[ROLLTIDE]

Well... after a month of having my RAV4 at CarStar Collision... they have suddenly reversed their promise (it'll be ready end of February) of rebuilding my 09 RAV V6 post highway pile-up front end crushy..... and informed the insurance company that, despite a 10-page independent assessment and used replacement parts document ( by a 3rd party hired by the insurance company ) that they've had for a month.... the repairs & used parts could now exceed (by $2.5K+) the Insurance Co's threshold of repair worth and are now telling me my RAV4 is a write-off. WTF? Why did you tell me END OF FEBRUARY then!!!

Insurance is offering me $11.6K payment.

Another option is a $6.6K payment, and I keep the vehicle, and kick in money to get the Carstar people to fix it.

Not sure.

Finding another 09-12 Sport V6 Red.... (or LIMITED) is going to be bloody tough in Canada!!!!

Anyone know anyone who's selling?

 

[Big Bird]

Used prices are through the roof. I have a friend that does the used parts for insurance and it is a mess right now. They are trying to do their best and save the vehicles on the road as there is a such a shortage of vehicles right now.

Where abouts in Canada? Oh. I see Ontario

 

[DL175]

The V6 is in high demand but still relatively easy to find in my area. So far I see 6 in my area within 100 km (60 miles). But if you set your eye for just a red color that may take longer to find. I think grey and white are easier to find.

 

[JuneBug]

My 2008 V6 Limited was sideswiped in December of ‘21. The body shop said the insurance adjuster said it was almost totaled, but they agreed to fix it. A few days later they called and said they found hidden additional damage, and that pushed it over the threshold. I asked, “How much?” and they said $900. I said fine, fix it and I will gladly pay the extra 900. I knew finding another V6 with low mileage would be next to impossible.

 

[ROLLTIDE]

The V6 is in high demand but still relatively easy to find in my area. So far I see 6 in my area within 100 km (60 miles). But if you set your eye for just a red color that may take longer to find. I think grey and white are easier to find.

Whereabouts are you and any links, dealer etc to those 6?

I want a V6 Sport or Limited and if I have to take the "by-out" insurance money and lose my current RAV4 (interior is MINT! damn it!!) .... I was thinking... if I can't get RED.... buy whatever color I can and drop $1800 on a full body wrap to make the bastard red. LOL

 

[ROLLTIDE]

My 2008 V6 Limited was sideswiped in December of ‘21. The body shop said the insurance adjuster said it was almost totaled, but they agreed to fix it. A few days later they called and said they found hidden additional damage, and that pushed it over the threshold. I asked, “How much?” and they said $900. I said fine, fix it and I will gladly pay the extra 900. I knew finding another V6 with low mileage would be next to impossible.

This is the thing mate... what grinds my gears is this collision place has had my vehicle for ONE MONTH +..... and NOW they are telling me this??? The allotted time for the insurance rental vehicle expired... been using a family members car... like... this is B.S. in the time they've wasted in NOT telling me this so I could look for a different vehicle. And worst of all... these collision people TOLD me the repairs on my RAV4 would be done "at latest" the end of february.... now they've done a 180. Personally... being that they are understaffed as they admitted... I'm seriously thinking they've juggled the figures on the existing estimate and made stuff up just to mothball my vehicle to save concrete space on their floor for easier jobs. Tell me I'm crazy.

 

[DL175]

Whereabouts are you and any links, dealer etc to those 6?

I want a V6 Sport or Limited and if I have to take the "by-out" insurance money and lose my current RAV4 (interior is MINT! damn it!!) .... I was thinking... if I can't get RED.... buy whatever color I can and drop $1800 on a full body wrap to make the bastard red. LOL

I am in Ontario in the GTA area.

Check here: 2009 - 2012 Toyota RAV4 for sale in Scarborough | AutoTrader.ca

 

[ROLLTIDE]

I am in Ontario in the GTA area.

Check here: 2009 - 2012 Toyota RAV4 for sale in Scarborough | AutoTrader.ca

Yes I have checked those out previously. That one listed as V6/ grey that's missing the V6 emblem on the grille that also appears to be pre-2009 grille is an odd duck . LOL.

 

[Blogson]

Tough choice! Is there another collision center available which could and would do the repair work more expeditiously if you decide to keep your difficult to replace RAV4? Appears that you are being stonewalled and wonder why the existing facility won't do the repair work even if you obviously will make certain that they will get their money for the job. The grey RAV4 you looked at has 230,00 kms - if as noted it needs to be recertified you apparently would be on the hook for that feel plus tax and licencing.

Would hate to have to make those decisions if our '11 special ordered RAV4 with special factory packages and my few mods were involved in a similar situation. Best of luck!!

 

[DL175]

Rolltide, would you be interested in a red RX350 with low km.? Looks like in excellent condition.

