Fix it or part out?

My son has a 1999 4runner in good running shape. Until last week. He clipped a neighbor's Land Rover LR3 (ouch) coming home. No one hurt except his pride. We are taking care of the neighbor's car but my son's 4runner took the worst hit.

Looking for input on to fix or part out. I think we paid $6,500 for his truck last Fall. Looks to be some upper frame damage. Front suspension looks OK but not verified. Radiator is also pushed back almost into fan. Truck still runs but is high idling. Guessing the throttle cable is damaged or bent. I would not say its drivable. Any advice appreciated. I'm guessing this is a cut our losses deal. Thanks, Chris.

 

Considering the year and the damage, insurance would total it. I would base my decision on that. Don't know the condition of the rest of it, but you might do very well to part it out.

 

Looks like the car did its best to protect the occupant and it is good to read that no one was hurt in the accident. Since the car is drive able, why not take it to a couple of body shops and have them give you repair estimates. With that at hand you can then decide whether it is worth repairing or not. Obviously other factors also come into play. How many miles on the vehicle? How is the interior and the rest of the body? Any mechanical issues before the accident? I think if it was a healthy vehicle to begin with and if the repair expenses are manageable, you can make the case to keep it.

 

Very reasonable questions and considerations as well!

 

Buy another, move any parts over you need, and part out the rest. Not worth fixing.

Estimates are free, so you could at least get one. I would expect at least $8k.

 

That's about how much I'm guessing.

 

Thanks, all. I will get an estimate but to negusm's guestimate I'm thinking its $8k +/- as well. You may see this one in the classifieds here pretty soon.

 

I had similar damage on my '97 limited. totaled. bought it back. had bump shop repair. close to 9k. but after done, it looked brand new..myself, well worth the money spent. my frame was clean. had it been rusty, I would have pulled the plug, and scrap her. gen 3's are hard to find in my neck of the woods..and they still go for big bucks..especially when they are clean, etc

 

If it were me I'd see if the insurance would total it, if so you might be able to deal with them and keep the vehicle, if the frame is reparable and you can get a donor vehicle you might be able to get it back on the road for a minimal amount, If your mechanical enough you can do most of the work yourself, that's just me though, good luck with whatever you decide

 

It's totaled for sure. Anything worse then a minor fender bender seems to total these 3rd gens. They just aren't worth a whole lot compared to cost to repair it at a body shop. Might be a good place to start if you rebuilt salvage vehicles, but the moment frame damage is a possibility its not worth the trouble.

 

another reason I repair my gen 3, was simple...I know exactly what I had..engine/trans/etc no surprises...

 

Go on take the money and run.

 

Totaled for sure. If you have the ability & time, repairing it yourself is always an option if there is no frame damage. Or possibly finding a 3rd gen with blown motor to swap yours into. Other than that, I'm sure you'd have no trouble parting it out.

Most likely not worth having a shop repair it, unless it's sentimental & you want to keep that specific car.