Lucky, almost smashed my 300D!!!

[arcticathlon]

I went to pick up my wife from work and while i was inside a girl drilled my car. i was going to drive in my 300D, but for a 1 minute drive i did not want the wear and tear of a very cold start.

i came out as she was looking at what she did, and i have her info. her dad wants to fix it without insurance, and i will see how much the estimates will be.

it would have sucked to see my 300D in this condition, i would have been so freakin pissed. but it was kinda funny, i was like ohh well its just my nissan, we can fix it.

[DslBnz]

If the bumpers were US spec, there might not have been much damage at all.

Still, at least the Benz doesn't have any unnecessary scuffs, and/or require a bumper shock or two.

You can't prevent accidents like that. If you're going to be hit, you're going to be hit.

[Ken300D]

Hopefully you collected the other party's insurance information anyway.

Sometimes people will state they want to pay without involving the insurance, avoid giving you their information, and then later refuse to pay.

Always better to get all the data as if you were going to be in a court case - because you might.

Having the information on hand makes it possible to notify and file against their insurance.

Trust No One.



Ken300D

[arcticathlon]

i have all the info i need from them. the girl goes to my college, and i could visit her dorm if i wanted too. i will go get some 3 estimates on monday and see what they say it will cost. should i then give all 2 or 3 estimates to they dad of the girl? i was thinking i give him 2 and he picks the lowest one, and then i fix it myself. the light cost me $30 to replace, and i can buy a bumper online that is primed and have it painted locally. this way i can fix it for less than the estimate and pocket some cash.

[Hatterasguy]

Lets see late 90's Altima, I'd guess $1,500 at a body shop. Get them to cut you a check and fix it yourself for a 1/4 of that. Enjoy the difference.

I'd get three estimates and average them.

Never cared for altimas personally heh...they are too much plastic and stuff comes loose

Glad the 300D is safe. Thats a pretty good smack right there...

Fiberglass/plastic

[Hatterasguy]

Altima's a nice little cars, they are cheap and drive nicely.

It may be plastic but you can get a new bumper cover for probably about 1/10 the cost of fixing a bumper on a W123 with new parts.

Same with the rear tail lights they are probably under $100 each new.

[arcticathlon]

i can get my tail light replaced for $30 and primed bumper for $90, both shipped.

i can also get a painted bumper for $300, i just tell them the paint code. not sure if i want to try that, i want the paint to match. i will probably just get the primed bumper and have it painted locally.

but if the estimate comes out to be 1500, then i would love to just fix it myself.

[pawoSD]

I was also almost crunched today....I was cruising down our 55mph beltline today, in front of me a ways up is a yellow mini cooper....and in front of him a taxi.......behind me a ways back was a chrysler minivan.....

So: Taxi appearantly needed to exit at the exit by a store he was passing at 55mph, so he veers half into the exit lane and slams on his brakes, mini cooper also brakes, extremely hard, so I go and hit the brakes like what, all I can say is WOW. I stopped short of the mini cooper about 10-12 feet. I actually squealed the tires for a good 5 feet of the stopping. This was essentially 60 to 0 in less than 150 feet. Van behind me did some severe braking then swerved over into the next lane to avoid hitting me. WSHEW.

End conclusion: Taxi drivers can't drive. I've never had to use my brakes that hard before, I guess they DO work quite well when needed.

Continued on to the place I was going....collision averted.

[Hatterasguy]

That happend to me a few months back. I was on I95 and their was an accident, the traffic went from 70-0 instantly! The late model Saab in front of me did well, I could hear his tires chirping as his ABS kicked in. (My windows were down) I nailed my brakes extremly hard but didn't engage the ABS and had a bit left. (wide sticky tires ) The Ford behind me and the Accord behind him had to swerve into the break down lane to avoid rear ending me! The Ford actually stopped along side me!

Conclusion European cars have good brakes!

Having great brakes is the cats meow until you realize that the person behind you doesn't have as good as brakes as you

When I have to brake REAL hard like that I modulate myself to give the people behind me a chance to brake. I know I can spot 20 feet from the car in front of me but honestly...why would I want to do that? All it means is that the person behind me is now sitting in my trunk.

I've noticed one thing (like hattie has too I'm sure) is that these tires really do not like to break loose on stopping. I can only think of one time that I have actually heard them skid to a stop and I was really havin to try

[Hatterasguy]

I have made it a habit now that if I have to brake hard I look in my rear view mirror. A couple of times I had to adjust my braking rate so I wouldn't get rear ended.


Thats what sucks about having good brakes, I can stop the guy behind me can't though.

[Nate]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I have made it a habit now that if I have to brake hard I look in my rear view mirror. A couple of times I had to adjust my braking rate so I wouldn't get rear ended.


Thats what sucks about having good brakes, I can stop the guy behind me can't though.

yeah, but it aint your falt if you get rearended.... however its YOUR falt if you rearend someone

Id preffer to get hit (if you can say that) from behind then infrount. Cheaper that way

~Nate

Originally Posted by Nate

Id preffer to get hit (if you can say that) from behind then infrount. Cheaper that way

I can live without a trunk, but not a radiator.