Also, I decided to move my car deeper into my driveway and I notice the Check Engine Light and the DCS light on... I wonder if any critical components of my drive train besides my suspension is damage?

 

He tried contacting me and getting into my place, unfortunately... it was like at 6(Or 5 before daylights savings time) in the morning, we were all asleep. Also, our rooms are deep into the house and our doorbell isn't working... heh, talk about luck...

 

You are correct, it was a guardrail. Apparently, a car cut him off and he swerve to avoid it, unfortunately... the 8's end kicked out and the front face planted into the guardrail. He went into a state of panic and ignored the other car the cut him off and didn't get his license plate down. This was all on the on-ramp onto the freeway (22 East from Magnolia for those of you who knows where that is) and the ramp was wet, probably from them watering the plants alongside the freeway.

 

If the frame damage is repaired well, it shouldn't be a huge issue. I'm just incredibly **** with my car.

 

It just ain't happenin for your 8 these last couple of months.

 

Ok! I'm stuck with another dilemma! Now, my friend said that he'll give me his 99' Miata with 80k miles on it if I'm willing to do that instead. What do you guys think?

 

F that...

 

I'd say take the Miata until his insurance company finishes fixing your car.

TBH, I also wouldn't drive a Sports Car with Frame damage unless the Frame damage was completely fixed. Once the frame has a bend in it, that portion is more prone to bending in the future. Id say find a place to do it right, or try and get it totalled out and get a new one. Also, don't just look at the part of the frame that is obviously bent, but check out the connecting points which might have damage as well.

Sorry for your loss, but use this as a test to see how good of a friend you really have. It seems as though hes stepping up, and if he does... keep him, if not, get rid of him.

 

That really sucks... If the damages are as bad as everybody's guessing, you might be better off taking the pay out from the insurance company (if the car is considered "totalled") and going out and purchasing another GG off the forum.

At the very least, your friend seems apologetic enough, but the KBB on a '99 Miata with 80k miles is only about $8000.

 

well, besides the frame damage and possible structural rigidity, it'll also decrease it's value. that's a huge red flag for someone if they're interested in buying the car. good thing your friend wasn't a douche and realized he was fully responsible. but like the other guys said, the price of the miata won't even cover the price of the damages. that trade wouldn't be fair to you dude.

 

Agree with everyone here in that a '99 Miata with 80k won't cover your damages. Three years ago I almost bought a '99 Miata with 45k, and back then I was only paying $9k and I'm guessing prices have only dropped since then. I'd honestly try to get it totaled. If the insurance company gives you a decent deal I'd run with it, especially with reports of people buying a leftover new '07 for $17,500.

 

by trying to get it totaled, do you guys propose he goes back to that guardrail and finish what it started?

 

he can give u the miata as a rental car for the time being. as a trade off for your damage....no.

i think that if you get the damage repaired correctly it should be fine, you don't track it so it won't effect your daily routine.

about the effect on resale. it all depends if you really want to sell it, me i plan to drive the car until the end of college, so if i got into an accident...oh well, as long as it is fixed, and you are happy with it, then it should be fine.

 

I'm actually planning on keeping this car for a while. I don't think I'll do the total option and have it repaired... of course, like what everyone been saying, I won't settle for less than a perfect repair so I'll constantly be on the shop's *** about it. As for the Miata, I'll turn that down and I'll drive my 240sx for the time being.

 

ouch, sorry to hear about this man. yah- it's always risky to borrow or loan cars. ppl aren't familiar w/ your car and don't know how to drive it properly. use "u-haul" next time. they have inexpensive truck rentals and would've saved u this grief.

hope u get it fixed and good as new soon! my guess is about $4500?

 

I can definitely say I feel your pain man, when I say definitely I mean definitely...

Do NOT lend car to persons for any reason they just dont know how to drive, most of them are not used to RWD...

Well ...

I had similar damage to mine here was what it looked like before.

 

check with your insurance to find about getting a rental at a good rate. or even talk to the body shop to see if they'll roll a rental into cost of repairs.

 

well, with the miata as a loaner car, you also the risk of you possibly getting into an accident with his car, and then you'll be paying for his repairs and it'll be a never ending cycle of repaying each-other, so good choice.

 

My repair costed me USD $3,600.00 inclusive of labour...

So I dunno... maybe that helps.

 

^----i never thought of that, and yeah talk to the body shop about getting a rental put into the repair costs.

 

There are only two ways to fix frame damage...

sometimes they can bend it back, but it isn't that uncommon for them to weld an unbent section of frame onto the car. I've crated rx-8 frame "sections" for this purpose before.

The frame damage may have totaled the car, wait for the appraisal.

 

ouch dude... just saw the pics and the damages.

the frame is definitely damaged. and keeping it... i highly recommend you not keep it after repairs. the strut bar is bent... thats quite obvious its not good news and not good to keep car. even if its repairable, just flip it around and sell it.

trust me on this. it'll end up costing you less money and headache in the long run.
and the reason why i will not ever keep any more cars that suffered damage from the suspension on up.

if you can get the miata+plus cash and sell ur car. its not a bad option if you can live with that... those miata's have potential. and the benefit of gas saving and others.

think about it... remember, its not like you NEED a 4 seater right now. but if you do...make the deal work for YOU.

anyway, bottom line is DON'T keep the car. repaired or not.

 

john, DO NOT KEEP THE CAR! remember...

i might just tell you now... i ended up just scraping my old honda and buying a shell and vtec swapped my old honda. and man, was that sweet relieve. and the knowledge/labor i gained was more bearable than having a damage framed car that drained my money and time.

thats the best advice i can give you. GL

 

Lesson: Don't lend your car to anyone.. period.

 

i'm telling you now, even after 10 fixes, your steering will be fucked, it never went away on my old AT, even after they put in new steering rack.......its fucked........

i'm so sorry to hear this dude >.< and after all those mods are going in and ****.

hit me up if you want to go **** his *** over

oh, and like others said, don't keep the car dude, get a new 8, the frame is fucked..........even if you repair it, it wont be the same >.<