Sorry, no pics

My wife rear-ended a van today in our 00 SE (90k miles) The airbags did not go off. The thing seemingly drives fine. The hood is totally buggered and bent up to heck, plus the lights were smashed in good and proper. The radiator was bent back 25 degrees. No fluids were leaking anywhere. I'm surprised the radiator could get shot that far back and still function perfectly, but it did!

It seems mostly cosmetic, with exception of the lights which are killed, and the bumper will likely need to be replaced (side panels are fine). I noticed that when I signal the blinker goes very quickly, but otherwise the thing seems ok.

I wish they would total it out, but unless there's frame damage, it seems that the thing will just get a hefty repair and be returned, right?

I realize nobody here can say for sure, so I'm basically asking for just highly similar experiences or best guesses; more like a "fun thread" than anything I intend to "take to the bank". I'll update when I found out, including pics and the final estimate.

 

I doubt they'll total it... an 00SE - lets low-ball, is worth at least 8-10k... no way a hood/bumper and some straightening is going to cost that much.

 

Probably right, and now with three accidents (one prior to our buying it, and the last one incredibly minor), the decision as to whether to sell this is removed from me. I'll have to drive it into the ground!

 

You'll be driving it a long time

 

Well, I'm too late to get pics, as it's been ripped down now to fully estimate it. Repair estimate came out to $4550. Upon second look at it I'd guessed it was going to cost between 4-5k, so that's not too bad. It should have nicer paint, since we all know the stock stuff sucks (even if the repair shop cheaps on it, it probably won't be any worse!), and that's well evidenced by the chipped-to-hell paint on the bumper and hood. Its resale will take a hit, but I'll just have to keep it a long time, so for me I think the nice paint will be a plus. Sucks having only one car for two weeks, though!

I'm glad the car was a bit old. It would suck doing something like this to a new car worth $20k and lamenting its new comment in carfax and the profound impact it would have on its equity.

 

yea ull get a nice refresh coat of paint...

 

Yeah, that quote sounds about right. I had similiar front end damage on my '95 when I hit a tree a few years back. If your air bags would have gone off, it may have been written off as being totaled. They are expensive to replace, on top of the other damage as well. Just keep up on the body shop who repairs your car. Being the car is 5 years old, they will use aftermarket parts. It's better to get OEM parts for better fitment and less problems. I was lucky when I got mine repaired...the aftermarket parts didn't fit well and they had to go with OEM. My paint job was immaculate, also. I went thru two winters without hardly any chips at all on the front bumper and hood. Just make sure you take it to a good reputable body shop and you'll be fine. Good luck!