Called the body shop last Wednesday to get an estimate for the damage to
my 98 SLT 5.2 CC 4x4. BodyShopBoy tells me it's $12000 damage but 'it's
very repairable'. He goes on to tell me they'd lift the cab, bed and
engine, install new a new frame align it to 'better than new' condition.
I entertain the guy by going down to the shop for lunch and discussing
my options. While at the shop, I was freaking amazed I didn't eat the
airbag (evidently 2 of 3 sensors need to be tripped.). I really didn't
consider the rebuild. I unloaded my tools and paperwork (doh, I forgot
my locking gas cap and tire lock thingies).
Later that day the insurance adjuster reviews the damages and they call
to discuss whether or not I'd like a repair or the $15,800 for the
rubble. I decide on the $16,600 (wreckage plus taxes & license). I ask
for my brand spanking new BFG 31's, and they offer $350 for them which I
accept (I'm still way ahead considering I paid $13k for the truck 6
months ago). If I recovered the tires, I would've had to replace the
rubble's tires with anything roadworthy (my bud had a wasted set of
tires in his garage). I figured $350 was worth it since I didn't want to
swap tires and all that crap.
Now I'm looking for another truck and I'm 95% sure I'll do the Dakota
thing again. I dearly loved my truck, but I didn't want a fixed one. My
auto dealing bud is going to the auction Wednesday and hopefully will
find maybe a '99 or even a 2k. Speaking of shopping for a new truck, I
visited the local dealers and ran off before testing a 2002 because,
frankly new car dealers are the biggest liars in the world. Bar none.
This one bozo told me, "Brian, I'm here to sell you the truck of your
dreams, and remember this, 'I've *never* lost a deal because of price.".
Oh brother! Of course he didn't accept my $20k bid for a 2002 SLT 4.7
4x4, so I walked :). Oh, btw, there's a $2000 rebate on new Dakotas if
you're looking to lose %25 when you drive off the lot. Yes, I hate new
car dealers.
I have to tip my hat to my insurance company, my gay little rent-a-car
is working fine, although my insurance company will only authorize me
until next Friday. They'll also refund my $250 deductible, and the 20%
rental fee when they review the accident report and find I'm not
responsible for the wreck.
Sorry to be so damned long winded, but hopefully I'll report on my 'new'
'99 Dakota by Wednesday (or I'll bend over and get a new one :).
Sad thing about my old Dakota, it never had a drop of deer blood in the
bed. :)
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:05:11 EDT