Going down a fairly major two lane highway (speed limit 50 MPH), when a car came flying out of a cross street without stopping or even slowing. I barely had time to hit the brakes before impact. It was an older man who had become confused about where he was. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt. The insurance company has not looked at my car yet but I am pretty sure it is totaled (both airbags deployed and I think that is a couple grand alone).

The accident was clearly his fault and luckily a witness stopped to give her info and talk to police.

Pics --









Like most here my car has quite a few mods (Struts, springs, Sub Frame connectors, UDP, Etc, Etc.) and was in excellent shape, but I did not tell my insurance company about the mods. I do have receipts for most of the mods ($3000+). I would even be willing to settle for less if it got me the money faster. Any advice on How to deal with the insurance company and mods?

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Second problem what to replace the Max with. I am not quite into the moding as much now, I would probably stay stock height and go with stiffer after market shocks/struts and perhaps a Y-pipe and some simple appearance mods (clear bumper lights etc.) if I go with 4G. If I do something else I will also stay very basic with the mods.

I could go with another 4g, it would be nice not to have a car payment or a low one and I loved mine.

The 2k2/2k3 Maximas are nice, plenty of power stock and I would need to find one with the LSD. They seem to be a good value, with some quick browsing I found a few for ~$15,000 loaded if I don't mind high mileage. If they are anything like the 4G then mileage should not be that big of an issue.

Or I could go new -

The Mazda 6 is nice, it feels like like slightly less powerful version of my 4G. The shifter is like 'butta' and in stock trim the suspension feels slightly sportier than the stock max. On the other hand, for a new car it is not that big of an improvement over the 4G Max. Resale also seems poor, I would hate to buy a new car and watch its value drop drastically in a few years.

The new Legacy GT is sweet, I am just about sold on the AWD (seems 90% of the time when I am starting off I am on wet pavement or some other slippery surface). With the Turbo engine a couple hundred in mods (chip and catless up-pipe) and you see significant power gains.

The G-35 is also nice, but probably out of my price range. Unfortunately they have great resale value, so I probably would not be able to find that good of a deal on a slightly used one.

 

Glad nobody was hurt, take a look at the TL's.
You get a lot of car for the $$$.

 

man that guy did a good job on your car huh Glad that you're ok though. Go for a 2003-2003 TL type S. They might be pricey, but NJMAX said they are great for the money. However the Legacy GT is still an excellent car that can be found for a pretty good price used.

 

I'd be weary of any Acura product post 95-96 they have enormous tranny issues.

 

You can get a good 2k2-2k3 for 12-13k. And yeah, it's definately totaled. The rear quarter panel is the killer, not the front end.

 

looks like he hit you in the front and you spun around and hit him with your rear or something? glad to hear noone was hurt. i think insurance will only give you the value of the stock car or something like that. although, since you do have all the receipts, hard to say. hope it all works out in your favor.

 

Man, sorry to hear that. 5th gen should handle more or less similar to your 4th gen, since the chassis and suspension in both cars are designed the same way. So if you liked driving your 4th gen you should also like the 5th gen. If you want something different get TL or Altima. Legacy GT would be also good, but I think it's out of your price rage.

BTW: just curious, how exactly did that guy hit you? Shouldn't the passenger side be damaged, if he came out of the cross street?

 

Depends on the company. Some will pay if you have receipts, others tell you where to stick those reciepts.

 

Definitely keep the receipts and stuff for your mods when you meet with the other guy's adjuster. You probably won't be able to get all of the money back you had into it, but that should factor in. You can negotiating with them over replacement value. Talk to Jeff92SE -- I know he did very well when he negotiated his. You have to not back down to their aggressive actions. They will try to lowball you. Be sure to get what you think is fair.

As for a replacement, I would just wait and see how much you get, factor in a payment you are comfortable with (if at all) and then look around at the cars you want in that range. If you narrow it down to 2-3 types of cars it is easier to focus your search.

You can start test driving stuff now, just to get a feel for certain cars you aren't sure about.

