Sad day, but excellent outcome
10-20-2016, 11:03 AM
#1
Sad day, but excellent outcome
Every one of us 2015+ TLX drivers should pay attention and be glad we and any passengers along for the ride are very well protected in our vehicles. Last Wednesday I was driving to work before sunrise, at 6:25 AM. Traffic on I-80 East was light since it was around Yom Kippur. Travelling in the the middle-left lane of the 4, I noticed an older, compact Honda about 0.25mi swerve across lanes then turn toward the concrete median, bounce off said median in a left ward arc and strike the wall again ultimately coming to rest. As this was unfolding, a couple of the cars in my lane naturally slowed and moved right to evade the debris. The vehicle to my right slowed at pace with me and prevented my changing lanes. The one in front of me started slowing much faster than before, commanding my attention and committing me to come to a near stop. My 2015 TLX SH-AWD with Tech pkg performed flawlessly, but I can only wish that the driver of the box truck behind me were in a TLX. He would have been able to stop in time too. Ultimately, he steered to the left to avoid me, but he did not succeed. His higher bumper collided with my left rear quarter and trunk with enough force to push my right front corner into the oncoming car to my right.
No airbag deployment. Honestly, I only felt a firm nudge in my lower back and heard very muffled sounds of the impacts.
Shaken up, I remained in the driver's seat, unsure if it was safe to exit the car, until the NJ State Police arrived. Once I did get out, I saw, in the pre dawn darkness, what I thought was moderate damage in the rear. The trunk lid was crushed, the tail lights broken, the bumper skin torn and the trailing edge of the left rear quarter caved in slightly.
Jump ahead to the insurance estimate, which was truly a surprise-- $11K worth of damage!! The body has to be straightened, the trunk floor replaced, along with several suspension components and the right side tie rod. This impact was much worse than I thought.
Ironically, 12 days earlier, I had the car in for service at the dealer. They performed the routine M1, and updated the tranny. I was thrilled with the car when I picked it up. They were able to eliminate the slow downshifts at low speed and the surge prior to downshifting from 5th to 4th with the throttle closed. The car was as responsive as I had expected it should have been.
Fast forward to 6 days after the incident. I went to my dealer, DCH Montclair Acura in Verona, NJ, and explained that with the extent of the damage, I questioned how the integrity of the vehicle would be after the body shop contracted by the dealer performed the repair. My salesman, Tony and his manager, Robert went to bat for me, convincing Acura Financial to extend to me an early exit from my lease with a waiver of some payments. Sales applied rebates to a 2016 just like my '15 thus lowering my monthly payments.
Thanks to the advanced materials and design utilized by Acura's TLX team, I emerged unharmed from this wreck, and my confidence in the brand has been enhanced. Also, I am very fortunate to have a reliable dealership in DCH Montclair Acura which prides itself on its customers' happiness.
I pick up the new car in 4 days. My wife is baking cookies for the dealership staff.
No airbag deployment. Honestly, I only felt a firm nudge in my lower back and heard very muffled sounds of the impacts.
Shaken up, I remained in the driver's seat, unsure if it was safe to exit the car, until the NJ State Police arrived. Once I did get out, I saw, in the pre dawn darkness, what I thought was moderate damage in the rear. The trunk lid was crushed, the tail lights broken, the bumper skin torn and the trailing edge of the left rear quarter caved in slightly.
Jump ahead to the insurance estimate, which was truly a surprise-- $11K worth of damage!! The body has to be straightened, the trunk floor replaced, along with several suspension components and the right side tie rod. This impact was much worse than I thought.
Ironically, 12 days earlier, I had the car in for service at the dealer. They performed the routine M1, and updated the tranny. I was thrilled with the car when I picked it up. They were able to eliminate the slow downshifts at low speed and the surge prior to downshifting from 5th to 4th with the throttle closed. The car was as responsive as I had expected it should have been.
