Keep it or start over?

[ecnar]

My 99 Silverado 4x4 ext cab with 108,000 miles was hit by a fallen tree. Which did enough damage that my insurance wants to total it out. But, they say the damage amount is right at the borderline of thier totaling out amount($7500). They say I can salvage title it and keep it and they will pay for the work. Or they will give m blue book value + salvage of ($10,110) almost enough to get another slightly newer truck. I have some nice aftermarket parts on it (tires horns stereo lights ect) that I can take off of it. Should I keep it or start over?
Thanks,

[MT-2500]

That is hard to say.

Check with your own body shop and find out the cost of fixing it.
And consider the time lost to fix it with out the use of truck.

Check around on what it would cost to replace it with one just as good as your old one.
Do not pay there first asking price.
Get there bottom dollar on a no trade in cash deal.
Some of them will give a good deal that way.

Value on 4W larger trucks have went way down and you may be able to replace it for less that repair cost or what the insurance will pay.
And come out ahead on the deal

And if you have good storage place for you old one keep it for parts.

Good Luck

[Tdragone]

At this point; I'm pretty sure you can buy a newer truck for the settlement + a little cash since people are starting to unload trucks and go to mini cars.

IF it were me; and you haven't put in any serious $ into the engine or suspension.. I'd go with a newer truck.

[bigbadram51]

I'd go for the new truck....No matter what it will never be quite the same again, and every little tick, noise, thump will have you guessing if something was missed.

As for buying a new one, if you can go towards the end of the month or a rainy day. I used to work as a salesman....We were always looking to make deals on days like that. My best advice is look at trade in value for that and offer something reasonable over that. Someone offering us a "cash deal" made no difference to us...We got our money either way. Lots of dealers make more money by getting you to finance.

[masapell]

I would definitely get rid of it and take the money and get another. I agree with bigbadram that there are many great deals on used trucks right now.

[OneBadasz71tahoe]

What insurance company are you with? I ask that only because I have never heard of an insurance company giving you Book + Salvage. If I were you I would go with a new truck. You can get a steal on one right now.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by ecnar

My 99 Silverado 4x4 ext cab with 108,000 miles was hit by a fallen tree. Which did enough damage that my insurance wants to total it out. But, they say the damage amount is right at the borderline of thier totaling out amount($7500). They say I can salvage title it and keep it and they will pay for the work. Or they will give m blue book value + salvage of ($10,110) almost enough to get another slightly newer truck. I have some nice aftermarket parts on it (tires horns stereo lights ect) that I can take off of it. Should I keep it or start over?
Thanks,

I would take the 10k and not get involved with the salvage title...

I my area this type vehicle is available for less as many here are dumping these gas guzzlers for smaller high MPG vehicles...


repairing this damage is very different than a collision in that the metal is taking the hit in a place that this was not intended...


get the numbers in writing before you do the deal.............

[ukrkoz]

take the $$
keep the truck
remove what was added by you and is fair to remove
donate truck to charity and write it off on taxes

why? cuz you, having cash on hand, have a leverage to buy a much better one for cash from one of those poor souls that are trying to rid of theirs now. craigslist would be your best bet, and many better trucks are out there for less than $10K. i'd, personally, add another 2 grand and buy a tundra. or a last gen tacoma, which is a sweet truck.