

Plan on 5-10hrs to install depending upon whether it needs painting to match. About $3000-5000 for shop to do.

My 2005 series 2.0 Solar Yellow had that kind of damage along with right headlight and fender. It was totaled by insurance and guy I got it from had restored it using junkyard parts. Did good job with replacing all damaged parts and matching paint perfectly. Did it all in his garage too!

If you're to source junkyard parts and do labour yourself, then yeah, take insurance payout -1k. But if you're going to have shop do it, no way. Take insurance payout and buy another similar car.

 

Thanks for your response! Definitely gives me more to chew on.

 

 

Just posted what Geico estimates it needs, if that helps. I definitely don't have the ability to do these repairs on my own, alas. I'll be at the mercy of a shop.
I'm fine with used/junkyard parts for the cosmetic stuff as the rest of the car looks fine but not 'great'. I don't need super sexy visual perfection. I do want the important mechanical parts to be high quality, of course. Wish I had that dude who fixed yours well with junkyard parts(!)

A couple shops have warned me that the insurance repair estimate may be low since 'the insurance adjuster only estimates until it's clear the math is a loss for them and then doesn't look any further'.

So I guess I'll only have a clear view of what is 'really' needed if I agree to take the car back and bring it to a good shop. Wish I could provide more info here, including photos of the inside under the hood. Stupidly I spaced taking any.

Again TIA!

 

Insurance and shops tend to do wholesale replacement of parts. Most of time, DIY folks can bend back metal brackets and supports like for radiator, headlight, even fender can be pounded back. It's matter balancing skill and labour and shops don't want to spend any more time than necessary. Whereas DIY owners can spend more time on weekends.

Adjuster got better look at it than I could from photos, so I would pretty much double my numbers. Also I don't trust a lot of shops insurance selects. Which tend to be quickie low-cost/low-quality outfits and you never get back car that's 100% as good as before.

Best bet in this case is take insurance money and get similar car.

 

If you're the original owner (you know all the ins and outs of the car, where the bodies are buried, so to speak) and it ran like a champ, AND you're willing to do some of the work yourself, I would 100% take the $5400 and fix it.

But $6,400 can buy you a nice xB replacement, even in this market. Tough decision.

 

Any injuries from the crash?
Make sure the other insurance pays the medical bills minimum

 

No injuries thankfully.

 

Update for the hell of it, close to 2 yrs after my initial post. Ended up getting it fixed in a shop, took forever because of covid/supply chain issues/so many accidents etc BUT it's good as new and I'm so happy I saved it! Still love this thing.

 

Mind telling us what the final cost to repair it ended up? Curious how your cost compares to the insurance estimate.

 

Just under 5k, so slightly less than the estimate. Didn't go to the fanciest shop but they seemed fine. So it all worked out in the end thankfully.

 

Woohoo!!!

So awesome that you saved one from the crusher!! These are such awesome cars, too bad there’s limited supply.

When mine wears out, I’m transplanting Prius drivetrain in!

 

To keep your 1 owner car I think you did well.I just got a 2006 1 owner 70 years old owner lady,dealer records very clean,156k miles for 5,900.Took months to find it and when you do if you arent first in line you dont get it.Craigslist,San Diego.

Also in my opinion xb is the new vw van with a heater so getting rare isnt such a bad thing if you view them as a classic,and yes,they are flooding junkyards,werent only 160k made? And it ticks all the boxes to be a collectable, cheap,economical,fantastic unique style,easy to repair,handles great for what it is,freeway capable uber reliable Toyota,a superb, is it the first, or only subcompact SUV list goes on and on.In my case a daily driver future classic.

Now thats a vehicle you have to love.Im surprised the word isnt out on them,or are those in the know just keeping quiet?