Disaster
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1
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From: so. cal.
Disaster
Hi. I am a newer member, having signed on in 2007. This is my first and possibly last post.
I have owned my Sunrise Red 1979 RX-7 GS model Mazda since August 1978. I changed oil and filter every 2000 miles for almost 60,000 miles. It was garaged for most of that time. I always envisioned my baby would someday be a natural classic, and I have waited 30 years to date. I did nothing to destroy its integrity. No add-ons, no pin striping, no decals, etc. At one time, early on, I added an air conditioning unit, and I supplemented the AM/FM radio with a tape deck from the same manufacturer. I also bought a moon roof to complement the sun roof that came with the car.
On Saturday everything changed. I had just returned from lunch at my parents house and I parked the car on the street in front of my condo. It's a small cul-de-sac with enough room for two cars parked on opposite sides of the street allowing one large car to pass between them. While I was inside, my neighbor became ill and called 911 for an ambulance to go to the hospital. I live in a retirement community, and every time an ambulance is called, they also send a fire rescue truck, often just for practice. This time they sent the 40 foot, 10-ton hook-and-ladder truck, (with steering in the rear) and they went right to the end of the cul-de-sac and turned around. On the way out the left rear tire and bumper of this massive truck caught the left side of my car and peeled it open like a tin can. I can't open the reat hatchback, and the only way to get inside the car is through the passenger door. Even worse, I cannot open the hood to see if the motor is damaged.
I'm sure the insurance company will "total" the car and offer me much less than I think it was worth.
Can anyone help me with suggestions as to disposition of my car. Should I take the insurance offer or should I try to salvage and sell any serviceable parts?
Thanks for your help. Glen
I have owned my Sunrise Red 1979 RX-7 GS model Mazda since August 1978. I changed oil and filter every 2000 miles for almost 60,000 miles. It was garaged for most of that time. I always envisioned my baby would someday be a natural classic, and I have waited 30 years to date. I did nothing to destroy its integrity. No add-ons, no pin striping, no decals, etc. At one time, early on, I added an air conditioning unit, and I supplemented the AM/FM radio with a tape deck from the same manufacturer. I also bought a moon roof to complement the sun roof that came with the car.
On Saturday everything changed. I had just returned from lunch at my parents house and I parked the car on the street in front of my condo. It's a small cul-de-sac with enough room for two cars parked on opposite sides of the street allowing one large car to pass between them. While I was inside, my neighbor became ill and called 911 for an ambulance to go to the hospital. I live in a retirement community, and every time an ambulance is called, they also send a fire rescue truck, often just for practice. This time they sent the 40 foot, 10-ton hook-and-ladder truck, (with steering in the rear) and they went right to the end of the cul-de-sac and turned around. On the way out the left rear tire and bumper of this massive truck caught the left side of my car and peeled it open like a tin can. I can't open the reat hatchback, and the only way to get inside the car is through the passenger door. Even worse, I cannot open the hood to see if the motor is damaged.
I'm sure the insurance company will "total" the car and offer me much less than I think it was worth.
Can anyone help me with suggestions as to disposition of my car. Should I take the insurance offer or should I try to salvage and sell any serviceable parts?
Thanks for your help. Glen
Do both...if you have ANY documentation and/or pictures of this car that can be proven to be recent showing the car to be in great shape, gather all of it, you're going to need it. The city's insurance, NOT YOURS, is the only one that should be notified of this accident, THEY are the ones you're going to have to soak. Their insurance will total it because it's "just an old car" and they will offer some ludicrous amount like $2500 as compensation. Do not accept any such ridiculous offer. This does not get you anywhere near being made "whole and complete" which is a phrase you're going to need to repeat over and over and make sure it's on every document you sign or turn in as you go through this nightmare.
BE PATIENT...if worse comes to worse, you have small claims court as your friend. In most states, this means you'll get up to $5,000 if you have the documentation I spoke of earlier.
GET AN INDEPENDENT APPRAISER. Contact your local rotary enthusiasts or sports car enthusiasts and find out who they recommend as an appraiser.
Good luck...it took me just over a year to get GM to cough up $4500 for my modified 1980 RX-7 GS, but.....I......won....and that was all that mattered to me...added bonus? Insurance companies don't want yer wreck, so you can "buy" it back usually for "$500" which is taken off the total amount of the settlement...then you can part out what's good or transfer it all to another clean 1stgen shell.
Mario III
BE PATIENT...if worse comes to worse, you have small claims court as your friend. In most states, this means you'll get up to $5,000 if you have the documentation I spoke of earlier.
GET AN INDEPENDENT APPRAISER. Contact your local rotary enthusiasts or sports car enthusiasts and find out who they recommend as an appraiser.
Good luck...it took me just over a year to get GM to cough up $4500 for my modified 1980 RX-7 GS, but.....I......won....and that was all that mattered to me...added bonus? Insurance companies don't want yer wreck, so you can "buy" it back usually for "$500" which is taken off the total amount of the settlement...then you can part out what's good or transfer it all to another clean 1stgen shell.
Mario III
Last edited by mar3; Apr 23, 2009 at 12:22 PM.
Sorry to hear about your bad fortune. I also still have a stock 79 I bought new, same red dress. Yes, the city should pay. You may never get what you emotionally think it worth. But I bet it still might be repairable. It may seem a total loss now, but if you can get her fixed, you'll love her just the same. You might not get pain & suffering, but it only seems right that they at least cover the repair costs.
