An unfortunate end to four years of Elise joy... looking for advice - LotusTalk

Ground Loop · 12-22-2008, 04:16 PM

It's been a long time since I've visited EliseTalk! What? You changed the name? Spruced the place up a bit, I see..

How y'all been!!

I ducked out for a couple years, "pursuing other interests" as they say.. I've been spending more time on two wheels, and changing diapers more than Lotus racing, but the Elise has been my constant joy. Having long since sold my other car, the Elise was my only car, for foul-weather and fun.

Let us remember it how it was exactly four years ago, to the day:

And celebrate the drives:

Alas, last week, an SUV hit the side of the car. On a straight road with no intersections or driveways. Very odd stuff, and the other driver has accepted all fault.

EDIT: Updated: The other party has accepted all fault, and their (excellent coverage) insurance called it a total loss and settled the claim for a fair amount. The car is now with their Salvage handlers, and likely to be up for auction.

Anyway, not many folks understand being sad over a car, but I figured around here...

IXLR8 · 12-22-2008, 04:19 PM

Who's the old guy on the right in the first photo?

Chris Mackey · 12-22-2008, 04:57 PM

Dude, that sucks. Best of luck.

Randy Chase · 12-22-2008, 05:07 PM

Hey, good to see you again. Sorry about the car.

goelise · 12-22-2008, 05:41 PM

2, almost 3 years ago I saw your 1st day pic and could not wait to post my own. Good to hear from you and sorry about what happened to your car.

Good to hear your ok.

Ian · 12-22-2008, 06:06 PM

I sent you a pm.

Ground Loop · 12-22-2008, 06:11 PM

Randy! Noble M400, dual turbo, hell yeah! 24,344 posts to your name.. Sheeeeet.. I remember when all of EliseTalk was 24k posts.

The Lotus frame is supremely protective, as we know.. the door and rocker soaked it all up. It wasn't a high-speed impact.

IXLR8, the old guy on the right is me! You should see me now -- I'm even older.

The other dude is Austin Lewis, of Desert European Motorcars in Palm Desert.

I'm in the "insurance holding pattern" right now.. Symbolic is telling me to educate myself and form an idea of what a right-proper buyout offer would look like. I've never even looked at resale prices for an Elise -- I was expecting to hand over the keys no sooner than my kid's prom night.

I'm girding for battle, and feeling woefully unprepared. I need a Gladiator to put in this fight. No lawyer referrals?

Ground Loop · 12-22-2008, 06:22 PM

I'm currently drinking from the firehose of about two years of accumulated EliseTalk postings, trying to frantically catch up...

But I have to know the ending, so someone give me the spoiler:

Did anyone ever figure out what the Bloody Metallic Rattle really was?

Randy Chase · 12-22-2008, 06:24 PM

tadts

shay2nak · 12-22-2008, 09:08 PM

damn, I was wondering what happened to you. One of the old school members...

I hope you get your car fixed quick.

serpent · 12-22-2008, 09:30 PM

sorry about your car man, good luck with all the legal stuff.

SUTOL111x · 12-22-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ground Loop

The other dude is Austin Lewis, of Desert European Motorcars in Palm Desert.

I had one of those phones that clipped to my belt too. I couldn't get chicks either.

Sorry about the car man. If you don't find anyone you are happy with, a friend of mine that I went to law school with lives in S/Diego and now works for an insurance company. He is bound to have some referrals, so just PM me.

habendanio · 12-23-2008, 02:00 AM

Good that your ok. I know first hand that the lotus elise frame/body can really protect the driver. Did you have alot of miles on your car. Unfortunately the door and rocker panel can cost a bit to replace. I was told that you have to take the dash, seats and alot of interior to replace the rocker. I don't see it costing over 20k to fix but there's a limit to what they'll repair versus what they value the car. Sometimes it might be easier to talk to your own insurance. The ins. adjuster might be easier to deal with if he's working for your insurance.
If you deal with your own insurance and he's at fault it shouldn't count against you and your ins. goes to court for you.
Good luck.

Ground Loop · 12-23-2008, 02:28 AM

habendanio -- Yeah, I was surprised to hear that the "rocker" was such a major incident. It's toast. The frame took a hit at the door hinge as well.

Those of you with weak constitution may want to turn away.
Viewer discretion is advised.

I had only 10,000 miles on the car. In fact, I'm having a hard time finding anything like a "blue book" value for it.

