SWMBO crashed my Jeep...

[AZRedhawk44]

So her Forester was in the shop, getting its timing chain drama worked on.

She takes my Jeep grocery shopping yesterday.  And T-bones some poor teenager's pride and joy, an extremely clean 99 Honda coupe.

She's fine, teenager is fine.

Dropped the Jeep off at a collision center today.  It's probably 50/50 if it gets totaled or not.  Aftermarket bumper is munched.  Winch fairlead is damaged, winch is damaged.  There's some degree of frame damage.  Hood is off-alignment.  Fenders are damaged.  Windshield is cracked from the impact.  Something has tweaked the removable roof panels so I now have a harsh wind whistle above about 35mph.  Electronic Stability Control is disabled.  Turn signal doesn't self cancel properly.  Steering wheel is off 90 degrees.

I was planning on keeping this Jeep until I could put a historic vehicle plate on it (25 years old).  I've got so much aftermarket upgrades in it.  Gobi roof rack.  Poison Spyder front and rear bumpers.  Winch.  Fox suspension.  Lift.  4.56 diffs.  I just spent $2500 on it this spring, between new tires and a little valve clatter and an oil leak.  It barely had 80k miles on it.

I'm just crushed.

I can't afford a car payment right now, because I'm putting $5000 into her Subaru (which I'm going to transfer to a dormant credit card and pay off over several months at 0%) and I'm still paying on that 5 acre land purchase for 2 more years.  I'm completely and utterly tapped out.

[Ben]

I'm glad all parties involved are alright, but man, that sucks. From your description, you might want to hope the insurance calls it totaled. It sounds like some expensive repairs to a vehicle that will probably never drive the same.

[K Frame]

Damn, so sorry, Dude. Not good to hear.

[BobR]

Glad everyone walked away ok but just from the sounds of the damage and the way everything got tweaked I would lean on the side of it being totaled. Now is the time to start chasing down receipts for all of the work that has been done on it and all of the aftermarket parts so you can argue with the insurance company for actual value of Jeep with all of the parts and work done on it. If possible I would try to be there when the adjuster shows up to do his thing. You may be able to point out things he may miss.

bob

[HankB]

Take over wife's Subaru, get her a bicycle.

Prepare to sleep on sofa in living room for a while.

[grampster]

Man!  Don't buy a 2 pants suit.  You'll burn a hole in the coat. 
Agree you should have all your receipts to negotiate with the adjuster.  Insurance owes you market value if totaled .

[Kingcreek]

Sorry for your situation.
I really like my Jeep even though they have their common issues.
Mine is a 2014 rubicon “X” 4 door with a tereflex suspension leveling kit and 255/80 33” AT3s, steel 10a bumpers and rock rails with a 19k warn winch.
No other mods but I have every option, heated leather, etc. 72k miles.

[230RN]

               

Yang happens; glad no meat injuries.  Sounds like it was her fault since she did the t-boning but from her steering damage, there must have been some velocity involved on the other driver's part.

Any parking lot surveillance?

Too bad it interferes with your other plans and goals, but crap like that always does.

Life goes on thank goodness.  Too bad your jeep's probably won't.

(Gawd, how I hate that SWMBO expression.)

[AZRedhawk44]

I'm trying to figure out what to do if my Jeep is totaled.

Wranglers carry a hefty premium on the used market out here.  Insurance likely will try to short-change me and undercompensate, and I won't be able to get another JKU.

I cannot afford to finance anything right now, so whatever I get has to be used and worth less than what I get from insurance.

I need a 4x4.  I need something that can tow, at a minimum my motorcycle trailer in case I need to take my bike in for service on something I cannot handle myself.  It'd be nice to get something that can tow more than the JKU's 3500 pounds.

I remember back when I bought my 2005 Ram 1500 new, that the Toyota FJ came out about 3 minutes after I bought my truck and I was kicking myself in the butt about that for awhile.  The FJ has Toyota's 4.0L V6 that has a pretty good reputation and is a bit more powerful than the Pentastar 3.6L in the Jeep.  It's a good 4x4 that can tow 4700 pounds.  Fuel injection is port-style rather than DI, so buildup will not be a problem.  Better fuel economy than the Wrangler, lots of aftermarket mods if I really decide I like it, and good resale value if I don't want to keep it after I'm done paying off the land and have money free for a car payment again.  Jeep has a 270* awning on it that should transfer well to an FJ.

Just unsure if I can find a manual.  And I'm trying to wrap my head around this particular point.  I love driving manual.  SWMBO hates manual.  She's terrible at it.  It likely was a big contributor to the crash.  I don't want a slushbox as my car though.  Am I an a$$hole if I get a manual in the replacement vehicle?

[Ben]

Some FJ Cruisers come with the same 4.0 liter V6 and 5 speed auto transmission found in 5th gen 4Runners. That is possibly the most bulletproof combo Toyota has ever produced, so I wouldn't limit myself to a manual if going the FJ route.

