After 3 years I finally got my first dent...

[AtomSmasher]

...do you think I can pop it back out?



So I'm driving down to my parents house today and its raining off and on, but for the most part not that hard, and I'm about 2 miles from the off-ramp to their house which is at the bottom of a hill.  I change lanes from the fast lane to the middle lane going around 55-60 miles an hour (which is 5-10 miles under the speed limit) and there are no cars for roughly 1/2 mile ahead of me, but I notice they are braking, so I begin to brake to make sure I have plenty of time to stop only to find my brakes were not working.  I don't know if I was hydroplaning or there was oil on the road or what, all I know is that my brakes were useless and I wasn't slowing down.  With cars on both sides of me I knew there was no chance of escaping an accident, so I decided to try and shoot the gap between the car in the fast lane and the car in the middle lane, only to find there wasn't enough room between them, so ended up hitting the car in the middle lane pretty hard and just bumping into the car in the fast lane.  Apparently I wasn't the only one who's brakes wouldn't work because there was a total of 7 cars involved in the pile up, and I was the last one to get into it.  Out of those 7 cars, it was actually 3 completely seperate accidents with 3 or 4 cars losing control.

The good news is that even with 7 cars involved, and the horrible shape my car is in, no one was injured.  I don't even have any bruises.  The claims adjuster is going to call me on Mon and will most likely tell me my car is totalled (the unibody is messed up, so I can't imagine its not totalled), which I guess means its time to go car shopping.

The crazy thing is the car I hit seemed to take very little damage.  It looks like he'll need a new bumper and thats about it.

[shmokes]

Yep . . . you gotta love crumple zones.  Your car is totaled, but as you said, you came out without a bruise.  Glad you're okay. 

[Joystick Jerk]

Yeah, you can probably buff a lot of that out.

[FrizzleFried]

...awe man!  Totalled?  Sheeeeeeiiiiiit... gimme some duct tape, some bondo and a case of beer and I'll have `er fixed up in no time!

[tommy]

Aw man, you ruined a nice muscle car. You bastard. 

[danny_galaga]

you had to go and wreck one of the few aussie cars in the US, dincha? 

glad you're ok though.

[TOK]

Sad to see a Goat get wrecked, but glad you're OK... That looks like a close call on being totaled. Hopefully it is, because I sure wouldn't want it back. The cost of cars has pushed the damage way out there as far as considering them a write-off.
People are going to be scrambling for that engine if it is totalled. 

There is good news if you can hold out a little while... The G8 is coming! 

[Cakemeister]

Did your car have antilock brakes?

I thought all you had to do in a situation like that with antilock brakes is just slam the brake pedal and the car did the rest.

Glad you're okay.

[Xam]

Sad to see a Goat get wrecked, but glad you're OK... That looks like a close call on being totaled. Hopefully it is, because I sure wouldn't want it back. The cost of cars has pushed the damage way out there as far as considering them a write-off.
People are going to be scrambling for that engine if it is totalled. 

There is good news if you can hold out a little while... The G8 is coming! 

Yes save the engine if it is totaled...those run about 5-6 grand...someone will buy it for mucho dinero.

Sorry about your accident, a buddy of mine has an 04 Goat...pretty nice machine.

[patrickl]

That Mercedes hardly has a scratch on it     Although I guess underneath there will be a lot of damage.

[DrewKaree]

Yep . . . you gotta love crumple zones.  Your car is totaled, but as you said, you came out without a bruise.

Shmokes, whatever you do, don't show that asshammer THIS thread.  If you blow that pic up to eleventyX, you can clearly see that's not a nosecone

[Ed_McCarron]

Shmokes, whatever you do, don't show that asshammer THIS thread.  If you blow that pic up to eleventyX, you can clearly see that's not a nosecone

Are you insinuating that the government was behind this accident?

[AtomSmasher]

Did your car have antilock brakes?

I thought all you had to do in a situation like that with antilock brakes is just slam the brake pedal and the car did the rest.

Glad you're okay.

