Days always suck when they start like this

[MikeE024]

All BS aside, I just went through this with my Harley after a hit & run last June.
They would have totaled it and paid me a really fair price, and I would have been riding again as soon as I healed up, but instead…
I took the $$ and rebuilt the bike over the next 180 days.

Looking back, I should have just taken the $$ and run.

Don’t let your attachment to the Jeep separate you from your senses.

The market is flooded with comparable Jeeps, and just like my Harley, your vehicle probably has a decent payout option to just move on.

This. A salvage title is hard to sell if you ever decide to in the future. Just get a "new used" Jeep.

My messages are meant to inform OP that he could receive payment without needing to salvage the title…many folks don’t realize they may have that option. It’s not meant to tell him he should do that over other options.

I’d personally want to avoid a salvage title, whether that means taking less to keep it with a clean title or simply moving on.

 

[bucky]

At least the air bag did not deploy. Use your experience on this one to build a better one. Glad no one was injured.

 

[TheBoogieman]

So this happened just before I got to work this morning. Looked to the left and recognized someone, and by the time I looked back ahead of me traffic was stopped for someone turning left. Was only doing about 35-38 when I locked up the breaks, so impact was probably around 20-25.

Sorry to hear about that. They call that "following too close" here in Va. Next time try locking up the brakes. Glad nobody was hurt by your mistake. Jeeps are easily replaced.
p.s. Some @$$hole in a Honda slammed me at a stop light. Folded his hood and removed the bumper cover. Didn't scratch my lifted Jeep. He was an illegal and more than happy to try to drive away. I let him..................before calling the cops and having him arrested. Welcome to America!

 

[AirborneTexasRanger]

We're you injured at all?

 

[TheBoogieman]

We're you injured at all?

Does it matter when you're at fault?

 

['05Train]

Does it matter when you're at fault?

Pretty sure that matters to his well-being.

I got T-boned by a Honda Civic while I was on my Harley. Damn near killed me, totalled the bike....after a fashion. Every state has a repair cost to value ratio. I can't remember what Maryland's was at the time, but initially Progressive wanted to repair the bike. I loved that bike....put 50,000 miles on it in 2 years. No way on Earth I wanted it back after the extent of that damage. It was a pile of metal and plastic, and it could be (and was) replaced.

As someone else said upthread, there's a pile of TJs out there, and they don't all have salvage titles.

Hope you're okay OP, that looks like a nasty hit.

 

[97JadeTJ]

Sorry for your loss!…I don’t know how much you have in your TJ but if the insurance company uses a valuation company like CCC you may be surprised at the value… mine was totaled in May of last year and the insurance company gave me $12,000 for it, and it was a 97 se 4cyl auto on a rebuilt title!… The base value was $10k because of the rebuilt title, would have been $11.5k on a clean title… I had gone Completely through it and replaced everything but what I got out of it was enough to find a better TJ… ymmv…

 

[Vidar]

Thanks everyone for the replies and concern. Yes, I’m physically fine, and so was the other driver. Can’t ask for more from a collision like this.
As for other TJs, it’s really hard to find a good one in my area. Most are 4 bangers. Almost all have frame rot. And almost all are for sale for way more than they are worth considering they require work. The ones that have pristine frames? Those got for north of $20K, easy.
Adjuster is scheduled for early next week. I’ll make my determination of what I’m doing based on that. An R title doesn’t bother me as I’ve never had any intention of letting go of this Jeep. I’ve owned it since 2003, so it doesn’t matter what the outcome is, this Jeep is staying in my possession. However, if they offer me enough, it may sit and be rebuilt for my daughter, who is about to turn 13 and only wants to rebuild a TJ as her first car, and I’ll take the money and buy a JL or gladiator. I’m getting older, and am getting really close to wanting an old man car as my daily!

 

[cliffish]

Sorry to hear about that. They call that "following too close" here in Va. Next time try locking up the brakes. Glad nobody was hurt by your mistake. Jeeps are easily replaced.
p.s. Some @$$hole in a Honda slammed me at a stop light. Folded his hood and removed the bumper cover. Didn't scratch my lifted Jeep. He was an illegal and more than happy to try to drive away. I let him..................before calling the cops and having him arrested. Welcome to America!

I had a honda rear end my JKU due to the car behind her texting. Her hood was folded into the windshield and my tow hook went through her bumper. They still nailed my carfax for the accident, even though I had zero damage

 

[WestCoastDan]

This. A salvage title is hard to sell if you ever decide to in the future. Just get a "new used" Jeep.

Insurance fixing the Jeep (if applicable) keeps the title clean. The salvage title only applies if they total it and you buy it back to fix yourself.
For comparison, my Harley title is still clean as a whistle, because I took their money to repair approach, although it could have been totaled based on the cost of factory repaint, rather than actual damage.

Some have had issues getting coverage for a salvage vehicle, and while many out there are totaled based on the cost of repairs as opposed to the actual extent of damage, (such as bent frames and/or other safety concerns), these vehicles are not separated by these criteria, they are all “equally salvaged”.

 

[JasterMereel42]

Gates on the water pump.

I'm running an ACDelco water pump. 6 months in and no issues.

 

[SPECWAR]

Try to convince me that a “rebuilt titled” vehicle is worth less than a vehicle that the frame or tub has been replaced.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Try to convince me that a “rebuilt titled” vehicle is worth less than a vehicle that the frame or tub has been replaced.

I get your point, but it certainly is worth less when you go to sell it.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Try to convince me that a “rebuilt titled” vehicle is worth less than a vehicle that the frame or tub has been replaced.

It is, not that I would know about either. XJ for sale with minor damage. Rebuilt title was because my tail lights didn't work.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Try to convince me that a “rebuilt titled” vehicle is worth less than a vehicle that the frame or tub has been replaced.

A frame fix done right is way better than a fucked up Jeep with a rebuilt title. That's like you marrying your big titty wife and finding out she stuffed her bra. You can't get a refund for that and the resale value is greatly diminished.

 

[SPECWAR]

A frame fix done right is way better than a fucked up Jeep with a rebuilt title. That's like you marrying your big titty wife and finding out she stuffed her bra. You can't get a refund for that and the resale value is greatly diminished.

And, because it was rebuilt it’s going to be fucked up? you’re funny.
What if it just had a bent frame, or sheet metal damaged on the tub?
If it’s done properly there is NO difference, period.

 

[SPECWAR]

I get your point, but it certainly is worth less when you go to sell it.

Not in my area.

 

[SPECWAR]

A frame fix done right is way better than a fucked up Jeep with a rebuilt title. That's like you marrying your big titty wife and finding out she stuffed her bra. You can't get a refund for that and the resale value is greatly diminished.

Furthermore, I would know long before I married her if her bra was stuffed.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Not in my area.

Doesn’t matter where you are - two identical Jeeps, one with a rebuilt title, and one with a clean title, the clean title will sell for more.

 

['05Train]

And, because it was rebuilt it’s going to be fucked up? you’re funny.
What if it just had a bent frame, or sheet metal damaged on the tub?
If it’s done properly there is NO difference, period.

If one cares about such things, a salvage title is the Kiss of Death for resale, area notwithstanding.