While sure, The Ecoboost in my F150 (with auto tranny) beats my 4Runner off the line every time, the 4Runner still has plenty of giddyup as long as you're someone who isn't into racing between traffic lights. And that Toyota auto tranny is way better than a manual offroad.

[Kingcreek]

I did it but buying a used Wrangler is kinda risky just because of what people do to them and how they use them. I bought mine from a local insurance agent that thought it was cool but found out he drove it like a car.
As you already know, they are very off-road capable and have no end of aftermarket mods available.

[dogmush]

At least around here the FJ's have almost a Jeep premium.  The offroad/overland crew love them.  But if you find one in decent shape they are great vehicles.  Kinda small on the interior, but I'm not a jeep person.

If you are already looking at used Toyotas, maybe take a look at the Lexus GX470/460 too.  They are basically a Land Cruiser Prado with a nice interior, have a near bulletproof V8 and are often slept on in the US. One of the guys I run with has one and it's a solid off road performer, although his is not stock.

I would say get the automatic, or at least don't rule it out.  It'll open up a lot more vehicles to find one with the right price/options, it'll make it easier for the wife to drive and or borrow, and the modern auto/traction control systems are *very* good off road.  just my $0.02.

[AZRedhawk44]

Any parking lot surveillance?

No, it was at a T-intersection.  She had the stop sign, the other car had the right-of-way.  She was creeping for visibility due to a truck blocking view on the left hand side, which hid the Honda.  It is possible the Honda was going faster than the speed limit.

Thanks for the heads up on the Lexus, dogmush.  I did look into those yesterday and the V8 is definitely desirable, but on the used market out here all of them have leather seats and headrest infotainment in the rear.  I don't want the rear infotainment, because it's likely to be outdated and incompatible with my kid's Nintendo Switch or anything else we might plug into it, and I don't want the cabin noise of whatever he's watching or playing if it does work.  Leather is a no-go here in AZ due to the summer sun.  And the Lexus badge and swanky interior drives up the price on something with 150-200k miles on it that is going to have worn engine mounts and ball joints and such.

I'm going to wait until I start talking to the adjuster, but if they total it I'm going to fight for as much as I can get as possible.  Is engaging a lawyer worth it if they low-ball me with something below $20k?  Stock JKU Rubicons go for about $18k but lifted and upgraded ones are solidly in the $25k+ range.  Especially with my low mileage.

I'm leaning towards going minimalist on a replacement vehicle, seeing if I can find a good condition 80's or 90's Nissan D21 or similar truck.  I mostly travel by motorcycle unless the weather is over 115*, but I need something that can tow my motorcycle trailer if I need to drop the bike off for service.  And I have a service coming up due in the next few thousand miles, so probably 2-3 months from now.  Which means I'll need transportation for the week or so the bike is unavailable. 

I just don't want someone else's 4x4 headache in the $15k range, and even if I could afford a new car right now I hate all the turbocharged engines available.  I'm happy to wait for 2026 or possibly 2027 and a naturally aspirated V8 at a better price with EPA rollbacks.

[AZRedhawk44]

There are things I want to salvage from the Jeep if they do total it that I don't want appraised into its value.

1.  It has a nice Kenwood UHF/VHF amateur radio in it.  I want that back as well as the antenna mount.

2. It has a OVS 270* awning installed on the roof rack.  I want to ultimately put that on whatever truck or 4x4 I buy in the future.

[dogmush]

I'm leaning towards going minimalist on a replacement vehicle, seeing if I can find a good condition 80's or 90's Nissan D21 or similar truck.  I mostly travel by motorcycle unless the weather is over 115*, but I need something that can tow my motorcycle trailer if I need to drop the bike off for service.  And I have a service coming up due in the next few thousand miles, so probably 2-3 months from now.  Which means I'll need transportation for the week or so the bike is unavailable. 

So I didn't mention this before because of age, but you mentioned a 80-90s small truck, so I'll throw this out there:

The 1990's HiLux's are more than 25 years old now, and available for importation.  One of my shooting buddies has brought a couple into the country already, and he sold one to another in our group.  He seems to get ex fire trucks or fleet vehicles (which hit your minimalist target.)  My buddy just bought a lifted, manual trans 4x4 diesel HiLux with 9000 miles on it for ~$19k.

This Actual Truck:



It might be more trouble then it's worth, and if your wife didn't like the manual, a Right Hand Drive Manual will probably count her right out,  But I thought I'd throw it out there. 

[tokugawa]

That totally sucks, but glad everyone is OK!
 
 "tapped out"? You could buy a el cheapo, run the piss out of it for a year or two till you get ahead dollar wise.
  needing to tow a bike for service? That seems an unlikely rare need- not something to predicate a purchase on. if it ever happens, just figure it out when it does- rent, borrow, beg a buddy etc.

