SilverEIGHT

Well, it's coming right along. Still looking at end of month. These guys are really good. They call me up and say, "Hey, you may want to take some pics". Most places really don't want you to go back into the shop.

Shamblerock

Silver, what RX-8 organ is lying on the windshield?

SilverEIGHT

I "believe" that be a wiring harness. If you look closely, you will see it goes into the firewall.

Shamblerock

Right. I see it better now. Thanks.

SpinninAgain!

Wow, SilverEIGHT, I'm impressed that you're taking this so calmly. It must be very difficult to do that, however fascinating it all is. I have assisted with surgeries on other people's pets, and was able to find it all fascinating and educational. I doubt I would handle it so easily if it were my own. I know it's just a car, but dammit it's YOUR car. Sniff!

The fact that the shop's inviting you in at regular stages to see, inspect and even photograph the many phases of reconstruction seems very encouraging. Only a shop that was thoroughly confident in the quality of their work would do that. I think you chose a good one.

Good luck, February's comin'!

beachdog

Good to see that all of the unibody parts are factory new. You never get the same integrity or crashworthiness when pieces are just straightened.

SilverEIGHT

Thanks for noticing. Believe me, it took a LONG time to calm down. I can say that this forum is the best thing that happened to me during my crisis. I don't know any other place I could have turned for such a collection of awesome people with a tremendous amount of collective knowledge. This forum makes you feel so much smarter when you talk with you insurance company, body shop or even making connections. Earlier today I communicated with a new member online, "Marietta 8", that is going to give my car a good looking over when I get it back. He has a Mazda service center and comes HIGHLY recommended. This forum is without a doubt my key to calmness.

I agree. The more time I spend there looking over my car and talking with my job manager the better I feel about the reconstruction. I guess I'll just have to wait and see how it all comes together but I don't think I could have chosen a better shop. If anyone in my area (Gwinnett County, GA) is interested in the name and location I will be happy to share the info with you.

SilverEIGHT

Today is exterior paint day. All parts have been attached except for the nose. The car is moved into a controlled environment for removing dust and controlling temperature. The guy painting will work at a normal temperature. After the paint is applied the heat will be turned up to about 170 degrees for a short period of time. The paint will be a flat silver color. When finished, the car will be clear coated. I'm still looking at Friday 28th.

EDIT: Addumdum
The shop just sent me pics of the first paint. Added images. :D

Shamblerock

I'm really starting to get excited for you. So far so good!

SilverEIGHT

All painted now. Time to start finalizing this puppy. I think the paint process is very interesting. Notice the dull finish on the previous images and the gloss on the clear coat final. She's starting to look beautiful again. :D

Slims8

She's lookin good!

spaldo

Great to see your 8 is nearly back to normal. It's been interesting to see the photos of its progress.

quack_p

This is like a little episode of Overhaulin.

TrackAddict

Hey Silver - glad to see your baby is getting back together. The pictures look like they are putting her together nicely with even gaps between body and hood.

SilverEIGHT

Well, today is the "scheduled" day I'm supposed to pick her up but I really don't think it's going to happen. When I looked at it earlier in the week I could tell there were still a few missing items under the hood. The paint integrity was very good. I noticed a few missing bolts, loose battery cover, loose intake & missing support, the dashboard display housing thingy was not secure. Those were just the things I could see. I talked with Charlie at Mazcare about taking it over for a total going over before I sign off.

The shop said, on Tuesday, parts are on order and they didn't think it would be ready today. Which is just as well because we are expecting an ice storm rolling in around 9PM today. I wouldn't be able to drive or spend anytime detailing her anyway. I made sure the shop understood I was not in a rush and that quality of repair was most important.

I'll keep this thread up-to-date and expect to get her back next week... sometime!

- EDIT -
Just spoke to the shop and was told that she's at Mazda and is not drivable... They are still waiting on parts and are thinking I should be able to pick it up on Monday. Not getting my hopes up.

Shamblerock

Glad to see that you are continuing to be patient. It will pay off for you. Just hang in there.

czr

iTrader: (3)

Yeah SilverEIGHT, you're doing a good job being patient and optimistic. As long as they make sure it's done right, it will be worth it.

SilverEIGHT

Well, no car today but I did get two checks in the mail from my insurance company. One to pay for the car at $19,055 and the other for diminished value at $2,172. I may be wrong but I don't think they are including the work done at the Mazda place. Guess I'll have to beat on the Insurance's door for that. Couple questions:

1. When do you give the shop the check? Can I drive it somewhere and get it checked out by a third party (Mazcare) before I hand over the doe!

2. Is there any reason to hold onto the diminished value check until I know everything is taken care of?

I think I should be getting a call from the shop tomorrow. I'm trying real hard to keep from calling them. I know I've pushed them to the limit. The last conversation was very short and more like don't call us... we'll call you! They didn't like any suggestions at that point. I can understand, when it gets to the fine tuning they don't need an **** retentive jerk telling them something is not fixed when they are not finished.

