| bawuva |
First post here on forum - wish it were under different circumstances:
I own an '05 MDX w/Nav - love the vehicle. About 6 weeks ago, I got in an accident with a driver who made a left turn and did not yield as I entered the intersection (accident was her fault). Good news is everyone was okay, bad news is my MDX sustained a pretty good impact on the front end. Driver airbag deployed, front end banged up pretty good, etc. - damage totaled just over $9k. Auto body said no frame damage or engine damage.
Tried to pick the car up last week as everything was supposedly good to go - car looked great until I pulled out of the parking lot and the VTM-4 light went on, then the Navigation blinked off and then back on, etc. The MDX is now back at Acura and they are trying to locate the problem - early indications are it might need the "computer" replaced as a result of the impact.
My questions are:
- What are everyone's thoughts on problems I'll find down the road? The body work looks great and I'm sure is up to par, but what worries me are things I'll encounter in the future such as electrical, rattles, things the auto body and/or Acura didn't catch, etc. A $10k+ damaged car worries me.
- Should I trade it in and get a new/used one (probably would stick with an MDX)? What kind of impact on the value of the car can I expect since it's been in an accident with airbag deployment?
Thanks in advance for your replies. |
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| hammermdx |
| Sorry to hear this, my advice is to get rid of it and get a new one, it will never be the same. Glad to hear your precious cargo is safe and sound, that's the important thing!!! |
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| crmsnidol |
| If you take Hammer's advice, post the VIN so anyone who searches the web at least knows what they are getting. Your conscience will thank you later. |
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| vlam |
Sorry to hear about the accident.
1. Did you try to recover some money from the insurance company?
2. $9K sounds low for the accident. I had a very similiar accident occured on my TLs 2 years ago and the damage was close to $9K as well. The difference was none of my airbag deployed. mostly front and fender damage.
3. I still have the car, no problem so far.
4. Should you keep the car? It's a tough question but I would not based it on the $10K repair. If the frame was not damage and the repair is done properly, I don't see it as a problem in the future. If you went through it with the recommended shop by the insurance company, the repair should be warranty as well. I thought about trading mine in after the accident. At the time, I was just about to buy the MDX so trading was definitely an option. I kept the car because I wanted to wait the the new TL then the new RL. It's been 27 months so now I've decided to just keep it (unless my dealer call me in the next couple of weeks to sell me the RL at invoice) |
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| G. COLTON |
The only people who can answer your question is you and your body/repair shop. If it bothers you psychologically to drive a vehicle that has been wrecked then you follow what you think is correct. You are the only one that can discuss the repairs with the shop and determine the extent of damage and recovery.
The only other input that is meaningful is the other drivers insurance cmpany. What are they prepared to do. Will the finance a new vehicle?
G |
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| valeriemdx06 |
I have total my SAAB 9-5 during October 2005 due to someone hit me from the rear-end on a red light and my car spin 180 degree and the frame was all crushed inward and after all say and done I brought a new 2006 MDX just on November month this year. I have drive over 18 years never hit anyone and this is the first time someone hit me unsuspectively so I have to say if you only have one life to live and you wanted to enjoy much as possible just do whatever make you feel comfortable because you never know what tomorrow will bring.
I would say if you are financially comfortable with your budget and you are good to go for a trade in go for it since you old car with the accident can lead to long term problem. but the good news is that it makes no differences if your budget is tight cause as long as the car able to take you from point A to point B stick with it. but then again that is up to you to decide what is comfortable for your family after all this thing happended. Good luck and stay safe. |
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| ardvarkus |
Why are you "sure it is up to par"???!?! Perhaps having a body repair expert inspect the work would be useful- unless you are qualified.
YOU SHOULD READ UP ON "DIMINISHED VALUE"
This is how much you will loose on the value of you car given it is repaired- simply put, if the value of your car was $40k before the accident, and now, even though it is perfectly repaired, by disclosing the repair you only will get $35k, they owe you 5k.
IT IS NOT YOUR INSURACNE COMPANY that will pay you- in fact they will stonewall you- all of them will say it is not covered... this is a loss YOU have suffered and the other driver is laible for- her insurance will pay it IF YOU FORCE THEM.
Read up- do a google search.
I really think you need someone else (experienced) looking at the repairs- there is ZERO excuse for lights to show up when they hand you the car... they cannot be trusted.
A |
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| Fabvsix |
I literally after 2-3 months of living HELL, I drove it from the body shop to my Acura dealership. Had them buy it back and order me a duplicate model. Granted mine was almost 12 months old, 11,000 california precious garage miles and yes I lost money. WELCOME to America !
