M56 by Debonair

[Ilya]

So a couple weeks ago my O'Reilly AGM battery felt like it was on its way out. Three progressively slower starts in one day made me sure I was in for a dead battery in the morning. The next day it fired the car up good and strong and has every day since. Until this last Friday.

Friday I went to get some stuff at harbor freight. Came out and she was dead. Nothing but that low, slow tale-tale growl of a starter powered by a dead battery. Fortunately this particular HF is next door to an O'Reilly. Walked back into HF, got a 10mm wrench, pulled the battery, and dropped it off for the charge and test at O'Reilly. The bad battery had 5 months of free replacement left and was replaced at no charge.

Most convenient dead battery ever.

(Google photo)

I had the same story lol.

Went to Sears for an alignment, no signs. They pulled the car around and parked it. By the time I cashed out, etc. the battery had gone tits up. Walked in, purchased new one, replaced right in their lot (I didn't have a 10MM on me and didn't feel like buying one from them so I used pliers if I recall lol)...bada boom bada bing! lol.

I giggled all the way home about my luck lol.

(I cried later when that Sears location closed. IMO, they did the best alignments in the area...now I gotta hoof it way north to their only other location near me for such work)

[Larz]

Similar sytch here. I cannot work out why these cars are such a challenge at alignment. I thought I was just living in an area with daft alignment techs because I tried Tires Plus, Meineke, and Firestone. One of the shop techs even came into the waiting room to show me a printout from before and after that actually made me laugh. It showed the 'before' soooo way off that, if it were true, I must have driven the car to them sideways, LOL. I actually laughed at him and just walked to the counter, and drove it home immediately noticing it was not aligned properly. I never went back, even though they would have re-done it for free. What us is free if it''s gonna be wrong?
Since then I just pay the extra cost to have the dealer do it and it's perfect each and every time. I have Infiniti valve caps that frequently go missing at these shops, too.

[Debonair]

So, not the best the Friday night I’ve had.















So he slammed into my left front bumper, fender, and wheel breaking it and shoving the car into the curb and the truck behind it. He then backed out some and tried to get away hitting the left front door. Even with the airbags the driver and passenger both hit and cracked their windshield but were still able to run on foot.

[Mjkkb2]

Bummer man. I hope you’re ok.

[Debonair]

Bummer man. I hope you’re ok.

Thanks, I’m fine. I was inside on the phone when i heard the huge hit on my parked car.

More eye candy:

[Frog]

Ouch that looks painful. Sorry for your loss

[hagani]

That sucks.. Very sorry for the loss man.

[stm37s]

Sorry to hear that, so how is the claim process going Debonair?

[Debonair]

Ouch that looks painful. Sorry for your loss

Thanks.

That sucks.. Very sorry for the loss man.

Thanks.

Sorry to hear that, so how is the claim process going Debonair?

I called it in on Saturday. An adjuster will be contacting me today to discuss. The tow company will be calling today too to take it into the body shop. Really wont know where they want to go with it until the shop gives the insurance a number.

[ssmrico]

ouch so sorry

[DoN_BLaZe34]

WOW. Deb ok sorry man...that really sucks

[EdBwoy]

Damn. Sorry for the damage. There seems to be a lot that would need replacement, but in a way I hope they don't total it.
The parts can kinda be accounted for in the pay off, but it could be hard to convert your blood, sweat and tears... and passion into currency.

Have the offending car occupants been found yet? Any info on whether they/ the vehicle were insured?

[pedsemdoc]

The parts can kinda be accounted for in the pay off, but it could be hard to convert your blood, sweat and tears... and passion into currency.

This. Waaaay too much love put into your mods/upgrades - It really is upsetting to find out that the insurance company views your ride as a TOTAL LOSS, especially when you've got it pretty darn close to the way you want it. Hopefully they won't write it off without some decent analysis into what's busted/broken.

sorry that you're in this situation, luckily you weren't driving it and weren't hurt (physically)

[Debonair]

ouch so sorry

Thanks

WOW. Deb ok sorry man...that really sucks

Thanks

Damn. Sorry for the damage. There seems to be a lot that would need replacement, but in a way I hope they don't total it.
The parts can kinda be accounted for in the pay off, but it could be hard to convert your blood, sweat and tears... and passion into currency.

Have the offending car occupants been found yet? Any info on whether they/ the vehicle were insured?

Insurance adjuster I spoke with on the phone yesterday was confident based on her experience that the car was going to be totaled. Before tear-down which will tell them more, they already know it needs F&R bumpers, LF fender, LF door, two wheels, steering rack, and paint & blending. After tear-down who knows what more will be added.

No word from CHP yet on the driver or car.

This. Waaaay too much love put into your mods/upgrades - It really is upsetting to find out that the insurance company views your ride as a TOTAL LOSS, especially when you've got it pretty darn close to the way you want it. Hopefully they won't write it off without some decent analysis into what's busted/broken.

sorry that you're in this situation, luckily you weren't driving it and weren't hurt (physically)

Thanks. Yeah, not what I wanted to hear but with a car like this that has much aluminum and damage to essentially all four sides I knew as soon as I seen it that she was probably done for. I should know for sure once they finish the tear-down tonight or tomorrow.

[Mjkkb2]

He Debon, not sure if you're up for it, but insurers usually will accept the offer from the customer to keep the car. They will basically reduce the total loss payout by the amount they "think" they could get from the salvage auction buyer. Obviously the negatives are you get a smaller check but you get to keep the car and repair it on your own if it makes sense. You also are stuck with a totaled car which is often harder to insure and cost more in premiums....

