ask your ins co how much they would pay without totaling the car if you get above 8000. you might want to take that and have a shop repair the car,,, i did this with a truck,, that i rebuilt the motor ,,they totaled it ,,i as that question,, got 6000 repaired the truck for 4000 and put 2000. in my pocket ,, if you buy it back it will have a rebuild title and you may not be able to get col and comp ins. jim