Body men, rear-end accident victims, need advice. Please help!

[Powerman]

I have a 2000 XJ and was rear-ended pretty hard. I'm not going to get into it. I've already vented on another forum. So the hit was probably 20-30mph. Maybe more, I'm not an expert. A Saturn went under me, the hitch took the brunt of the hit. My cargo floor is raised a good 3"-4". The rear frame rails are buckled. The "z" in them is about 3" out. The whole back end is buckled down at the rear door rear pillar. All 4 doors are misalligned/jacked. My adjuster said the rear frame rails might have to be cut out forward of the rear axle and replaced. He said my XJ is worth 11K, minus 20% for salvage. So 9K. Here is my questions. Other people have said that's about a 8-10K job. Is my XJ totaled? Are the repairs going to be right, or just a band aid? I dropped it off at the body place and they said no problem, we can fix it. It's not my decision to have it totalled, but if it's iffy, maybe I can sway them. I just want it to be right, and not a lemmon. The only good thing is Progressive will warranty the work for as long as I own it, but it's not transferable. Any insight, experience, advice is very much appriciated. I just want to be able to make informed decisions. Thanks for any help you might have!
P.S. No one I care about was seriously hurt, just real sore.

[ThePhantum]

Originally posted by Dirt Surfer
I have a 2000 XJ and was rear-ended pretty hard. I'm not going to get into it. I've already vented on another forum. So the hit was probably 20-30mph. Maybe more, I'm not an expert. A Saturn went under me, the hitch took the brunt of the hit. My cargo floor is raised a good 3"-4". The rear frame rails are buckled. The "z" in them is about 3" out. The whole back end is buckled down at the rear door rear pillar. All 4 doors are misalligned/jacked. My adjuster said the rear frame rails might have to be cut out forward of the rear axle and replaced. He said my XJ is worth 11K, minus 20% for salvage. So 9K. Here is my questions. Other people have said that's about a 8-10K job. Is my XJ totaled? Are the repairs going to be right, or just a band aid? I dropped it off at the body place and they said no problem, we can fix it. It's not my decision to have it totalled, but if it's iffy, maybe I can sway them. I just want it to be right, and not a lemmon. The only good thing is Progressive will warranty the work for as long as I own it, but it's not transferable. Any insight, experience, advice is very much appriciated. I just want to be able to make informed decisions. Thanks for any help you might have!
P.S. No one I care about was seriously hurt, just real sore.

No one you care about was hurt or no one?

First off, the XJ is a unibody, there is no true frame under it. From the description you give, it sounds to me that the entire unibody is bent/twisted up pretty good. Depending on the equipment that the body shop has I think it can be fixed...but I'm not sure if I would do it.

I would really have to see it to make an acurate determination as to which way I would go (got any pics?)....again, from your description I would try to get it totalled....

My $0.02.

[RichP]

Also the prices you are talking can buy you a 2000 or 2001 thats come back in off lease, XJ prices dropped typically like any model does thats dropped from production and replaced with a new model [liberty].

[h.curtis]

Originally posted by RichP
Also the prices you are talking can buy you a 2000 or 2001 thats come back in off lease, XJ prices dropped typically like any model does thats dropped from production and replaced with a new model [liberty].

This is how I would be thinking. If it was me, I would be looking at a different Jeep. Anyway you cut it this isn't a good thing. Try to get as much money as you can and buy a good used one if you can. Wrecked cars like you discribed yours are not very often right.

Curt

[cherokeekid95]

ya no matter how well they "fix it" an impact like that on a unibody will effect so manythings they won't see that will show up over time. If you are madly inlove with your xj then get it totaled and make it a trail rig!:D and buy a pretty new DD!

[Powerman]

Well this is all for not. The repairs will cost 5-6K. Totalling is not an option. The only good thing is that I twisted my insurance companys arm and they will give me the cost of the bumper and everything that goes with it (~ $300) so I can buy an aftermarket bumper. Score! By the way I know it's a unibody, but they still have rails. They are replacing both rear rails. Thanks for your help guys!