Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Black Ice and not the good AC/DC kind

Glad to hear that everyone is OK.

Thank you everyone for the kind words and reassurances. I frequent a few tech boards regularly but this was the only one I felt compelled to share my story with.

All continues well health wise with my wife and Mom-in-law, except some soreness so I am indeed thankful to whatever causes were at play that day, be it divine, technical or just plain ol' luck.

Still waiting to hear on the Jeep. About the only reason I'd even consider repair a good thing is because I have so much extra money put into it that is not often returned by insurance and with a second, gas friendly, vehicle now it had become just pretty much a trail and snowy day vehicle. Sharon was actually taking it to be rust-checked for the winter when she had the accident.

The adjuster told me that in the case of a write off, they will consider add-ons in an individual basis based on cost and age. The good news with that is that the most expensive items like the new lift kit and the $300 a pop tires were replaced this summer, so depreciation will not be as heavy as if say I still had the lift I put on it in 2004.

I think my best bet is to push for it to be written off and then send someone licensed for the auctions to try and get it back for a couple of thousand. To replace new, there is at quick est. tally of 8800 worth of aftermarket parts surviving on there.

Even simply reselling parts to my Jeep buddies would drop the value to way less than half that in total it's also full of other Rubicon specific parts (at least those not damaged) that would sell in a matter of minutes. I know from a recent repair that just one of the two lockers alone is worth a grand. The extra heavy & extra low ranged transfer case, heavier power train parts (those not damaged,) axles, etc. All sell-able in minutes, not days.

I just might come out of this pretty good depending on the adjuster and if there are not too many 4x4 savvy bidders at the auction. The Word is already out though and some vultures have already phoned me to inquire what's happening with it.

I have had at least one near miss in an auto where I was so certain that I was going to have a serious crash that I closed my eyes and braced for impact. I have several stories from co-workers that had horrible crashes but walked away unscathed - I believe there are Gaurdian Angels.

Her friend at work actually has a side business talking to your guardian angel. I can set you up if you like. She is cute and kinda separated too. Well, Kinda.

If the Jeep does get written off, I would ask about the possibility of buying back before it even goes to auction. I have known some people that were able to do this and like you simply sold off the good parts and then sent the carcass to the wrecker.

I asked that. He said it is not 'supposed' to happen anymore but adjusters (I noticed he made a point of not referencing to himself in first person) are sometimes talked into it. He said you don't so much buy it back as take a much smaller settlement plus the vehicle.

This sounded a bit odd and not what I had heard others do in the past so I didn't ask any more questions until I can look into it.

Wow Murph, just getting to this news. I'm sure glad the family is doing well. That's some scary stuff.

I believe they have found it to be in their best interests to not do this any more especially with a newer vehicle as it could command a higher price at an auction.

I would ask the body shop to allow you to remove the parts you want from your Jeep before the Insurance company pays you out, it is after all YOUR Jeep, at least until the cheque is in your hands.

Well, the Jeep is officially a write-off.
Goodbye old friend......

Wow! It had lost its doors and windows! Total write-off!