[Wintermute]

This morning someone hit me at a stop light. She was going almost full speed, and messed my rear end up pretty badly. The frame, exhaust, and the entire bed need to be replaced at the very least. This is just a month after I put a Shrock rear bumper on too.

The truck just barely hit 15,000 miles, so it's practically brand new. There's not much chance I can find a used replacement if the insurance company decides to total it. :crying:

I see three options here:

1. Push to have it repaired. Definitely won't cost me anything, but I'm not sure I would ever trust the truck again. Every little thing will scare the crap out of me from here on out.

2. Push to have it totaled and buy a new Frontier. My only fear here is that this is going to set me back a few grand because the insurance company is going to try to depreciate my truck even though there is exactly one used 2017 Frontier for sale in SoCal that I can find.

3. Push to have it totaled and buy a Titan. There are some great deals on 2017 Titans at the moment, and the gas mileage is just as good as the Frontier. My only fear here is that it's a relatively new generation, and the early 2nd gen Frontier seem to have had more than their fair share of bugs to work out.

If you were me, what would you do?

 

[bjar12]

I think the new Titans are pretty ugly but that’s my opinion. I would stick with a Frontier if I were you or get a Titan with the older body style.

My experience working in a body shop when it comes to frame damage it’s kind of hit or miss. I’ve seen technicians doing good honest work when repairing a frame and I would trust driving on that frame. But there are also technicians that cut corners when repairing a frame and I wouldn’t trust that at all.



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[Zedbra]

I had my frame cut and straightened about 7 or 8 years ago with no issues since. If done right, it is only metal, it can be fixed. Since a Titan opinion was already given, I'll share mine - I think the last generation Titan was ugly, the new is slightly less. lol.

 

[bjar12]

I had my frame cut and straightened about 7 or 8 years ago with no issues since. If done right, it is only metal, it can be fixed. Since a Titan opinion was already given, I'll share mine - I think the last generation Titan was ugly, the new is slightly less. lol.

But still ugly lol


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[manzellaj]

I literally just had this happen too me. Mine was a 2013. The frame and bed were completely done. After insurance looked at they values the damage around 12k. So if yours Isnt pretty much brand new, yt? They'll prob total it and write a pretty good check

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[Wintermute]

Forgot to post pictures. Looks like mine is a bit worse than manzellaj's, but the repairs should be about the same. If repairs are only $12k, then there's no way it's totalled.

 

[manzellaj]

Forgot to post pictures. Looks like mine is a bit worse than manzellaj's, but the repairs should be about the same. If repairs are only $12k, then there's no way it's totalled.

Yea looks worst lol. The bent frame and the fact my motor was damaged from me rear ending someone when that guy hit me totaled it out. Wish u the best

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[Clint]

Don’t forget diminished value as on a trade it will get a big ding. Me, I’d make sure it’s a total but glad you’re well enough to post here not from a hospital bed. Deal only with your insurance and their company only looks to protect themselves financially. I’d also make sure you physically gave no issues from this and if given crap from insurance go find a lawyer. Lastly, I had a Titan for three years and 60,000 trouble free miles so if you go that route, enjoy it as I like the new ones even better than the first generation.
Keep us updated on this.

Clint

 

[1st Frontier]

If the repair cost is more than 50% of vehicle value, they will more than likely total it. Hope no one was injured. Vehicles can be repaired or replaced

 

[Clint]

If the repair cost is more than 50% of vehicle value, they will more than likely total it. Hope no one was injured. Vehicles can be repaired or replaced

I believe they use the 75-80% threshold.

Clint

 

[Seany Boy]

I believe they use the 75-80% threshold.



Clint

Definitely closer to 75-80%. bought a Ford brand new (35,000) and got hit head on by a drunk driver up in PA, truck was like 8 months old they assessed damage at 24,000, so wouldn’t total it. Thing was in & out the shop the 6 years I had it, and still drove like ****, total nightmare. Cost the scam artists over at USAA a lot more than the 35 paid for it.
I’d try and just get a new frontier, not too crazy about the Titans appearance. That bumper took a huge amount of the hit, she probably would’ve been in your backseat with stock bumper.


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[Clint]

Actually that stout bumper made it worse as the energy absorbed went further forward. They design those “crumple zones” to save you, a vehicle is an item only.
If you tell them how much grief you’ll give them if not fixed dead perfect and how you health may have suffered they always cave in.

