Looking for a silver lining!!

[owensmat]

Yep, that's my car. Smashed! Five months old. There's a before/after pic. Elderly lady blatently ran a light and I unavoidably plowed right into her yesterday. As you can see from the other pic, the car was amazing. Problem is, if they total it, I can't get another one, cuz they are no longer offering the 72 month 0% financing, which is the only way I was able to afford it and if they fix it....do I really want it? Here's what I'm looking for....if they fix it, I'm trying to think positively and make something good out of this by considering some enhancements. I wanted to keep the car pretty original, but given the accident, I'm open to various modifications now, such as an upgraded bumer cover...ZL1 cover maybe? Different hood, etc. Minimally, the car will need a new hood, front bumper, and both fenders. Questions for you guys and gals. Are the aftermarket hoods, bumpercovers, etc comparable in price to what the collision shop might use to replace back towards a stock look? I can research too, but I'm still distraught and just looking for some feedback, suggestions, and basically something to help me feel better. I actually cried twice yesterday. Once for about a half hour. I know, pathetic, but very upsetting on many levels. Primarily cuz my five year old daughter was in the car and I'm happy that she's ok, that I'm ok and the other driver seemed ok, but now I'm worrying about the car...that I love!! Any thoughts, info, suggestions? Thanks!

[MrandMrsNinja]

sorry to hear about this, but glad that everyone is alright.

[Lou_Dorchen]

You purchased gap insurance right? If so, it might be easier than you think to get into a comperable Camaro if they total it out.

[ShowSStopper]

First, I'm glad everyone was ok.

Second, sorry about the car...it looks like theres a good chance its totalled from what I see. But that's from a picture. I could be wrong.

Whatever happens, I hope everything works out for you. As above mentioned, if you have gap insurance, you may be able to get a new Camaro with less effort than you think.

[Taser Deployed]

Glad no one was hurt. What everyone's saying is right. If you have gap insurance you should be okay with getting a new one.

[vroomapunk]

Am I wrong or if its her fault, wont her insurance have to get you a new car or pay for the amount for a new one, including fees, etc?

[owensmat]

Well, more bad news, I guess....no gap insurance. Didn't think I'd need it, given my driving is good and with the 0%, I thought I'd pay it off at a quick enough rate to make up the difference. So, I put nothing down and at this point probable owe close to $40k even...not to mention the $6k or so I put into it for enhancements with the wheels, headers, CAI, tinting, phantom grill, Pfadt suspension package, etc. Sucks all the way around! Thanks for the positive and considerate words though and you are all correct...good everyone is ok. Just bad for the car and for me. I've probably had about 40 cars in my life...most all specialty vehicles. Z06, about 7 different Porsche's, H2, Grand National, Mercedes, etc, etc. This car has been my very favorite. Very sad about it!

[owensmat]

Originally Posted by vroomapunk

Am I wrong or if its her fault, wont her insurance have to get you a new car or pay for the amount for a new one, including fees, etc?

Michigan is a no fault state. It was completely her fault and that was verified, but Michigan is setup where the driver's insurance pays for the repairs of their vehicle. My insurance covers me, hers her car, etc. I can go after her for other expenses, damages, etc, but there are challenges with that...not to mention personal quoms around suing a 85 year old lady. : ( Tough to deal with.

[wocampb]

Originally Posted by owensmat

Michigan is a no fault state. It was completely her fault and that was verified, but Michigan is setup where the driver's insurance pays for the repairs of their vehicle. My insurance covers me, hers her car, etc. I can go after her for other expenses, damages, etc, but there are challenges with that...not to mention personal quoms around suing a 85 year old lady. : ( Tough to deal with.

I had no problem suing the 83 year old lady who ran a red light and totaled my Audi S4. She was so late at running the red light when she t-boned me that my light was about to turn yellow.

I am glad everyone was okay and that no one was hurt but he should have no regret trying to recoup the losses he is facing by this lady running a red light and totaling his car.

