Another wreck… now car shopping

[471_Magnum]

First time it was me getting rear ended in the Road Runner. This time it involved my wife, son, and her 2007 Pacifica. Driver and passenger walked away with bumps and bruises. The car on the other hand, was not so fortunate.

Wednesday afternoon a "distracted driver" blew through a red light in a 2000-ish Honda Accord, clipping the front of my wife's car. The impact spun the Pacifica 90 degrees. Driver airbags were deployed.

I haven't inspected the car too closely myself, but the pictures tell the story. Body shop estimate has come in at $11500.

Knowing the driver at fault has crappy minimum coverage insurance I went ahead and filed a claim through my insurance company. I'll probably have to eat my $500 deductable, but it's ultimately a small price to pay for not having to wrangle with the other insurance company. If I'm lucky, I'll get the deductible back sometime down the road.

With the trade in value on the Pacifica being around $13000, there is a strong possibility the insurance company will total it. As much as we like the car, I'm not sure I want it back after the extensive repairs it will require.

Knowing that we lose our rental car coverage five days later if they do total it, we've already poked around a little bit trying to decide how to replace it. I have found a couple of other near identical Pacificas on the market, but now that we've got the opportunity, we may as well look at other options.

Our current lifestyle screams for a minivan, but the wife is resistant to the concept. She struggles with the minivan stigma. To me, the leap from Pacifica to minivan is a very short one on the "dork scale".

Regardless, what she really wants is something with all the luxury of the Pacifica, more cargo capacity, and better gas mileage... but not a minivan. We'll see where that takes us, but I'll probably get her to at least test drive a Town & Country.

[472 R/T SE]

Glad your family's OK.

I got a call about a month ago from my frantic wife saying she just totaled the truck & asked if I would come to the scene.  Where there was no traffic I had the Maggie up to 120mph to get there.  I know she said they were OK but until I physically seen them I was scared to death.  We tried for 8 years to have our daughter.  If something had happened to her I honestly don't think I could have pulled through.
Our estimate was $18k but then again both frame rails were bent @ 90 degree angles in front of the suspension.

One thing about air bags I've learned.  When they go off insurance cos. don't like to replace them.  It's their ass if you have another accident & the new bags don't go off & someone gets hurt.  That's what the insurance inspector who came to look at our truck said.

Dump that rig, you don't want your loved ones back in it.      

[472 R/T SE]

Oh yeah, might I suggest an SRT8 Jeep Gran Cherokee for her next rig?

It took my wife about 2 days to realize how cool having an SRT 10 was so any idea of me getting it were tossed out the window real quick.

[471_Magnum]

Actually, I'm pretty pleased with the way the Pacifica performed. It kept my family safe.

The airbag deployment definitely is the big hitter.

An SRT 8 would be fun, but really doesn't match our needs. They're expensive to boot. Our budget is pretty modest.

[Ghoste]

How is your bride emotionally?  She still shook up or all good now?

[471_Magnum]

How is your bride emotionally?  She still shook up or all good now?

Still a little shook up. Not real comfortable being in a car. Pretty sore the previous few days, but generally okay now.

[tan top]

oh crikey !!  glad every one ok 

[bobs66440]

Glad everyone is ok.

I agree. I don't think I would want that car back. I would dump it also.

[471_Magnum]

Don't get me wrong. I'll definitely be lobbying hard to have it totaled. No doubt about it. Let's show a little respect for the old girl though.

[BrianShaughnessy]

Glad your family is OK.

They'll total is easy.  But sorry to say  I don't see anybody paying 13 retail for a Pacifica,,  let alone trade in value.   

Go for a Grand Cherokee,  no mini van stigma.

[471_Magnum]

I checked several sources as well as retail ads. 13 on the trade-in is a pretty good number. It's a fully loaded 07 with AWD.

Used car values are nuts right now.

[Charger-Bodie]

What they can get for a salvage bid is going to become a key part of whether this one goes total or not. If they can get a hefty salvage bid, it wont take as much to total the car. Usually on average 75 % or Retail will total the vehicle.

[skip68]

Glad they're OK.   Hopefully you will do well with the insurance company.    Good luck.   

[Todd Wilson]

I'm glad everyone is ok.   I have been in the market for a family truckster myself and have the same feelings about a minivan. We need it but cant bring myself to drive. it.   I have looked around at all the various Mopar vehicles and if you are wanting more space  a used Durango may be an option. I finally test drove a 2006 a few weeks ago and was impressed with it. The MPG probably wont be as good as the P  but you still got plenty of room and safety built in.

I am seeing used Durangos 3-5 yrs old for 12k to 16k depending on mileage and options and so forth.


Todd

[471_Magnum]

We just got back from looking at a new T&C. I'll probably go with a used 2011 if we go the minivan route.

If we don't get a minivan, we'll probably just find another 07 or 08 Pacifica, effectively deferring the minivan argument for another few years.

[Ghoste]

Oh come on, join us in the minivan club.  It aint so bad.

[471_Magnum]

Like I stated previously, the move from a Pac' to a minivan is a very small step on the dork scale. For me, it's not a problem. It's the wife that's struggling with it. I already sacrificed my pride three years ago when I traded in my Lexus in on the Pac'.

[Ghoste]

Its not becoming a dork, its giving in to the undeniable domestic reality in which you live.

[471_Magnum]

Its not becoming a dork, its giving in to the undeniable domestic reality in which you live.

Sounds like a dork in denial to me.

[Ghoste]

Bully.

[rt green]

get a magnum

[4cruzin]

Auto accidents are never fun . . . . 

[471_Magnum]

get a magnum

We actually test drove Magnums before we bought the Pac'. Not enough cargo capacity and the high belt line made the wife claustrophobic. The Pac' was just more bang for the buck.

[rt green]

i always wanted a lacrosse or a lasabre. great cars

[68X426]

Good to hear that the family is ok. But ...

Oh come on, join us in the minivan club.  It aint so bad.