Gah! I'm still finalizing estimates to repair the damage a valet did that I reported on in this thread: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299 and I come out this morning to find some cretin hit the left side of my car. Knocked off the mirror and scraped up the front fender. 2 accidents to a brand new car within a week, and I NEVER have accidents. I guess it was just my time. I'll take pictures later, I'm just too bummed. Spent 2 hours in line last night at Wrigley Field for a wristband to MAYBE be able to buy tickets - no luck, I'm 18453 and the starting number is 1175 - and then my car's messed up. Crappy way to start the weekend. I'm gonna walk around the block and look for little dogs to kick or something.

 

Sorry to see this happened to your RL. Hope things only gets better. 2 accidents within a week is definitively too much. Good luck.

 

Karl,

FWIW, I had to accidents in 1 1/2 weeks. Thats how we ended up buying a new RL. 2 cars and neither of them really my fault. First one on 12/15/04, someone hit my daily driver in the parking lot of a conveinance store. Second one on 12/25/04, Snowed in Houston that morning (it doesnt ever snow on Christmas in Houston) and driver in front of me lost control came across to my lane. I turned the wheel and hit the concrete barrier and totalled out my wifes BMW. That car saved my life though. Not a bruise or scape. Absolutely no soreness and the front end was smashed to smitherines. Insurance went up though about $800 for the year.

 

damn karl sorry to ehar about this.

I want whoever hit your car and took off to burn in hell

 

Rob,

It's not that serious. It is just a car. Lets just hope that all works out for Karl.

 

Wow...that sucks, Karl. Did the guy at least leave you insurance info?

 

LOL, one of my friends asked the same question . . . but he's from Canada and everybody up there is so nice and trusting. No, no note and I wouldn't expect one - in Chicago there's lots of folks driving without a license, let alone insurance. It's supposed to be my day off but I got pulled into a big project; when I have some time I'll upload some pictures. Amazingly I was able to reassemble the mirror and it still works but it will still need to be replaced as a hole was punched into the shell. By the time both repairs are complete it looks like about half the sheetmetal on the car will have been repainted. At least the process for repairs on this one will be simpler than the valet - I just filed a claim with State Farm and the facility I want to do the work is on their approved list so I don't have to do much more.

Hou-RL - scary accident, glad you are OK. Yeah, that's one of the reasons we buy the nicer cars like these, right? Not just to pamper us but to save us, too. I hope whoever hit my car at least spilled their beer in their lap.

 

Too late to edit, so new post to show pictures. Notice how the mirror assembly is all messed up, but I was able to snap it all back together and the motor still works.

 

Man!!! I know you're pissed Karl... I feel for you my brother. I washed and waxed my 05' RL today and discovered a few scratches left by some imbeciles. Nothing serious mind you but enough to get my attention and to redouble my efforts at careful parking.

L8tr

 

Karl:

Sux, man. I'm glad you are not obsessing over it. I remember how angry I was after I got nailed (4 times in 10 years). Whether it's in a parking lot or on the road, it just seems like new cars are assh*le magnets.

 

That's one of the things that bugs me - I've never had the chance to even wax the car! Normally I wouldn't buy a car in winter but I REALLY wanted this car. My wife's already told me to trade it in on a new one once the bodywork's done. LOL, it's only got ~600 miles on it. I was really looking forward to a full clay treatment and multiple coats of Zaino; that's how I treat my 'vette and it really shines. I'm not sure if I'll have the same enthusiasm now once the weather changes . . . assuming Spring ever comes to Chicago.

Kinda sad when Auto Body Unlimited is a stored destination on your Navi . . . and I'm on a first name basis with multiple people there.

Thanks for letting me vent guys - makes me feel better .

 

It's the principality of the thing. Anyone who does this obviously is saying they cant function in this society without being an asshole and thus they should burn in hell.

Poor Karl. First the valet who doesnt give a shit and now this person who doesnt give a shit. WTF cant people respect the property of others. Would these people like it if I went into their homes and broke their shit? Of course not...well show some respect to others then. My goodness.

I am sick and tired of the lack of accountability in this world these days...sad since I'm only 26 and things just keep getting worse.

 

Karl,

It really sucks that there are people out there with little respect for other's property, I just hope that you don't have any major hassles with the insurance and that you get back on your wheels in a nice looking RL soon.

I am a bit amazed that you got the mirror back in and working, it looked pretty beat up in the pictures.

Little consolation, but on the brighter side, it's probably better to have the damage now 'cos you had to take it to the shop anyway...it could have been even worse if you had just got your car back from the shop and this happened.

...as far as letting off steam in the forum, go for it, I'm sure we all understand your frustration.

Pete

 

Jeez, Karl! I'm so sorry about the car... again. How are the repairs going? Best of luck.

And-- hey-- did you ever get those Cubs tickets?
(North side rules.)

 

Nope, no Cubs tix. I'll probably get my fix driving up to Milwaukee or on trips to Atlanta visiting with my sister. I'll go to games at Wrigley, of course, but I doubt they will be against the BoSox or Cards, which all sold out the first day. Too bad the O's aren't coming to town, I'd love to see the first year reaction to Sosa's return. Should be interesting when he comes to the south side.

The valet company seemed to be trying to do the right thing but in the end their insurance company refused to acknowledge the need to blend the paint for one of the affected panels. The autobody shop (Autobody Unlimited) that my dealer recommended said that there WILL be a noticeable blend line if they can't do what they say is needed. They say they stand by their work and won't let a car go out like that (even though the blend line wouldn't be noticed for at least a year). Heck with it, they say, we'll eat the blend cost just to make sure it's done right but there's still some moulding that needs to be replaced to do the blend work - which of course the valet insurance says no way. It ended up being a $500 difference so I figured I'd rather eat a $250 deductible with State Farm than suck down $500 from these bastards.

OK, time to (reluctantly) file a claim with State Farm. I give them all the details and the estimate at Auto Body Unlimited is approved same day - as is, with all the work done the 'right' way. A follow up call from a claims person at State Farm comes in seeking more info about the particulars of the incident and contact info at the valet company. Fortunately I've been very meticulous about documenting EVERYTHING and am able to give him whatever he's looking for and then some. In the course of our conversation I mention I tried to keep State Farm out of it because I have an excellent claim record plus now I'll be out the $250 deductible, not to mention the $200 to rent a car for the week. He tells me, oh no, when it's all done State Farm will be submitting the entire package - including the car rental - to the valet's insurance and not only should I expect to be reimbursed for my deductible but the rental as well. Yahoo! SF rocks. They've always done right by me on the few times I've had claims - guess that 'never cancel' letter they sent me a few years back looks even better now.

Car goes in to the shop tomorrow (Monday) for what should be about a 5 day repair. I'll post my results but these guys at AB Unlimited seem like real pro's that are dedicated to doing it right so I'm very optimistic.

Car still drives fantastic. Had a great drive up past Gurnee today and the ride and the sound system simply can't be beat.

 

I am LOVING this 40-degree weather. PERFECT for a nice drive. And over spring break, I'm running up to California (Even better weather!) which means time to try out my cousins' new C240 and Jetta wagon. Yesss.

And, you know, I may actually have some tickets left if you're interested. My family has season tickets for weekends and holidays. We're on the second level, upper deck boxes. About 3 or 4 rows back, right above first.

 

Those are nice seats. I used to have seasons on the combo plan, too, but cancelled after the strike.

 

You too???!!!