[Raziel101977]

Sorry to hear and see what happened to your beautiful car. Glad everyone is ok also. I IMO wouldn't go after the old lady I'm sure she feels bad enough. I hope that the insurance covers things for you to either get it repaired or get you atleast a new one. Wishing you the best of luck

[Dtrimpi87]

Every cloud has a silver lining (except for the mushroom shaped ones, which have a lining of Iridium & Strontium 90).

Glad everyone is okay and hope things work out for the best.

[invaderzim]

Originally Posted by owensmat

Well, more bad news, I guess....no gap insurance. Didn't think I'd need it, given my driving is good and with the 0%, I thought I'd pay it off at a quick enough rate to make up the difference. So, I put nothing down and at this point probable owe close to $40k even...not to mention the $6k or so I put into it for enhancements with the wheels, headers, CAI, tinting, phantom grill, Pfadt suspension package, etc. Sucks all the way around! Thanks for the positive and considerate words though and you are all correct...good everyone is ok. Just bad for the car and for me. I've probably had about 40 cars in my life...most all specialty vehicles. Z06, about 7 different Porsche's, H2, Grand National, Mercedes, etc, etc. This car has been my very favorite. Very sad about it!

glad every one is ok. which is easily and by far the most important thing. but I just have to say it, nothing wrong with financing a car but spending $6k in modding it is just irresponsible when you owe a bank, or anyone else for that matter, money. specially over $40k.

[RJTV6A]

With the value your Camaro has I don't see enough damage to total it. For Sure you need... Impact bar, absorber, rad support, rad, condensor, front cover, left and right fenders, hood, upper and lower grill, possibly both left and right fender aprons, cooling fan assembly front plate bracket. the fog lamps are probably still in the cover, looking at the gap from the left fender I would say there will be pull time involved as some "sway" has occured.

Alot of things for sure but I doubt a total.

Since it is so new I would make sure they use only genuine GM parts. Thats one way insurance companys save money. Make sure you ASK FOR GENUINE GM PARTS...

As for the repairs find a shop with compitent bodymen and you will be fine.

Dave

[owensmat]

Originally Posted by RJTV6A

With the value your Camaro has I don't see enough damage to total it. For Sure you need... Impact bar, absorber, rad support, rad, condensor, front cover, left and right fenders, hood, upper and lower grill, possibly both left and right fender aprons, cooling fan assembly front plate bracket. the fog lamps are probably still in the cover, looking at the gap from the left fender I would say there will be pull time involved as some "sway" has occured.

Alot of things for sure but I doubt a total.

Since it is so new I would make sure they use only genuine GM parts. Thats one way insurance companys save money. Make sure you ASK FOR GENUINE GM PARTS...

As for the repairs find a shop with compitent bodymen and you will be fine.

Dave

Thanks, Dave. I'm going with a place called "Autometric". They are pretty well known for this area and have frequently managed high end cars, much more valuable than mine. They worked on my last car and did a good job from what I can tell. I asked about the GM parts and he said since it's a 2011 model year, even though only 5 months old, the insurance would cover used parts or aftermarket only. He said he might be able to get GM fenders, but all of this is tertiary until they estimate the damage. I'm really not sure. I find it hard to think they would total it, given the value, but who knows. Not sure if it effected the engine? Things were pushed into it, but I was disoriented and didn't really make solid observations. If they do fix it, I'm going to try to get things done to make me feel somewhat better, like having them do HID fogs to match the RS HID headlights, try to get an enhanced bumper cover and hood. Stuff like that. Maybe see if I can get a matte sprayed on rally stripes to replace the vinyl. Things like that, but still waiting to see what they come up with and hoping the shop will work for me. I just don't know about how all that works, cuz I know the shop will probably wanna go with places they get parts from, cuz they probably make money on the parts, etc, or have arrangements in place. Gotta wait and see, I suppose. I just got it where I wanted it though. Ughh