2000 Anniversary Edition Rear Ended tonight

[rover3l]

I got rear ended this evening by a Chevy Cavalier (what an insult!!)

From what I can see here is the damage:

1. The rear bumper is split and pushed forward2. The trunk lid now seems mis-aligned in that the gap on the left side is non existent and is standing proud on the right side3. The rear fender is push forward about 1 inch and creased on its side4. The rear passenger door will not close because of the fender and D pillar being moved slightly forward

The car has done 95,000 miles and was in near mint condition.

Does the extent of damage sound like this will be totaled?

[Infinitiguy19]

I am sorry to hear this, But yes it sounds like its totaled unless you realy realy love her.

[maxnix]

epalcing and painting the rear qurter panel and trunk floor will probably bring it to $7K or so if done correctly.

Bring all your records to establish value.

Glad your are OK. Hope the other driver broke his neck.

[Marshall206]

let me know if u part out I have an anniversary as well, I got hit from the front it didnt total but 3110 in damage, looking for a front bumper and a few other things

[rover3l]

Its getting picked up on Monday by the body repair shop and I should know where I stand by mid week after they have carried out the appraisal.

[paranoidjack]

epalcing and painting the rear qurter panel and trunk floor will probably bring it to $7K or so if done correctly.

Bring all your records to establish value.

Glad your are OK. Hope the other driver broke his neck.

Damn Brian, that's harsh - could have been brake failure. Then again, I guess in your book that's the same sentence

Glad to hear you're OK, VERY sorry to hear one of my sister cars is hurt. Investigate buying back and fixing....

[qship96]

Junk it and start over .....plenty of 99-01 Q available for little money, look for grampa owned garaged southern car with low miles

[maxnix]

Damn Brian, that's harsh - could have been brake failure. Then again, I guess in your book that's the same sentence

Well, either way, if he or his car is no longer on the road, it is safer for us.

I am betting heavily on poor maintenance and/or inattention.

[rover3l]

I can clear up the circumstances as follows:

I was traveling down "County Rd C" close to my home in the town of Sheboygan Falls, WI. The road was like an ice rink and too cold for salt to be effective. I have snow tires on my Q45 and drive very carefully in this weather. The guy in front of me in a Chrysler Neon spun out as he tried to make a right turn. I was able to slow down and pull up behind him about 20 feet away with no worries about crashing into him. However, the guy in the Chevy Cavalier behind me could not stop in time to avoid rear-ending me.

So ice was a contributor but his driving style was the major factor as it was a classic situation of being to close to my rear end for the road conditions. Also he had no ABS and certainly no snow tires.

I have claimed against his insurance "Progressive" and got a rental car from Enterprise this evening. It is a base Chevy Impala. Guess what - no ABS, no traction control and standard issue crappy high mileage tires. It is a death trap in my estimation given the conditions on the WI roads. It certainly underscored my view of what a Grand Canyon of difference exists between a basic car like an Impala and a Q45.

If mine is totaled I am going to have to be very discerning in choosing a replacement, although I am still hoping it can be repaired.

[Infinitiguy19]

Your original post said it is a Chevrolet Cavalier and you last post says Impala, So which is it?

No offence, Best of luck.

[rover3l]

The car that hit me was a Chevy Cavalier. The Chevy Impala is the rental car that the insurance company has provided me with

[maxnix]

The car that hit me was a Chevy Cavalier. The Chevy Impala is the rental car that the insurance company has provided me with

I thought that was pretty clear.

Ice was not as much a contributing factor as his decision to drive on it was.

[Infinitiguy19]

Yea sorry just tired, And of course the driver that hit you is 100% at fault.

[rover3l]

To my surprise they are going to repair it. I talked to Progressive Insurance today they got the appraiser to call me. Here is what he figures they will need to do:

1. Replace rear bumper cover2. Replace rear bumper reinforcing member and associated brackets etc3. Pull the rear fender into alignment using the body jig or whatever it is called4. Refinish the paint on the bumper, rear fender and blend into the rear door / trunk lid etc as required

Total cost to the insurance company $3400

It all seems a bit too simple for me. I asked him if there was any suspension damage and he said no. He said the accident had crumpled the rear fender and part of the under trunk area which would be straightened by the body alignment jig.

The body shop is a Lincoln dealership who allegedly has a 30 year track record in high quality body repair.

Any suggestions on what to do. Should I just accept they will do a good job and then inspect the finished result or should I be more proactive.

I know the Q45 has a better paint finish than any Lincoln and apart from the structural aspects of this repair I am concerned how the old and new finish are going to match.

Comments?

[Infinitiguy19]

Well it sounds like its totaled to me, And I say that because it just sounds like to much structural damage that when fix will always feel differnt and just not the same.

Is there any frame damage?

Any pics?

But the best of luck.

[paranoidjack]

I've just been through this same scenario. My damage was to the rear driver's side door, and front bumper.

My bill came to nearly $7,000. The pearl paint on the Q is more labor intensive, and more noticeably mismatched from older paint - I had 90% of the car painted and some other work done as well. I had decent frame damage and had to be pulled out.

Better bet your shop will come back with further estimates once the car is torn apart, and they usually will deal directly with the insurance appraiser to negotiate higher payouts.

Regardless, I'd keep your eye on it because higher payouts CAN and OFTEN are done.

If given the option of having the check issues to you versus the shop, take the money and pay the shop. Otherwise, consider every penny spent before the work begins.

[Mr.Limo]

Hey my eye's are not as good as they used to be What kind of car is that in your avatar?[IMG][/IMG]

[maxnix]

Comments?

Don't sign off on the car unless the rear end aligns and measures correctly. All in the FSM.

[silver2k2]

Sounds cheap, Check out my thread on Parking Lot Carnage. It was 3k to fix and blend my door. The body shop told me that once he starts on the car even if it costs more the insurance company is "stuck" since they owe him money and if he comes back saying it costs 3500 to fix they will pay it becuase at that point they would have to pay him the 3k he has into plus pay me out the total the car. So at that point in time 500 more is cheaper

[bullittandy]

I think that the damage is repairable. Body jigs are widely used and the body measurements/specifications are well documented. In fact, in the FSM on the front end it looks like there are about 75 intersecting lines to measure squareness.

Blending paint is a little bit harder and pearl makes it harder still but I did it pretty good and I'm no professional, having painted 5 cars in my life.

No worries on the repair but check and see if your state has diminished value claims and maybe you can get a bit of money now that the car is worth less.

[rover3l]

It is a Rover P5

http://images.google.com/imgre...a%3DG

[Mr.Limo]

That would make an interesting Limousine She looks pretty cool

[BadQ45t]

I would DEMAND to have a second opinion. I'm sure they have other shops in the system, you could go and figure out one...or if you have YOUR shop I'd make them tow it there for a second estimate.

If there is no frame damage and in fact it is just these fleshy parts, get it fixed. The car is yours, you like it and plenty of life left in it. However, if you find another shop that says the frame is suspect, you'll never get the front end in aligment again etc you need to konw that.

Last thing, if you make a deal with "Progressive" see if they have a warranty. I have Famers and they give Lifetime warranty on repairs at their shops.

Good luck, I cring to hear that story as my 97' with 91k miles is in great shape, I have it lowered with KYB's and 19" M45 Sport rims......God I think I will just drive my X-Terra, she is so safe in the garage!