NADA has some wide spread:
$29,800, $39,125, $45,525

Anywhere else to go for values?

dma550 · 12-23-2008, 05:51 AM

Wow, so sorry to hear about that. I wonder if it's time for stated value insurance policies for these cars. It seems like just yesterday I paid 42K for my now book value 24K 05 elise

CosmosMpower · 12-23-2008, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dma550

Wow, so sorry to hear about that. I wonder if it's time for stated value insurance policies for these cars. It seems like just yesterday I paid 42K for my now book value 24K 05 elise

24K? You must have 50,000 miles

dma550 · 12-23-2008, 07:16 AM

No, she's a garage queen, but the Actual cash value used by most insurance companies (*mine*) is nowhere what we think it should be... Maybe some sort of gap insurance to help mitigate this would be good for ongoing peace of mind.

mikester · 12-23-2008, 09:54 AM

Very sorry to hear, I've sent you a PM.

Cheers, Mike

habendanio · 12-23-2008, 11:01 AM

That's a stout hinge to get bent but it's better than frame damage. Your car with around 10k mileage should be able to get repaired without going over the limit.

Bane · 12-23-2008, 11:15 AM

Sorry to see that... it still boggles my mind how chrome orange, saffron yellow, and krypton green Lotus cars get in accidents like this. You should be able to see the thing from a mile away!

Looking on the good side... once the insurance settlement is done there are lots of "replacements" in the upper $20k range now. The economy hasn't fared well for our little impractical toy cars

12-22-2008, 04:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ground Loop Student Driver Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,191	An unfortunate end to four years of Elise joy... looking for advice It's been a long time since I've visited EliseTalk! What? You changed the name? Spruced the place up a bit, I see.. How y'all been!! I ducked out for a couple years, "pursuing other interests" as they say.. I've been spending more time on two wheels, and changing diapers more than Lotus racing, but the Elise has been my constant joy. Having long since sold my other car, the Elise was my only car, for foul-weather and fun. Let us remember it how it was exactly four years ago, to the day: And celebrate the drives: Alas, last week, an SUV hit the side of the car. On a straight road with no intersections or driveways. Very odd stuff, and the other driver has accepted all fault. EDIT: Updated: The other party has accepted all fault, and their (excellent coverage) insurance called it a total loss and settled the claim for a fair amount. The car is now with their Salvage handlers, and likely to be up for auction. Anyway, not many folks understand being sad over a car, but I figured around here... Last edited by Ground Loop : 01-24-2009 at 09:32 PM. Reason: update

12-22-2008, 04:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
IXLR8 mpsalm slayer Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 496	Who's the old guy on the right in the first photo? __________________ 2005 Ardent red Elise, Stage 2 exhaust, Sport pack, Touring pack, Hard top, starshield, driving lights, Leather center console with tan leather shift boot, Handbrake cover, Custom painted engine cover and a/c surround, Center console re-enforcement.......I think that's all. Lexus ES300 Suzuki RF900R (mint)

12-22-2008, 04:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chris Mackey Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,587	Dude, that sucks. Best of luck. __________________ 2006 Elise, Ardent Red, Black Pack, LSS wheels, shocks and springs. ChuforiaGraffix.com SDD Lives On! SweetDaddyDelicious(at)hotmail(dot)com

12-22-2008, 05:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Hey, good to see you again. Sorry about the car. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

12-22-2008, 05:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
goelise AR #1275 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Midwest, USA Posts: 2,527 Images: 1	2, almost 3 years ago I saw your 1st day pic and could not wait to post my own. Good to hear from you and sorry about what happened to your car. Good to hear your ok. __________________ '06 Ardent Red Elise - black interior with LSS, Touring, HT, Starshield, Lotus Sport Clutch, Moroso Oil Pan, 2ZZ(#2), Ekological HIDs, Lotus Driving Lights, Stebel Horn, Bootie, Razo '06 Pedal mod,Snorkel Delete,Odyssey 680 with s111 bracket. Future Mods:LETSLA (ordered), Rear toe link brace Thank you FVMC! WOO-HOO! Last edited by goelise : 12-22-2008 at 07:19 PM.

12-22-2008, 06:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ian Certified Fun Stopper Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Antonio TX/Daytona Beach FL Posts: 4,050	I sent you a pm. __________________ '06 Exige; Polar Blue; Track/Touring/Stage II/LSD-TC '05 Elise; Arctic Silver/Ruby Red (R.I.P)

12-22-2008, 06:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ground Loop Student Driver Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,191	Randy! Noble M400, dual turbo, hell yeah! 24,344 posts to your name.. Sheeeeet.. I remember when all of EliseTalk was 24k posts. The Lotus frame is supremely protective, as we know.. the door and rocker soaked it all up. It wasn't a high-speed impact. IXLR8, the old guy on the right is me! You should see me now -- I'm even older. The other dude is Austin Lewis, of Desert European Motorcars in Palm Desert. I'm in the "insurance holding pattern" right now.. Symbolic is telling me to educate myself and form an idea of what a right-proper buyout offer would look like. I've never even looked at resale prices for an Elise -- I was expecting to hand over the keys no sooner than my kid's prom night. I'm girding for battle, and feeling woefully unprepared. I need a Gladiator to put in this fight. No lawyer referrals?