Yup, the car has 4 wheel antilock brakes, which is why I think there was oil on the road or something.  When it happened I thought that my brakes were shot because when I stepped on the brakes, it felt like nothing happened.  Then I heard the same thing happened to a couple other cars the only thing I could think of is there was ice or oil on the road, and it wasn't cold enough for ice.

[pointdablame]

Poor goat 

Glad you are ok though.  Any ideas what you'll be looking to buy next?

[AtomSmasher]

While I would love to get another GTO, work has just been too slow lately, so I'm pretty broke.  I'll most likely get something a little more economical, top of my list at the moment is probably a used Pontiac G6.

[mccoy178]

Hey, are you going to update your footer?

[Xam]

While I would love to get another GTO, work has just been too slow lately, so I'm pretty broke.  I'll most likely get something a little more economical, top of my list at the moment is probably a used Pontiac G6.

Where are you located at Atom?

G6 is proving to be a good solid car...just avoid one with the panaroramic sunroof...lots of problems with those.
Have you considered a Grand Prix GXP? Not a Goat, but much more power than a G6.

Xam

[pointdablame]

Hey, are you going to update your footer?

hmm....


Sorry... it's probably way too early to laugh about this for you.  I know I'd be devastated if my car got totaled (as lame as that may sound)

[DrumAnBass]

"No worries! My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools..."

-Jeff Spicoli

Glad you didn't get hurt...!

[FrizzleFried]

Hey, are you going to update your footer?

hmm....


Sorry... it's probably way too early to laugh about this for you.  I know I'd be devastated if my car got totaled (as lame as that may sound)

That is sooooooooo wrong.

...funny as all hell...

...but sooooo wrong!

[AtomSmasher]

Hey, are you going to update your footer?

hmm....


Sorry... it's probably way too early to laugh about this for you.  I know I'd be devastated if my car got totaled (as lame as that may sound)

LOL, that is messed up, but hilarious.  I'm upset that a car that I loved is gone, but it was just a car and is replaceable, so I have a pretty good sense of humor about this whole thing.

Where are you located at Atom?

G6 is proving to be a good solid car...just avoid one with the panaroramic sunroof...lots of problems with those.
Have you considered a Grand Prix GXP? Not a Goat, but much more power than a G6.

Xam

I'm in southern California, and thanks for the tip about the panoramic sunroof.  I have considered the grand prix, but I'm trying to get something semi practical to save a little bit of money on gas while work is so slow.  I figure the G6 has a pretty good ratio of power/fuel economy, so I shouldn't be cursing the car for being so slow or cursing the car for draining my wallet.  A quick check online and a used G6 with around 15k miles is selling for around $15,000, and since it still has another 15k miles under warranty, I shouldn't have to worry too much about getting a lemon.

[jbox]

Shmokes, whatever you do, don't show that asshammer THIS thread.  If you blow that pic up to eleventyX, you can clearly see that's not a nosecone

Are you insinuating that the government was behind this accident?

I thought that tow-truck guy looked familiar... 

[boykster]

I bet the damage on that Merc is several thousand dollars worth....damage I did to my Lexus SUV last halloween ended up being nearly $5k after everything was said and done and it didn't look as bad as that Merc does.

Sorry to hear 'bout your car...its tough to lose a loved one....when I was 18 I wrecked my dad's beloved RX-7....wasn't a super valuable car, but it was his baby and had just gotten it a new paint job.....

[vorghagen]

There is good news if you can hold out a little while... The G8 is coming! 

These car threads always confuse me. You'll be talking about a 2008 Pontiac G8, I'll look at the picture and think, but that's a 2007 Holden Commodore VE, just with a different front.
And AtomSmasher's original...... that's a Holden Monaro.
I'm sure danny can back me up here.

[TOK]

You're correct, the GTO and G8 are both Holdens with cosmetic and tuning mods for the US market.
I'm amazed the Ute hasn't come across as the El Camino.

[ChadTower]

Yes save the engine if it is totaled...those run about 5-6 grand...someone will buy it for mucho dinero.

