Deer totaled my car, what do i do?

Snipes4ever · 08-25-2008, 06:57 PM

I know this should be in off topic but i seriously can't find that section, sorry. So i just spent about $500 on my trusty old commuter car (88 Mazda 323, 5spd, 1.6 L, 4 dr.) putting a new head gasket, nice quiet exhaust, water pump, timing belt and brakes on it like three weeks ago. Last week i was coming back from my rents place for the weekend and big doe came running out of the woods and took out the d-side doors, windshield, and back pass side windows (from the impact).

I have a replacement car so thats ok but i just stuck a bunch of money into this nice little car. It always got 38-42 mpg and i drove it to Arizona and back and it always ran great, still does, even drives straight. I know its not worth it to fix the car, it would cost $600+ and the car still wouldn't be worth $800 but i can't bring myself to drive it to the scrap yard. What should i do, is it worth parting this thing out? It runs like a top and has some good parts but its taking up space i don't really have. I'm looking for advice (or maybe buyers?

) If i got $500 for whatever parts i could sell or even the whole car i would be very happy. Let me know what you guys think, this is really bumming me out. Thanks for your input.

bigt · 08-25-2008, 07:14 PM

turn it to a trail rig till she wont start anymore

thats what i did!!!!2 deers ran into me at once and the yota is tough as nails!

DeathCougar · 08-25-2008, 07:25 PM

Why not just keep driving it? If its just a commuter car, who cares what it looks like?

My corolla has big scratches in the decklid AND both front fenders are junk. SO?

Snipes4ever · 08-25-2008, 09:32 PM

Thanks for the advice. Don't know how good of a "trail rig" it would make since it has like 4 inches of clearance. I would keep it and continue to use it as a comuter but i figure a windshield is $200, doors probably $50 each probably without glass, i would have to bend back the pillar between the doors and the welds broke so it would be unsafe, and the back pass side door glass is probably like $50. I guess if i can find parts for cheap it would work but the deer took out some sturctural strength when it bent stuff up. I'll try and post pics tommorow. I found some forums and searched craigslist for parts to buy or use as comparison. Gonna keep researching...

DeathCougar · 08-25-2008, 09:46 PM

Toss some lexan in for the glass, bend the pillars back out, and call it good!

How hard did the deer hit you that it messed up the structural integrity of that car?!

RunnerUp · 08-25-2008, 09:57 PM

start hunting, and if you already do, get better at it

CyMoN · 08-25-2008, 10:13 PM

CRAIGSLIST either sell it on there or try to find the parts.
I have had pretty good luck with buying truck parts on it.

I have not as good luck with other things like tools and sporting stuff people seem to have no loyalty to you even if you tell them you are driving a hour and a half to get there you get there and they tell you sorry just sold it.

that was our last exp with craigslist my buddy and I drove to Greencastle and picked up a hard top for my 4runner then drove to indy to pick up a mtn bike got there and the people where driving off with the bike I wanted to make the guy pay my buddy for the diesel he used but my buddy said F it I then pushed that we should go buy some eggs and egg the guys house but that idea did not get approved either.

Snipes4ever · 08-26-2008, 07:15 AM

I was doing about 70 and the deer was at a full run. The impact busted the window so hard i had to have glass removed from my cheek. Here's some pics.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/IMG00155.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/IMG00156.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/IMG00157.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/IMG00160.jpg
The last one shows how much the pillar between the doors was pushed in, pretty much to the seat.
Hitting the deer seriously made me want to take up hunting, but fall is snowmobile prep season and i would hate to take away from that, or drinking at the shack.

Team420 · 08-26-2008, 08:23 AM

How did a deer total your car? did it borrow your car and get drunk? lol Soryy to hear it man...thats why I have a cattle guard on my rig... I can total ford taurus' with no damage. lol

SC4Runner · 08-26-2008, 10:33 AM

lol... "that pole jumped out and nailed me!" Sorry to hear about that irresponsible deer!

isaac338 · 08-26-2008, 11:11 AM

i dunno, if the doors close, who cares? put in a new windshield and window (cheap from a junker) and drive it till it dies.

eighty5yota · 08-26-2008, 11:24 AM

well... did you total the deer?

mrtejman · 08-26-2008, 11:33 AM

that sucks, I just hit a buck this last weekend in my tacoma head on at 45MPH. Bent my license plate and put a small ding in my bumber, go toyota!

mt_goat · 08-27-2008, 08:15 AM

I'd consider buying another one just like it (if you can find one) and swap over or combine the best parts from each one into one good car. Then part out or scrap the rest.