12-22-2008, 06:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ground Loop Student Driver Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,191	I'm currently drinking from the firehose of about two years of accumulated EliseTalk postings, trying to frantically catch up... But I have to know the ending, so someone give me the spoiler: Did anyone ever figure out what the Bloody Metallic Rattle really was?

12-22-2008, 06:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	tadts __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

12-22-2008, 09:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
shay2nak I <3 chicken, I <3 liver Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Land of da 1000 Oaks, CA Posts: 15,058	damn, I was wondering what happened to you. One of the old school members... I hope you get your car fixed quick. __________________ save ~10 lbs gain 1 hp EQ: Y=(190X) / (1984-X) where Y is (HP) and X is (lbs) '07 EXIGE S * MY CAR ** VIDEOS! '08 ACURA TSX 6-speed http://www.makeNYNYagain.com

12-22-2008, 09:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
serpent Driver!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3,467	sorry about your car man, good luck with all the legal stuff. __________________ Studies show 100% of people die. Might as well have some fun.

12-23-2008, 02:00 AM	#13 (permalink)
habendanio Henry Join Date: May 2006 Location: Fairfield CA Posts: 730	Good that your ok. I know first hand that the lotus elise frame/body can really protect the driver. Did you have alot of miles on your car. Unfortunately the door and rocker panel can cost a bit to replace. I was told that you have to take the dash, seats and alot of interior to replace the rocker. I don't see it costing over 20k to fix but there's a limit to what they'll repair versus what they value the car. Sometimes it might be easier to talk to your own insurance. The ins. adjuster might be easier to deal with if he's working for your insurance. If you deal with your own insurance and he's at fault it shouldn't count against you and your ins. goes to court for you. Good luck. __________________ Henry http://www.abendanio.com/ 2005 Elise, AR, Touring, Sport, HT (RIP 10-6-08) 2005 Elise,Touring & Sports,Bordeaux Red Pearl 1986 Pontiac Fiero Gt, 1986 Toyota Pickup

12-23-2008, 02:28 AM	#14 (permalink)
Ground Loop Student Driver Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,191	habendanio -- Yeah, I was surprised to hear that the "rocker" was such a major incident. It's toast. The frame took a hit at the door hinge as well. Those of you with weak constitution may want to turn away. Viewer discretion is advised. I had only 10,000 miles on the car. In fact, I'm having a hard time finding anything like a "blue book" value for it. NADA has some wide spread: $29,800, $39,125, $45,525 Anywhere else to go for values?

12-23-2008, 05:51 AM	#15 (permalink)
dma550 Yahoo! Got my Rotus! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT, Shoreline area Posts: 1,188	Wow, so sorry to hear about that. I wonder if it's time for stated value insurance policies for these cars. It seems like just yesterday I paid 42K for my now book value 24K 05 elise __________________ David Avery 05 Lotus Elise ~ Arctic Silver ~ BWR SC ~ Gray RACs ~ Larini SE 08 BMW 135i Stock visit Spyderclub.com

12-23-2008, 07:16 AM	#17 (permalink)
dma550 Yahoo! Got my Rotus! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT, Shoreline area Posts: 1,188	No, she's a garage queen, but the Actual cash value used by most insurance companies (mine) is nowhere what we think it should be... Maybe some sort of gap insurance to help mitigate this would be good for ongoing peace of mind. __________________ David Avery 05 Lotus Elise ~ Arctic Silver ~ BWR SC ~ Gray RACs ~ Larini SE 08 BMW 135i Stock visit Spyderclub.com

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12-23-2008, 09:54 AM	#18 (permalink)
mikester Registered Shmoozer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So Cal Posts: 4,597	Very sorry to hear, I've sent you a PM. Cheers, Mike __________________ Covered in Brandy and Lard

12-23-2008, 11:01 AM	#19 (permalink)
habendanio Henry Join Date: May 2006 Location: Fairfield CA Posts: 730	That's a stout hinge to get bent but it's better than frame damage. Your car with around 10k mileage should be able to get repaired without going over the limit. __________________ Henry http://www.abendanio.com/ 2005 Elise, AR, Touring, Sport, HT (RIP 10-6-08) 2005 Elise,Touring & Sports,Bordeaux Red Pearl 1986 Pontiac Fiero Gt, 1986 Toyota Pickup

12-23-2008, 11:15 AM	#20 (permalink)
Bane . Join Date: May 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 2,960 Images: 4	Sorry to see that... it still boggles my mind how chrome orange, saffron yellow, and krypton green Lotus cars get in accidents like this. You should be able to see the thing from a mile away! Looking on the good side... once the insurance settlement is done there are lots of "replacements" in the upper $20k range now. The economy hasn't fared well for our little impractical toy cars __________________ $599 PPE header (INFO) 2007 BMW 335i - Mostly stock un-Official LotusTalk Stealth Bulb provider *6* sets in stock!