New & Used Lexus RX for sale in Etobicoke | AutoTrader.ca

Looking to buy a Lexus RX in Etobicoke? Visit AutoTrader.ca, Canada's largest selection for new & used Lexus RX.

www.autotrader.ca

 

[ROLLTIDE]

Rolltide, would you be interested in a red RX350 with low km.? Looks like in excellent condition.

New & Used Lexus RX for sale in Etobicoke | AutoTrader.ca

Looking to buy a Lexus RX in Etobicoke? Visit AutoTrader.ca, Canada's largest selection for new & used Lexus RX.

www.autotrader.ca

At $25K all in.... that's quite a bit outta my price range unfortunately. But amazed at the quality after 12 years!!!!

 

[iowagold]

Well... after a month of having my RAV4 at CarStar Collision... they have suddenly reversed their promise (it'll be ready end of February) of rebuilding my 09 RAV V6 post highway pile-up front end crushy..... and informed the insurance company that, despite a 10-page independent assessment and used replacement parts document ( by a 3rd party hired by the insurance company ) that they've had for a month.... the repairs & used parts could now exceed (by $2.5K+) the Insurance Co's threshold of repair worth and are now telling me my RAV4 is a write-off. WTF? Why did you tell me END OF FEBRUARY then!!!

Insurance is offering me $11.6K payment.

Another option is a $6.6K payment, and I keep the vehicle, and kick in money to get the Carstar people to fix it.

Not sure.

Finding another 09-12 Sport V6 Red.... (or LIMITED) is going to be bloody tough in Canada!!!!

Anyone know anyone who's selling?

sorry to hear of your loss.
i had similar on my little 4.1 2000 rav.
but i do builders so i would not fall for the jive talking dealers...
lol
direct tow to my location so no chance of BIG storage fees.
i went direct with the insurance folks.
they wanted to total the rav value stating under 3500 for replacement value.
heck they are selling for 6000 to 10,000 for the older ravs in good shape.
so with a few phone calls they cut me a direct check for 3700 to cover parts.
and i was able to keep the rav with a clean title!
i had just done the time belt service and a bunch of other things.

so here i am at 7 months now and getting closer to having all of the parts needed.

so many silly parts on the short list right now.

so advice:
i would buy it back if you can fix it your self.
and let it sit inside till you get all of the parts.
that is if it is not too bad on the damage.
make sure to have a frame shop take a look first just to make sure it is not too far gone.
i have the string the frame numbers in the toyota collision manual for mine and it was spot on.
so i got lucky.

 

[ROLLTIDE]

So ... not a great shot... but post collision from a highway pile up.... grille gone, coolant was leaking all over the ground, front bumper works gone, bug deflector cracked and front edge of the hood dented in needs replacing and I guess more repair work needed as the document of parts and stuff is 10 pages.

The question is... should i take the insurance settlement of $11.2K or keep the RAV4, take their 6.6K allowance and kick in another 2.5K so the auto body shop can do the rebuild that they say will cost a shade under 9K. I mean... replacing my 2009 Sport V6 which has an interior that is MINT and an engine that was fine.... is going to be tough in Canada. In the States... no problem cuz they got 330 million car buyers and RAV4s everywhere.... not so Canada.

Any thoughts? I'm really at a crossroads. it's not the money per se.. but I guess my fear is that I drop the 9K on a rebuild and plagued with little issues down the road that nobody say, heard or caught at the time. Is that a legit fear?

 

[KTL]

There is a reinforcement bar that sits between the bumper and radiator, shown here from my '06, but should be similar for the '09-'12. As you said that coolant was leaking, the bar was likely pushed in deep enough to crack/damage the radiator. IIRC, that reinforcement bar is held in by 4 bolts (only two shown in red), may be more. It should attach to the unibody and if the attachment points are bent, there may be residual / ripple effects that could have propagated to the rest of the unibody. The unseen damages may creep up if you take it to the body shop, as you have anticipated. Also, there's not much gap behind the radiator and top of the sheet metal that hold the headlights and cover, so there could be damage there. Behind the radiator are front engine mount, left bank exhaust header, compressor, alternator, etc., which likely are still good.

I understand your vehicle would be difficult to replace, but fortunately, you aren't hurt and can still move around and work to earn a living. My '06 isn't as pristine as your '09 and as much as I've added features to it for the past 3-4 years during the pandemic, I would be reluctant to part ways too. But if it had enough damage to have it totaled, I would be okay with taking (what little) the insurance money I can get, and hopefully, take everything out that I had put in that weren't damaged.

 

[ROLLTIDE]

Great information on the structural design of the front and behind. Cheers. It will be helpful when I go to the collision center today and see why those "pricks" in mid-January promised my RAV4 would be fixed up by "the end of February" "at the latest" .. and then last week I get a letter from my insurance company saying the shop added $2.5K to the costs and decided to moth ball it.