He can't... if the insurance company totals it out they take the car.  It belongs to them at that point.

[mpm32]

I don't know, I've seen what Butch can do with bondo.  He might be able to fix that little dent. 

[shmokes]

I'm pretty sure you can usually buy back a totaled car, generally at a fraction of what it's worth.  The worst accident I was ever in involved my friend's car being totaled.  He got $8500 for the car from the insurance company, bought the totaled car back for $2000 and had it good as new for under $2000.  Of course the resell value is shot, but the car only needed a new dashboard, windshield and some minor body work.

In any case, I think buying back the totaled car is generally an option.

[AtomSmasher]

I believe your right about buying the car back and once the guy tells me its totalled I'll ask him how much to buy it back.  The engine and transmission alone would probably pay for the car.

Also, I've heard people have had to argue with the adjuster over the actual value of the car, should I be arguing to get the private party resale value or do they generally only give the trade-in value?  (both values from kelly blue book)

[ChadTower]

Usually you'll get something in between but much closer to private party value.

[HaRuMaN]

When our 99 Honda civic was totaled this year, we got very close to the private party value.

[boykster]

Usually you'll get something in between but much closer to private party value.

It can also depend on your policy and what state you live in.  On my new car, it is covered with a "stated value" policy (that we adjust twice yearly) to offset that it was a custom factory ordered car, our other car is covered at trade-in value (cheaper).

[ChadTower]

Heh.   I used to have a restored white convertible that had a book value of about 3 McNuggets.  I had to have it appraised by two licensed appraisers to get the insurance company to cover it to appraised market value.

[HaRuMaN]

Heh.   I used to have a restored white convertible that had a book value of about 3 McNuggets.  I had to have it appraised by two licensed appraisers to get the insurance company to cover it to appraised market value.

Only 3 McNuggets?   

[ChadTower]

Yep... maybe 2.5 nuggets.  1982 Ford EXP with 90k miles.  It had been fully restored and the roof removed for a custom convertible frame... nice little car but had no standard market value whatsoever.  I tried looking it up in the blue book but next to its entry was a picture of someone pointing and laughing at me.

[Ed_McCarron]

next to its entry was a picture of someone pointing and laughing at me.

This happen often?

[AtomSmasher]

Looks like it'll be a few more days before I find out if its totalled.  Apparently no one at my insurance company looks at the car, they just wait for the repair shop to give their estimate.

[HaRuMaN]

Looks like it'll be a few more days before I find out if its totalled.  Apparently no one at my insurance company looks at the car, they just wait for the repair shop to give their estimate.

That sounds kind of dodgy...

[ChadTower]

This happen often?

Only other time was at this website called adultfriendfinder.com.

Still not sure how that happened.

[Xam]

Cali is a little out of my range, was gonna help you get a good deal on one (we just got a red goat in if interested )

One of our techs got a G6 when they first came out. He has never complained about power, though it is no match for the GTO. Only complaint he has is that damned sunroof.

Checked the pricing on the GTO motors today...the LS1 in the 04 list for over 7 grand, the 05, 06 LS2 goes for around 4,500...may not be worth the buyback afterall.

Xam

[Cakemeister]

Surely the car must be totalled.

My daughter got into a little fender bender last week in the school parking lot and they want $2100 to fix her car, which is a '97 Bonneville and probably not worth that much.

Fortunately it wasn't her fault.

[psik0tik]

Duct tape and some black spray paint and you'll be good to go.

[ChadTower]

Buy back the car, sell the engine and tranny, get some used parts for the front end and make it into a hella super driving cab.

[psik0tik]

That would be awesome...it'd be hard to fit in the house but that would be the ultimate driving cab. Especially if you adding 12 volt support and all the gauges and dash worked.

[ChadTower]

Dude, it's a car.  Sit it in the driveway.

