need advice for a sad day

P

philblack

Registered
Last week I had a really bad day. Catastrophic brake failure on the highway and I rear-ended a semi going 35-35mph. It's rear bumper bar hit my MK VIII right at the headlights and did a real number on the front end. Airbags were deployed, though I never hit them.

I'm hearing from the dealer/body shop that its going to be a total. Farmer's Insurance isn't sure yet. It kind of looks like it could go either way. Damage seems isolated to the front end but it if hit the engine...

Here's the specs on the car:
95 MK VII
107k
Owned and well maintained since 99.
Minty interior condiditon
excellent exterior condition (except front end)
Still runs, though radiator is trashed.

What should I do? If they offer me a check, should I buy back the vehicle and part it out?

I will post images if anyone is interested.
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

sorry to say i think it will be totalled... I would see what the estimate from the "bodyshop" says and then make the decision about either parting it out if too much needs to replaced or trying to fix it yourself if the damages aren't too bad.
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

If the airbags blew, it's totaled. Most adjusters won't bother to complete an estimate on a car with deployed air bags unless it's only a year or two old, or very expensive, and your Mark isn't either, any more.

Find out what the buy back is on it, and see if you can get it back without having to get a salvage title. At that point you can make a decision on whether to buy it back and fix it, buy it back and part it out, or go look for another car.

Good luck with it, and welcome to the board. Where do you live? Maybe another member will want to buy it off of the insurance company if you decide to pass on it.
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

I wouldn't mind buying it back from the insurance company as the rest of the car is in great shape. Anyone interested in buying the car off of me if I should go that route? Is this something I should post in the classifieds section of this board? (I am in the Chicago area.)

You can view more images of the damages here:
http://philblack.com/accident

 
RE: need advice for a sad day

Oh Phil, sorry to hear about and see that. :-(

I have no advice to offer, but there are a bunch of us in the Chicago area who try to get together on a regular basis. We're heading to the auto show on Saturday the 14th, it'd be great if you can come out and meet up with us. Take a look in the LOD events section for more information, or feel free to PM or e-mail me.

PS, I like your vanity plates.
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

I think I may have posted this before - but that's OK...

SOMETIMES - you can buy back the car with a minimum of fuss - and still have enough left over ot find your own - kinda OK - bump shop. Someone with more time than greed - that will put your car back into pretty good shape.

This is for those that really like their car however - since you will be without a car for quite a while - since you are paying less than "do it today" prices. But I've seen a couple of people come out with a car that is 80-90% of the car they had - and they are usualy very happy.

What's the rule these days? I think it's 1 week of body shop time for every $1000 in repairs. Remeber that if you use this as your "only" car.

By the way - the front end looks horrible - do the doors both open without binding? Is the anything left of the front of the motor?

Last question. How long did you shake afterwards? It's the sign of a healthy adrenaline system.
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

You have a chance---especially if farmers hasnt made up their mind yet...... They seem to like to fix your car instead of total it a bit more then other companies.

Mine was in a similar accident -- see my post and pics

http://www.lincolnsclub.org/cgi-bin...409&forum=DCForumID12&omm=7&viewmode=threaded

Yours looks worse, but really isnt much worse. Same parts had to be replaced on mine. You have the airbags and bumper cover also though. Mine is a 94 with 111,000 and mine was covered. I expect to get mine back from the shop this week and it looks FANTASTIC. Mine was about $3000 to repair. THe key being used parts. THey make all the difference and a decent body shop knows what to replace with used and what not. i.e. the hood costs 900 new -- 300 used. what is the difference in quality? nothing. It will look just as good.

Let me know if you want to try. I have a body guy who is great and will work with you on price. He is in Villa Park - He does alot of classics - and does phenomal work. PM me and I'll give you his info - and let him know your coming. Whatever I can do to help - just ask.
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

Yep. When Bags deploy its a total. Happened to me. My father-in-law is a body man for Ford and he tells me when they bring in a car with the bags blown, the adjuster just goes over and rights it off.
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

Hey if its totaled and its not over 800 dollars I will buy it from you.
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

Thanks for your advice. Any idea of what the insurance company would ask for the husk?

The drivers side door does open without binding, thought the passengers is a bit sticky to open. I never had a chance to pry open the hood. (It was kind of jammed down hard.)

I was very calm right after the accident happened. I saw it coming as I was about 40 feet behind the semi when I began braking. It was that last 15 feet when I realized there was no way I was going to stop. I didn't even break traction on the pavement as I plowed into the back of the semi.