If I get what you are saying (prob. not cuz I'm a idiot) ... I could proceed with the repairs as long as there isn't any damage to the reinforcement mount that likely got bent and hence the fluid leak? And if it shows bending or what have you... maybe better to invest in another vehicle?

There is a reinforcement bar that sits between the bumper and radiator, shown here from my '06, but should be similar for the '09-'12. As you said that coolant was leaking, the bar was likely pushed in deep enough to crack/damage the radiator. IIRC, that reinforcement bar is held in by 4 bolts (only two shown in red), may be more. It should attach to the unibody and if the attachment points are bent, there may be residual / ripple effects that could have propagated to the rest of the unibody. The unseen damages may creep up if you take it to the body shop, as you have anticipated. Also, there's not much gap behind the radiator and top of the sheet metal that hold the headlights and cover, so there could be damage there. Behind the radiator are front engine mount, left bank exhaust header, compressor, alternator, etc., which likely are still good.

View attachment 192073

I understand your vehicle would be difficult to replace, but fortunately, you aren't hurt and can still move around and work to earn a living. My '06 isn't as pristine as your '09 and as much as I've added features to it for the past 3-4 years during the pandemic, I would be reluctant to part ways too. But if it had enough damage to have it totaled, I would be okay with taking (what little) the insurance money I can get, and hopefully, take everything out that I had put in that weren't damaged.

 

[KTL]

I would definitely take a look if they allow you and perhaps bring another set of eyes, bring a flashlight. Open the hood if you can, pop the clips off the radiator shield (push in middle, then pop out), I think there are about 10-12 of them. Then you can look inside to see how deep the radiator may have been pushed in. You might able to see where the reinforcement bar attaches to and check if there are any bent metal, etc. Even better if the undercarriage shield can be dropped (clips and 10mm screws) and get underneath to look around, but will likely be challenging since there may not be much space to move around. Take some pictures yourself.

If there are definitely signs of bent metal, I would invest in another vehicle. But I'm sure there are people who wouldn't mind getting it fixed and keep using it. You'll need to make that call regardless.

 

[Big Bird]

Before you do anything I would look into what happens to a vehicle that is 'written off' and put back on the road. From a insurance and road worthy stand point. Just to be safe.

 

[ROLLTIDE]

Before you do anything I would look into what happens to a vehicle that is 'written off' and put back on the road. From a insurance and road worthy stand point. Just to be safe.

Interesting point, but it was only written off because the insurance company was too cheap to pony up additional costs for NEW parts when the USED parts in the initial repair estimate became no longer available. Cheap bastards!!! The RAV4 was written off because of insurance CHEAPNESS.... not because it was "unrepairable". But regardless.... before i sign the paperwork to take ownership, a smaller settlement and have it fixed with some of my own money... I'll ask the insurance about what you said. Cheers

 

[Big Bird]

Interesting point, but it was only written off because the insurance company was too cheap to pony up additional costs for NEW parts when the USED parts in the initial repair estimate became no longer available. Cheap bastards!!! The RAV4 was written off because of insurance CHEAPNESS.... not because it was "unrepairable". But regardless.... before i sign the paperwork to take ownership, a smaller settlement and have it fixed with some of my own money... I'll ask the insurance about what you said. Cheers

Any update?

 

[ROLLTIDE]

Any update?

Hey guy. Cheers for the interest!!!
So yeah, I took the "pay out" ($6.9K vs $11.9 write off) and threw in an additional 1.5K and had the RAV4 repaired for $8.5K. So glad I did.

The reasoning is simple.
1. Not likely to replace exactly what I had for $11.9K and would have to have kicked in another $1.5K at least anyway for a new RAV
2. Repairing easier. More of a hassle to replace it.... looking, finding, traveling to test drive, worry about certification or quality, paperwork, money exchange... F-that.
3. Brand new headlight assembly soup to nuts!!
4 I'm never going to sell it so I don't care about a major accident on its profile.
5. Also... finding another RAV4, V6 Sport in red with tow package and in the well-maintained engine condition I know i have... ... not easy in Canada. Going to say... next to impossible.

Soo... after getting it repaired... I dropped another $1.2K on a full paint buff wear & scratch removal, and ceramic restoration from MISTER DETAIL in Burlington. It came out INSANE!! I cannot believe they got every scratch out / hidden / repaired whatever. Either they switched the doors LOL or witches were involved. LOL. Anyway... it is back to SHOWROOM baby!!! Blown away with the paint now... especially the original. And the ceramic coating is crazy shiny!

I still need to re-apple the ABS chrome headlight pieces (below) , and waiting for an ABS chrome grille accent piece from China... to complete the look. Will wait til warmer weather or maybe a heat gun to warm grille and 3M tape for instant best adhesion.