[psik0tik]

Yes a car but if you had the space and the means to get it in it would look nice among other cabs. Maybe not a fullsized car but like a geo metro sized car. You wouldn't even need the frame ..you wouldn't even need the whole body. Just pull out the trusty blow torch and cut off the back half and front half and just leave the middle. Put it on a plywood frame and plywood the back up. Hmmm I think I found my next project...I was starting to get bored and this is the perfect timing hence my other thread I have going.

[ChadTower]

Well, it would be cool to have the original car as a racing cab.

A Geo Metro, not so much, unless it's a Karting game I guess.

[psik0tik]

Not really a geo metro...just using size comparison. Maybe a Miata those things are tiny...or better yet...an old Fiero.

Calling up the junk yards right now.

[psik0tik]

I think I even have some servos to make the gauges work. Making the original gas and brake pedals to work would be easy too.

Edit: My friend at the junk yard says he has a trashed from the back beetle. That would be small enough I think. Little bit of torch and cut work and I can shrink it down..and for 400 bucks minus engine, tranny,backseat and wheels I can't go wrong. 

[ChadTower]

It is a very cool project.  I approve.

[psik0tik]

Alright I'm of to go look at this thing. He said I can cut the back off while I'm there if I want it. Time to load up the torch and compound saw and head for the junk yard. I'll get some pictures up as soon as I can. The only thing I'm stuck on is keeping the front on for electronics storage or chopping that off too. I think it would be better with the hood.

[ChadTower]

Definitely depends on the amount of floorspace you can devote to it, I think.  It would be cooler to have the hood area if that's not an issue, you could use it as creative storage of just about anything.

This would be a great 60 minute episode of some show.

[psik0tik]

Space isn't an issue..Just need to put a couple of cabs in storage...and a piano that never gets played but thats not for a little while due to build time. I just got the Ok from the boss of the house granted I clean out the garage before I start. The only problem I see is getting it in the house. But I think I can take the back sliding doors all the way off  that should be plenty of room to get it in the house.

[ChadTower]

Step 1:  project thread.   

[psik0tik]

Done
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=71710.0

[AtomSmasher]

I talked to the repair shop today and after giving it a quick 5 minute lookover, he estimated it to be around $9500 to repair, and that if he's able to find a front 3/4 for my car to replace it with.  Apparently next week GM employees will be going on strike, so it will make it even harder to find the parts.  They're going to start to take the car apart tommorrow and find out how extensive the damage actually is, and get back to me with a more detailed quote.  I guess once the insurance company gets the detailed quote they'll punch in the numbers and find out if its cheaper to rebuild it or to buy it.

[delta88]

argh, even if.... I'd be time to sell it regardless.. You don't want that thing back.

[danny_galaga]

argh, even if.... I'd be time to sell it regardless.. You don't want that thing back.

definitely. it will always suck after those kind of repairs...

[ChadTower]

It's a good point... my car was stolen and stripped and they couldn't even get that rebuild right.  Forget this one.

[AtomSmasher]

I talked to the repair shop a few minutes ago and he's still making calls trying to track down parts, so he doesn't know for sure, but he believes its going to be a total loss.  He's going to call me back tommorrow once he finds out for sure whether or not he can find the parts for a decent price.

[danny_galaga]

but he believes its going to be a total loss.

bolster his belief with a case of his favourite beverage (",)

[AtomSmasher]

It's official, my car is totalled.

[HaRuMaN]

It's official, my car is totalled.

Damn, that sucks.  I hope you get a fair value for it.

[AtomSmasher]

It's official, my car is totalled.

Damn, that sucks.  I hope you get a fair value for it.

If they give me a fair value for it, then I should be getting one or two thousand back after they pay off the loan.  If they don't give me a fair value for it, then when I refinanced it 5 months ago I decided to pay the extra $5/month for GAP insurance, which will even pay my deductible if necessary.  That means at best I'll get a little something back, at worst I don't owe anything, and of course I will be arguing for more if they do try to give me too little for it.

