Rear Ended!

[Rob®]

The description of the carnage doesn't seem to exactly line up with the pictures. Or have they dramatically changed the design of a Taco since I last had one??

Not to keep quoting you, but that is exactly what I thought when I saw those pics. "Man...Texas tacos sure are different than east coast tacos."

[MiataProtege]

Need pics of the quarter panels and inside the trunk - that is what will basically determine if they total it or not. Those pics make it look like nothing.

Good luck on getting it back from a shop in two weeks. From my experience (including working at/with a body shop), "two weeks" is a month.

Body panels will be painted if/when they are replaced. Ordered in the correct color or not, they will need to be paint matched. I can't imagine any but the most ghetto shops not doing that. I don't even think the insurance adjuster will assume it won't be painted/blended to match.

The "fingerprint lines" on the rear bumper are from a previous impact. Backing into something, someone tapping your car while they were parking, etc.

The quarter panels (sides of the car behind the rear wheels I assume) are just fine. I looked around in the trunk behind the carpet and from my inexperienced view they looked straight. This USAA rep will find out what's wrong with it and make an initial guess and then I'll have Mazda do a more thorough look.

I'm glad to see that the paint will match, that would kill me seeing that every day.

I guess it's rental car for a month then. On F150 guys' dime.


And yeah, I looked at the damage once, and kept my eyes away from it until just now. I believe I overstated the damage. It is still fairly bad. And the alignment probablem worries me.... I didn't think rear wheels on a RWD car could come out of alignment. And if they can... let's hope it's not something else more expensive.

[MiataProtege]

Not to keep quoting you, but that is exactly what I thought when I saw those pics. "Man...Texas tacos sure are different than east coast tacos."

Okay, it looks like a distance boomerang.

[Rob®]

So what "side panels" are caved in? I thought you were talking about the quarter panels there. My bad.

Why do you think the rear wheels on a RWD vehicle can't get misaligned?? Even if it's a solid axle, a few different things could happen. But the Miata is not a solid axle, and is fully adjustable back there, so there's even more ways the rear wheels can be out of alignment. Just FYI. Didn't you just get a set of jackstands? You should probably put the car on them and spend like an hour underneath the car - you might learn a few things (not meant to come across dicky...I actually mean it's a good idea).

[MiataProtege]

So what "side panels" are caved in? I thought you were talking about the quarter panels there. My bad.

Why do you think the rear wheels on a RWD vehicle can't get misaligned?? Even if it's a solid axle, a few different things could happen. But the Miata is not a solid axle, and is fully adjustable back there, so there's even more ways the rear wheels can be out of alignment. Just FYI. Didn't you just get a set of jackstands? You should probably put the car on them and spend like an hour underneath the car - you might learn a few things.

Learning is good. I was surprised how many little plastic "doors" were hiding all over the place for easy access to locations. And no it's my bad for calling them the wrong name.

As far as driving while it's like this is concerned... the rental car I'm getting only covers days that my car is in the shop. So I must drive it until then.

A USAA customer service rep called me and gave me his phone number to call if I had any problems or any questions. I'm a big fan of that customer service! This guys' job is to make sure claims go through with me happy.

[Rob®]

Please, PLEASE, have someone that knows what they are looking at check the car over before you continue driving it like that. I highly recommend it not be where you keep "hearing" things from. Seriously, if something you can't see/don't know what you're looking at is broken, or damn near about to be broken, you could be much worse off than a higher rental car bill (read: not really talking about having to spend more money).

[MiataProtege]

To a mechanic it is! Most likely tomorrow, I'm beat. Don't have to drive anywhere until Friday so that's good news.


Thanks for your advice Rob.

[Sharpie]

USAA will treat you fine. Don't worry. I'm betting he just forgot you were there and took off in to you.

[Rogue]

That is not bad at all, I was expecting carnage.

[MiataProtege]

That is not bad at all, I was expecting carnage.

I suppose it just looks worse to me. It's my first nice thing I've ever owned.

Look at the mazda icon! Talk about symbolism, ford crushing mazda.

It will be nice to see before and after pictures. A usaa agent is coming to assess the damages and quote a price tomorrow morning. I'm thinking after that my best bet is to bring it to a big Mazda dealership for the best possible work. And I wonder what rental car I will get.... a mustang?.... corvette? Porsche???

No. If I had to take a real guess.... I'm betting I get an Impala. Wager some kudos points at what rental car I will be given? I bet 50 kudos on impala.

[POS Racing]

Dealership body shops suck. IMHO

Ask your usaa guy for a list of recommended shops.

[MiataProtege]

Dealership body shops suck. IMHO

Ask your usaa guy for a list of recommended shops.

You think so? The only reason this guy is coming out is because I chose to go with an outside USAA repair. I assumed USAA's mechanics wouldn't be the best.

[POS Racing]

You think so?

Yes - that would be why I typed the words as I did on my above post otherwise I would have used different words.

[MiataProtege]

Yes - that would be why I typed the words as I did on my above post otherwise I would have used different words.

Emphasizing is rather difficult via keyboard. Phonetically spelled I suppose it would be "Ya think so?" I tend to type how I speak, try not to take offense.

My trunk has me in the mood for tacos.

[POS Racing]

No offense taken.

I was trying to simplify and clarify my reply to make sure you understood my feelings on Dealership Body shops.

[MiataProtege]

No offense taken.

I was trying to simplify and clarify my reply to make sure you understood my feelings on Dealership Body shops.

That bad huh? I'll shop around then. Probably just call USAA and take one of theirs tomorrow. Sure they would be delighted. Any pointers on me not walking away unsatisfied with the fix?

[goofygrin]

I'd bet that if you get a rental car (you're under 25 right? good luck with a rental) is that you'll end up in a high quality ford fuckus or some other tampon shaped shitbox.

[MiataProtege]

I'd bet that if you get a rental car (you're under 25 right? good luck with a rental) is that you'll end up in a high quality ford fuckus or some other tampon shaped shitbox.

Oh yeah... I remember that rule. My brother was in an accident not long ago and hes slightly older and got a rental. Perhaps it works differently when it's to do with insurance? I hope I can get a rental... would suck if I can't.

And wow, someone really hates focus's!

Oh and I turned 21 yesterday by the way :)

[POS Racing]

That bad huh? I'll shop around then. Probably just call USAA and take one of theirs tomorrow. Sure they would be delighted. Any pointers on me not walking away unsatisfied with the fix?

Shop around, get recommendations, compare warranties, & visit the shops. It is your choice make it an educated decision.

Also don't accept the car (or return the rental) until you are happy with the work performed.

[MiataProtege]

Shop around, get recommendations, compare warranties, & visit the shops. It is your choice make it an educated decision.

Also don't accept the car (or return the rental) until you are happy with the work performed.

That's what I wanted to hear. I was hoping they wouldn't have me between a rock and a hard place in that situation. I should be able to have my car look exactly how it was previously, no matter what they say.

And work the same too, can't forget that part.