Shamblerock

Silver, I don't think they will give you the car until you paid. I would do the following since this is major bucks:

- Ask the insurance before you pick it up if they will send an inspector to make sure the job was done right since I am sure they sent you to this guy.

- Make sure you are satisfied yourself with the final product and bring a second set of eyes with you.

- Carefully go through everything fit an finish. Tug at things and bang on things to make sure it is done well and nothing is rattling. Even check the things they did not fix i.e. Trunk compartment fit and finish.

- Ask them to put it on a hoist so you can see the work done underneath the car and check for any leaks and fitment

- Start it up and make sure all the electronics work i.e. heat, a/c, rear defog etc...

- Take if for a good 10-15 minute test drive with one of their people and your second set of eyes. Make sure the car feels solid balance, no vibrations, no pulling one way or the other under acceleration or breaking.

- Take it up to 80-90 MPH making sure the car feels sure footed

- Beat the car up with strong acceleration and breaking and quick lane changes ensuring the car fells right

- If all OK, tell them to mark on the bill that they are not aware of any issues whatsoever with the car. You write on both copies of the invoice (your copy and theirs) that payment is conditional upon successful evaluation/inspection by Mazcare which will be at your expense as they are the experts and you are not.

- Pay Mazcare the few hundred dollars for this Mazcare check-up and make sure you indicate to them that you want them to be very picky and you want to know everything with a full written report.

If any problems, go back to the sjop and tell them to fix, pronto!

Always make sure your freind (second pair of eyes) is always with you at all times in case he needs to be used as a witness down the road for any law suit you may lodge in case they won't fix the car .

Be cool, patient and very thorough throught the entire process. And most importantly, you know the car won't be 100% as original, but settle for nothing less than 99%!

All the best. Good luck and keep us posted.

SilverEIGHT

Shamblerock, how much do I owe you for this consultation? I cannot thank you enough for your information. Its post like yours that make this forum a truly important part of our RX8 experience. I will follow your suggestions, as they are very sound. I can’t wait to see the faces of my friend and the guy from shop when I hit 90 on the entrance ramp to I-85!

Two things that were mentioned to me from a co-worker I think are important to anyone else that is interested in this process:

1. Don't pick your car up on an overcast day or when it is raining because you can't see flaws in the paint.

2. Do not wax your car for 2 or 3 months after you get it back because the paint needs to cure. He wasn't sure if this applied to my particular paint but that in general this is the process he follows.

Shamblerock

Silver, it is my pleasure indeed. I just hope they cooperate with your game plan! When they show resistance, remind them that it is a huge amount of money involved (almost as much as the car is retail less depreciation) and that they should not be concerned with you checking the car out reasonably thorough. In fact they should be proud of the work they did and encourage you to test it out because they are confident they did a good job. Afterall, they stated the car was fixed in its entirety and not partially fixed. Therefore, wouldn't they test drive it and thoroughly inspect it if it was their car?

If they play hardball and tell you to hand over the funds before you drive, contact the insurance company from the shop and advise them accordingly. This will put pressure on the shop and they may reconsider.

As for your freind's advise, I agree 100%.

If it rains, just tell them that something came up at work and you will not be able to make it that day. Never tell them why you really don't wan't to pick the car up.

Good luck.

Shamblerock

Silver, by the way please realize that you hold all the cards and they should entertain any reasonable request you make. Why? Because:

- They already are out of pocket from all the parts they bought and all the labour they put into the repairs

- They acted on instructions from your Insurance company in good faith on the assumption they will get paid in due course

- You are the holder of their check

- If they get pissed off with anybody, it will be the insurance company for not paying them directly

- Therefore, the insurtance company is the obligor here and they need to be satisfied the work was done properly by either sending an inspector or getting the nod from you.

Just a few thoughts for fine tuning the frame of mind you should have.

SilverEIGHT

Awesome! I'm locked and loaded. Thanks!

SilverEIGHT

The plot thickens...

- Called my insurance adjuster and he is no longer with the company. Was told to call his boss at the main office.

- Called the body shop. Because the car was sent to Mazda for work on the engine the cost has now gone up to, drum role . . . . . . . . >>Crash<< . . . $23,319.

- Now the shop has to call the insurance company for an additional $3770.

I tried from the beginning to get the SOB's to total my car, but NOOOOO! I didn't know what I was talking about! I could have been driving a brand new 04 for this price! Since all the work has been done (except Mazda) I don't guess there is a dang thing I can do.

Looks like Thursday to get it back. We'll see.

Omicron

Time to get a lawyer and get the insurance company to replace your '8 with a *new* one, perhaps???