So, I rolled my work truck over last night (a US 2006 Toyota Tundra crew cab TRD 4x4), and the tow driver who pulled it out of the ditch says that it is likely a write-off, since the front axel seems to be bent, and the roof is all caved in.
I was out for dinner with a co-worker, and we both walked away. Thank goodness for side impact airbags :)
We were assessed by an ambulance and cleared, as we were only going about 60km/h when we rolled, but likely a little slower actually since I was in the process of slowing down when we started to slide, and caught the shoulder and tipped into the ditch.
It is a long weekend here, so I won't hear from the insurance adjuster until tomorrow, but because I was out of province, it will likely be a week or so until they get out to look at it. The tow truck driver figured they'd give me $15-16,000 for it, based on the additional things on it, like new tires, a roll tarp, and after market running boards. Based on my own search of the autotrader listings, I figure something more like $12-13,000 but I won't know for sure for a bit.
Anyhow, my requirements for a work vehicle (as determined by my clients', and my need to haul things around, and where I have to drive for work) are as follows:
-4x4
-higher ground clearance, as most of my work driving is off-road
-cargo space for 8 full-size rubbermaid tubs
-tow hooks under the front for when I get stuck in the spring and summer mud, and have to get towed out
-full impact airbags, including side curtains and front ones
-Based on the fact that we are planning on havings kids in a few years, I want something with a back seat, so we can put carseats in it as well.
Things that I have become accustomed to, since I drive A LOT:
-Comfortable seats, as I sometimes drive 10 hours in a day, when the weather is bad
-Buttons on the steering wheel, for adjusting the radio volume
-A power rear roll-down back window on my truck, so I don't need to use the AC in the summer, and I don't need to have the wind whistling through like a tunnel, on the highway.
I am half toying with the idea of just buying the exact same truck again, (hopefully in blue), as there seem to be a few of them out there, but I'm not sure if that is the best idea.
My Dad works for Toyota, so ideally, I'd like to stay with some sort of Toyota, because I get the parts at dealership cost, and he repairs things for baked goods.
I won't be replacing it right away either, so I have the time to wait for the right one to come along. As of the end of this month, I am off work for likely 6 months, for a hand surgery.
The way I see it, my obvious options are:
-Rav-4
-4Runner
-Another 2006 Tundra
-Tacoma
-FJ Cruiser
I don't want to spend too much more than the insurance gives me for mine, but depending on that number, I would be willing to top it up to around $15,000, because it is a business write-off, and I don't want to drive around a total piece of garbage.
What do you guys think? What would you buy? I kinda don't see a reason to mess with a good thing, and buy a different vehicle, but maybe I'm paying for more (gas-milage wise, and size-wise) than I need to. In a few years, I'd also like to be able to put a few car seats in the back, so that is a bit of a consideration as well. I hate having to park it when I'm at home in the city as well, so I wouldn't mind something a little shorter, but we'd likely miss the utility of having a truck around. However, it isn't something we make that much use of usually, seeing as we haven't got anymore home renos coming up in the next few years.
I'm willing to think about something other than a Toyota as well though, if it is a good value, and is reliable and sturdy. I work on the rigs, and off-roading is a requirement, to get to almost all of our locations. I've been on locations covered in a few feet of snow, and in the summer, a foot of water/mud.
Thanks for your time and thoughts on this :)