Joe's Toy · 08-27-2008, 08:41 AM

Dude I'm sorry to hear about your car. That story sounds like something out of The Ring 2 haha. If your not planning on keeping the car forever I vote for seal up the holes and drive it. Thats basically what I did when my old truck got "totalled" out by the insurance. They gave me $2900 + the truck back, I repaired it for like $300 and drove it for another year and a half.

YOTABP · 08-27-2008, 08:48 AM

what the hell did the deer look like after.

habanero · 08-27-2008, 12:55 PM

Eat it.

habanero · 08-27-2008, 12:56 PM

The deer I mean.

Cars are too crunchy.

No matter how much milk you use.

08-25-2008, 06:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Snipes4ever Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Stevens Point, WI Posts: 104	Deer totaled my car, what do i do? I know this should be in off topic but i seriously can't find that section, sorry. So i just spent about $500 on my trusty old commuter car (88 Mazda 323, 5spd, 1.6 L, 4 dr.) putting a new head gasket, nice quiet exhaust, water pump, timing belt and brakes on it like three weeks ago. Last week i was coming back from my rents place for the weekend and big doe came running out of the woods and took out the d-side doors, windshield, and back pass side windows (from the impact). I have a replacement car so thats ok but i just stuck a bunch of money into this nice little car. It always got 38-42 mpg and i drove it to Arizona and back and it always ran great, still does, even drives straight. I know its not worth it to fix the car, it would cost $600+ and the car still wouldn't be worth $800 but i can't bring myself to drive it to the scrap yard. What should i do, is it worth parting this thing out? It runs like a top and has some good parts but its taking up space i don't really have. I'm looking for advice (or maybe buyers? ) If i got $500 for whatever parts i could sell or even the whole car i would be very happy. Let me know what you guys think, this is really bumming me out. Thanks for your input. __________________ 93' Ext. Cab Pickup SR5 V6 5spd. w/ K&N drop-in, ISR mod, drilled box (don't do this), Downey headers to custom exhaust w/ hi-flow cat and Flowmaster 40. 4" ProComp susp. lift, 33x12.5R15 Micky T Baja MTZs 01' Ninja zx6r 88' Mazda 323 38-42 mpg (totaled) 93' Nissan Sentra

08-25-2008, 07:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
bigt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: chippawa niagara falls ontario Posts: 1,985	turn it to a trail rig till she wont start anymore thats what i did!!!!2 deers ran into me at once and the yota is tough as nails! __________________ 1991 HILUX SURF SSR-X 2-lte turbo diesel with upgraded head tons of cool options you dont get in north America RIGHT HAND DRIVE,auto,push button 4wd,turbo timer,31.1-.50.15 bfgs,factory fender flares,window flares. CAR DOLLY sirius TUNED TO HOWARD 100 trail ifs rig goldie fate unknown blue 93 srf 4runner NEW TRAIL RIG IN POGRESS ifs welded rear few mods for now rebuilding fj 60 series front axle for future s.a.s

08-25-2008, 09:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Snipes4ever Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Stevens Point, WI Posts: 104	Thanks for the advice. Don't know how good of a "trail rig" it would make since it has like 4 inches of clearance. I would keep it and continue to use it as a comuter but i figure a windshield is $200, doors probably $50 each probably without glass, i would have to bend back the pillar between the doors and the welds broke so it would be unsafe, and the back pass side door glass is probably like $50. I guess if i can find parts for cheap it would work but the deer took out some sturctural strength when it bent stuff up. I'll try and post pics tommorow. I found some forums and searched craigslist for parts to buy or use as comparison. Gonna keep researching... __________________ 93' Ext. Cab Pickup SR5 V6 5spd. w/ K&N drop-in, ISR mod, drilled box (don't do this), Downey headers to custom exhaust w/ hi-flow cat and Flowmaster 40. 4" ProComp susp. lift, 33x12.5R15 Micky T Baja MTZs 01' Ninja zx6r 88' Mazda 323 38-42 mpg (totaled) 93' Nissan Sentra

08-25-2008, 09:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
RunnerUp Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 961	start hunting, and if you already do, get better at it __________________ Kyle 2002 4Runner - Lifted/Locked/Armored - 130k Miles 2007 4Runner V8 Sport Edition 4WD Buy My Stuff!!! MASTER CYLINDER 1" BORE - TG - $100 WESTIN BRUSH GUARD 99-02 4RUNNER - $200 STOCK 16" 5 SPOKES - LIMITED WHEELS - $400 96-02 Leather Seats (Perforated) - $500 Eclipse AVN2454 Navi Double Din - $500

