Grabitquick

So, before I have even 6,000 miles on my new car that I struggled like hell to get, some complete moron without a clue has already snagged my new Titanium RX-8 in a cowardly hit-and-run in my office parking structure. It’s clear what happened--it appears to be all "big tire" damage from this SUV or truck idiot either pulling into the space next to me today, or (more likely) pulling out. Bear in mind that the space I was in, and the one the miscreant was in, are as big as Texas, but some cur dog of a driver completely unworthy of continued existence managed to smash my left front fender, part of my front bumper, mess up my left front wheel (don’t know the damage to that until the insurance estimator and I wash it off), and, it feels like, knock my alignment off. Guessing $2,500-$3,000 damage at least. $500 deductible out of my pocket while the swine who did it runs free. I’m so furious that you may never see the damage, if I can get it into the body shop as early as Tuesday, although the security folks did take some still photos for me for posterity. (There is no video footage--security like that just costs too much, I suppose, even though the movers and shakers of L.A. park in my garage every day.)

Lucky break for the bozo who hit me that I wasn’t present for the event—otherwise, can you say “yellow police tape?” Sorry if I sound rabid, but this has happened far too much to me in this excuse for a town--my last Mazda spent more time in the body shop (6 times in 10 years) than Cher. I've simply given up all hope of having anything of value anymore, since it will just get pissed on. At this rate with the RX-8, one body shop event in less than 6,000 miles feels like it translates into at least 10 body shop trips in just 60,000 miles. My confidence in anything lasting is shattered.

Anyway, now that my rant is (almost) over, my main concern is how long I'm going to have to be in a rental car? What have people been experiencing in the L.A. area as far as availability of RX-8 body parts, etc.? I'm not anxious to be in a rental car on State Farm's dime any longer than necessary, particularly while I'm still making payments on the RX-8.

Gambit

find them

kill them

fair is fair

Spin9k

Got any more good reasons to live anywhere else but there?

MrMethane

That stuff happens everywhere, I wager that most people wouldn't leave a note these days. Insurance is so high and people just can't be bothered to waste time, its just easier to drive off which really pisses me off. Its one thing if you bump someone and there is clearly no damage, but to run over the fron of their car and just drive off is such a shitbag move.

People just don't take repsonsibilty for their actions which is a shame since most now drive huge honking SUVs that they are nowhere near qualified to operate. I really think there should be a new license class you must get to drive a car over a certain weight or size. There are too many people driving H2s and huge Suburbans that just can't handle a vehicle that size.

Labop

Take a walk around the parking garage the next couple of days and look for signs of silver paint on an SUV...

beachdog

Sorry to hear this, man.

Reminds me of the old Jeff Foxworthy, Texas defendant's case:

"Your honor, he needed killin' "

You have justification. If you find that SOB, make sure he can't get home without speaking with you first. Get security to boot his wheel. Although this clown might not notice. Probably just think it's another one of those furrin cars stuck in his wheel well agian.

Mistersql

Did you find out if there are any surveillance cameras?

I always park at the end of any parking lot (I could use more exercise), but I know some dumbass is gonna pull the same kind of stunt on me.

This kind of stuff just bugs me. I would face the music I ever did that to someone's car.

People just get so scared of responsibilty for their actions. It's better to run than step up to the plate.

My dream would be to catch the plate number of a hit and run on my car. Sweet.

khtm

Just walk around the parkade the next couple of days during lunch or something and look for someone who has damage on his truck/suv. You may be able to spot some kind of evidence. Maybe some paint from your car...

Man that sucks. I feel your pain.

spork

My car took way too long for what the problem was. about 2.5 weeks in a Dodge Neon while my front bumper and hood was replaced. I think they finished in 2 weeks and the other half week was making sure my insurance will pay for the extra money (which didn't really matter since the other party in the accident was paying everything in cash).

They intially estimated it to take like 1 work week. It didn't sound like they had a shortage of parts though.

Grabitquick

If we get any more rain, I'll certainly think about throwing in the towel.

Grabitquick

Titanium paint, actually, but close enough to feel the "Sunlight Silver Curse." Believe me, I'll be doing a lot of strolling around the lot over the next few days. There is a large SUV often parked in the space next to the one I usually use, but I can't recall with certainty if it was parked next to me yesterday when I got to the office. If the culprit is a regular in our parking structure, he or she would be a dope to park in the same place again, but I'll have my peepers open for it either way. There's also a parking employee who walks around the structure each day, and he may be helpful in finding the coward.