You may also request to have the claim reviewed if you think they valued your call too low. You will then present them the upgrades and extra stuff you did to justify the value to be higher, potentially pushing you back above the total loss threshold.

All depends on the insurance and state laws of course.


good luck man!

[Malbec 56 Beast]

My son totalled a Subaru that I just had the engine rebuilt and a new clutch. I was going to buy it back and part it out but I didn't have the room or time to do that. My insurance was awesome, they reimbursed me on all that repair costs.

[stm37s]

With what you know now, are you going to be buying the car back and try to fix it up or just take the money and try to find a new one, if so what brand have you been thinking about?

[Debonair]

He Debon, not sure if you're up for it, but insurers usually will accept the offer from the customer to keep the car. They will basically reduce the total loss payout by the amount they "think" they could get from the salvage auction buyer. Obviously the negatives are you get a smaller check but you get to keep the car and repair it on your own if it makes sense. You also are stuck with a totaled car which is often harder to insure and cost more in premiums....

You may also request to have the claim reviewed if you think they valued your call too low. You will then present them the upgrades and extra stuff you did to justify the value to be higher, potentially pushing you back above the total loss threshold. All depends on the insurance and state laws of course. good luck man!

Thanks. Buying it back did cross my mind briefly but I don't have time for that. IF I do decide to make time for a restoration it would be on a 70s Monte Carlo, 68 Valiant, or something else not super common but cool. Which, oddly enough may be an option at this point. Thanks.

My son totalled a Subaru that I just had the engine rebuilt and a new clutch. I was going to buy it back and part it out but I didn't have the room or time to do that. My insurance was awesome, they reimbursed me on all that repair costs.

Funny enough I really don't have that much money in the car. Wheels, tires, struts. A bunch of cheap LEDs. But yeah, I will have to discuss this if/when they come to me with a offer too low.

With what you know now, are you going to be buying the car back and try to fix it up or just take the money and try to find a new one, if so what brand have you been thinking about?

If its totaled its gone. Its not impossible that I will get another sedan but it is unlikely. If I do it would probably be a change of scenery; 4th+ gen Lexus LS, GS-F, or maybe a V8 Genesis Sedan. More likely I will be getting a full size GM truck or SUV. With my 3 kids getting older and our activities increasingly involving trips to the great out doors it makes more sense. Then I can get a Hellcat in a few more years for my mid-life crisis.

[Debonair]

Officially totaled. Won't know more until next week.

[wideopn11]

WTF?!? Holy hell I might have beat the living s*** out of that driver for hitting my car and told the cops he sustained his injuries in the crash.

Insurance aside can you sue the driver for pain and suffering money?

[Debonair]

WTF?!? Holy hell I might have beat the living s*** out of that driver for hitting my car and told the cops he sustained his injuries in the crash.

Insurance aside can you sue the driver for pain and suffering money?

Haha. Maybe if I was in the car when it happened. I doubt he would have any money for me to take from him anyway.

[stm37s]

With what you know now, are you going to be buying the car back and try to fix it up or just take the money and try to find a new one, if so what brand have you been thinking about?

If its totaled its gone. Its not impossible that I will get another sedan but it is unlikely. If I do it would probably be a change of scenery; 4th+ gen Lexus LS, GS-F, or maybe a V8 Genesis Sedan. More likely I will be getting a full size GM truck or SUV. With my 3 kids getting older and our activities increasingly involving trips to the great out doors it makes more sense. Then I can get a Hellcat in a few more years for my mid-life crisis.

GS-F is pretty cool & awesome, Genesis is nice depending on which year you get. Can't go wrong with a Lexus either.

I can understand about getting an SUV for growing kids, we used our Wife Range Rover for long road trips and room was great but oldest son have been gone for some time now and baby girl has her own ride, so our long road trips are in the sedans now.

I say go for it, you can't go wrong with either of your choices you mentioned.

[Debonair]

Update time:

Mercury Insurance is treating me good on the settlement. I have no complaints and am relieved I will be able to move past all this mess in a week or so. I will miss the car though and made the mistake of looking up M56's for sale today. Had to back away slowly.

No word on the offender. I live just outside city limits (considered county) so CHP handles it. Everyone involved agrees that they will not be heard from for 4-6 weeks. No worry for me though. I need to start car shopping.

[stm37s]

Back away from the computer, bring your fingers and hands slowly to your side where I can see them!!!, lol

Good luck in finding your new ride Debonair.

[Debonair]

Back away from the computer, bring your fingers and hands slowly to your side where I can see them!!!, lol

Good luck in finding your new ride Debonair.

Haha, no joke. I have banned myself from looking at them. Thanks.

[Debonair]

Now that the car is gone and not coming back it’s time for the purge:

OEM F&R floormats -black M56
OEM Trunk mat
OEM remote
Custom subwoofer box
OEM struts and springs
OEM 18” wheels and tires
OEM Ash tray
OEM Lugnuts - sold

Local SF Bay Area / San Jose pickup for the bigger items for now. Shipping on the bigger stuff probably later when i get more free time. More details, pics, and possibly parts to come.

[ssmrico]

sorry to hear bro :/

[ssmrico]

wonder if I can program that remote for my m37 lol

[cyanide7730]

any chance of getting those mufflers/tips?

[Debonair]

Not the ones that were on the car. I do still have a pair of the Pypes tips.