 

Ever consider a Jetta? Just a thought.

 

I'm really sorry for you, but your alive and well so that's all that matter. I would say go for the AWD.

Last week, I almost got involve in a same situation, the older guy didn't see the stop sign and went a cross the street at about 40MPH. Dont ask me how I manage to avoid the collision, it scare the $hit out of me, I was driving the Murano so I would probably have kill the guy if a collision would have happend, the old guy doesn't know but he's alive today because of my super quick reaction time that day.

 

He came out of a side street on the left (My Drivers side), He made it across the other lane of traffic before we collided. I hit the front right side of his car with the left front of mine, my car spun almost 90 deg and then the rear quarter hit the side of his car. I countinued across the street another 50 feet or so.

I was looking at loaded 2k2s, and unfortunatly I will not have a lot of time to shop for a good deal.

Are you kidding about the rear quarter? If that where the only damage my car would be drivable.

If I have to sue somebody I am not afraid to, I put that money into the car and it was not my choice or fault that it was totaled. I just don't know who to sue, the other driver, his insurance co., my insurance co?

Hopefully it won't come down to sueing, I would settle for less if it meant I got cash sooner, I am going to need as much as possible to put down on a replacement.

 

Wow! Sorry that happened....
In my mind, yea your car is totaled......

Make all the necessary calls to make sure you get what its worth,

 

dam bro, that car looks like it was very clean before the accident. Just make sure you get your moneys worth. The TL is a nice car i was planning on getting a 03 type S over the 2K3 max since it looks a little bit more classier.

Anyways sorry to hear about the max, shiet happens for the better

 

ouch that sucks. if you want another 4th gen i have one for sale.

 

holy wow that hurts. yeah, it's totaled. no question.

another owner walks away in good health

 

O/T: why all the avatards? You guys all start batting for the other team in O/T or what?

Real post: If you're going to sue, just get a lawyer. They'll know who to go after (definitly the other guy's insurance, but possibly the other guy and/or your insurance as well).

 

and find out bish

 

too much effort. I hate dealing with Paypal. Ah, **** it! I'll sign up I guess...

Update: Done. I'll go into O/T and introduce myself now.....

 

Anyone ever thought about posting a sticky 'graveyard' or 'damn that sucks' thread full of accident pics?

I've got one from a few years ago..

 

Sorry to hear about your accident. I have always admired your max and your car was one of the car that gave my inspiration in the begining when i started modding my car. I highly recommend the 03 maxima or G35 my brother has owned both and they are excellent cars which ever way you decided to go. The mazda 6 is nice but when i test drove it i wasn't impressed, in comparison to my 4th gen max.
Another piece of advice is when/if the insurance company does total the car find out how much to buy the car back. My friend totaled his 97 M3 and had it towed to his house the sold it back to him for $300. If you have the room and time you can part if out and turn an excellent profit. Since its 5speed between the tranny and the shifter hardware you can easily make $1000. Also you can sell me your suspension (i know i am shamless).
Anyway glad to see your ok and good luck

 

04 TL baby! thats going to be my next car. Try this forum

Acurazine.com They have some pretty sick pics of minor modded TL. Only real options are navi and 5 speed. Spend 1k on the A-spec kit and slap it on. Oh yeah BTW they come painted from the factory

 

that sucks man, but the good t hing is that the maxima kept you safe..... i hope you get everythign worked out man, good luck!

 

sad to see a younger sibling to my max get totalled, but at least you are ok

 

stick with a maxima all the way! and if you are going to stray, at least get a different nissan.

 

Dude get an I30/I35!!

 

jim,
sorry to see the sad pics...glad you and the other guy are ok. it's a shame because you've put a lot of time, work, and heart into that car. it's hard for me to sell mine now, but i can imagine it's even harder to lose it to a wreck. hopefully you'll find something newer and more enjoyable. change can be good...since you know pretty much every inch of that car, i'd also recomend buying it back if you can and parting it, assuming most of the mods and tranny didn't get all messed up in the crash. goodluck and let us know what you pick up!

