Replacement car advice

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Fri 12 Feb 2010 14:56
Replacement car advice - pyruse
Someone ran hard into the back of our Almera on Monday. The car is still driveable, but the back is pretty bent - neither the tailgate nor one rear door will open. I suspect it will be written off, which is a shame as its been a very good car. Nice to drive, never given any problems.
There was a witness and police attended, so there's no dispute that we were not at fault.
So - what to buy to replace a 1.8 SE Automatic Almera, 5 years old with 42000 miles?
One option is obviously to buy the same car - there are examples around with similar mileage for about £4k, which I hope is what the insurers will pay, since that is the replacement cost.
But maybe we should go for something else. Got to be automatic, with a reasonable size engine and boot, but what about a Focus, or a Jazz?
Or maybe we should pay a bit more and get a newer car (the Almera was bought when 6 months old).
We have a hire car provided, and its a Toyota Prius. After the initial disorientation I'm getting to quite like it, so maybe that should be an option, though they are quite pricey.

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Fri 12 Feb 2010 16:08
Replacement car advice - tyro
I take it that you have ruled out the possibility of buying your own car back from the insurance company and having it repaired?

(Someone knowledgeable will be along in a minute, but my understanding is that if the accident is not your fault, you can demand that the other party's insurance company repair your car. And if it is your fault, I believe that you still have the option of buying the damaged car from the insurance company and having it repaired.)
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Tue 16 Feb 2010 10:58
Replacement car advice - pyruse
The entire floor pan of the car is bent at the back. I seriously doubt it's worth repairing.
Anyway, we've not yet had the garage report.
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Tue 16 Feb 2010 12:09
Replacement car advice - Happy Blue!
I have always liked Nissan Notes and I think will be a good replacement size wise for the Almera.
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