Hey guys, it was bound to happen eventually. This is my first accident and I must say that as bad as it was, it could have been much worse. I've got the car at the collision center right now, but I think the only thing I can afford to fix right now is the radiator support so that I can get it running again. I've posted a WTB in the classifieds for a new Cefiro headlight and bumper cover, etc. but I figured I'd show some pictures of the car anyways.

So, how did it happen you ask?

I was driving on I-85 in GA near exit 150 or so (just after Commerce, GA in case you're from around there) and it had been a little wet all day. I was coming up a hill when we got a quick little spray of rain. I guess a little patch of water collected at the top of the hill and with my fairly bald tires on the back, the back of the car broke loose. I tried to compensate for the spin by turning the wheel the other way and release the gas, but the rear never regained traction. I ended up turned sideways heading for the guard rail. The front passenger side of the bumper hit the guard rail and caused me to spin 2 times before finally pointing straight again. Fortunately, my car was the only one involved and I was completely unharmed. The car on the other hand was not so lucky. Once again, it is not as bad as it could have been, but it still doesn't look good. I was able to drive it for another 15 miles or so at around 50 mph (so as to keep the hood from popping up on me even though it was bungeed down) until I noticed that the temp guage was getting pretty hot. I pulled over at exit 166 and shut down the car immediately. I then waited for about 2 hours before the AAA tow truck showed up. I was towed for 36 miles (damn I wish I had AAA plus before this) to the collision center that the car is at now.

I guess pictures are in order at this point, so here you go:

 

Damn thats terrible man, glad you are ok .. good luck, hope you can repair your car.

 

Yeah, it pretty much sucks. I am thankful that I wasn't hurt and most importantly that nobody else was.

 

Ouch...I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you're doing ok and not having any back pain.

 

wow thats too bad buddy. Glad you are ok!

 

You know, as bad as it looks, I never hit anything head on, so I didn't get thrown around at all. In fact, the experience was much like driving a bumper car. I don't even think I hit it that hard even. The car really just slid along the guard rail for a second which shifted the bumper over. Thanks for your concerns guys. It's good to have a community that cares.

Paul

 

Dang man, that sucks. Sorry to hear about that. Good thing you're were not hurt. What happen to the other headlight? Did it pop out or something or break during the collision?

 

The other headlight was totally shattered, though held together since I put StoneGuard on it, and I removed it to avoid pieces falling off while on the tow truck. It might as well have been left on the highway though. Just one more thing to add to the price of getting my car fixed.

With that being said, I got a quote from the collision center that my car is at right now. The first quote they gave me was assuming I wanted them to do all of the work to make it look brand new (though I don't know what they were doing about the headlights and grille since they aren't stock) and it was... $4800!!!!! Considering I only paid $5500 for the car, this seemed outrageous. I told them that all I want done right now is to make it drivable. After another day of "research" they called me back and said they could replace the radiator (which would at least get it drivable) for $320. This is still kinda steep condsidering I had the radiator replaced a few months ago for less than $200 near my parent's place, but I just need it to drive home. Once I get it there, I'm going to take it to the Vocational School that I went to in high school and get the body work done. I know the teachers that run the body and mechanic shops there and they are very good. The upside is that it is much less expensive, but at the expense of it taking much longer to get done. Fortunately, my parents aren't going to be using the Suburban for a while so I'll have something to drive while it's in the shop.

Thanks again for the concerns guys and keep letting me know if you have parts I might be able to use.

Paul

 

Good luck with the repair.

 

that happened to me few weeks back, here in Houston, i hit the gaurd rail real hard and spin around three times, all my car got was a big sratch on the bumper... as hard as my car hit the rail, i pictured my damage to be something like yours, but when i got out and looked, i was so suprised to see no big dents or anything....
glad to hear that you ok though...hope err thing works out ....

seeing that you didnt have AAA how much did it cost for 36 miles?

 

Well, I had only AAA basic, so they gave me the first 5 miles for free. I had to pay for 31 miles at $4/mi and it cost me $124. That hurt the checkbook quite a bit. I was thinking after the accident that if I didn't hit the guard rail, I would actually have been kinda excited about it. It was a pretty fun ride other than the hitting the guard rail part. I'm getting the car back from the shop today with a new radiator, so I should be able to take the bumper off and see what needs to be replaced and what needs to be bent back. I'm hoping that the new core support is the only thing that needs to be replaced (other than the front bumper and hood) and that the fenders will then line up right. We'll see I guess.

Anyone have a core support from a white I30 they want to sell along with a front bumper and reinforcement?