Check that they got the mileage right in the estimate. My daughter had a Ford Mustang convertible about 7 years old that she had an accident in. The mileage was about 65K but they put down 165K instead, therefore making it worth significantly less. Initially they said it was totaled, but with the corrected mileage they went ahead and fixed it.

Well, here’s my baby… in the cold bone yard.

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/JeepDamage093.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/JeepDamage091.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/JeepDamage090.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/JeepDamage094.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/JeepDamage092.jpg

Charlie, I totally absorbed myself in those links. Wouldn’t have thought to go there. I feel armed to talk to the insurance company now. Thank you so much.

Bob’s chat with the guys at the salvage yard resulted in much of what they are saying there. I guess in BC here, when the estimated damages start to get up in the 60-70 percent range of the vehicle, they will total it. Their estimates result in only what they can see and apparently, it’s inevitable, once the mechanics get in there, there’s always more. They leave a bit of wiggle room but I guess it can add up pretty quickly.

And there’s an “Owner Buy Back” thing they got going but the guys recommended against it in this particular case. You can “bid” on it, just like any scrap yard apparently but they’re going to get pretty fair salvage market value back from you. And then… you have to fix it and “try” and get it re-classified as a worthy vehicle. There are quite a few fees and inspections involved in that too.

When Bob started to share this process, I thought the recommendation was probably a pretty good one. I love this vehicle but OMG… it sounds like one headache after another trying to get it back in primary vehicle shape again.

Me thinks I’m going to be vehicle shopping. We do have a mechanic friend that Bob wants to talk to but he said these guys “sounded” like they knew what they were talking about.

Interesting… the insurance company took the plates. That was kind of one of the main reasons Bob went down today. I guess I’ll be cancelling those first thing Monday… and apparently I have to too. Not something they do automatically.

Very interesting stories guys, your experiences are great to hear about. Cheri, I really like the Ford Escapes too. We have a fleet of them at work. The BC government seems to think they’re a good product too.

But yes Sharon, I loved my Jeep. I think they’re one of those… you either really love em or don't type things. Don’t know if I want to get into something else, the Escape may feel too much like work.

I just got a jeep and am loving it... Seems like a really good car.

You can buy it back from the insurance co...but the new title will say 'salvaged' on it.

My son bought his Ducati back after he was hit on it, fixed it up & resold it.

I would assume it is the same with cars.

Sad!!!!! We've got a Liberty too- love it!

Yeah, I'm still in mourning. Not really something I should be thinking about but Edward passed away in the back of this vehicle.

But life goes on...

Boy there's a lot of information out there. Not sure where to go from here. We've got a long commute and apparently, just finding out (through consumer reports), the Liberty is one of the WORST on gas. Our Dodge isn't much better. LOL

It's a sad day when someone loses their Jeep. Since Jeep decided to stop making the Cherokee and have started making Jeeps look like luxury vehicles, the insurance company will have to pry my baby out of my cold dead hands before I ever let it go. I've already lost one when it was stolen and never recovered. I'd rather put in the work to keep her running than to go with a new one. She's already got a crooked front end that I refused to let the insurance co look at because I knew they'd total her. I'll pay it out of pocket and save my title from the salvage stamp.

*Long Live the Cherokee*

CJ,


Get a nissan patrol diesel. It is one tough vehicle. If you can add a genuine bull bar/ cow catcher to it, you dont have to worry about the pesky deer.And it is big enough to have your dogs.

The reason I recommend the Patrol is because it is designed to look like a cone head. i.e. the top of the vehicle is narrower than the bottom. But it makes it super stable.(for a 4wd anyway). I used to own a Jeep wrangler when I lived in Ithaca , NY. Loved it.

Well, that employer of mine has exceeded (what I consider) its yearly quota, twice in one month yet. Abuse I tell ya.

Everything went well with the insurance company. They agreed, it was in top shape and offered me a bit more. Charlie, your “sales tax” angle worked really well too. We have what’s called the HST (harmonized sales tax) which they decided to include as well.

Now it’s just onto finding another comparable vehicle.

Checked out that Nissan Patrol there Ram. Great looking vehicle in the performance department but the reports don’t seem very good. Gas/Diesel consumption being pretty bad among other things. We do have an ’83 Toyota bush buggy. Roll bars inside and the bush guard and a winch on the front. Not really necessary for everyday travel to work though – well, if these deer keep up, maybe.

I really like the looks of the Nissan XTerra though. Mitsubishi has a couple of interesting looking SUV’s too. Hearing some good things about the Hyundai Tuscon too.

I’d love to stay semi-domestic but it’s just so tough to choose. Gosh, I miss my Jeep.

Me personaly, I would of fixed it out of pocket and a hammer, it doesnt look that bad