Get rid of it as it will NEVER be the same. Damage to mine was slightly over $9,000.00. Rattles were everywhere in the cabin. Brakes were questionable. How do they know the tranny and engine didn't take a slam hit ? |
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| Fabvsix |
| Snitz can happen out of the blue ! |
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| ardvarkus |
quote:
Originally posted by Fabvsix
I literally after 2-3 months of living HELL, I drove it from the body shop to my Acura dealership. Had them buy it back and order me a duplicate model. Granted mine was almost 12 months old, 11,000 california precious garage miles and yes I lost money. WELCOME to America !
Get rid of it as it will NEVER be the same. Damage to mine was slightly over $9,000.00. Rattles were everywhere in the cabin. Brakes were questionable. How do they know the tranny and engine didn't take a slam hit ?
Were you able to go after the other party for the difference in value between a un-repaired 12month old, 11,000 mile car and this one?
I am curious as to the success of Diminished Value claims...
A |
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| Fabvsix |
No I didn't pursue that. After 3 months of HELL with insurance company MORONS, appraisers with their heads up their A$$, Dealerships, auto body shop, rental car IDIOTS, hundreds of phone calls, hours wasted, I had become a VERY bitter person and chose to M O V E O N !
The Ahole that rammed us, got away with who knows what.......BTW, I'm 45 years old, never had an accident, last speeding ticket was when I was 16 years old HELLO ! And the Ahole slammed into me with a lapsed insurance policy. I was asked by my parents NOT to sue, as that's what wrong with this country ! Sue nuts ! I hate attorney's too ! |
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| bawuva |
I'm with you Fabvsix - this whole thing has been a complete hassle and is getting old real fast. Sounds like I'm in about the same situation you were (one yr old MDX, low miles, similar damage amount, not my fault, last accident I had was when i was 16, etc.).
Got a call from the Auto Body shop last night - car is still at Acura. Acura is going to replace the "power module". Another $1k added to the repair bill. While the auto body comes highly recommended from 3 other people I know who have used them in the past and they are a USAA recommended repair shop, I still know its a roll of the dice if problems continue to pop up down the road.
Question: has anyone had experience pursuing a diminished value claim with the other driver's insurance company? Like most insurance related issues, it looks to be a complete pain in the $%!$!$. |
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| Mahereb |
If I were in your place, I'll keep it as long as it's under the warranty.
Just before it expires, I would trade it for the new 2008 model. |
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| Fabvsix |
| I tend to think a few attorney's I contacted were ONLY interested if there were injury's ! They were NOT interested in pursuing DVC route.....They are all rat finks I tell ya......Don't keep that vehicle as it will be YOUR problem down the road ! |
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| Fabvsix |
I completely disagree with you Mahereb. Here is why, when I got back my MDX from the body shop, one thing hit me hard. I've only got 11,000 miles on this vehicle. TRADE IT IN NOW and don't drive it another mile or I screwed certainly on a trade or trying to sell this mess outright ! Got it ?
Baw:
You got low miles, TRADE IT IN NOW. This was a way to mend the unpleasantness I experienced with my long standing relationship with my Acura Dealership. They knew my baby was trashed, they knew I called THEM to ask who to send it to for repair. They knew it was done by the shop that does ALL of their MDX's as they are not easy to work on per industry Auto body shops, trust me I did my homework. So I looked my salesman in the eye who has sold me 3 Acura's in the past 3 years, do me right or our relationship is OVER ! I'll bring my business to Oakland or Walnut Creek dealerships.......They took care of me........TRADE IT IN NOW DUE TO LOW MILEAGE and the fact your Dealership is too aware of damage. BTW they wholesaled my 2003 MDX to who knows who and where.......it looked fabulous, but was hit hard.........all replacement parts were OEM as I demanded that too ! I learned much from this nightmare.......Look out for those turds on the road....they do exist...... |
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| Fabvsix |
Bawuva:
You got mail.....
Fab |
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| ardvarkus |
quote:
Originally posted by bawuva
Auto body said no frame damage or engine damage.
Don't trust them.
If there are engine mounts, engine parts, axles, suspension parts, etc you should be concerned... if there is labor with a code for using a rack (frame straightening) you should be concerned...
Post a scan of the estimate/work order (with ID information blacked out). .. folks here can give you a better opinion that the shop (who has a conflict of interest, at best, in telling you what is approporiate)
A |
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| Mahereb |
Why the rush and jumping to conclusion? Just wait and see whether the car would give you hard time. If it doesn't, why tread it now and lose more money in depreciation. If the car give you troubles or unpleasant experience, then consider tread in now.
That is what I would do if I were in your shoes.:cool: |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by Mahereb
Why the rush and jumping to conclusion? Just wait and see whether the car would give you hard time. If it doesn't, why tread it now and lose more money in depreciation. If the car give you troubles or unpleasant experience, then consider tread in now.
That is what I would do if I were in your shoes.:cool:
I think the original point was that he is now having problems after getting the car back and they are still trying to diagnose it.... |
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