Air bags deployed.. to salvage or not??

[tracksoup]

Unfortunately,I hit a deer Thanksgiving night on our way home from Thanksgiving dinner. I just found out today they are going to total my 2006 Nissan Titan 4x4 with
95000,00 miles. As the title says the airbags deployed (not sure I’m a airbag fan after this) the passenger airbag actually cracked the windshield severely. It seems the damage the airbags did to the dashboard and interior is a big reason for totaling the truck. The trucks exterior has brush guard , hood, fender and bumper damage but is still very drivable. According to my insurance I can keep the truck for $12,500 pay out or take the $14000 pay out if they take the truck.
What to?
I’ve never been in vehicle when airbags deployed
Is it worth keeping the truck and getting the airbags and interior put back together? Or is that crazy expensive?
The exterior damage is fine for now. I can live with it.
Also I understand it has to be inspected after it is deemed totaled?
Any advice or wisdom from others that have experience in this is welcomed!
Truck is not leaking any fluids.
It is the LE Package. In/was  in mint condition.
New BFG TA tires
Deer was a 4point whitetail (sorry no deer pics)
Thanks in advance for any input

[Special T]

It may be just a runner as it would have very little resale value after being deemed totaled. My brother purchased a ranger with a totaled title just fixed the damage and drove it... pretty sure he didn't replace the air bag either.

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[Buckmark]

If it was me i would take the 12k, keep the truck and fix it and drive till it dies, if and this is a big IF the rest of the truck is in good safe condition.
But also because i can do the work myself and still come out  about 11k all said and done.
Then i would take 10k of the money and invest it into something, if you are debt free that is.

But thats just me.

[jackelope]

Most or all of the airbag components need to be replaced when they deploy in order to make it right. Airbags, pretensioners, airbag module, clockspring, inpact sensors, etc.
You can figure $3000-$5000 to do it right. And then it's a salvage and that will ruin any resale value.

[tlbradford]

That sucks that the brush guard didn't save the rig.  Someone else can speak up here, but the salvage is only for title and nothing else is required if it is only used for your personal use.  Then just scrap it.  There is zero reason to repair and/or try to resell.

[tracksoup]

Will I be able to license it if I don’t replace/repair the airbags? I’m fine with out airbags. drove many years without them.
My seat belts quit working also?
I’m assuming something needs to be re-set
Also I’m fine not reselling it. I would just drive it until it dies. I’m just struggling with letting it go with under 100k miles. Lots of life still left in it

[Buckmark]

I cant  answer 100% on the air bags, call the state patrol inspection department for that answer, i wll say i have had vehicles come through for buyers inspections that have salvaged titles and are missing air bags, covers are preset just nithing in them. Seat belts will need replacing

[CP]

I’d take the $14K and start looking at the 2018 models. 

[jackelope]

Will I be able to license it if I don’t replace/repair the airbags? I’m fine with out airbags. drove many years without them.
My seat belts quit working also?
I’m assuming something needs to be re-set
Also I’m fine not reselling it. I would just drive it until it dies. I’m just struggling with letting it go with under 100k miles. Lots of life still left in it

I don't know re: licensing it either.

Seatbelts are now referred to as "pretensioners" and are considered airbag/restraint components that need to be replaced after an airbag deployment.
As far as something needing to be reset...if you don't fix it, the airbag light will be on all the time.

I'd off it and move on were it me.

[Bookworm007]

Take the 14K and run, the truck will be nearly impossible to resell, it will take you time to fix the damage and as a 2006 it is already getting long in the tooth. It can be hard to let go of vehicles, but unless it is a collectible car it is better to move on.

[Boss .300 winmag]

I’d take the $14K and start looking at the 2018 models.

Or really good used trucks, $14 is a nice start.

Plus your insurance probably won’t pay out if you get in a wreck and you did nothing to replace the safety equipment the truck is supposed to have, might be costly if your seriously injured next time.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Try negotiating with them on the full price and keeping the truck.

Nothing to loose, but either way, if you keep the truck and are inclined, you could part it out and make way more than the $1500.00 difference, then scrap the shell...

The motor alone may bring almost that much on craigslist, especially if you leave it in so it can ge heard running, the tranny also, show the buyer it runs, drives and shifts properly then offer it for a little less than a wrecking yard.

That is what will likely happen to it if the insurance gets it and sends it through auction....

[bajeep93]

Keep it. Buy parts needed to fix it on eBay. You can’t loose.


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[Humptulips]

My PU was totaled 2005 Colorado when it had around 120,000. I had it fixed and 60,000 later I am still driving it. Air bags did not deploy but it did not have to be inspected. Totaled value is not much but I will drive it as long as I can.
I put a few thousand in my pocket and lost on resale value.
14,000 that is about what I received. Won't go far when you are shopping for a new rig.

[tracksoup]

Thanks all!!
Appreciate the feedback. Still torn but still have a couple days to decide