Totaled Cosmetic Only - What to do?!!

[ScottyBoy]

There's a fella with a YouTube channel named Vehcor and his name is Scott. You could contact him via Facebook or Instagram or call his shop outside of Chicago. He could fix that and has done those kinds of repairs with your very vehicle on his channel.

If that tree fell on mine, I'd drive it up there and have Scott fix it. Maybe he'd even make a video series out of it.

You're right, I'm sure Scott's GM Emporium could get that fixed right up.

 

[swathdiver]

You're right, I'm sure Scott's GM Emporium could get that fixed right up.

Yep, if he has even one of those Yukon parts trucks around, he'll have a roof and doors and most everything else needed for the repair.

 

[B-train]

We had an insurance total on my daughter's 2015 Ford fusion. Crinkled rear quarter panel was too expensive to fix. I asked what my options were and was told we could surrender it to them, or keep it for salvage value. They ran the numbers and we basically kept the car for $600. Plus, since it was a titanium trim level, the used comparison was high, so it ended up being a good deal for her in the end and she drove it another 6 months before selling to a friend for their kid to use as a first car.

If I were you, I'd see what the buy back, or keep it, price is and then negotiate the final payout based on condition, etc. There's a good case to keep what you know and have maintained. On the other hand, I can tell you are on the fence, so do what feels right. Don't subscribe to the sunk cost fallacy if you are feeling like you're done with this part of life......it's just a vehicle that served you well, and there are millions more as other options.

If you really want a truck, then I would recommend a Sierra Denali up to 2013 - no AFM and similar to what you would be giving up. My other suggestion is the 2015 - 2019 HD trucks with the 6.0L - they are bulletproof and will last many years. Just make sure to have the rear end checked for noise - some years had an assembly error and the rear diff can grenade if not caught in time (SRW axle on the 2017/2018 year I think?)

 

[alvocado]

There's a fella with a YouTube channel named Vehcor and his name is Scott. You could contact him via Facebook or Instagram or call his shop outside of Chicago. He could fix that and has done those kinds of repairs with your very vehicle on his channel.

If that tree fell on mine, I'd drive it up there and have Scott fix it. Maybe he'd even make a video series out of it.

This guy does some impressive repairs on his channel.

 

[tooleyondeck]

Are you referring to the 6.6 Liter Diesel?

No, I am referring to the 6.6L 87 Octane L8T which is basically a stroked 6.2 with no cylinder deactivation.

Any 09+ 6.2 will have cylinder deactivation, any 14+ 6.2 will be direct-injected, all with either have AFM or DFM.

 

[Lil Timmy Shy]

Looking to get opinions on this situation:

2012 - Yukon Denali AWD
192K miles
Original Owner
Transmission Replaced @ 152,000
ALL OEM SUSPENSION REPLACED @ 160,000 (+/-)
Powerstop Brakes/Drums/Rotors @ ~ 165,000
Radiator: 185,000
Leveling kit/1.5 Blocks in Rear
Nitto Recon Grapplers 285/50/22 with 25K
AC Fan/Misc parts replaced 5/2025
BlackBear Tune

Dillima: A tree fell on the vehicle only causing cosmetic damage; however, the vehicle is likely totaled. The damage is only to the passenger side rear cabin, rear door and passenger front door

I've put some money in keeping her going and it's been a great vehicle. I'm due for an upgrade but I can't say there is much I'd be confident in buying these days.

Insurance has been a pain to work with and (after a month) is saying I need to take it in for a body shop estimate and it's sounding like the vehicle will likely be totaled.

I'm bummed and realize I'm about togo to battle with the carrier.

A.) Should I consider a salvaged title and keep driving
B.) Get as much money as possible and walk
C.) Any other options

Appreciate any insight anyone can provide on what my options are and.....any suggestions on a new or "Newer" model truck to consider replacing it with would be appreciated. Seems like they're all junk!

***Also any insight on having a salvaged title vehicle pros/cons/likely outcomes....

MANY Thanks!

You might be surprised at how well that roof, etc, pops back into place with correctly placed hydraulics. The trick would be to find a body man who looks at this job with confidence and enthusiasm, instead of an, "I don't have time to mess with it" attitude.

 

[EddieC]

Someone ran a stop sign and damaged the full right side of our's.

The other driver's insurance sent an appraiser out and gave a go/no go number in reference to totaling. It was a pretty big number for a 16 year old vehicle with over 100,000 miles. I pushed to resist totaling it and the repairs ending up pushing a bit past the limit but it got done. Incidentally the body shop said insurance company's repair estimates are always low and the extent of damage is not really known until dismantling happens.

In hind sight. I regret not taking the money and moving on. Just another opinion.

 

[Eighthtry]

Kill it. Take your licks. It will hurt. But it will be a bear to get fixed right. Cutting into a roof? Salvage title? Insurance concerns mentioned earlier? Get another with similar or less mileage. You will probably end up updating it too. But face it. Repairing cars that require roof work is not like replacing fenders or doors.

Then the next thing to do would be to trim that tree. You didn't mention storms, but if that fell by its lonesome it has problems.

 

[Jdsfx1]

Would be a great platform for a body swap project like mine.