The Car Thread ... !

[bunnspecial]

Well, picked up the police report from my accident a few weeks ago.

The officer who wrote it up I think made some serious mistakes. He concluded that I was the sole cause of the accident-estimated my speed at 40-50 mph and that I'd pushed 3 cars ahead of me into other cars. I don't know about you all, but this ain't no 40mph collision damage(I didn't even break a light, and my car had a few broken slats on the grill and a some cracks on the bumper cover). It looks to me like about a 15mph collision, and I don't see my car with that little damage having enough momentum to push 3 cars. I think the car in front of me hit the car in front of them before I hit them, but then what can I say.

There's also the fact that I was traveling at the posted limit(50mph) and had started to slow down well before the collision due to both a red light and an upcoming turn-I slammed on my brakes when I realized the car in front of me had come to a sudden stop.

Like I said, though, to me this isn't the result of a 40mph collision

Fortunately, none of the cars were particularly valuable, and even if all but the front car(a 2015 Scion) were totaled, I'd still be well under my liability limit. It's just another headache, though. I'm not disputing that I'm responsible for hitting the car in front of me, but I don't see how I could have pushed 3 more cars and caused damage.

 

[0388631]

Speak to a supervisor or speak with your insurance. Any adjuster who's worth their salt would realize that's not a 40-50 mph crash.

 

[bunnspecial]

I wish that there were a way to pull black box data at home, but the best I can find is that you either need the manufacturer's software or a Bosch software package($$$). That would show the speed at the time of collision.

At this point, I think it's just fighting it out between insurance companies. My company has requested photos of my car, so hopefully they're smart enough to realize that also. Hopefully, if it gets down to it, they'll send an adjuster out.

I don't think I'd have hopped out of the car 30 seconds after 40mph collision, nor would the Sienna in front of me have gotten away with only some cracks in its bumper cover. Like I said, the amount of damage to my car, IMO, is not consistent with it pushing three cars in front of it. Heck, I COULD have driven it home. I have driven it since the accident, albeit not far as the radiator is dead. Even so, a car that had been in a 40mph collision wouldn't track straight with no steering wobble at 70mph...

 

[0388631]

Could ask around online. You'd be surprised at some of the tools people have with their groupbuys. Yeah, a 20-25 MPH crash into a still car, I presume, would wreck most of the front end because of the crumple zones. An actual 40-50 MPH crash would have seen you with injuries, both physical and internal strain. Your car's front end would be more or less destroyed. I've witness enough crashes at much lower speeds that there's no need in saying that cop was either lazy or high off his mind.

The car situation blows, but on the bright side, you weren't hurt much.

 

[bunnspecial]

The car situation blows, but on the bright side, you weren't hurt much.

That's what I have to keep reminding myself-not just me but that no one else was injured.

I was watching a Youtube video last night of a car rear-ending a stationary and unsecured car at 40mph. The rear car folded up enough that the engine dropped down and I suspect that the driver likely would have needed to be cut out. The front car lost its trunk.

The accident didn't even touch my fenders-the bumper cover and bumper bar soaked up most of the damage, with some to the hood I think from those parts getting pushed up. The grille-like almost every modern car-is all plastic and the only damage to it was a few broken slats. The minivan I hit didn't even lose its rear bumper cover, although it had some decent front end damage(that makes me think they hit first).

As it so happened, the accident happened right in front of a used car lot. The owner didn't see it, but he came out when he heard the commotion. I called and talked to him today, and he guessed I hit at 15-20. I have opinions from folks who have seen the car or seen pictures that were guessing 10-20mph.

Heck, the inertia switch didn't go off-I had to manually turn off the car after it happened(and I came to my sense).

 

[Huntn]

^^^Yeah, I would stick with the Miata or the more powerful Fiat 124 Spider Abarth.

I think the Miata looks better than the Fiat, but I'm also considering the Mini Cooper. Look a back seat!

