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What should I do with my car?

Repair the body damage and then see whats wrong with the tranny?
0 (0%)
ditch it and use the money from the insurnace towards a new vehicle?
1 (100%)

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Offline jman

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Car dilemma
« on: April 23, 2009, 08:37:08 PM »
I need some input here regarding my car. It's 1995 Toyota Avalon and a couple weeks ago I was involved in a minor accident. I was not hurt and the car is still driveable however the front end is damaged and I can't get the hood open. The insurance company wil cover l 95% of the total cost since the accident was mainly the other guy's fault. They appraised my car and sent me an estimate and a check (on its way) to get it repair rather than totaling even though the cost to repair the car is worth more than the car itself. It should be a no brainer just get the car fixed right?

Here's the catch:

The transmission has been acting up lately and was before the accident occurred. It's shifting very harshly.. The thing is I can't get the hood open to check the tranny fluid level and condition and if it's low or dirty  I'll address it otherwise if it's not the fluid then it's probably an internal problem thats going to require a very expensive overhaul. I can't check the fluid since I can't get the hood open.

So my question to you all is this:


Should I get the car repaired and then see whats wrong with the tranny or should I just take the check the insurance company sent me and use towards another car?

What do you all think?
« Last Edit: April 23, 2009, 08:40:42 PM by jman »
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Offline Parts

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Re: Car dilemma
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2009, 08:47:49 PM »
fuck the body damage get the trany fiexed
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"Eat it up.  Wear it out.  Make it do or do without." 

'People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.'
George Bernard Shaw

Offline jman

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Re: Car dilemma
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2009, 08:51:43 PM »
Quote from: parts on April 23, 2009, 08:47:49 PM
fuck the body damage get the trany fiexed

that would be all well and good the problem is I can't get the hood open.
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Offline Icequeen

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Re: Car dilemma
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2009, 09:15:11 PM »
How many miles are on it?

Most importantly, how much do you like it?

Avalon 5 speed auto tranny problems are common, mostly hesitation and jerking.

http://townhall.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0e97fb/0

Still a nice looking car jman, damage and all.
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TheoK

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Re: Car dilemma
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2009, 01:55:05 AM »
It's a Toyota, and since it's not a Toyota Celica, why even think about it? Dump it!  :asthing:
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Offline Callaway

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Re: Car dilemma
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2009, 03:53:15 AM »
If it were mine, I would have the damage pulled out just enough so I could get the hood open and closed, then I would have a transmission shop check the transmission.

I think there's probably a problem with the transmission beyond just dirty fluid if it suddenly started shifting very harshly shortly before the accident.  Of course if the problem is just that the fluid was extremely low or very dirty, then the transmision shop can tell you that and change the fluid for you.  When was the last time the transmission fluid was changed? 

How many miles do you have on the car?  It is fourteen years old, so you might want to invest a little more money to have someone check the overall mechanical condition of the car as if it were a used car you were considering buying before spending the money to fix the cosmetic damage or the transmission.
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P7PSP

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Re: Car dilemma
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2009, 07:20:00 AM »
Fuck it. It sounds like it's going into the nickel and dime you stage even before the accident. Sell the POS to a salvage yard and get something you won't have to mess with constantly.
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Offline Parts

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Re: Car dilemma
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2009, 07:30:04 AM »
Quote from: jman on April 23, 2009, 08:51:43 PM
Quote from: parts on April 23, 2009, 08:47:49 PM
fuck the body damage get the trany fiexed

that would be all well and good the problem is I can't get the hood open.

Crowbar
I drove a smashed up ford escort for years after I spent the money the insurance company gave me on my engagement ring :laugh:
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"Eat it up.  Wear it out.  Make it do or do without." 

'People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.'
George Bernard Shaw

TheoK

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Re: Car dilemma
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2009, 08:15:22 AM »
This is the only decent Toyota ever made. My brothers. Some cowardly Swedish mailboxes in the background.  8)

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