 

Ouch! That sucks. I got a 2000 SE for sale if you're interested.

 

such a nice color to b taken away from us...good luck wit your next car. My boy just got an 04 TL black on black for slightly under 30k. He's been very happy with it. Torque in early RPM's is OK, i prefer my 2k1 for low end power but high end is really good (4.5k+) plus interior is ridiculous and its just a sexy @ss car with a lot of benefits (FWD, great on gas, etc).

 

Holy Captain Crunch, that sucks but glad your OK. So if totalled, what does your crystal ball say for the future???

 

Not what a guy wants to see after owning his Maxi for 36 hours Glad you are okay.

 

Thanks all.

I got the info from the insurance company, book value on my car is $5400 which sounds fair to me. They also told me what they will pay for my mods, Nothing , when I threatened to sue they told me 'go ahead, you won't get anything'. As far as I can tell based on Mass law they are right, they are only responsible for the book value of the car .

They also don't pay anything until the car is picked up so I didn't have much time to get parts off it. Of course we are having the coldest weather of the year when I spend a day outside working on my car. I managed to pull off the exhaust from the ypipe back, b-pipe and muffler are both recent, y-pipe is 3 years old and dented from the accident. I also got all my stereo wire out (that 4 gauge cable gets expensive) and managed to get my unorthodox UDP off. I saved my rear strut tower brace but the front strut tower brace was trashed from the wreck.

I wasn't able to get the H&R springs off and I think the left front one may have been trashed anyway. I also had to leave my motivational mounts behind.

If I get another 4G I may reuse some of the parts I was able to save, but right now I am leaning towards a 2k2 2k3 Max.

Edit - I checked insurance rates and the Legacy GT would be about $300 cheaper a year, the Max and the Mazda6 are about the same, so the cost of insurance is not a big factor.

 

yeah it is cold out there.

 

cant wait till spring and warm weather

 

Sorry to hear about the wreck. I just had my car totaled earlier this month (Eclipse) by a girl pulling in front of me from a side road.

But that's why I was able to step up to a Maxima, so you can look at this as a golden opportunity. I'd definitely recommend getting an 02/03 Maxima. For the money, you get so much car. Just hold out until you've found one that's decked out the way you want. Old guy's insurance should already have you in a rental car, if not... get them for that.

Sucks about the mods not being covered, but it's not a surprise. I'm pretty sure they're right about you not having any ground to sue.

If I were you (since you mentioned only light mods in the future) take your aftermarket salvage and get it on the .org forums. Then take your insurance check and a loan for 10K and go get a fully loaded 03.


Glad you're OK.

 

When my Max got stolen last spring (93 SE 5-sp), I upgraded to a 97 540i with a 6-speed. If you can put up the coin, they are an excellent car for the $ and are MUCH easier to work on. A 97-98 is in the $10-14k range. The torque from the V8 is addicting...

Either way, good luck.

 

wow, what a clean max that was !

 

If they won't pay for the mods. Sue.

Go find some ambulance chaser. Tellim you have had problems "getting it up" since the accident. Instant $10,000. Insurance co will not go to court for that small an amount. Esp. with their client at fault.

At least this is what happened to me! And no I didn't get $10,000, I was the one that got sued.

I can guarantee that this other guys insurance co will play hardball with you. It's his job to pay you as little as possible. Just getting a lawyer involved can sometimes motivate the ins co to pay up.

I am on the "most not wanted" list at Geico .

 

Hey sorry to hear about your car. Good luck with the insurance companies. Especially in good old Massaf***inchewsitts. I would sue them if you had the money to burn. I just love the insurance companies in this state. You pay money out the @$$ and when something actually happens you are not covered completely. You should have feel out of the car and rolled on the ground in pain Oh by the way nice bike in the background. These types of accidents where people forget about signs or ust ignores them scare the crap out of me while I am on my bike.

Where was the accident? I live in the Greater Worcester area. Good Luck with the insurance company.