 

[AustinIllini]

I think the Miata looks better than the Fiat.

Right, but they don't make a more powerful Miata and the Fiat is basically the same care with a better engine.

 

[Huntn]

Right, but they don't make a more powerful Miata and the Fiat is basically the same care with a better engine.

I updated my previous post...

 

[AustinIllini]

Just go with this.

 

[2298754]

Is anyone impressed with the looks or performance of:

2017 Audi TT Convertible Roadster srarts at $48k
​

It looks kind of round to me, and no back seat/ledge!

This Mazda MX5 looks better and is less expensive:

The TT is a fun little car, but has a negative stigma attached to it. Sort of feminine I guess...

 

[AustinIllini]

The TT is a fun little car, but has a negative stigma attached to it. Sort of feminine I guess...

It's also got the Haldex flavor of quattro that people don't like. While I prefer the Torsen (have yet to try the Ultra), it's not a deal breaker for me personally.

 

[Huntn]

Just go with this.

Is that a convertible?

 

[AustinIllini]

Is that a convertible?

Corvettes have T tops, which you can remove. It's not that same, but who cares? It's a Corvette. My dream car.

 

[Huntn]

Corvettes have T tops, which you can remove. It's not that same, but who cares? It's a Corvette. My dream car.

I care, passing on a Fiat 500 because of door rails that remained and an accordion top that looked like it would not hold up well.

Do Vettes have a heavy handling feel? I suppose compared to my 82 Fiat Spider they do, compensated by lots-o-horse power.

 

[D.T.]

Is that a convertible?

Just buy the convertible version ... sheesh!

 

[Huntn]

Just buy the convertible version ... sheesh!

Hmm, let's see 1 Vette or 3 MX5s.
[doublepost=1494197733][/doublepost]

Just go with this.

I think each car has a color that shows it off best. What do you imagine for your dream car?

I see the Vette as Artic White (post 6270), Racing Yellow, or ...Black Rose Metallic!

 

[bunnspecial]

Hmm, let's see 1 Vette or 3 MX5s.

Stingrays are not that expensive at $55 new(base model), although if you want a ZO-6 you can run the tab up to $100K pretty easily.

I was eyeing a black C4 the other day, but it sold pretty fast. Funny enough, the lot had both a C4 and a C5 sitting next to each other. The C4 was a manual and had more miles than the C5, but the red C5(auto) is still there.

 

[D.T.]

Hmm, let's see 1 Vette or 3 MX5s.

Stingrays are not that expensive at $55 new(base model), although if you want a ZR-1 you can run the tab up to $100K pretty easily.

I was eyeing a black C4 the other day, but it sold pretty fast. Funny enough, the lot had both a C4 and a C5 sitting next to each other. The C4 was a manual and had more miles than the C5, but the red C5(auto) is still there.

I think C6s are pretty stellar deals right now, it's reasonably modern, in my mind has _more_ classic Vette design language vs. a C7.

The later model cars have the Z06 widebody/wheels/tires/big brakes, and the LS3 is a terrific motor, it's headers/intake/tune away from 500HP, or a moderate cam/heads away from 600.

What I really dig on is the limited production C6 convertibles with the Z06 427 (though last time I checked that had retained their value and were less of a "deal")

 

[Huntn]

Stingrays are not that expensive at $55 new(base model), although if you want a ZO-6 you can run the tab up to $100K pretty easily.

I was eyeing a black C4 the other day, but it sold pretty fast. Funny enough, the lot had both a C4 and a C5 sitting next to each other. The C4 was a manual and had more miles than the C5, but the red C5(auto) is still there.

Manual or bust.... auto blah. What do C6s run (price)?
[doublepost=1494201514][/doublepost]

I think C6s are pretty stellar deals right now, it's reasonably modern, in my mind has _more_ classic Vette design language vs. a C7.