Also, when I was cleaning out the car after the accident, I was able to pry off the GTO emblem from the side of the car as a souvenir 

[Xam]

Find out how much they want for the buyback...as mentioned, the engine is worth a lot, the tranny and the rear end. The rear end you cannot even get replacement parts for (from GM ). When there is a problem, the entire diff is replaced. The diff lists for $2927.86, tranny runs 3607.14 for manual, 2262.85 for auto. Engine runs 7515.00

Even the emblems for that car are high dollar.

Xam

[AtomSmasher]

Well I just recieved the amount they're paying for my car, and I'm surprised to say that I'm pleased with the amount.  They're paying roughly $500 over the private party value of my car in excellent condition from kbb, plus 1600 in sales tax, plus $89 in registration fees, which brings the total they're paying me to $21335.  Take out $500 for the deductible and the $16000 I still owe on it, and I'll still be getting a check for over $4000.  Work has been extremely slow lately and I can really use this money, so it really is a blessing in disguise.

Also, I finally bought a new car last week, and it wasn't something I was planning on getting, but I couldn't pass up the deal.  Its a new 2007 Saturn Ion, basically their cheapest model, but with all of the bells and whistles available for it (such as sunroof, power everything, upgraded alarm, mp3 player, and cruise control).  It was really cheap, gets insane gas milage (I had around 29 mpg on my first tank), and I got a 6 year 0% interest loan, which dropped the payments way down.  I considered it before, but now with the 0% for 6 years I just couldn't pass it up.  Its a huge difference from my GTO, but it will save me a lot of money and is a perfect work car.  Once work picks up again, I'll probably pay this car off and keep it as my work car, then buy a fun car for the weekends.

[bfauska]

Glad to hear it worked out, and nice job with the 0%.

[ChadTower]

They paid you sales tax reimbursement?   

[AtomSmasher]

They paid you sales tax reimbursement?   

Hehe ya, I wasn't expecting that, but I'm not complaining. 

[shardian]

I'm glad that everything worked out for you.

I have to say though, that person did you a favor. The new GTO looks like a teenagers Cavalier with cheesy body add-ons.

[AtomSmasher]

I'm glad that everything worked out for you.

I have to say though, that person did you a favor. The new GTO looks like a teenagers Cavalier with cheesy body add-ons.

HERESY!!!   

 

On a happier note, I just got the final amount I'll be getting back, $4458.30.  Very cool.  I didn't think I'd get more then $2000 back, so I'm definately happy with this payoff.

[DrewKaree]

Have you figured out how to wreck the Ion now so you can get another fat check and get a car you like?

[ChadTower]

Let me know when you figure that out... my Civic is worth a lot more to me wrecked than it is in the driveway.

[HaRuMaN]

Let me know when you figure that out... my Civic is worth a lot more to me wrecked than it is in the driveway.

You ever fix the heat in that thing?

[ChadTower]

Nope.  The defroster works, though, so I use that on full blast when it gets really cold.  I'm not much of a car guy, so even though I'm good at fixing stuff and have the Chilton's book, I'm also paranoid I'll do something wrong and end up without a way to get to work.

[DrewKaree]

Nope.  The defroster works, though, so I use that on full blast when it gets really cold.  I'm not much of a car guy, so even though I'm good at fixing stuff and have the Chilton's book, I'm also paranoid I'll do something wrong and end up without a way to get to work.

Blower moter shot and/or heater core needing to be replaced.  Requires you to diddle around with your dashboard.  You CAN'T end up without a way to get to work, but you CAN end up with no idea how to put your dashboard back together

[AtomSmasher]

Just thought I'd mention that I received the check last Thursday, which was a little less then one month from the day of the accident.  After hearing so many horror stories in the past about people getting ripped off from insurance companies or it taking several months before they finally get the payoff amount, I am very relieved that my insurance company has done such an outstanding job.

[boykster]

Who's your insurance company?

