Does this make my rear end look big??

Glad you are OK, but it looks like there was a ton of Bondo in the bottom half of that car. Might have been a blessing in disguise.

Considering he just purchased it the value of the car really can not be disputed. I would look around for similar cars (if any) and see what they are asking for them. I have been down this round before. If Chris has agreed upon value policy he has no issues. If not things are going to get dicey with the insurance.

I would not let the head and neck injury thing go away make sure you get follow up treatment AND never sign a thing saying you are ok.

But alas it was just a car. It is replaceable. You on the other hand are not. Really glad your ok!!!!

And besides you need this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Mazda-RX2-Coupe-all-original-w-12A-rotary-engine-/110582841255?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item19bf403fa7

Or this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MAZDA-RX3-1973-/110579547685?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item19bf0dfe25

I'm glad to hear you are alright, Chris. I hope you get better soon! And if your neck still hurts after the meds run out, get back to the hospital.

As for the RX-3, http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com/ sums up my feelings. I haz a sad.

Just called Hagerty,and they siad that an adjuster would be in contact with me soon to move forward. I got a accident report form from my local police station,and I have filled it out as best as I can for now. I need to make three copies,and mail them to different places still,but that shouldn't be too tough.

Chris

Chris, +1 on the comments re: the neck injury. The long term effects can be pretty significant. In 1974 I sustained "whiplash" injuries and in 1995 wound up having surgery to fuse 2 vertabrae and correct stenosis caused by the initial injury from 1974. Make sure you are seeing a specialist and don't let anyone tell you it's just "whiplash" and will automatically go away with a little time.

If the insurance company tries to lowball me what can I do about it? I know it will be tough finding comps to this car,but it is an agreed upon value. I was going to have it,and my RX-7 appraised at some point in the near future,but I didn't have the chance yet on either.

Chris

Don49 wrote: Chris, +1 on the comments re: the neck injury. The long term effects can be pretty significant. In 1974 I sustained "whiplash" injuries and in 1995 wound up having surgery to fuse 2 vertabrae and correct stenosis caused by the initial injury from 1974. Make sure you are seeing a specialist and don't let anyone tell you it's just "whiplash" and will automatically go away with a little time.

Glad you're doing relatively OK. But, seriously, all the comments on getting the neck injury ENTIRELY healed apply. My mother did the quick sign here, you're OK routine, after a similar accident.. Couple years later, she was in severe neck and back pain, which was eventually tracked back to a "previous trauma". Don't screw around with this, as Don49 also points out.

I think Bring a Trailer had an RX-3 listed in the last few days to week.

Take the muscle relaxants, you'll be doing your muscles/tendons a favor. Get well, and don't push the recovery.

Mazdax605 wrote: If the insurance company tries to lowball me what can I do about it? I know it will be tough finding comps to this car,but it is an agreed upon value. I was going to have it,and my RX-7 appraised at some point in the near future,but I didn't have the chance yet on either. Chris

Go to Mazda North America direct, and ask them for a similar vehicle they own, and do a comparison. I'm sure they either have one, or know where one is located. And then compare the two cars. You might have to pay an independent appraiser to do the comparison, but, it may be worth it--depending on how far you and the insurance company are on value. Even with agreed upon value, it might be worth it. Good luck, hope you don't need it.

Appraiser coming over tomorrow morning between 9am,and 10:30am. Hope this goes well.

Hey guys,

I had a friend tell me that recently(within the last year or so) that Hemming,or one of there other publications did a feature on Japanese classic cars,and it mentioned the SP as being one of the most highly collectible models now,and in the future. How would I find this article,and does anyone know if it is online somewhere?

Chris

So I got a line on a replacement for the buckled SP. There is a guy in Spokane,WA that is selling this formerly silver,but now ultra cool,and rare green SP. $2500,but some assembly required. I looked into shipping,and $1000 was the quote I got for a door to door non-op transport. I am reluctant to do the deal yet as I have not heard from the insurance as to what is going to happen yet,but this may be a good option. Between the tub,and loads of spare parts,and my car I should be able to put together a nice car. It will still need a little body work, a full paint job(the paint on here isn't final),and assembly,but than I will have a cool car,and I will know exactly how it was put together instead of taking someones word,and looking at pics.

