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I was driving from Beverly, MA to Littleton, and in North Andover, this happens. We were all doing 30mph or so, I slam on my brakes since I notice a pedestrian attempting to cross in the crosswalk. The driver behind me didn't stop and slammed into my car. She admitted fault, and the cop further ahead saw the whole thing and called for backup. The assault car was a 2008 Mazda CX-9. Mazda on Mazda assault. NOT good. Thankfully she was the only person in her car. My coworker and I are both shaken up. I have a minor headache probably from just dealing with everything. I've never been in an accident this violent or loud before. I had no idea what happened for a few seconds. Luckily everyone is okay and it's just a car. The damage didn't cause any issues driving back home (I went right back to Beverly since I didn't want to drive this further than needed.)
So bummed about it though. It took me a while to find a car that was low mileage and no rust. After the experience with the black RX-8 and rust, I wanted and found a perfect car. I went great lengths to make sure it wouldn't even start to rust by removing both bumpers and crash bars, front fenders, and cleaning, degreasing, waxing, and spraying corrosion inhibitor in certain locations. It worked. Also able to keep the nuts and bolts on the suspension rust free... and it's smashed. I know it's just guessing and all, but what kind of costs are we looking at here for repair (would never be the same though) or would it be totaled?
It needs both tail lights, trunk lid, bumper crash bar, plastic bumper, pulling out the trunk and fixing the damaged corners (especially the driver's rear corner is bent) paint chips on both rear quarter panels, and who knows what else is needed? I've got $8200 into it, but with depreciation, I doubt it's worth more than $6500 or $7000 in yesterday's condition. Anyone else get into a wreck with their RX?
That really sucks.
If you still have a headache tomorrow go to the doctor, you might have whiplash from being rear ended.
If you have a medical issue you could get a settlement from her insurance company.
The person who hit me also told me to get my neck, head and stuff checked out if I feel any pain. She mentioned that the pain isn’t always immediate but can take a day or so.
Ouch, that sucks. Glad you are mostly fine, though. Cars can always be replaced, but a person cannot.
Always be careful. Gotta check your rearview mirror to see if someone is following too closely.
The way I think of it, it's much easier to stop a pedestrian/cyclist than a car(more mass and velocity); it's just plain physics, so as long as they haven't actually set foot on the crosswalk and the condition doesn't allow you to stop safely, just go across. The worst that happens, you get a stare that doesn't do any real harm. It's kinda like a yellow light.
Ouch, that sucks. Glad you are mostly fine, though. Cars can always be replaced, but a person cannot.
Always be careful. Gotta check your rearview mirror to see if someone is following too closely.
The way I think of it, it's much easier to stop a pedestrian/cyclist than a car(more mass and velocity); it's just plain physics, so as long as they haven't actually set foot on the crosswalk and the condition doesn't allow you to stop safely, just go across. The worst that happens, you get a stare that doesn't do any real harm. It's kinda like a yellow light.
It was a split moment decision. I frequently check my mirrors, except the next thing I see, is something smashed in the back after a loud noise and violent jerk. I also definitely use the argument of stopping power. Hindsight I should have gone and hope the cop looking in my direction (dealing with another driver on the other side of the road for something, I didn't want to get a ticket.
I'd rather pay a citation than go through this though.
As long as you are ok its all that matters. You can always thing about fixing your rx8 or keeping yours as a parts car and buying one with a blown motor cheap. That's what I would do.
Welp the appraiser/inspector guy was here yesterday. He thought it could be saved. I was looking at prices of RX-8 within 250 miles, and I really was hoping it could be saved. It's literally 1/6th of the car with damage. They called this morning saying it's a total loss. Hoping to see what they offer by the end of the week/early next week. NADA lists a 2005 with 39000 miles in great shape as $6050. I'd be happier with $6500, but we'll see what happens.
Saw a 2009 GT with 14k miles, but $16000 is a bit much imo. I can't justify that much for a 10 year old RX-8. Is such low mileage a potential problem especially for 10 years? Sure my totaled car was 14 years old with 39k miles
Welp the appraiser/inspector guy was here yesterday. He thought it could be saved. I was looking at prices of RX-8 within 250 miles, and I really was hoping it could be saved. It's literally 1/6th of the car with damage. They called this morning saying it's a total loss. Hoping to see what they offer by the end of the week/early next week. NADA lists a 2005 with 39000 miles in great shape as $6050. I'd be happier with $6500, but we'll see what happens.9
Saw a 2009 GT with 14k miles, but $16000 is a bit much imo. I can't justify that much for a 10 year old RX-8. Is such low mileage a potential problem especially for 10 years? Sure my totaled car was 14 years old with 39k miles
It's worth it if you can afford it and like it.
Worth is whatever someone is willing to pay.