The later model cars have the Z06 widebody/wheels/tires/big brakes, and the LS3 is a terrific motor, it's headers/intake/tune away from 500HP, or a moderate cam/heads away from 600.

What I really dig on is the limited production C6 convertibles with the Z06 427 (though last time I checked that had retained their value and were less of a "deal")

Pretty car.

 

[iLog.Genius]

I really do admire what the American marques are doing in terms of performance/price. I don't think they're bad looking, but I just don't like the angular/box look they use, I prefer the softer design language of the Europeans.

 

[0388631]

The C7's side profile is very Ferrari-esque. It's a looker, though. I think the 997 Targas are gorgeous. Not so much the 991 Targas. Porsches, in general, are fantastic lookers. However, a Targa is something else. And the almost all glass 997 Targa's roof is amazing.

 

[A.Goldberg]

That's what I have to keep reminding myself-not just me but that no one else was injured.

I was watching a Youtube video last night of a car rear-ending a stationary and unsecured car at 40mph. The rear car folded up enough that the engine dropped down and I suspect that the driver likely would have needed to be cut out. The front car lost its trunk.

The accident didn't even touch my fenders-the bumper cover and bumper bar soaked up most of the damage, with some to the hood I think from those parts getting pushed up. The grille-like almost every modern car-is all plastic and the only damage to it was a few broken slats. The minivan I hit didn't even lose its rear bumper cover, although it had some decent front end damage(that makes me think they hit first).

As it so happened, the accident happened right in front of a used car lot. The owner didn't see it, but he came out when he heard the commotion. I called and talked to him today, and he guessed I hit at 15-20. I have opinions from folks who have seen the car or seen pictures that were guessing 10-20mph.

Heck, the inertia switch didn't go off-I had to manually turn off the car after it happened(and I came to my sense).

40mph sounds like nonsense... maybe 40mph before you hit the brakes and slowed down! If I'm not mistaken most of those frontal crash tests occur at 45mph. In those videos the back wheels are off the ground, front of the car crumpled, the roof might buckle slightly. There is no way you hit at 40mph. I would definitely contest that with at least the insurance company.

 

[bunnspecial]

40mph sounds like nonsense... maybe 40mph before you hit the brakes and slowed down! If I'm not mistaken most of those frontal crash tests occur at 45mph. In those videos the back wheels are off the ground, front of the car crumpled, the roof might buckle slightly. There is no way you hit at 40mph. I would definitely contest that with at least the insurance company.

My insurance company has requested photos of the car(which I sent promptly) so I suspect that they're contesting it. I also really don't see a 15mph crash(what I'm guessing it was) pushing three cars forward since-presumably-they would have been holding their brakes with it at the stop light. Given how abruptly the guy in front of me stopped, he would probably have been standing on the pedal(although I still think he hit first).

That's what I pay the insurance company to fight out, though.

 

[0388631]

Yep, no way your insurance let's it slide. Dropping the GL off to the dealer Friday to get the airbags swapped. I declined a loaner car, but it's going to take a few days. They said it'd be done by Wednesday at the latest. I'll have them drop me off back home or I'll hail an Uber or Lyft. Just need to clear the car out of any valuables and whatnot.

 

[millerj123]

Is anyone impressed with the looks or performance of:

2017 Audi TT Convertible Roadster srarts at $48k
​

It looks kind of round to me, and no back seat/ledge!

This Mazda MX5 looks better and is less expensive:

Yeah, but apparently, no man can own an MX5.
My daily driver is a 98 Saturn SW2. I wanted to get a Mazda 3 hatchback for my wife, but she had started looking at the Miatas. In a moment of insanity, she asked if I'd have a problem with a Miata, and I said "no", so now we have a new-to-us 2000 Miata.

After we bought it, I found that it exhibits many of the classic problems of cars of that era, and I have to drive with a sign that says "It's my wife's!". I found that rule on the Miata forums. Those guys are worse than mac folks.
You also have to "drive it like you stole it". I never break that rule.