Here is a link to pics of the car:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skidmcrotary/sets/72157624612230064/

What do you think?

Chris

Hey guys,

I got a call from the idependent appraiser last night telling me that Hagerty doesn't total cars,and that they want to fix it. He said I have to find a body shop that will do this work(unlikely around here),and that Hagerty or he himself has found a yellow 77 RX-3 SP ($2500)on craigslist in New York(I don't see it) that they are going to buy,and section back together with my car. I am not cool with that option!!! I know it has been done a million times,but I will not bring my kids for a ride in a spliced together car I don't care what anyone tells me about the soundness of this repair. I do know of a yellow SP in the Tampa area that is for sale at that price,but I have seen pictures,and the car is really rough.

The appraiser said his total so far is around $8500,and wants me to help him find a source for the stripe package which I think I can do,but why should I? $8500 doesn't sound like a lot of money to me considering that includes the purchase price of another chassis for $2500. What do you guys think? It seems to me that a half restoration at a minimum,and cutting/wedling a car is an expensive endeavor,and not one that a typical body shop will want to undertake. I wonder if he is missing the small things like interior bits that are ruined from the accident,the stock factory SP muffler that is pure unobtanium,the side louvers that are broken,and hard to find,and the tail lights that are broken,and super rare. Heck I think the driveshaft is even bent from the axle moving so much. These small things will all add up. I hate the fact that they want to repair this car!!! Not that I don't like the car,but just due to the severity of the collision.

I have seen cars made out of 3 or 4 cars that you couldn't tell were spliced together until you pulled up the carpet or pulled off the interior trim and saw the welds. Make sure they at least compensate you for the damage to the resale. Salvage branded and full of replacement metal doesnt mean the car is worth as much as it was when it was all original.

I hate to say it but get a lawyer. There are times when a carefully worded letter explaining why in the long run it will be cheaper and much less risk for them if they just total the car. Also bill your lawyer to the insurance company of the person that hit you. It is a cost incurred caused by there clients actions.

So what happens if you get the car fixed then sell it and it gets hit again and the repairs cause some one to get hurt of killed? I know who I would be pointing the finger at as it was they that mandated it. They may want to reconsider. after this is explained to them.

I also agree that the value of the car will be severely diminished by this repair so even if they fix it I would want a large check from them for the difference. I think the problem may be that they are figuring that you are extremely attached to this car and that you actually want it repaired. I am sure that this is how many many of there clients are.

What about your time to coordinate the repairs? Your time has value as well. If they are asking you to take time off to get the car repaired other than handing the keys to a tow truck that takes it to get fixed to to the scrapper I would let them know that you are billing them for the time.

Yes I can see retaining a lawyer for this if nothing else to write a letter.

Read your policy and if you dont understand it, take it to a lawyer and let him read it. You have a contract with Hagerty and tells you what can and cant be done.
You can also wait on the insurance carrier for the truck that hit you but they will never be as generous as your own carrier and they wont resolve any issues in the interim until the final release of liability is signed. I wouldnt be too concerned about splicing the two cars together. Competent body shops do this on daily basis and having some experience with RX3's, that car was not extensively braced or supported. If you dont feel comfortable with the car, you might consider adding a roll bar or street cage.
BTW if you need SP parts, I still have some in the garage including the ultra rare tailights.

In a loss that large there will almost certainly be a supplement but generally the adjusters are pretty good about getting the bulk of the loss down.

I would see if the other drivers insurance company is stepping up. Send them a copy of the agreed value policy and have them send their appraiser out. They may total it off the bat.

I can tell you that I have never paid, billed, or even heard of being charged an individuals time aside from time off from work and that requires documentation and is part of the BI claim. It is your duty to either cooperate with your insurance company or present your claim and supporting documentation to the other insurance company. They are not going to accept a bill for 40 hours of your personal time along with a nice note from your wife. I also can't see the other parties insurance company paying for the cost of a lawyer over an argument you are having with your insurance company.

