Was it a hit and run, or did they at least leave their info?
Between a rock (curb) and a hard place (Durango)
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: SC
2003 Lincoln LS V8
Between a rock (curb) and a hard place (Durango)
I recently drove from Virginia to New Hampshire to visit my family for the holidays. I parked my car outside my mother's apartment on a side street near a fairly busy downtown area. The signs near the meters stated that the meters were free after 6:00 pm, so I didn't pay.
When I went out to my car the next morning, the first thing I saw was a yellow slip under the wiper. The first words out of my mouth were not fit for women or children, but they got a lot worse once I read the slip and realized that it wasn't a ticket but an accident notification from the police.
I looked at the back of my car and saw this:
I said to myself, "Well, at least it's driveable. I'll get it fixed when I get home." Then I walked around to the other side and saw this:
As soon as the tow truck pulled the car away from the curve, the entire rear suspension settled to its lowest height (the front was still normal, and it normally takes about two weeks for the car to settle). The entire rear body was pushed so far that the trunk lid barely closes.
I had to leave the car in Massachusetts to be repaired while I drove a rental back to Virginia. The insurance adjuster wrote the estimate for the body work, but they won't know how bad the suspension is until they get the car into the shop.
On top of this, I was violently ill (had to go to the ER), which officially makes this the worst holiday ever.
When I went out to my car the next morning, the first thing I saw was a yellow slip under the wiper. The first words out of my mouth were not fit for women or children, but they got a lot worse once I read the slip and realized that it wasn't a ticket but an accident notification from the police.
I looked at the back of my car and saw this:
I said to myself, "Well, at least it's driveable. I'll get it fixed when I get home." Then I walked around to the other side and saw this:
As soon as the tow truck pulled the car away from the curve, the entire rear suspension settled to its lowest height (the front was still normal, and it normally takes about two weeks for the car to settle). The entire rear body was pushed so far that the trunk lid barely closes.
I had to leave the car in Massachusetts to be repaired while I drove a rental back to Virginia. The insurance adjuster wrote the estimate for the body work, but they won't know how bad the suspension is until they get the car into the shop.
On top of this, I was violently ill (had to go to the ER), which officially makes this the worst holiday ever.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 154
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From: SC
2003 Lincoln LS V8
At least the person who hit me was honest; he called the police and gave a report. I got an e-mail from the body shop saying they requested an additional $20,000 from the insurance company. I was hoping they wouldn't total it, but now I think they might.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 12
From: Charleston, SC
GL450
Doesn't look totaled from the pictures, but your description says it is. There are probably so many things wrong in there. Most of the electronics in the whole car are in that rear quarter panel. $20k in additional means it's almost definitely totaled.
Good news, though, you get to upgrade to a 65.
Good news, though, you get to upgrade to a 65.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: SC
2003 Lincoln LS V8
I was torn between getting a new (to me) high end vehicle or a beater. I considered the SL, 6 Series and XKR. I didn't have a lot of time to travel to look at cars (all rare cars so the chances of finding the perfect one local are pretty slim), and I didn't want to rush into a decision like that, so I decided not to buy a high end car right now. I'm also going on deployment soon (Navy), and I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a car so it can sit and depreciate while I'm gone.
I started searching for a fairly cheap but luxurious sports sedan or coupe that's large enough to fit me. I've always had a thing for the performance oriented Lincolns. I looked at Mark VIII's, but those are reaching the age where it's very difficult to find one in good shape. Then I started looking at the LS. I like the simple, classic styling (I think most newer cars are over-styled). I found one near me that only had one owner, was dealer serviced its entire life, had all the options and was in great shape. It also cost less to buy than what I spent last year on maintenance for my CL55.
I took a couple of quick pictures in a parking lot near the dealership. The color is somewhere between grey and brown. It looks great in the light, and while I don't think it would work on most cars it really suits the LS well.
I started searching for a fairly cheap but luxurious sports sedan or coupe that's large enough to fit me. I've always had a thing for the performance oriented Lincolns. I looked at Mark VIII's, but those are reaching the age where it's very difficult to find one in good shape. Then I started looking at the LS. I like the simple, classic styling (I think most newer cars are over-styled). I found one near me that only had one owner, was dealer serviced its entire life, had all the options and was in great shape. It also cost less to buy than what I spent last year on maintenance for my CL55.
I took a couple of quick pictures in a parking lot near the dealership. The color is somewhere between grey and brown. It looks great in the light, and while I don't think it would work on most cars it really suits the LS well.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: SC
2003 Lincoln LS V8
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: SC
2003 Lincoln LS V8
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,759
Likes: 96
From: NH
2012 C63 BS & 2014 E63 Estate & 2008 CLK63 BS
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
Dont know where it happened but Thursday night is a bad night to park on the streets as the bar crowd is leaving Elm St, etc. and going to the Red Arrow! However, they did leave a note.
Did you use McDowells shop? They do good work and is a top choice for MB since ABS stopped doing insurance work. I assume they wrote the total for your ins.
I like your choice of replacement, bittersweet as it is. Thank you for your service and keep your head down!
Last edited by grane; Feb 21, 2012 at 08:42 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,759
Likes: 96
From: NH
2012 C63 BS & 2014 E63 Estate & 2008 CLK63 BS
Unfortunately that is what Manchvegas and southern NH has devolved to.
Dont know where it happened but Thursday night is a bad night to park on the streets as the bar crowd is leaving Elm St, etc. and going to the Red Arrow! However, they did leave a note.
Did you use McDowells shop? They do good work and is a top choice for MB since ABS stopped doing insurance work. I assume they wrote the total for your ins.
I like your choice of replacement, bittersweet as it is. Thank you for your service and keep your head down!
Dont know where it happened but Thursday night is a bad night to park on the streets as the bar crowd is leaving Elm St, etc. and going to the Red Arrow! However, they did leave a note.
Did you use McDowells shop? They do good work and is a top choice for MB since ABS stopped doing insurance work. I assume they wrote the total for your ins.
I like your choice of replacement, bittersweet as it is. Thank you for your service and keep your head down!
