dorisan, I thought of you the other day while I was cruising down Route 80. I was in the middle lane and wanting to move over to the left lane. (I was in my Grand Prix at the time, not my Sol.) So I put on my left turn signal and started to drift to the left, when I finally noticed the red Corvette coming up to pass on my left. Thankfully I aborted the lane change soon enough, and it didn't seem to piss off the Corvette driver any. But it made me think of you, and realize that the combination of the red color and the low profile probably make your car harder to see than most.
I hope Scarlett is back on her feet (or wheels, if you prefer) soon!
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GXP, Sly w/ Black Leather Interior, Loaded
Purchased off the lot on 6/30/2007 from dealer stock to replace My Baby, lost on the Tail of the Dragon on 6/25/2007. You can read all about it here, Tail of the Dragon - Accident
Email me if you are interested in joining the Mid-Atlantic Solstice Sky Club (MASSC) for NJ, NY, PA, DE and MDdscheneck@msn.com
Total bummer! Man I'm sorry to hear that happen. I had some bad luck yesterday. The van in front of me ran over a huge truck tire that was in the road. I saw it come from under and just couldn't avoid it. Had i tried to swerve I may have lost control at 70mph and had I slammed on the brakes someone may have rear-ended me. I did manage to slow down a bit but still got the brunt of it. There are scratches on the hood from the steel belt, rubber markings on the left front bumper and the area under the driver's door, and dents in the hood. Also the bumber cover around the fog lamp has a three inch crack.
Bad news, though. I went to get an estimate today and asked what the parts availability of a front bumper cover was: NATIONAL BACK-ORDER!!
Ok guys, I know you've been looking for details. Here they are:
I made another diagram but this one isn't animated. I didn't think it was needed a still picture pretty accompanied with some words pretty much explains it all.
For simplicity's sake and to save time, I did not add in all the cars... only the ones that were relevant. The lot was indeed full, so I hope I don't see any posts like, "why didn't you park on the end so you could see when you pulled out?" or similar.
Ok, like I said... the spot that I was in was the only available spot nearby. I parked right across from the electronics store that I was visiting. I went in looking for something specific, and could not find what I was looking for. So I turned right back around and left, I was in the store LITERALLY for less than 60 seconds.
I came out and got into my car. As I was getting in the white Solara was pulling into their spot, which had just opened up. I started the car and just before I began to leave I noticed all 3 of the passengers of the Solara were staring. I flashed them a quick smile and began to edge out.
As I creeped foreward, I could see over the trunk of the 4 door Civic to my left; it was clear. The CR-V to my right was kind of hanging out a bit and with a large back end I could not see around it. I proceeded forth, and did not get a glimpse of the Lancer until just before she slammed on her brakes and bumped me.
It all happened quickly, but I faintly remember that she was NOT looking where she was going (I think she was probably looking at the storefronts). And I CERTAINLY remember that she was NOT on the right side of the lanes, she was most definitely just cruising down the middle.
You may be wondering what the Solara has to do with this. The idiots in that car were getting out and saw the entire thing, then went into whatever store they were going to for about 10 minutes and then left. I didn't see them leave, but they left. Because after the cop showed up I began to let him know that there were 3 witnesses in a store nearby, when I looked over and had to tell him nevermind because they drove off.
And also, the owner of another car AND the CR-V came out of the restaurant there and wanted to get out, so the lady pulled out of the middle of the road and into a parking spot to let them leave. Stupid me, I said I didn't have a problem with her moving... I didn't realize it was going to lead to my incrimination. So the CR-V left and I had no proof that there was a large car I couldn't see around. And also, since she pulled into a spot her car was moved from where she hit me so I also couldn't really prove that she was driving in the middle of the damn road.
The ONLY thing that could have helped was the witnesses in the Solara, and they F*%$ing left. So the cop was not really a jerk, but i guess he basically didn't believe anything I said. And even when I told him that she was driving down the middle he kinda came to her defense and said, 'well there isn't a line painted so it doesn't really matter.'
I should have seen all this coming. 83 year old black woman. Nobody is going to take my word. UGH!
So anyway, after all that I ended up with a ticket. 110+ dollars for careless driving because I wasn't paying attention pulling out of the parking spot. But I know, she knows, and the idiots in that Solara know that SHE was the one not paying attention. From how it all happened and how close I was to the CR-V, there was no way for me to see her... that's why I pulled out slowly... but SHE should have been able to see the red front end creeping out for quite some time.
So anyway, as you can tell by the pics it wasn't horrible. The car was drivable, so I drove it home. The fender liner was rubbing the tire, but it managed. Then Sunday morning I got up and removed a couple of screws in the body so the liner would loosen up and not rub anymore. I drove it to work and back home. Then Monday morning I got up and took it up to the dealership to show Dealernut what happened. Then I took it to Progressive's facility. They looked it over, and then later they sent it to the dealership where I bought the car because it's actually one of their approved body shops.