Hey Greg,

I am not looking to bill anyone for my time,and I am not sure where you got that from. I was just simply worried about a repair to a in my mind severly damaged chassis,and the loss of value that will come of it. I am not extremly attached to the car as I have not owned it long enough to really have that bond yet. If it were my RX-7 it would be a different story. I still wouldn't want them to splice it together,but I would be more pissed about my loss. If this car doesn't get fixed it is no big deal to me,but I would like to be compensated for it.

The thing is this wasn't my fault,but it seems I may be getting screwed in the deal. The party that is at fault will get her nice shiny SUV all fixed up prettier than it was before,and I am stuck with a frakencar so to speak. A frakencar that will be worth half if I am luck of what it was before.

I spoke with the claims adjuster this afternoon,and he has no idea what the appraiser is talking about as he has yet to see a report,or make a decision. He took notes on my concerns about splicing the car together,and understands why I have them. He also has concerns about the viability of the donor car as do I.

At the end of the day I would be happy if they wanted to buy another chassis,repair it to the level mine was,and move the good parts over,or just total it,and come to an agreement on the value of it. But this splicing cars together just seems like the worst option for all involved.

Why oh why couldn't this have happened to my van,and not my RX-3!!!???? Damn cell phones!!!!!!!

Mazdax605 wrote: Damn berkeleying idiots trying to drive while on cell phones!!!!!!!

Fixed.

Make SURE to buy the car back from the insurance company! You will not get reimbursed for the custom stuff you have done so get it back.

If you have a more typical insurance policy, the value should be based on replacement cost of similar car (you might want to do some searching). Take money, buy similar car, put all your stuff in it.

I was just commenting on what Dean said a couple posts above mine. I am just trying to be realistic and helpful. Reading back my posts don't always convey that.

I would be worried about back halving the car as well especially since they are using a donor of unknown condition. Generally speaking they will attempt to repair the car up to a certain amount before they total it. You may also wish to look into the amount they are willing to pay for the repair. Take that money, keep the car and buy another using the wrecked one as a donor. For example once the complete repair amount is figured (after tear down) you could keep that amount ($8,500 - $10,000)?

Greg Voth wrote: I was just commenting on what Dean said a couple posts above mine. I am just trying to be realistic and helpful. Reading back my posts don't always convey that.

I was also being a bit far reaching but I have had to do this kind of thing to get it through the heads of some really idiotic insurance people. It will get the attention of an idiot and piss of a seasoned insurance claims processor.

Sounds like your adjuster has got things strait and whom ever told you that they are going to repair it may not have a clue.

I spoke to a body shop today at the recommendation of a friend that has faith in this place. He said he could do the job for me but that he would not put his name on it as it is illegal in MA to clip a car together.

So sorry to hear about this, and I'm glad you're alright. Insurance can be a bit tricky, since they don't take things like "maybe the nicest one left in North America" into account.

Mazdax605 wrote: So what do I replace this car with?? After seeing the damage I am ot sure I want another old school car even though they are my favorite. I love old cars for so many reasons,but maybe this is time to get a more modern day car with better crash standards.

Since I had kids, this is exactly the reason I'm thinking about selling off all of my cars manufactured before 1995. Part of the reason I have neat cars is to take them out and drive them, and I /will/ have the kids along at some point in time. I'd rather have nice crumple zones and a zillion airbags around them than not.

I may not have to worry about the splicing of the car together. I just got a call from Hagerty,and they said the report from the appraiser has it at 90% of the agreed upon value,so the car is going to be salvaged. He said he was going to get a bid out on Wednesday to salvage so they can determine a value of it if I want to buy it back. I think I do,but I am not sure what to do with it yet. I have had multiple emails,and phone calls looking for parts,so I could sell it off in parts. I would also like to get anotehr of thes ecars as it was really cool the two times I dorve it.

Like Brett says though maybe I would be better off getting a more modern car to have fun with the kids. It will be an interesting fall/winter trying to figure out what to do next. A nice 09 RX-8 R3 has my attention right now,but it may be out of my budget. Also doesn't stir my lust for old school cars. Give me suggestions please.