08-25-2008, 10:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
CyMoN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: INDIANA Posts: 2,041	CRAIGSLIST either sell it on there or try to find the parts. I have had pretty good luck with buying truck parts on it. I have not as good luck with other things like tools and sporting stuff people seem to have no loyalty to you even if you tell them you are driving a hour and a half to get there you get there and they tell you sorry just sold it. that was our last exp with craigslist my buddy and I drove to Greencastle and picked up a hard top for my 4runner then drove to indy to pick up a mtn bike got there and the people where driving off with the bike I wanted to make the guy pay my buddy for the diesel he used but my buddy said F it I then pushed that we should go buy some eggs and egg the guys house but that idea did not get approved either. __________________ my rigs 89 4runner 1989 4runner v6 5 speed everything factory +4susplift running bfg 31s and a aux gas tank and more aux lights than needed 86 pickup 1986 stock pickup 22r 31.10 BFG ATs flatbed a sad day for the 4runner "One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life."

08-26-2008, 07:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
Snipes4ever Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Stevens Point, WI Posts: 104	I was doing about 70 and the deer was at a full run. The impact busted the window so hard i had to have glass removed from my cheek. Here's some pics. http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/IMG00155.jpg http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/IMG00156.jpg http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/IMG00157.jpg http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/IMG00160.jpg The last one shows how much the pillar between the doors was pushed in, pretty much to the seat. Hitting the deer seriously made me want to take up hunting, but fall is snowmobile prep season and i would hate to take away from that, or drinking at the shack. __________________ 93' Ext. Cab Pickup SR5 V6 5spd. w/ K&N drop-in, ISR mod, drilled box (don't do this), Downey headers to custom exhaust w/ hi-flow cat and Flowmaster 40. 4" ProComp susp. lift, 33x12.5R15 Micky T Baja MTZs 01' Ninja zx6r 88' Mazda 323 38-42 mpg (totaled) 93' Nissan Sentra

08-26-2008, 10:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
SC4Runner Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: 5th Gen San Diegan, California Posts: 5,201	lol... "that pole jumped out and nailed me!" Sorry to hear about that irresponsible deer! __________________ 1996 4x4 3.4L 4Runner on 35's 1966 FJ40 - SOA with stock springs, stock 1F motor, and a smelly tailpipe.

08-26-2008, 11:11 AM	#11 (permalink)
isaac338 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Halifax, NS, Canada Posts: 796	i dunno, if the doors close, who cares? put in a new windshield and window (cheap from a junker) and drive it till it dies. __________________ 1994 Xtracab pickup, 180,000km 1989 4Runner, 300,000km - sold

08-26-2008, 11:24 AM	#12 (permalink)
eighty5yota Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: san jose cali Posts: 303	well... did you total the deer?

08-26-2008, 11:33 AM	#13 (permalink)
mrtejman Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 93	that sucks, I just hit a buck this last weekend in my tacoma head on at 45MPH. Bent my license plate and put a small ding in my bumber, go toyota!

08-27-2008, 08:15 AM	#14 (permalink)
mt_goat Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Oklahoma State Posts: 7,447	I'd consider buying another one just like it (if you can find one) and swap over or combine the best parts from each one into one good car. Then part out or scrap the rest. __________________ Dale 93 4X4 ext-cab, auto, SR5, 3.4 V6, supercharged, 2.1" pulley, URD fuel mods, Aquamist WI, IPT valve body mod, dual cases, 4" superlift front, Alcan springs rear, 33 BFG MT, ARB locked front & rear, 5.29 US Gears, RB 1" Body Lift, 1.5" ball joint spacers, manual hubs, TJM T-17, Warn m8000.

08-27-2008, 08:41 AM	#15 (permalink)
Joe's Toy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 478	Dude I'm sorry to hear about your car. That story sounds like something out of The Ring 2 haha. If your not planning on keeping the car forever I vote for seal up the holes and drive it. Thats basically what I did when my old truck got "totalled" out by the insurance. They gave me $2900 + the truck back, I repaired it for like $300 and drove it for another year and a half. __________________ "And they called him a Hebrew Slave" 2003 Tacoma Prerunner, Double cab, 3.4 V6 5VZ-FE, auto. 2wd, rear e-locker My Profile (06/09/07)-Deckplate-(07/14/07)-ISR-(08/27/07)-WARN 4300K HID lights-(11/22/07) -True-Cool Tranny Cooler-(12/25/07) -Tru Flow air filter-(12/25/07) -Husky Floor Liners-(02/14/08)-ScanGaugeII-(04/30/08)-Glassworks Unlimited hood-

08-27-2008, 08:48 AM	#16 (permalink)
YOTABP Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 52	what the hell did the deer look like after. __________________ 86 4runner SAS swap Dana 44 front 7" sus front 6" sus back 3" body DRIVE LIKE YOU GOT A PAIR!

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