Hey all, got into a pretty bad accident and looking at a big job to repair. I trust my auto body guy but as you all know...Jeeps can be pretty sentimental, so wanted to get some advice from the diehard Jeep folk.

Long and short, looking at replacement of front axle and majority of drive shaft and front suspension components. Frame is bent; hydraulics guy checking it out tomorrow to see if he can work with it, so ultimate estimate depends on that, but the shop was throwing out 10-15k as very rough ballpark.

Insurance wants to total it....would give me 25K for the total vs 20K for retain and repair (obviously would be looking at salvage title and re-inspect through the state). Initially signed for about 28K and still owe about 17K on the financing. It's a 2015 with 40,000 on the odometer. Was in excellent condition before all this.

I am leaning toward repair if the frame can be saved. Am I being crazy and clouded by my love of this thing?? Would be helpful to have some objective insight.

Thanks all and be well.

 

It's fine to love your Jeep, but now is the time to realize it's a machine. People who can do their own work can sometimes come out ahead by buying back a total loss. Chances you end up with a less than perfect repair at more than expected expense, or serious doubts down the road when it just doesn't feel right, these are more the norm. Then, trying to unload it with a salvage title can be tough.

If it were mine, it would be time for it to go wheel the big trail in the sky. And then, new Jeep day would come about the same day the insurance check arrives in the mail.

 

+1 with JK_sea above. The odds of $15K or higher worth of work getting done right the first time are not good. The insurance company is essentially saying that too by offering $25K (or $20K plus salvage rights) to avoid $10K to $15K of repairs -- They know that the price tag will likely go higher, and you may never feel it's properly repaired.

Suggest concentrating on getting the most dollars out of them. Find comps, etc.

 

Mine is salvage title and even though I got it for 45% less than non-salvage comparable it can never go on a car yard, Was only a deer strike with minor damage and no airbag deploy. Mopar even treats it like a red headed step-child when it comes to recalls etc and this truck was certified and thoroughly inspected. It has to sell privately when the time comes but love the V8 that won't come for a while.