 The xterra is a decent, somewhat overlooked 4x4- does not command the bucks an FJ does.
 4000 tow rating, locking diff on some, it ain't the be all and end all but it will bang around OK in the hills.

[AZRedhawk44]

Evolving thoughts:

Replacement vehicle.

Starting to back off on the idea of a 2005-2014 Toyota FJ.  Every used vehicle I've ever bought has given me grief.  Paying $10-$15K for someone else's headache is just not in the cards right now.  My boy is coming up on 12 though, and 15-16 will be here faster than I probably want it to come.  An "el cheapo" as tokugawa puts it is a decent idea, except for the fact that I tend to choose poorly on the used market.

Then I start browsing what's available on the new market right now, and I get myself all fixated on a Nissan Frontier 4 door Pro-4X long bed.  Tows 7000 pounds, naturally aspirated V6 and 9 speed auto.  More power than my Jeep and probably better power band with the 9 speed auto.  But ultimately I really want a half ton that can tow up to 10k, and I should really wait for the 2026 models after the EPA rollbacks.

I just passed on a nice 1990's suburban last week that I saw on CL, before the crash happened.  I was thinking of buying it as a tow rig, camping rig, sideyard beater when SWMBO's car went into the shop last week.  Sure as hell wish I did now.  That one is gone, but I'm sure I'll come across something similar and suitable over the next month or so.

[AZRedhawk44]

Looking at a 2006 Ram 4 door 4WD with 4.7L engine, and a 1993 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab 2WD with 5.7L.  Both automatics.

I've owned a 2005 Ram with the 4.7L.  I think they will tow the same, around 7500lbs.  But the Ram is 4WD.  Ram has 137K on it, GMC has 250K on it.

Buying the Ram would kind of undo the "kick me" I owe myself for selling my standard cab short bed 2005 w/ 4.7L engine.

[armoredman]

A Slate?
Yeah, probably not...

[AZRedhawk44]

A Slate?
Yeah, probably not...

I considered it, briefly.  In context of getting a beater now, and a tiny reserve down payment for 2026 delivery.  But it's just so... impotent.  Can't tow anything worth towing.  Given the upgrades I'd probably want (big battery, and SUV kit) would take it well over $35k, I'd rather get the Scout Terra Harvester instead which can actually tow what I want and has that nifty gas range extender.  But I don't really even want that.  I'd rather just have a new quality V8 truck with no monkey business to try and save a nickle in gas.  I think they're coming.  I don't see GM admitting their mistakes with AFM/DFM in the 5.3 and 6.2 motors, so I'll be looking at either Ford Coyote 5.0 or Ram Hemi 5.7.  Or if they just can't get their heads out of their behinds... restore an old truck or just go with the afore-mentioned Scout.  There's some seriously nice stuff on BringATrailer, and I even saw an awesome 3/4 ton rig on Craigslist (late 90's GMC with the 7.4L gas engine, 60k miles, sheltered life and beautiful paint and interior).

Talked insurance into fixing my Jeep.  So no buying a beater, at least for now.

SWMBO's Forester is still in the shop for timing chain replacement, should get it back Tuesday or Wednesday next week.  So this weekend is car-less.  Did one grocery run on the bike last night, I'll probably do another one Sunday or Monday morning.

[Boomhauer]

A Slate?
Yeah, probably not...

The likelihood of that truck actually coming into existence is very low. Many of those startups are scams.

[Bogie]

My major criteria is ease of maintenance, and few mechanical issues to start with.
 
I like pre-1995 - that is when the OBD-II stuff started. You can still computer and get codes, but it is a little harder. And the OBD-II light will deadline Missouri vehicles.
 
I like as much non-computer as possible. Yeah, makes for better fuel economy, but if a $800 part takes a dump, well, that's an $800 part. I can do regular tuneups. And with stuff like upgraded plugs, you'll do fewer. I like SIMPLE.
 
If it is something that appeals to the 20-something kids? It likely has been flogged. And flogged hard. Same for the lifted trucks. It may have never been off-road, but you can bet someone has played with it somehow.

[grampster]

My son has an f150, 3 or 4 years old with the eco boost v6.  It's a crap engine and has been in for warranty work every other month for nearly a year.  It has other stuff breaking as well.  Fords are junk

[Bogie]

I _HATE_ turbochargers. And eco-whatever probably means one... And they are WEAR items.

One of the saddest things I saw was a young fellow who had bought here/paid here a Ford Flex - that sort of bulgy station wagon thing? TWIN turbos...
 
And replacing them cost more than what he owed on the car...

[Ben]

Other than a cylinder head temp sensor, my 2106 F150 2.7 Ecoboost has been trouble free since I've had it. Nothing but oil and filter changes.