First of all I would like to introduce myself.
Hi my name is Jeff, I'm 19 years old and I own a 2007 VR Rx8 MT.

I bought the car in late November and have been loving every minute of it so far.
As you can see I just registered today, although I have been a "lurker" and member under another name for more than a year now,
but i never got to posting since I just took the time out to search.

On to the story:

I was on my way to school around 12 20ish for my 1 o'clock class. Usually I leave early just in case of traffic. I then noticed I needed gas so I pulled into a gas station. As I leave the gas station I get on Boston Post Road and get onto the left lane. I'm going about 20 mph since its raining but not only that theres some traffic. I then realized I needed to be on to the right lane, I don't even remember why I got onto the left lane but anyways, I put my blinker on. Now in all honesty I would say I had my blinker on for a about a minute and not a single car would let me in. As I slow down while heading into an intersection which was about a block up ahead, mind you, I still had my blinker on and still trying to get into the other lane, I turn my head back to see if I could get in. My car was in the middle of the two lanes just about to get on the right lane when some car zooms by, so I turn my head back in front of me and by that time BOOM I already hit the car in front of me with my left front bumper going about 10-15 mph. The sad part is, the car (which was a Mazda3) was stopped trying to get into Mcdonalds, right then I knew it was my fault. I could not believe what just happened, I can still see the accident in slow motion in my head. I get out the car, ask the girl (who I knew when I was young, not only that but she lives right around the block from me) if shes alright, her boyfriend gets out looks at me if as if he was gonna swing at me and asks if i was alright(everyone was fine). We then decided to pull into Mcdonalds and exchange info and file a report. As I look at my car compared to hers i couldn't believe that I done so much damage to her car, her rear bumper had a indent the size of my head. My car as you can see isnt as bad as i thought it would be when I looked at hers. I would just like to take the time out to say I am very sorry for being so dumb and to all rx8 owners and mazda3 owners. I feel really bad that it was another mazda that I hit.

BTW, so you know I used the string to hold back the plastic from rubbing against my tire while i drove it back home which was like a 2 min ride.

A couple of questions if i may:
1) How much in repairs do you think it'll cost looking at the pictures below?
2) Does anyone know a respectable bodyshop around the westchester, stamford or white plains area, or somewhere a little farther then those?
3)In the last pic does anything look out of place under the hood?

 

This Mazda-on-Mazda violence has got to stop!

Keep a roll of duct tape in your trunk.

Sorry, live and learn! Get ready for higher insurance premiums.

 

I don't know for certain... it looks like 2500 to 3k to me... I had a very similar situation. I am curious as to what it will be...

 

dude your in the 1500-2000 range.. Bumper, fender, headlight and possibly a rim which looks as if it could just be refurbished.. car will be in the shop for about a week to week and a half depending how long parts take. Sorry about your accident though dude, at least everybody is alright!! Whats your deductible? Some shops will work with you on it!

 

Well it shouldn't matter how much your damage is worth. Cuz if the 3 owner decides to go through insurance, you'll still get hit with an increase in premium whether or not you decide to pay off your own car's damage. So you might as well get your insurance company to pay for it if the 3 owner is filing through her insurance.

 

Is the girl hot? How big is her boyfriend? ....lol

 

also, tell them to just refinish your front bumper.. it's not damaged to the point to where you need a new one.. that will save you three hundred or so.. and add just a bit more labor to the overall bill. I paint cars for a living thats how I know all this crap. When you go to a shop talk just as I did in the last post and they won't screw you.(they'll think you know what your talking about!) Definetly ask them about saving you some money on your deductible.. they'll go for that for sure..

 

Also ditch the front bumper trim ring.

 

It happens to best of us.

 

At least you didn't total any cars. My insurance went from 1200/year (good student discount/fully covered) to 3000/year.

 

Thanks for all the advice. Really do appreciate it.

Ill keep you guys updated as soon as I figure this all out.

 

nothing like that first accident to forever **** up your mind about driving

 

there comes a time... and it hasnt happened for me yet. my friend got in an accident yesterday though . GL

 

im glad the important questions have already been asked...

 

and hopefully we can stop jacking a sad thread

 

accidents suck, my friend hit a deer... he sat there waiting for it to cross but it never did so he started driving and BAM it runs in front of him

 

^ wow, hat one is just........beyond me

 

Sorry to hear this. It seems there's a much greater risk of having an accident within the first year of driving, which makes sense, as you're still riding the steep part of the learning curve. Happens to many new drivers. Even though you're at fault, it's a "good" accident, in the sense that you were concentrating on your driving and trying to do the right thing—rather than gabbing on a cell phone, showing off for your buddies, or daydreaming. The damage doesn't look too bad.

I can recommend North State Custom up in Bedford Hills: http://www.northstatecustom.com/ They do excellent work.

 

Next time.............. Just go around the block.

You missed the chance to be in the correct lane, no big deal just go around the block or down to the next exit.

 

I think it was a depressed dear that wanted to commit suicide.

 

I was actually thinking about removing the front bumper, I'm getting curious as to see if anything else was damaged but I'm not sure if I should or not?
What do you guys suggest I do, leave it until my insurance takes a look at it?

Funny, as I was writing this I literally just received a bottle of touch up paint from Mazda! How odd. I'm gonna need more then a bottle!

BTW, thanks new yorker, I think I will go with North State Custom, its not far from me at all.

 

ohh thats a bummer, but this is a perfect opportunity to order some accolade fenders

 

terrible.....ouch.....that sucks seeing a fellow vr in pain....if you need a new bumper for cheap im selling mine

 

Id say you need a new bumper, wheel well liner, fender, and headlight. The headlight will be the most expensive part, its just under $1k from mazda if its a HID.

Id say your just under $2k in parts (if bought new) plus labor.