Cruising down the highway going about 50mph in the misting conditions, in horror I look to the right of my car and see a vehicle approaching too fast from a side street. Apparently this young couple didn't see the main road and also missed the stop sign. By the time I saw them it was too late, I pushed in the throttle and they missed the side and just got the rear wheel and back bumper. DSC saved my a$$, I slid to the left, then to the right, then back forward again. Felt ok, went out to look at the car and was amazed, I couldn't find the damage, at 1st anyway. After looking, there appears to be a crack in the rear bumber and underneath it's cracked and looks like it will need to be replaced where the black plastic is broken away from the frame. The back wheel looks messed up and I found pieces of their front end between the wheel and the tire, DSC was locked on until I turned the car off then back on. It also knocked the front end out of line, where the steering wheel doesn't quite match up to being straight. I feel so sick about it, but the car is driveable and they have insurance. They also told the cop they ran a stop sign. (The last guy that hit me drove off, the day I was going to get the 8.) So everyone was ok, but their 200-SX's front end looked bad, the street was wet so I'm sure the helped me slide out of harms way. So anyone have any idea how much the stock bumper is? I wouldn't mind getting the mazdaspeed bumper and pay the difference.

sorry to hear about your accident. good luck with the repairs. i'm sure it will look good as new in no time.

thanks, it could have been so much worse

I'm really sorry to hear that! That's exactly the same area I got hit in last week.

I'm glad you're OK and that their insurance is going to take care of it. Good luck - hope we both get our cars back soon and as good as new!

Yeah, it sucks to be without a car you love so much. Glad you are ok and everything is getting fixed too. Let me know how much your estimate was, just to get an idea.

glad it wasn't worst

Originally posted by Astor
Yeah, it sucks to be without a car you love so much. Glad you are ok and everything is getting fixed too. Let me know how much your estimate was, just to get an idea.


My initial estimate is $1167.30

That's for a new wheel and repainting the bumper. I am assuming the 4 wheel alignment is included, but have not confirmed with them yet.

They are expecting the wheel in this week some time.

Glad you're all right! That's inexpensive for a repair these days, especially including the wheel!

Make sure the frame isn't bent. If he hit you right on the wheel it might have shifted the whole rear end out of alignment.

Yeah, I'm definitely going to have them check everything, it still drives and the only thing I notice is the front wheels don't exactly match the steering wheel. Since they ran a stop sign and I was entirely at no fault, I can get the body work done wherever I want. So I'm checking with Mazda and finding out what body shops are certified by them. I'm still pissed but I can still drive my car. Drove it really hard on the freeway the last couple of days (like I didn't before) just to make sure it seems smooth. Hopefully this will all end soon.

if the under side of the car isn't mashed i would definalty just buy the mazdaspeed rear end

Update: after 4 long days the dumba$$'s insurance agent called, blah, blah, blah, we assume full responsibility.......blah.....so, I now have it in a bodyshop that only works on high end cars, they assure me that they will use OEM parts, and they are ordering another wheel, they said they can have it done as soon as they get the wheel and the rear splash guard, (dependent on Mazda). They have already aligned all 4 wheels and said nothing was bent. All this work is warrantied for the entire time I own it. The car was drivable and other than the steering wheel not matching with the wheels, it was fine, I went about 96mph or so on the interstate let go of the steering wheel, and it still went straight. So I'm pretty sure nothing was bent. Should get the car back Tuesday before Thanksgiving and before my birthday Saturday.
Anyway, the rental they gave me was a Mercury Grand Marquis, if you haven't seen one, they are just like cop cars, and they gave me a white one to make it even worse. This car makes me so much appreciate the tight steering, breaking, light feel, pickup, etc. of the 8, I miss it so much.

Thanks for the update Astor. I'm glad you'll be getting your car back so soon!

My body shop says they're still waiting on the parts, which as far as I know is just a wheel, and it's been over a week. They're telling me it's going to be at least two more weeks. I'm driving a rental Mitsu. Galant. I WANT MY CAR BACK SO BAD!!! I'm seriously going into withdrawals.

I know I need a new wheel too, God I hope I don't have to wait 2 weeks for a wheel.

I love happy endings :)

Could be a great excuse to get a set of extra light wheels!

Can't you get it back for now, then bring it in when the get the wheel? I think this "cold turkey" withdrawal could have serious physical consequences.

From the description of the accident, that car may well have saved your life. On a wet road, a lesser car would have spun out and who knows what would have happened from there? Earlier, when many of us first realized gas mileage was so poor, there was speculation that leaving DSC/TC off would improve mileage. I concluded any marginal savings would be offset from the increased risk in an accident which, as you learned, can happen anytime without warning.

Wow, I'm glad to here that everything will be worked out. Just think...situations like this suck, but at least it'll help you remember how much you appreciate your ride.