Clint

 

[Seany Boy]

Actually that stout bumper made it worse as the energy absorbed went further forward. They design those “crumple zones” to save you, a vehicle is an item only.

If you tell them how much grief you’ll give them if not fixed dead perfect and how you health may have suffered they always cave in.



Clint

Well yeah that’s why they stopped making vehicles like that, I know he definitely felt it more than a stock, figured with his metal vs her plastic it would’ve held up better. I was only 19 I barely knew how to shave, forget getting my way with an insurance company lol.


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[Wintermute]

So I went ahead and talked the insurance into totaling the truck. In the end, I just didn't want to have to worry about issues cropping up for the next ~9 years I originally planned on holding on to the truck. The initial quote to repair the truck was $13,000 to replace the bed and frame, but that was with used parts. I said that given how new the vehicle was I really wanted brand new parts if they repaired it and that I would rather just total the vehicle and be done with it, and the insurance went ahead and totaled it.

I'm still trying to decide between a 2018 Pro4X Frontier and a 2017 Pro4X Titan. If anyone has any recommendations on aftermarket Titan bumpers and step rails, and any MPG numbers I would love to hear them. Also, are there any other forums besides TitanTalk and ClubTitan? Neither seem nearly as active as ClubFrontier...

Actually that stout bumper made it worse as the energy absorbed went further forward. They design those “crumple zones” to save you, a vehicle is an item only.
If you tell them how much grief you’ll give them if not fixed dead perfect and how you health may have suffered they always cave in.

I know in theory the solid steel bumper should mean more energy transferred to my body, but I really barely felt a thing, while the woman who hit me had her airbag deploy. I wonder if the steel bumper didn't end up transferring more energy to her vehicle.

Well yeah that’s why they stopped making vehicles like that, I know he definitely felt it more than a stock, figured with his metal vs her plastic it would’ve held up better. I was only 19 I barely knew how to shave, forget getting my way with an insurance company lol.

Keep in mind that there were no skid marks or anything and I was stopped. She didn't slow down much if at all and the speed limit on that road is 50mph. Her car was definitely totaled, and I'm actually surprised how little damage she did to me considering the speed.

 

[Clint]

If you think about it the bumper is bolted to the frame so the frame rails took the whole shot directly. The factory bumper would have collapsed and absorbed some energy. No matter what you here and we’ll and on to your next ride. Either of your choices are excellent ones. Good luck to you.

Clint

 

[Boomer32]

Dang.....sorry to hear about this and on a new truck. I'd transfer over applicable mods if you get another Fronty.

If you haven't done so, I'd also suggest any mods that are bolted/permanent to the new truck to itemize and add to your insurance policy (Custom parts and equipment coverage (CPE)). My insurance only went up $150/year but are covered for those parts.

Spotty reliability and steeper depreciation on the Titan (per Consumer reports); I'd stick w/the Pro-4X IMO unless you are towing heavier loads.

Good luck on your search.

 

[AndysLog]

i would totally keep that truck and build it.



side bar to all the gents and ladies that have all this heavy *** offroad stuff stuck on the body of your vehicle. this can and will effect how damage is sent through your vehicle.
instead of the factory bumper being a point of absorbing some of the impact, that offroad bumper transferred a lot of energy onto the truck.

something to think about when dealing with accidents and insurance.


EDIT< Clint is the man.

 

[RobFrisco415]

1. Glad to hear you're ok
2. Ho Lee Fahk!!! That person really smacked you hard if they did that to the plated steel bumper!!! I would definitely total it and just get another Pro4x..... kinda makes me wonder about getting an offroad bumper, but here is SF, there isn't anything over 35mph.... and everyone bumps into you while trying to learn how to parallel park

 

[SoulArmored]

Do you have GAP Insurance either through the dealer or insurance company? I'd definitely total it it and find replacement. Sorry to hear about your loss.

 

[Wintermute]

Do you have GAP Insurance either through the dealer or insurance company? I'd definitely total it it and find replacement. Sorry to hear about your loss.

Fortunately I paid cash for the original truck, so whatever the insurance gives me goes straight to my pocket.

Visited all of the local dealers today and ended up buying a 2018 Lava Red Pro4X Frontier. Unfortunately it's in Reno and I'm in SoCal, so it's going to be a few days before I actually take delivery. I test-drove a Titan, and while it's nice, I just don't think I want a bigger truck.