If it’s 2 grand to fix, I would fix it. You can’t really buy anything decent for 2 grand these days. At least you’ll know the mechanical condition of this one.
Gyllenhall said:
If it’s 2 grand to fix, I would fix it. You can’t really buy anything decent for 2 grand these days. At least you’ll know the mechanical condition of this one.
I spent 5k on an ‘09 with 185k miles and was thrilled. Since then, I’ve spent over 1500 on maintenance that was overdue and still feel good about the deal.
Fixing this makes sense for the reasons mentioned here. You’ll have a solid car for 5k total and you know what’s been done to it.
Gyllenhall said:
If it’s 2 grand to fix, I would fix it. You can’t really buy anything decent for 2 grand these days. At least you’ll know the mechanical condition of this one.
Absolutely agree. Having that peace of mind about the car is worth it. These days, cars are so pricey. Fix it, take good care of it, and use the money you save for a nice holiday with the family.
Hopefully, it’s just the body panels that need fixing. But did the damage affect anything else, like the engine or ABS system on that side? What about the serpentine belt and pulleys?
If there’s no major suspension or engine damage, you’re looking at about $3k to repair the collision damage. But keep in mind, with a salvage title, the car won’t have much resale value.
If you’re attached to this model, you could find another one for around $6k with a clear title and lower mileage. That might be a better move than putting money into this one. Just my two cents, but if you really love the car and have the money, go for it. Otherwise, maybe think about getting a similar one in better shape.
@Axel
Thanks for laying it out. Sometimes you just need to hear it to make it click. I’m thinking of getting an aftermarket hood and fender, painting them cheaply, and trying to install them myself. I drove the car, and it’s running great. Looks like the only internal issue is the coolant reservoir.
@Zeek
That’s good to hear. I was worried the damage might’ve hit the engine area on that side. From what you’re describing, you’ll need a hood, right fender, and headlight assembly. Hopefully, the bumper and grille align okay.
The tricky part with aftermarket body parts is getting them to fit properly. Plus, matching the paint can be tough because of years of sun and weather exposure. What’s your plan—are you leaning towards fixing it? If so, make sure you have transportation in the meantime. Or maybe look around for a similar car with less mileage from that generation. Older folks often kept them in good condition.
@Axel
Luckily, I have another car to use in the meantime. This Avalon is just for commuting. Since my in-laws kept it in a garage, I’m hoping the paint match won’t be too bad. I think I’ll go ahead with the repairs and see how it turns out. Hopefully, it’ll last me a few years for commuting, and maybe I can sell it down the line.
@Zeek
Good luck with the project. It’s great that it was garage-kept—it gives you a better shot at a decent paint match. You might need to get some clips and retainers too. Try to salvage all the usable parts from your old hood and fender. Keep us updated on how the repair goes!
I’d fix it. The car is probably worth more than the cost to repair.
It looks like you might just need a hood, fender, headlight, and a coolant reservoir. There’s also some comfort in not having a perfect car anymore—you won’t stress about small dings. It’s a solid car and probably drives great.
Sorry this happened to you.
@Ridge
Thanks. Good points, too.
You could probably find used parts in the junkyard in the same colour since it’s a common shade. You might be able to fix it for under $1k with those.
Forgot to mention—I only have liability coverage, so it’s all out-of-pocket for me to fix.
You really shouldn’t be driving, lol. It’ll cost over 2k to fix this.
Finch said:
You really shouldn’t be driving, lol. It’ll cost over 2k to fix this.
Yeah, no excuses here—I messed up big time. So, if it’s 2 grand to fix, should I go ahead and repair it or just sell it wrecked for whatever I can get?
@Zeek
Honestly, if it’s just a commuter car and you like it, fixing it might make sense. If you don’t feel attached to it, you could sell it as-is and put that money towards something else. Depends on what works best for you right now.