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So a couple of weeks ago a 19 year old pulled out in front of me and couldn't complete a turn into a Walgreens so they just stopped. I had no time to stop in time and t boned her. Thankfully no one was injured but her car was totaled and my truck is messed up but drove home fine. Unfortunately the insurance company totaled it but is offering me 12.5 or 7200 for a salvaged title. I had a shop quote me at 6200 to do all repairs many of which I could do on my own to save money buy I'm just VERY torn on what to do. I really loved this truck and had no intention of selling it.
The truck was a 1994 pickup sr5 with 258k on a tired 3.0 I've been driving on 5 cylinders for over a year with the intention of 3.4 swapping this coming spring. It also needed other things here and there like ball joints control arm bushings drive shaft support bearing just some odds and ends. The frame was perfect and the body had little dents and scratches but no rust.
So LONG story short I just wanted some advice from people who understand the love of these trucks and how hard it is to let them go. So should I take the 12.5 payout or fix her up??
Personally I would fix it, you know what it is, know what’s wrong, you know the truck. Finding another one in good shape that doesn’t need work is getting pricey. If you want an idea of what they are going for go over to bring a trailer and look at the prices they are selling for
Now if you just want to take the payout and go a different direction like a newer truck you can do that to BUT they just aren’t as cool…..I bought my truck for a thousand bucks and dumped a lot of money in it BUT i don’t have a payment and it’s just old school small truck awesomeness, compliments wherever I go and I love it, you can’t get that with a new Tacoma or any other truck out there AND I don’t have a 500 a month payment.
Soooooo that’s all I got good luck with whatever you decide and also glad you’re ok, sucky people can’t drive. I am also amazed they are offering you 12.5!!!!!!!
I may also add it’s a perfect time for a 3.4!!!!!
Last edited by Discombobulated; Sep 29, 2025 at 08:16 AM.
I've had my 87since 88, and couldn't think of giving it up for some cheapo insurance payout. I have a long-bed pickup, have since I bought it from a dealer in 88. It was funny, a friend of mine had bought it new, but it wouldn't tow his bike well enough to suit him, so he traded it back in. He told me all about it when I first drove it out to work. He had only put 33 miles on it. Anyway, after I'd had it for several years, some idiot rammed into my rear bumper. Bent it up. Repair shop said $1200 to fix it, insurance said $600 was all it was worth. I took the $600, and fixed the bumper myself under the tutelage several pro mechanics out at work. Took less than 4 hours.
Anywho, that's my story. Heck, I taught 2 of my 3 daughters to drive a stick in it. If you can fix, or get it fixed, do that. That's my opinion, for what what it's worth.
Pat☺
No caso do seguro automóvel, vale a pena documentar tudo com fotos e relatórios assim que acontece o sinistro, mesmo que pareça um exagero. As seguradoras adoram detalhes quando se trata de avaliar danos. Tal como com casinos online novos e outros serviços financeiros, ler bem as condições e guardar provas pode fazer a diferença entre ter o problema resolvido depressa ou ficar meses a discutir valores.
And yes, I am glad to know that you are ok.
Last edited by RhettVale; Nov 20, 2025 at 04:35 AM.
So a couple of weeks ago a 19 year old pulled out in front of me and couldn't complete a turn into a Walgreens so they just stopped. I had no time to stop in time and t boned her. Thankfully no one was injured but her car was totaled and my truck is messed up but drove home fine. Unfortunately the insurance company totaled it but is offering me 12.5 or 7200 for a salvaged title. I had a shop quote me at 6200 to do all repairs many of which I could do on my own to save money buy I'm just VERY torn on what to do. I really loved this truck and had no intention of selling it.
The truck was a 1994 pickup sr5 with 258k on a tired 3.0 I've been driving on 5 cylinders for over a year with the intention of 3.4 swapping this coming spring. I even contacted kia motors finance customer support to explore some vehicle financing alternatives while figuring out my next move. It also needed other things here and there like ball joints control arm bushings drive shaft support bearing just some odds and ends. The frame was perfect and the body had little dents and scratches but no rust.
So LONG story short I just wanted some advice from people who understand the love of these trucks and how hard it is to let them go. So should I take the 12.5 payout or fix her up??
Take the 12.5k payout. The truck already needed an engine swap, ball joints, bushings and more before the accident. Adding collision repairs and a salvage title on top of all that makes no financial sense. Take the money and find a cleaner example to do your 3.4 swap on properly.
Take the 12.5k payout. The truck already needed an engine swap, ball joints, bushings and more before the accident. Adding collision repairs and a salvage title on top of all that makes no financial sense. Take the money and find a cleaner example to do your 3.4 swap on properly.
Why is a Kia link embedded in the original user’s post you quoted? Are you a bot? Your posts are weird and I’m not sure I’m a fan.
Sep 28, 2025 | 06:13 PM
