Whoops, that estimate is wrong. They calculated it for non-MSP items and they didn't include the radiator on it either. Not sure if the radiator did get messed up, but the AC condenser for the MSP is a lot more than the one for the regular Protege. So this could jump over $4000.
MSP vs. deer dashing across road ...
- Thread starter livelyjay
- Start date
Yeah, I am in discussions with the collision shop too. I have a stock MSP condenser in the back seat, along with the bracket and line. He asked me a few times if I wanted to use it, I mulled it over, then said yes. Then he said it would not be covered under warranty if they did not supply the part.
Hmmm, let me think about it .... cut the insurance company a break and use my own part versus $430 parts .... not get a warranty .... YEAH RIGHT!
He also said this may get sticky since I have a non OEM condenser in there right now (you can see my ghetto rigged SMIC from the picture) but I want the stock one to replace it. I may be worried about nothing, but they might also just put it back to the way it was exactly before the wreck. This shop sounds like they want to do things by the book, which I think is great, but I might not get what I want (fully stock AC system).
In the end if they get a regular Protege condenser like is in there right now, then I'll just put the stock one I have in and pay to have a shop recharge the system. Anyone know how much that would cost?
Hmmm, let me think about it .... cut the insurance company a break and use my own part versus $430 parts .... not get a warranty .... YEAH RIGHT!
He also said this may get sticky since I have a non OEM condenser in there right now (you can see my ghetto rigged SMIC from the picture) but I want the stock one to replace it. I may be worried about nothing, but they might also just put it back to the way it was exactly before the wreck. This shop sounds like they want to do things by the book, which I think is great, but I might not get what I want (fully stock AC system).
In the end if they get a regular Protege condenser like is in there right now, then I'll just put the stock one I have in and pay to have a shop recharge the system. Anyone know how much that would cost?
Month later, still no car. The shop was backing it out last week when the brakes failed and the car dragged along a dumpster on the same side of the car that was sideswiped over a year ago. Talked to the shop last night, they said the front brake lines were both shot, but the rears looks brand new. This is surprising as they are fairly new Russell stainless lines. The shop is replacing the two fronts with rubber lines free of labor charge. Now I have to decide if I want to replace all four with new stainless lines, leave it how it is, or replace the rears with rubber lines.
Here's the synopsis of the three different economy rental cars I have had through this whole experience:
2006 Ford Focus
- Pros: Good acceleration, comfortable seats, not too shabby interior, good trunk space, stable at highway speed, decent gas mileage
- Cons: High seating position feels like a truck, turn signal indicator makes me want to slit my wrists, it is sooooooo annoying
2006 Chevy Cobolt
- Pros: Ummmmmm, none? Maybe the lower seating position
- Cons: Ummmmmm, everything? Seriously, this car sucks and I can't see why anyone would buy one.
2007 Hyundai Elantra
- Pros: Comfortable, roomy, best interior of the three, Aux input for MP3 players, great gas mileage, decent pickup for the size of the car, trunk is huge
- Cons: Transmission doesn't shift as well as the other two cars, higher seating position, suspension feels slightly sloppy, but it's not like this is an autocross car.
Here's the synopsis of the three different economy rental cars I have had through this whole experience:
2006 Ford Focus
- Pros: Good acceleration, comfortable seats, not too shabby interior, good trunk space, stable at highway speed, decent gas mileage
- Cons: High seating position feels like a truck, turn signal indicator makes me want to slit my wrists, it is sooooooo annoying
2006 Chevy Cobolt
- Pros: Ummmmmm, none? Maybe the lower seating position
- Cons: Ummmmmm, everything? Seriously, this car sucks and I can't see why anyone would buy one.
2007 Hyundai Elantra
- Pros: Comfortable, roomy, best interior of the three, Aux input for MP3 players, great gas mileage, decent pickup for the size of the car, trunk is huge
- Cons: Transmission doesn't shift as well as the other two cars, higher seating position, suspension feels slightly sloppy, but it's not like this is an autocross car.
pooper scoopers!
