sheryl Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 Yesterday DD left her math class at a Homeschool bookstore where they hold classes. She was driving in heavy line of traffic - this road "can" be congested at times. She's been driving for 3 1/2 years when she first earned her permit. Driving solo for 18 months and she really is a good driver. Thankfully due to heavy traffic everyone was crawling along so the speed was slower when impact occurred. MOST IMPORTANLTY she and the other girl driver are good! DD inherited my Dad's 2006 Saturn Vue 2 years ago when he passed away. We spent money on it (new tires, brakes) and it was a good fit for her. Due to the age of the vehicle only the police officer said the car is totaled. There isn't that much damage but it's older and not worth fixing in his opinion. We will get dd another small suv. Pre-owned. 5K maybe. Where is the best place to get the best deal for your buck? And, what vehicle would you recommend? Safety, comfort, ratings, etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 Purely anecdotal, but we've had great luck with Hyndai Sante Fe. We are on our second one, and my dad has one. Current one (2004) has 249K miles and has never been in the shop outside of normal service, never left me on the road EVER. They are noisy though. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 It might actually be worth fixing since you know its history and it's a good fit for your dd. It might be worth looking into at least. Glad your dd is safe! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 The insurance company will actually be the ones to tell you whether it’s totalled or not. Rav 4 is a good small suv. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 Yesterday DD left her math class at a Homeschool bookstore where they hold classes. She was driving in heavy line of traffic - this road "can" be congested at times. She's been driving for 3 1/2 years when she first earned her permit. Driving solo for 18 months and she really is a good driver. Thankfully due to heavy traffic everyone was crawling along so the speed was slower when impact occurred. MOST IMPORTANLTY she and the other girl driver are good! DD inherited my Dad's 2006 Saturn Vue 2 years ago when he passed away. We spent money on it (new tires, brakes) and it was a good fit for her. Due to the age of the vehicle only the police officer said the car is totaled. There isn't that much damage but it's older and not worth fixing in his opinion. We will get dd another small suv. Pre-owned. 5K maybe. Where is the best place to get the best deal for your buck? And, what vehicle would you recommend? Safety, comfort, ratings, etc? I think it is strange the police officer told you it is totaled. :confused1: I am glad she is ok. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 I agree with the others that it's the insurance company's decision to make regarding whether a vehicle is totaled or not. The officer was likely just giving you his opinion (although I don't doubt that he's correct). We've been very happy with both of our Honda CRV's. The one DS22 drives is a 2001 and has about 230,000 miles on it. We've never had to do anything other than routine type maintenance stuff. Mine is a 2014 and my favorite vehicle ever (and that's saying a lot, as I've been lucky to have had several very good cars over the years). They do hold their value very well, though, so for $5k you'd have to be willing to get one that's quite a few years old already. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zimom Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 My daughter has a Chevy Equinox. When her first one was about a year old she was t-boned at a high rate of speed. The SUV was totaled but she walked away without a scratch. The EMTs and police on the scene could not believe it and my husband said you could tell they were very thankful they were not making 'that call' that afternoon. We bought her another one just like it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4everHis Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 Another vote for the Honda CRV 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 We like Suburu Forester & Outback. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted December 21, 2017 Author Share Posted December 21, 2017 Thanks everyone! I'm trying to find ratings and reviews for these. We'll need to narrow our parameters, but I'd like to buy no older than 2008. And, not excessive mileage. We'll see. Appreciate all the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 The insurance company will actually be the ones to tell you whether it’s totalled or not. Rav 4 is a good small suv. If she was not at fault, I think the other driver's insurance will have to fix it regardless of age. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 insurance companies base a car being totaled on how much the car in good condition is worth - compared to how much it would cost to fix it. if it costs more than it's worth - it's totaled. you can still take the payout, fix the most important things and have a drive able car. it would be listed as "salvaged" on the title.. we did that with my mother - before we finally took the car away. car ran great - just had lots of dents. police officers investigating crashes have been around quite a few, and while not official, can generally have an idea of how much it will cost to fix. just like the x-ray tech in the hospital commented to me "it looks like pneumonia". - he was a tech, wasn't really supposed to have said anything - but had been around long enough to be able to read at least some x-rays. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 If she was not at fault, I think the other driver's insurance will have to fix it regardless of age. They’ll send her a check for either the cost of the fix or the value of the car- whichever is lower. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted December 21, 2017 Author Share Posted December 21, 2017 Thanks. Liz, it was dd's fault...bless her heart. I'm so thankful traffic was moving slowly and on a city street...not highway. True, the insurance company makes the call.I think he was just giving his opinion. But, everyone said insurance will total it b/c it's not worth fixing a 2006 and now that it's been involved in a fender bender. The SUVs mentioned (Honda crv and Chevy Equinox) ...are those on a car or truck chassis? I know dd needs one that will "handle" like what she's driven (Saturn Vue). Other suggestions? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 CRVs are on a car chassis, the same as the Honda Civics. Or at least that's the way they used to be. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearWallowSchool Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 2006 doesn’t sound that old to me... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 2006 doesn’t sound that old to me... Agreed. One of mine drives a 2001 Camry; the other drives a 2005 Accord. The Camry was rear-ended a couple of years ago, and we fixed it. The Accord is going to be replaced within the next few months, but the Camry is still going strong. I would try very hard to keep the Vue versus most of what is out there in the $5K range. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CinV Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 Thanks. Liz, it was dd's fault...bless her heart. I'm so thankful traffic was moving slowly and on a city street...not highway. True, the insurance company makes the call.I think he was just giving his opinion. But, everyone said insurance will total it b/c it's not worth fixing a 2006 and now that it's been involved in a fender bender. The SUVs mentioned (Honda crv and Chevy Equinox) ...are those on a car or truck chassis? I know dd needs one that will "handle" like what she's driven (Saturn Vue). Other suggestions? Thanks! I drive an Equinox. They are extremely safe and easy to drive. Parked next to my husband's Altima, they are roughly the same length. Chevy has a smaller suv, the Trax. I needed the legroom in the back for my boys long legs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted December 21, 2017 Author Share Posted December 21, 2017 Well, this is interesting. I'll keep you posted on what happens. We put new brakes, 4 new tires and this and that to spruce this vehicle up. Maybe insurance will suggest to fix it. Will let y'all know. She would prefer to keep this a bit longer and affectionately calls her car Bob after my Dad, her Grandpa!!! Cute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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