It was only later when I started to crack a little. I bought that car back in '99 -- it was my dream car in high school and I pretty much paid cash for it from working and saving hard. In the end, though it is only a hunk of metal (though infused with meanings and memories), and I am not hurt. Neck was a tiny sore the next day but thats all.
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

Hmm, I wouldn't mind getting that info from you for your body guy. If you want to email that to me, that would be great.

Was your radiator trashed in that accident? How fast was the van going that backed into your car?
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

The van was going slow - but wrecked the hood, grill, chrome trim liscense bracket and all 4 front lamps, and the bumper cover as well as both fenders had to be repaired. Some of the structure behind had to be replaced as well. Not much different then yours.

The body SHop is A to Z Body in Villa Park
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

Catastrophic brake failure on the highway?
Click to expand...

what was the cause of the failure?
did you have brakes at all, or did the brake pedal just fall to the floor with no effect on your speed.

I'm really curious about this sudden and unexpected catastrophic brake failure.

"never heard of that happening".
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

Catastrophic brake failure on the highway?
Click to expand...

what was the cause of the failure?
did you have brakes at all, or did the brake pedal just fall to the floor with no effect on your speed.

I'm really curious about this sudden and unexpected catastrophic brake failure.

"never heard of that happening".
Click to expand...
yea i would like to hear that to ???????
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

It basically felt like a line leak had developed. There was NO vibrations or warning signs that I am aware of.
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

Hello all,

Here's the scoop: I have 24 hours to tell them where to tow it, IF I'm going to keep it. If there are any serious offers before that time I can have them tow it to your address at no additional cost. (within chicagoland/illinois area)

Here's the specs again:
95 MK VII
107k
New tires (Eagle GS with less than 10k miles)
Owned and very well maintained since 99.
Minty interior condiditon
excellent exterior condition (except front end)
Still runs fine, though radiator is trashed.

Vehicle pix here:
http://philblack.com/accident

Very sad to see my baby go. Email or call me with serious inquiries only.

Remember, I only have 24 hours if you want free towing!
Phil
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

Sorry to hear about the loss of your mark.

It reminded me of when I totalled my 92 fire-engine-red Eldorado in July of 2002. A little girl in a Jetta turned from a center turn lane directly in front of me. My foot was just hitting the brakes at the moment of impact. Nobody was hurt, thank God. The Eldo was flawless....I was not a happy car enthusiast.

My ins. company, Allstate, totalled it. (are ALL insurance company adjustors complete xxxholes? or just the ones I've dealt with?). I used the settlement money to get another car on eBay, a 72 Mark IV with 17k original miles. I had it a year, but never completely bonded with it because I realized I liked the more modern luxury coupes. I sold the Mark IV in November, and bought the 93 Mark VIII in December from Ebay.

My point is, maybe you can take your insurance money and get a similar Mark VIII? I know the one you lost had sentimental memories and attachments, but I still think, if it was me, I'd rather have a different Mark VIII, than one that has been totalled or nearly totalled. Often, they're never the same after major reconstruction.

Best of luck, there, Phil.

--Casey
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

Sorry to hear about the loss of your mark.

It reminded me of when I totalled my 92 fire-engine-red Eldorado in July of 2002. A little girl in a Jetta turned from a center turn lane directly in front of me. My foot was just hitting the brakes at the moment of impact. Nobody was hurt, thank God. The Eldo was flawless....I was not a happy car enthusiast.

My ins. company, Allstate, totalled it. (are ALL insurance company adjustors complete xxxholes? or just the ones I've dealt with?). I used the settlement money to get another car on eBay, a 72 Mark IV with 17k original miles. I had it a year, but never completely bonded with it because I realized I liked the more modern luxury coupes. I sold the Mark IV in November, and bought the 93 Mark VIII in December from Ebay.

My point is, maybe you can take your insurance money and get a similar Mark VIII? I know the one you lost had sentimental memories and attachments, but I still think, if it was me, I'd rather have a different Mark VIII, than one that has been totalled or nearly totalled. Often, they're never the same after major reconstruction.

Best of luck, there, Phil.

--Casey
Click to expand...

WELCOME TO THE BOARD, GLAD YOU FOUND YOUR WAY HERE!!!

Moe
 
RE: need advice for a sad day

What would you want for your Mark? I'm looking for one for parts that's near me (I'm in Des Moines). Of course now my wife is in love with MY Mark and wants one of her own as well so if anyone hears anything in this area.. ;)

I see someone with Midwest Chapter on their sig.. where do I learn more about the Midwest Chapter?

Chad
Owner of a 1993 Deep Jewel Green with Mocha interior Mark VIII
IA Parrot, one of the most popular avian resources on the internet
http://aviary.info
 
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