So I've driven the Jimmer into a fence post, at speed... What next?

Thanks @DrRobin. I am fairly sure that someone with the requisite knowledge, tools and time could get it running again and on the road.

The issue is that's not me. I live in a 2nd floor flat so no garage or driveway and thus I'd be paying someone to do all the work. Now if it were e.g. £3k to pay someone I would consider it but the cost could easily grow arms, legs and tentacles.

I would ask for buy it back price,then have a think
any thing is possible depending on cash left in your hand 

Agreed. While I would not presume to know your financial status I would think long and hard about putting it in for repair and conversion into something more focused be that a monster or a princess.

Thanks again guys. I am not averse to paying to get it repaired but it really depends on how much it's liable to cost and how much I'll get back from the insurer. All will be discovered in time and I'll keep the thread updated.

Like I say I don't have any capacity to DIY it so it'd all be paying someone else. I really don't know how far e.g. £3k would get me in the world of body shops, panel beaters and accident repair. Much more than that and it gets hard to justify Vs just finding a newer one. Heck I saw you can get some clean JDM imports for about £8k but don't know if that's a bad idea.

I'm quite wedded to having an automatic which is the crux of the issue for finding a replacement.

If I were getting it done I'd probably swap to a steel bumper...

If Copart have it you won't get it back anyway, unless you buy it at the auction.

I expect your insurer has a deal with Copart to buy everything they write off at a higher price, so they never offer the salvage to the policy holder. Otherwise Copart would be stuck with the basket cases and all the easy fixes (that fetch more at auction) would have been cherry picked.

If you do try and buy it at the auction, Copart's added fees are huge including delivery.

Thanks Facade. It's a policy with Hastings Direct and on the phone they did mention I do have the ability to buy back (I asked) but that choice is only made after a settlement amount has been determined because the settlement price informs salvage value. Everything I read online suggests Copart are the devil's spawn.

An aside, but does anyone have even an inkling about how much it might cost just to set the bodywork right? I know you cannot quote from a picture but I'm trying to assess if this is theoretically in budget, thinking through best case scenario. If it's a £5k+ fix it's immediately off the table. £3-4k and I'd be humming and hawing...

I am considering the option of getting a third party to appraise it, just so I know I've explored the option.

Curious looking on Copart at the Jimnys listed there.

This one looks to have similar-ish damage and goes down as a Cat N (non-structural): www.copart.co.uk/lot/68162642/clean-titl...-jimny-spec-sandtoft

Then this one looks to have more superficial bumper damage but goes down as Cat S (structural): www.copart.co.uk/lot/68731933/clean-titl...jimny-jlx-colchester

Maybe it just depends on if the person reviewing it recognises it as body-on-chassis.

No real update as of yet. I contested Hasting's valuation of £4,200 and I have yet to receive a response. I believe they are holding back because they haven't got an engineer's report from the baboons at Copart.
I did contact a local bodyshop and after looking at the photos he said what I expected (and what most people here have said) - it's doable but expect there to be ugly damage behind the wing needing bashed. Also the A-pillar / door isn't looking too nice. He did say they could source secondhand parts and be budget conscious but yah.
It really hinges on the write-off status. Cat N and I might be insane enough to necromance the Jimmer back to life. Cat S and my rational brain will probably win out - shattering dreams, breaking hearts etc.

Try to find comparables on AutoTrader and the Bay of Thieves, but such a low mileage 2005 car will be quite rare.  Autos aren't even that common!

Yeah the rarity is the killer for these autos. Like sure you can find 2015 autos easily, even on delivery sites like Cazoo, Cinch, HeyCar etc but you're looking at as high as £15k for some of those.

Then you can find ones from private sellers or dealers from say 2007-2012 but they get listed north of £6k. It's bananas out there. I could opt for a manual but I loved it as a city car, super chill and easy to park.

Man, big RIP . Been given a Category B write-off at Copart so it's breaker only, cannot be repaired. Really, really sad about it.

Just looked on Autotrader,

There is a

W-reg 2000 Auto in Manchester for £4,795
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023042...code=ne110ef&fromsra

08 2008 Auto in Ilford for £5,500
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023053...code=ne110ef&fromsra

2011 SZ4 Auto in Chesterfield for £9,490
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023070...code=ne110ef&fromsra

2011 SZ4 Auto in Gt Yarmouth for £9,500
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023061...code=ne110ef&fromsra

You would have to hop on a train (or plane), go and have a look and if it is all ok drive it back.

Not saying it's easy, but they are out there.