Discman2

I feel your pain....


A few weeks ago some jackass was either pulling in or moving out of the space next to mine and they shattered the back left tail light glass. Luckily there was no other damage. No scratches on the paint of anything. Just the broken glass.

$200 to get it replaced....

I think it might have been some idiot in a truck, cuz it was just the glass that got hit

.

slllygrl10

You're lucky they paid. Someone rearended me and she fwaking gave me the wrong insurance policy....FWAK! The rear bumper needs to be replaced and Allstate quoted me $579 Im not sure if I should pay 500 deductible knowing that they only gave me 79 check. I dont know if I will ever get that b$tch. I'll wait til someone rear ends me again!

Nubo

Yeah, look for the culprit, with a camera. If you find the vehicle take plenty of pictures and file a police report.

The worst that's happened to me so far was some dumbass in a truck totally blocking the driver's side so I had to push the car back by hand. I guess I should be thankful they didn't mangle the car. Tip - carry a valve core remover for "instant justice" .... buahahahaa!

DrRockin99

I did the strolling around the other day "looking" for the perfect parking place ... me not paying attention and looking for the spot I hit the freaking curb and messed up my front damn ...scared of door dings and I screw it up myself .. I beat the hell out of myself , I look worse then the car .. guess I might start looking at a Mazda Speed bumper ... put the 360 bucks it would cost to replace the air dam . I feel your pain , its even worse when you do it yourself

Senna

I'm sorry this happened to you. Always my biggest fear. I generally refuse to leave my 7 unattended now. But if I do, I park in the BFE slot where there is almost no chance some idiot will park next to me. Not even worth the risk. If there is another level where no one parks I'd use that just in case Murphy's around.
Interestingly though, I had an occasion where some dumb ___-___ made a point to park next to me when the entire parking lot was practically empty and it was clear I had made the effort to park away from anyone.
Some people are just plain jealous and they resent you even more when you park at an angle even if it's in the middle of nowhere.

Hang in there man, nothing stays the same as much as we would like it to......

Sea Ray

I am also paranoid about taking it certain places, like downtown where parking is bad so I usually end up taking my old volvo. Then Of course I get the perfect parking spot when I do, LOL.

The other night I parked away from the resturant, came out after dinner and someone had parked right beside be. A very nice Mazda 6 was guarding my side

Good luck with yours, we feel your pain.

Air Force RX8

Find them...drop your keys next to them...when they pick them up blast the hell out of them and say they tried to carjack you. Might work?

Gambit

find the damn SUV and come back with an axe

axe + windshield = revenge

beachdog

Windshields are readily replaced and most insurance pays 100%. That's just a minor annoyance to someone that's as inconsiderate as this specimen.

He needs something more creative that will teach him one of life's lessons that his mommy never got around to.

StealthFox

ah man, when my dads 8 comes into my full possesion i was considering making it my daily driver...living in LA...this made me rethink...

Grabitquick

It's worth consideration. If I ever find him/her/them, murder would be the kindest thing I would be capable of.

Unfortunately, my parking structure is a huge, 6-level place. Even if the cretin parks regularly in it, it would still be next to impossible to find him in such a big place before his brother-in-law or somebody does a spray-paint job to cover the evidence. The guards and I have poked around today already and can't find anything suspicious on any of the big vehicles we looked at in the structure. All I can hope for is that his SUV or whatever it is meets with an unfortunate demise.

SilverEIGHT

Yes, revenge is great! You know, you will be the one the surveillance camera catches and then you will have screwed the puppy! Best to photograph, get tag, measure the points of impact to compare the damage on both vehicles, report to police, get surveillance tapes. Then you can, well, maybe you can... well, ah friggit! Slash the f#@%ers tires, bash in his headlights, **** on the door handle and bust a beer bottle through his windshield. Make sure you post photos so we can all print them out and urinate on them ourselves. I hate these ***-crevices.

Grabitquick

Discretion being the better part of both valor and revenge, I'd probably avoid pissing on the door handle to minimize the DNA (and drug test) evidence . :p

socalightning

The dealer body shop should be able fix your car and have it back to new in 1 to 2 weeks I'll bet, and about 3 days to one week to get parts in first.