I hope it all works out for you soon. I would hate to be without my MSP for a month.
Yeah, this happend to me once. I had to drive around a ford focus too. I hated it the whole month I had to do it. I felt like a grandma and I could see everyone laughing at me as they drove by.(sad1)
I hope it all works out for you soon. I would hate to be without my MSP for a month.
The worst part is I go in for knee surgery on Monday. So I won't be able to drive for at least another 3 weeks after that, so another four weeks from now without being able to drive my car. That will be a total of almost 8 weeks without it. I'm going to be pretty raw for the auto-x on the 26th, if I can even drive. I am hoping my knee is recovered enough by then that I can drive with the brace.
FFFFOOOOORRRRREEEEEVVVVEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! (msptitani
FINALLY got my car back today. I should have had it yesterday, but they found out the radiator was leaking so they had to order a new one. The guy that came with when the dropped it off told me how frustrated he was with the people ordering parts. At least three times they ordered parts and did not specify it was for a Mazdaspeed. So when the radiator was leaking he ordered it himself so there would be no confusion and they got it back to me in one day.
Of course the second I got outside to check things out, while on crutches mind you because of the knee surgery, it starts raining. So I can't really look the car over very well. First glance, looks like they did a good job. The grill looks like it's sitting out a bit too far, but I am sure that can be fixed pretty easily. They also replaced my corroding Mazdaspeed badge, maybe it got messed up when the hit the dumpster. I'll get a closer look at it over the weekend and take some pictures.
Of course the second I got outside to check things out, while on crutches mind you because of the knee surgery, it starts raining. So I can't really look the car over very well. First glance, looks like they did a good job. The grill looks like it's sitting out a bit too far, but I am sure that can be fixed pretty easily. They also replaced my corroding Mazdaspeed badge, maybe it got messed up when the hit the dumpster. I'll get a closer look at it over the weekend and take some pictures.
- :
- 2003 Black Mica MazdaSpeed Protege
Glad you got your baby back!
After further inspection, the car looks good. There is a paint chip in the right rear quarter panel that wasn't there before however, and the parts that I had in the passenger compartment are missing. They also did not give me the faulty brake lines like I asked. Of course no one answered my call today so this may not get sorted out till next week. Oh how I love how this s*** just continues to go on forever.
So here's the list of things still wrong with the car:
- Two paint chips on the passenger side of the car that weren't there when I took the car in.
- A few gouges by the Mazdaspeed badge, likely from when they pulled the original off. Not too bad because they painted over it so there isn't any open paint
- Two screws/bolts lying in my rear passenger compartment floor, no idea where they go
- The black lining by the front driver's side window has a gouge in it
- There is more air coming in the driver side door than when I took it in
- The stock Kenwood player has stopped working (this may be just the fault of the unit, but somehow I doubt it)
- Two paint chips on the passenger side of the car that weren't there when I took the car in.
- A few gouges by the Mazdaspeed badge, likely from when they pulled the original off. Not too bad because they painted over it so there isn't any open paint
- Two screws/bolts lying in my rear passenger compartment floor, no idea where they go
- The black lining by the front driver's side window has a gouge in it
- There is more air coming in the driver side door than when I took it in
- The stock Kenwood player has stopped working (this may be just the fault of the unit, but somehow I doubt it)
That really sucks!! Sounds like you have learned a couple lessons.
1. Don't hit a deer
2. Find the best body shop in your town. If you did take it to the best one..... I'm very sorry.
I know some of you guys out there really don't have much selection when it comes to autobody, but doing homework to select the best will certainly pay off.
I hope you get everything fixed bro and good luck. I hate crappy autobody shops.
(hand)
1. Don't hit a deer
2. Find the best body shop in your town. If you did take it to the best one..... I'm very sorry.
I know some of you guys out there really don't have much selection when it comes to autobody, but doing homework to select the best will certainly pay off.
I hope you get everything fixed bro and good luck. I hate crappy autobody shops.
(hand)
