Update: Yaris wreck and new car

[Deathegg]

Hi guys! Well, I haven't been around here much since last October. Figured I'd give you an update.

Was going to work one morning in October, and was sitting at an off ramp on the 60 East (Riverside CA area), when a minivan driver plows into me from behind; didn't even slow down. The impact pushed me into the truck in front of me (sort of a stake-bed truck). Airbag went off, etc. The other driver didn't want me to call the police (he had no insurance it turns out), and he prob didn't have a license either. Also, he left the scene! He said his gf worked at the convenience store at the bottom of the off-ramp, and he'll go get her, and "please tell the police she was driving, not me." !!!! WTF! Of course I didn't do that, and told the cop everything he said lol.

This happened not far from my house, so I just drove it home; no indication from driving it that it was just wrecked - no leaks, no weird suspension noises or actions, etc. But I knew from looking at it that it was totaled - front right "A" pillar was crushed, and that in itself totaled the car. But heavy front and rear frame and body damage, both quarter panels bent from the impact (also the right door)....the poor thing. I owed about $2300 on it - total damage was nearly $11,000. And I just put new tires on it, damn it!! LOL

Insurance payout was quite generous, so I got me a good used 2015 Elantra GT. Auto (6sp), with everything but leather and a sunroof. MUCH more hp (173), which is great, but only about 30 mpg average. But that's ok for now; I really enjoy driving it, and I can eek out 32 if I try.

So, that's why I haven't been here. it's been fun, but for now, I guess I'm done, unless Toyota comes out with a better Yaris hatch!

[NYC-SE]

Ouch!
And congrats on the new ride.

[dogsridewith]

glad Hal will let me proceed w/ a deployed air bag. Did you drive around like that until the Elantra was ready? Clear reflection of shrubbery in windshield enhances pic of A-pillar damage.

[ern-diz]

Man, I'm always surprised by how well people walk away from accidents in these cars despite what looks like significant damage. Glad that you're happy with the new GT. Someone totaling it for me would be the only way to get me out of my Yaris, too.

[kimona]

Yikes! That's definitely a write-off. You were lucky to come out of it unscathed.

Congrats on the new ride. Hyundai certainly makes good looking cars. Stick around and let us know how it works out for you.

[bentjazz]

Traitor. Just kiddin'. Glad you weren't hurt and good luck with your new Elentra. Looks nice.

[Deathegg]

Originally Posted by dogsridewith

.....Did you drive around like that until the Elantra was ready?

Nope. It just sat in my driveway for a few days until the insurance people came and got it; insurance took care of a rental for me. Insurance took about three weeks to get me my payout. I knew I was interested in the Elantra (I had driven one before, and the Accent hatch didn't interest me), so I requested one from the rental people so I could have a long test drive! :-)