I paid $14.5k for my '04 GT in 2012 with 18.5k miles, I never regretted it, worth every penny, and I'd do it again.
90k on it now, the engine is failing, she has DD blemishes, but I'm going to invest in a new engine to keep it going.
Sorry to hear about this wreck! Totally get you on the shock and surprise when it happens. And being pissed that this was the car you took so long finding and making it awesome! Also agree with others that the pain may not appear right away...you have to take it easy for a week to know you're in the clear.
Here's my wreck/recovery story for reference: my 2006 base with 115k miles was totalled in Jan'18. Insurance first put the total value at $5200, and I stalled and complained and emailed the adjuster Craigslist ads (which are not really admissable as price evidence) and they revised the value to $6000, less $500 deductible. Insurance companies have the money, you have to speak up to get some. So, I could take the $5500 check and go shopping, or buy the wreck back for $715, take out the motor and look for a good chassis. I found that in the $5-6k range, the RX-8s were nice but had high miles and would need a motor soon. I didn't want to pay a premium for a running car and still get stuck doing a motor. I have a garage, tools, and mechanic skills so I chose to buy the wreck back, pull my pineapple racing motor & other valuable parts, send the dead shell to Pick'n'Pull, and buy a clean RX-8 chassis. I was picky and it took me 6 months to find one. Sidenote on shopping for a blown-up-motor-RX8 for under $1500 - prepare for dumpster diving and disappointment. Most of those cars have been thrashed way beyond just the motor. Finally I found a suitable 2005 for $1300, but is was 900 miles away so with travel and towing it cost me about $2000 total. Once home, I cleaned it, swapped drivetrains, got recalls done, emissions testing, DMV...ugh so much logistics and effort, total pain in the ***. I have to keep thinking that I'm up on the money side, even though it has been way more work than I thought. All this effort, and the car still needs more work to get back to my previous car's level. Work in progress.
I'm glad you and you and your co-worker weren't hurt. But, man, that's a serious bummer about your car.
I'd be interested in how your story with the car goes from here. I looked at purchasing a wrecked RX8 that had a new engine with only 3K miles on it. The cost of the repairs exceeded the value of the car. So I bought an '08 40th anniversary edition with 83K in excellent condition for $4,200 instead. The value of RX8s in great shape is so low now that there's typically little room for making repairs of this nature without approaching or exceeding the value of the car. For the time being it appears easier and cheaper to buy another one and part out the wrecked one.
Happy to report that her insurance will be writing a check for $8000. Looking around on autotrader, cars.com, Craigslist, there are no RX-8s with that low of mileage, clean condition, NO rust. $6500 for 2004-2005s with 80-120k on the internet (overpriced imo)
I’ll be driving a 2003 Mercedes S500/2011 Saab 9-5 for the winter. My dad bought the S500 (W220) for the same price of the check. Really nice powerful clean Florida car with 75000 miles. Really want another RX-8, but it’s going to need to be a well cared for Series 2 in either GT or R3. Obviously I don’t want one that’s been in any accidents either. The nice thing is that I was going to put the car in the garage for the winter and not drive it. I’m not in any rush since I have my parent’s car(s) to borrow for the winter.
I know of autotempest and stuff. Any other recommendations? I’d rather it be close by (6 hour ride) if possible.
As far as buying a project vehicle and fixing it, it’s difficult to do with work and winter, and lack of all the necessary tools to remove engines and transmissions.
Last edited by ouimetnick; 12-17-2018 at 09:13 PM.
Wow, that's a great payout for a series 1 - take the money and run! I mean, save the money for when the perfect RX-8 pops up next Spring. And thumbs up for the Saab 9-5; Saabs are my primary cars, the RX-8 is the weekend/track machine.
I've searched with auto trader, cars.com, craigslist, and while I've found a few 2009+ GT with lowish mileage, they are so far away I'd have to fly or drive out to see them, and I don't want to buy a car sight unseen.
I'm hoping to have a $10,000 budget (a little wiggle room) for a Series 2 Grand Touring with under 80,000 miles, clean history (no accidents) and NO RUST.
Hopefuly something will pop up between now and May/June. Driving the W220 S500 is super nice too. So much more solid feeling and smoother ride than the RX. Much quicker 0-60 too. Very nice brakes and comfort features. (stupid that the 4matic doesn't have an engine oil dipstick. it just says oil level ok on the computer. what if/when that **** breaks)
But at the end of the day, it isn't the firm solid ride with superb fast cornering and excellent sounding rotary engine that the RX-8 is. I don't have the same lust for one as I did 4 years ago. I've enjoyed driving them, and I think I could move on if I can't find one that meets my criteria, but that's just how I feel now. I'll probably keep flopping around.
12-11-2018, 03:53 PM
