I've owned my 05 TL since new and it has 232k miles on it (original tranny too). As the years have passed by, I've always been urged to buy a new car but I really love my TL. Still, in the back of my head, I've always worried about being involved in some sort of collision that would render it a total loss. Well, today I was involved in a MVA - details of which I will not be discussing for obvious reasons. Adjuster advised (no inspection done yet) over the phone that because it was not driveable and it was leaking fuel against the backdrop of its age that it will probably be a total loss. That was hard to hear. Here are some pics. What do you all think?

 

dang, I am glad you are ok. On to the car the damage seem to be not that bad but we do know what damage lie under the skin, finger cross.

 

oof! hope you arent too shaken up from the impact.
amazing that you've kept it longer than most OG's.

looks to be a few grand in cosmetic/exterior parts...and maybe a grand in suspension parts.

 

It was leaking fuel? There aren't any fuel lines even close to that area of damage. It doesn't look like there's much penetration into the engine bay. The transmission cooler (if you have one) may have been damaged which would leak transmission fluid. But even oil doesn't seem likely based on that damage.

By the way, your car looks excellent for that many miles. It may be an option to buy it back from the insurance company if they total it. I guess the question at that point is if you'd want to invest the money to fix it after that. Did you have full coverage?

 

My bad- I was typing on my phone. I meant to say fluid- namely oil.

if there is frame damage then buying it back will not be an option I'm interested in. Yes, it has full coverage.

 

if that fluid then it most likely is your windshield washer fluid.

 

Oh I stuck my fingers in it and smelled it- was definitely oil.

 

I wouldn't be worried about that oil, it could come from a few different sources, I'm thinking the front strut body or an oil line. Your car looks easily fixable.

 

Yeah, I can't imagine the oil pan or engine is damaged. I suppose the motor mounts could have broken or something, causing more serious damage. But I doubt it. If you're mechanically inclined, I might consider jacking it up and taking a look. Then again, if you have full coverage, a mechanic paid for by the insurance company might just be the best option.

 

Good thing you're safe and that's what counts the most! We all love our cars but your safety and healthy is above everything else.

Very sad to see but this is inevitable for the 3G TL that is 10+ years old now.

Even though it doesn't look as bad as other crashes, that's still lot of metal/parts mangled underneath that. With a 2005 TL at 230k....it's likely totaled IMO. Hopefully no frame damage and you can buy it back and do a part out to recoup some costs and donate organs for the rest of the TL community!

 

Glad your ok OP. Sorry about the car.

You won't know the full extent of the damage until you get it behind the fender/bumper to see the frame. But as others have stated, it's likely totaled given the age/value vs the cost of a good body shop to repair.

 

Part out?


jK, hope you're okay! Need a lawyer ? There may be some around these parts!

 

I'm having a hard time imagining this being a total loss unless there's something spectacularly screwed up under there.

I had similar areas of damage in my deer strike, plus the hood, and that didn't total an '04.

 

I'm still waiting for the obligatory "that will buff right out" comment.

 

Sucks see more TLs damaged but....this again reminds me of how glad I am I got a dash cam so in case something happens I got video footage.

 

No. IT'S NEVER THE END FOR THAT CAR dude! NEVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

If it IS the end, however, dibs on your rims! I will buy them!

 

The 05 TL I bought had about the same damage to the same area. All I needed to do was replace body panels and the headlights. No underneath damage other than a few clips and a power steering hardline. If there is frame damage it most likely is very minimal in that you can use a hammer and strike it back in the correct place.

 

I will pray that you get to keep it. Too beautiful to let go. Rock that baby to 500K miles!

 

With that amount of miles I am pretty sure it is totalled. I would shocked if they don't total it.

 

So I had to go to the tow yard per my adjuster to remove all my personal property and my tag. Snapped a couple more pics.

 

power steering reservoir is crushed. so that fluid is likely power steering which isn't a big deal.

Others would have to comment on the rest of the damage as to what is structural there.

 

If they told you to take all your stuff out, they're planning to total it.

 

Sorry to hear about the TL man. Another one bites the dust.