When the guy called and gave me the 1200-something estimate he said that it would be pending the wheel. He said they'd likey try to refinish the wheel instead of buying a new one for 600 something bucks and who knows how long of a wait. He didn't give me a time frame. I called back a few minutes later and asked a lady what kind of time frame I was looking at and she said the 23rd of this month. Well as you all can see, that day has come and gone and the car isn't ready.
I've been in touch with Dealernut who's been in touch with his bodyshop guy and he says that instead of ordering a new front bumper they're going to try and get that one back to normal shape. So hopefully it won't be too much longer.
I'll post any significant updates as they come up.
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#17313 | Scarlett! | AC | ABS | LSD | Pwr | Conv | Single MP3 | Monsoon! | All but lost...
Man, sounds like the car that hit you was moving way too fast, as so many do in parking lots these days, no matter where you live. I feel your pain man. I recently parked way out in the boonies at a nursery while shopping for plants. Absolutely no one around me period. While in the store, someone in a honda pilot backed right into my SSR. His was bashed real good, but mine just had some minor scuffs and a dent where he hit my hydraformed steel frame. At least he admited fault and said he did not even bother looking when he backed up. As low as your car sits, it is pretty much impossible to avoid parking without some kind of obstruction. It does burn ya up but this is way better than your last one.
Same thing happened to my son a few years ago, The Insurance blamed it on him.
The Guy that hit him was flying through the parking lot,
Life sucks sometimes.
At least everyone was O.K. and the Solstice will be repaired.
I learned the hard way when driving my Motorcycle. Drive like you are Invisible, and everyone is out to get you.
Hang in there Dorisan, This is just another of lessons learned in LIFE!
Good Luck! And when the going get's tough, The Tough go Drinking, just don't drive after. Mitch
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Sing along with Mitch Daddyo!
Took delivery Oct, 6th 2005
Presently 9,406 miles. Finally out of storage" See you in Mooseport"
"Note: I do not necessarily agree with every statement made by another author, other than myself, posted for your entertainment, even if the Author's name is not posted.
Same thing happened to my son a few years ago, The Insurance blamed it on him.
The Guy that hit him was flying through the parking lot,
Life sucks sometimes.
At least everyone was O.K. and the Solstice will be repaired.
I learned the hard way when driving my Motorcycle. Drive like you are Invisible, and everyone is out to get you.
Hang in there Dorisan, This is just another of lessons learned in LIFE!
Good Luck! And when the going get's tough, The Tough go Drinking, just don't drive after. Mitch
Same with my son! His car was hit by a coed doing 35 in the lot, never braked! Totalled her car (late model Mustang), only did $1100 damage to my son's. Had three witnesses that the other driver was driving unsafely, my son was still found at fault since he was leaving the parking space and she was in the lane. We're just now recovering from the insurance hit (accident was not quite four years ago).
I took perverse and un-Christian pleasure when I saw the coed's name in the court proceeding section of the paper not 6 months later as the defendant in a motor vehicle suit!
--Chemist (Hope Scarlett is well soon, dori-san!)
__________________ "Muirne" --- Envious, ebony leather, LSD/ABS/AC/Monsoon w/6CD changer, mats, splash guards, DDM Stage II S/C, DDM stainless headers/cat/exhaust, DDM 4-piston brakes/slotted rotors, Probeam, Backbone, black "stubby" antenna, Lil' Chromies, K-sphere pedals, Kazera KZ-L wheels, the TWEETY door unlock/lock button, Garmin nuvi 750 GPS, High Note horn, Brushed Al door sills, etched/lighted WindRestrictor, white LED map/footwell lights, 3rd brake light pulser. --- She moves!
NASSOA Founding Member
So sorry top hear about your accident, hopefully, you'll get your car fixed and it won't take too long to get it back. I know your accident happened in a parking lot, but has anyone noticed that drivers of not so nice cars are more aggressive on the road to beautiful cars? Having to pass you, cutting one out of lanes, etc?
Picked up my aggressive Solstice 4/21/06. Would probably have to get out and beat someone if mine got hit. There are alot of idiots in FL. I live in Palm Harbor (West Coast) but I am always looking out for the other guy.
They finished her up late Monday and I worked all day Tuesday, but I got to pick her up this morning.
I'm so glad to have her back and so impressed with the speedy service. I thought getting a new bumper cover would take ages.
However, after fixing everything... they washed the car (or maybe just the front). The front part of the hood and the whole new bumper has micro swirls in it already!
Hopefully I can get some good tips from Gary and fix it up. But they also said that I shouldn't wash or wax for 30 days.
I don't know what to do now, but I'm just glad to have her back!
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#17313 | Scarlett! | AC | ABS | LSD | Pwr | Conv | Single MP3 | Monsoon! | All but lost...
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Took delivery of Abbie 4/27/06
VIN: 114273
Ordered Aggressive February 16, 2006.
Aggressive, polished, cloth, power, and convenience. LSD, A/B, A/C, Monsoon, and MP3.