Fast forward to 6 days after the incident. I went to my dealer, DCH Montclair Acura in Verona, NJ, and explained that with the extent of the damage, I questioned how the integrity of the vehicle would be after the body shop contracted by the dealer performed the repair. My salesman, Tony and his manager, Robert went to bat for me, convincing Acura Financial to extend to me an early exit from my lease with a waiver of some payments. Sales applied rebates to a 2016 just like my '15 thus lowering my monthly payments.
Thanks to the advanced materials and design utilized by Acura's TLX team, I emerged unharmed from this wreck, and my confidence in the brand has been enhanced. Also, I am very fortunate to have a reliable dealership in DCH Montclair Acura which prides itself on its customers' happiness.
I pick up the new car in 4 days. My wife is baking cookies for the dealership staff.
The following 8 users liked this post by TLX15:
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EverythingGoodWasTaken (07-07-2017),
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and 3 others liked this post.
10-20-2016, 01:15 PM
#2
shenanigans
Wow, that is a great outcome to an unfortunate event. Glad you are ok. For as much crap as some give the TLX on this forum whenever the opportunity presents itself, the few threads we have had regarding accidents always seem to turn out well for the occupants involved. Acura seems to have a very safe vehicle on their hands.
Post some pics of the new ride when you get it, I'm happy to hear your dealer took care of you.
Post some pics of the new ride when you get it, I'm happy to hear your dealer took care of you.
The following users liked this post:
justnspace (10-20-2016)
10-20-2016, 09:06 PM
#4
Three Wheelin'
Great outcome and awesome response by your dealership.
Glad you're ok.
Not to steal your thread, but it was 1yr ago that I was involved in an accident in my 3G TL which lead me to my TLX today. I feel safe in an Acura for sure.
Glad you're ok.
Not to steal your thread, but it was 1yr ago that I was involved in an accident in my 3G TL which lead me to my TLX today. I feel safe in an Acura for sure.
10-20-2016, 10:00 PM
#5
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It's nice to hear that they're taking care of you. For damage that severe, I'd be hesitant as well.
Did you at least change colors or is it an exact replacement?
Did you at least change colors or is it an exact replacement?
Cars can be replaced. Great dealer. 
10-21-2016, 07:49 AM
#7
Trending Topics
10-21-2016, 08:13 AM
#8
Safety Car
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Our Basque Red pearl TLX has so many shades of red to it depending on the sunshine factor. At first I did not like the color when I saw it on the showroom floor under the Incad lamps. Once in direct sunlight there is so much depth to the paint you want to touch it to to see if you finger goes into the paint. On the parchment interior be wary of the dye transfer from jeans/belts on the bolster. Glad all is well with you after your accident. These cars are designed very well.
10-21-2016, 09:14 AM
#10
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I know a guy that's had four trucks since I've known him. Three of them were identical color/trim levels. The fourth was an intermediate one that was a stopgap after an accident. But it was the same color as the others.
It makes me laugh.
10-21-2016, 12:45 PM
#11
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (1)
Great story and glad to hear you were not seriously injured.
10-22-2016, 06:29 AM
#12
Senior Moderator
Very glad that you're ok. Honda really does put safety above all else in engineering their product line. My wife and kids were in my Accord Sport when they were rear ended (while sitting at a stoplight) by a driver who never even applied their brakes. Long story short, the Accord was totaled but wife/kids did ok. So, I have much respect for the safety of the 9G Accord/TLX.
10-22-2016, 12:33 PM
#13
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
The car definitely did its job. It crumpled in the designated areas and absorbed the impact with the body instead of to the occupants.
I'd rather be the one coming out of an accident unharmed and have a messed up car than the guy who says, "Look how well my car held up, barely even a dent" and has back pains.
I'd rather be the one coming out of an accident unharmed and have a messed up car than the guy who says, "Look how well my car held up, barely even a dent" and has back pains.
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