 

Sorry, GG... that really sucks, man. I think she's off to car heaven, unless you really want to keep her and fix her yourself. The damage doesnt look too too bad.

There might be some minor frame damage up front, but it should be relatively easy to repair for a shop. Otherwise, junk yard oem parts to rebuild her, and some fresh paint afterwards.

Keep the front lip, even if it is damaged. Mine was broken right in half at one point and a shop was able to repair it by plastic welding it back together.

 

Damn man, i'm truly sorry about the misfortune. I'm glad you're Okay, and that's the most important thing. I hear you on the fear of something happening to the TL. I get the same way every time I do take out my car. As soon as my wheels leave my driveway, I become a nervous wreck. It's is heart breaking. You've had the TL for a very long time. I've had my TL for 10 years now and I'm the same way. I don't want to part ways with my TL. I'd love to keep the TL as my "classic", god willing. I believe you suffered some minor radiator support damage, you could buy all the parts yourself and have the body shop replace the radiator support and make the front end straight. You could do the other misc things like the bumper, headlight, fender ect. You may be able to source out OEM parts from other wrecked TL's and match the color. Either way, it's not an easy decision, but if you're back into the market for another vehicle AWD + Turbo just saying.

 

Totalled in my opinion. Sorry bud. I could be wrong, but I would start looking into cars you might want to replace it with. Which sounds like you already have been doing that.

Question is: Are you going to get another 3G?

 

How about Plan B; take the car from the insurance company and whatever settlement they'll give you in addition to the car and have it repaired.

 

Sorry to see another 3G go down but at least you are OK. Gotta believe that they will "total" it but might be able to piece her back together or shop out for parts. Good Luck.

 

Nooooooo! I was hoping to see you get to 500,000. I'm glad you're ok man! If there's not any serious frame damage, I hope you get her back to life again.

 

I'm curious to see how this plays out and what GGs decision will ultimately be.

 

Damn right throw some dirt on it wave a magic wand and pooofff all fixed. Glad your OK. I see this as being fixable but depending on your insurance company and due to age. Praying to the car gods for ya

 

I'm wondering if a fellow member would want the car if ggesq decides to take a pass on trying to fix it.

 

This purely comes down to numbers from Insurance companies perspective we can speculate all we want. If the damage exceeds whatever ratio your state has to value of the car its totalled, plain and simple. Buying back and fixing or parting out sounds good but a lot more work than usually worth. Jus my .02

Sorry, its tough when you have such a history, good luck on making a sound decision and a path to resolve this quickly and fairly.

I got a guy good with PDR and detailing Im sure between them it will pull and buff out!

 

Well, I just got the email from the adj advising they are deeming it a total loss and to give them a call to discuss the total loss settlement.

For those that have gone through this- can you give me some suggestions?

I'd really like the opportunity to pull the ASPEC wheels, side skirts, steering wheel, tail lights and sidemarkers off the car and put the original equipment (base) back on....

 

So I'm guessing they already have the number in their head. The wheels may play a factor when giving you the settlement.

I was able to go back and remove a couple of things, my adjuster told me as long as I put the stock stuff back in/on.

I had a CD player in my old car and they actually gave me the full value for it, so I opted to just leave it in there.

 

you can pull the stuff off it but they will re- inspect the car gain to evaluate new $$$$ (well at least that how was in my case) when the other party insurance total lost the GS300. I got upgrade headlight from sport design and OEM chrome wheels from a GS400.

 

My insurance company let me remove anything added on as long as I put stock parts back on. I was able to swap my wheels, side markers, headlights, tail lights and even take off my roof and trunk spoiler (stick on, not drilled) that I had added.

 

Try and see what they say. Easier to ask forgiveness than permission. Most of the time they add $0 value for aftermarket parts so why should you not get them back??? They are yours, the car is yours, and if it doesnt change value it doesn't matter.

 

Damn Joe, sorry to see this!


Was wondering how high of mileage you were at? I wanted see ya break 300K!

 

Ugh. That sucks Joe. I felt the same way when my Accord was totaled back in 2012. Then, I got my TL-S, and I've never been happier.