[AtomSmasher]

AAA Insurance (also known as the Auto Club)

[ChadTower]

Blower moter shot and/or heater core needing to be replaced.  Requires you to diddle around with your dashboard.  You CAN'T end up without a way to get to work, but you CAN end up with no idea how to put your dashboard back together

It's probably the core... it hasn't worked since the second time it was stolen.  I just never bothered to get it replaced and got tired of dicking around with the insurance company.  That would have been like the 50th issue with the rebuild and I was done dealing with it.  Speedometer is the same way.

[HaRuMaN]

I replaced the heater core in my truck ('97 Dodge Dakota).  It was a ---smurfing--- ---smurfette---!  I had to remove my seats, just to get enough room to be able to get in there and remove my entire dash...  and putting it back was even more fun... 

[shardian]

Well, does your car blow air when you turn on the switch? If so, then your blower and controls are working. If no air blows, then crank the heat, turn off the recirculate, and get on the interstate. Does warm air come out of the vents? If so, your car is blowing hot air, but either your blower or the controller is broken. Pulling a blower motor isn't as hard as you are making it out to be. If I can pull the blower out of two different Volvo's, then you should definitely be able to handle a Honda.

[shardian]

usually it is pretty obvious the heater core is busted. Your floor boards being covered in antifreeze is a pretty good sign, you know.

[HaRuMaN]

usually it is pretty obvious the heater core is busted. Your floor boards being covered in antifreeze is a pretty good sign, you know.

Yep, that's what mine did...  plus blowing antifreeze vapor through the vents.

[ChadTower]

It does blow air but the air never heats up (on heat).  I used to drive 75 miles each way for work... so yeah, it was definitely proven that it's not just really slow.     The defroster does heat up and work as expected.

[HaRuMaN]

Could have a vacuum hose loose/cracked?

[shardian]

It does blow air but the air never heats up (on heat).  I used to drive 75 miles each way for work... so yeah, it was definitely proven that it's not just really slow.     The defroster does heat up and work as expected.

By defroster, do you mean the rear defroster, or having your air set on "defrost"? The two are completely unrelated.

[ChadTower]

The one using the same vents as the heater.  Not the rear window defroster that is attached to the window.  The blowing defroster heats up the cabin just enough to deal with.  On the really cold days I wear gloves.  Without that defroster working I wouldn't be able to drive it in the winter here because the windows would keep icing up.

[shardian]

Hmm, it appears you might have a bad heater resistor if you get heat on defrost but none of the others. Check your Chilton Manual to see how hard it is to replace the 1st resistor. Also, locate your heater core and check the inlet and outlet hoses after the car is running warm. If both are not hot, get your system power flushed. Also, your car is probably due a thermostat change.

Thermostat is cheapest and easiest fix, so try that first.

[ChadTower]

I'm pretty sure I've had the thermostat replaced in the past... if it's the same thermostat that controls engine temp.

[shardian]

I'm pretty sure I've had the thermostat replaced in the past... if it's the same thermostat that controls engine temp.

The thermostat opens and closes to control the flow of coolant based on a set temperature. If your thermostat is stuck open, the coolant never reaches full temperature and your heater wouldn't blow hot air.

[ChadTower]

Hrm.  Odds are I won't look into it as I plan on replacing the car in the Spring with a pickup anyway.

[mccoy178]

Hrm.  Odds are I won't look into it as I plan on replacing the car in the Spring with a pickup anyway.

Careful, those trucks haul things.  I don't want to see your life get more confusing than it already is.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

Hrm.  Odds are I won't look into it as I plan on replacing the car in the Spring with a pickup anyway.

You sure blow enough hot air around here to keep things nice and toasty. This thread alone has enough wasted energy to stave off an ice age.

If only there was some way to harness that power!   

[Stingray]

usually it is pretty obvious the heater core is busted. Your floor boards being covered in antifreeze is a pretty good sign, you know.

Could also be clogged, which would cause it to not work, but not leak either.

-S

[shardian]

Could also be clogged, which would cause it to not work, but not leak either.

-S

That is why I mentioned checking the inlet and outlet hoses when the car is running warm. That is the test, and the solution is a power flush.

[ChadTower]

I could probably at least do that.  I learned the power flush from Al Bundy.