Boo Hoo - A Ford Fiesta Hit My Pride And Joy

[maneesh]

It's raining today, I'm driving down the road, turning right at a mini-roundabout, about to leave the roundabout, when bang!

A prat in a ford fiesta van reversed at full speed without looking, since he was blocking a keep clear sign and went smack into my driver's door and wing. He admitted liability and said I was in his blind spot. Is there an excuse for reversing at full speed on a roundabout?

I was only pootling at about 10mph, and he must have been doing at least 15, and he didn't even apply the brakes, just went straight back as if it's a demolition derby!

Oh, well, I consider very us lucky that only the car was damaged but the occupants were ok. My mum, sis and bro were all inside with seatbelts on.

The car absorbed the impact well. The car took most of the impact where the side indicator is. I saw the impact happen (in slow motion) but the car did not move 1 centimetre. Glad I drive such a well designed car.

Garage comes to pick it up for repair tomorrow. I get the choice of a Ford Ka or a Micra 1.0 litre manual 3 door until it is fixed. Yeah, have an accident in your Lex and you get to drive a toy car!!!

[aido]

Sorry to hear about this mate, some of the guys were on about you can insist the car goes to an official dealer - then you would get something better than a Micra (I got a GS300 last time!)

[maneesh]

Really? I'm with Norwich Union. I just assumed you have to go with their approved repairer. Should I call them back and tell them to take the car to Lexus?

[aido]

Can't lose anything mate, might as well give it a try?

Least you've got peace of mind in the work then

[andyhart21]

Sorry to hear about the accident

I would defintely try and get mine done at Lexus. My friend has a brand new MR2 and he had a prang. His insurance company told him to take it to one of its approved garages and it has had to go back 3 times for poor paintwork and panel fit. He is also having warranty issues with Toyota now because of having it repaired at a non Toyota garage.

The way I see it is that you wouldn't take your LS to a Ford or Citroen garage for a service, so why take it to a none Lexus dealer for repairs?

[maneesh]

Aido: You are a true don. Nuff respect!

I called Lexus Edgware Road who said "No probs", we handle everything. They explained to me that they have a company that specialises in like for like courtesy cars for fully comp insured drivers who drive prestige brands. He said either it's gonna be something close to a LS400 (perhaps a new LS430???), or some top of the range Beemer!

Called Norwich Union after that who said, ok that's cool, Lexus are on our list. You can use them instead of the "no brand" garage.

Thanks again. This board is SOOOO useful.

[aido]

Thank the boys in this thread mate:

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...46&hl=insurance

I'm only repeating what they said :P

We couldn't let you drive round in a Micra could we!

[maneesh]

I'd have to rip out the front seats and sit in the back like Hightower did in Police Academy (I'm 6'2"!!!).

[Martin W]

When my GS300 was in for a new nose, after a car park security bollard rose up as I was passing over it, they would only offer me a Polo, and that was with fully comp' ins' via Lexus. They did say I could have one for the other foot though!

Hope your wheels are soon back with you & glad to hear no one was hurt.

[maneesh]

They have told me I can't get another Lexus as a courtesy car, it's gonna be a Rover 75. Well, it's not a courtesy car, apparently I have to enter a credit hire agreement and claim the money back via solicitors.

[amolkarnik]

Sorry to hear mate. Hope its sorted out quickly.

[maneesh]

Well, the recovery truck took my baby away today!

One hour later, the "like for like" car was delivered. A 2003 BMW 318Ci manual gearbox in silver with alloys wearing bridgestone tyres.

They did offer a IS200 manual, but they couldn't deliver until much later. I've driven an IS200 before, so the Beemer is a new experience. Apparently, because my car is older than 10 years old, it's only called sub-prestige. Hence, no new LS430 today!

Right, I realise car technology has moved on a lot since my car was made, BUT the beemer is not my cup of tea at all. I've become SO used to my old car that I noticed immediately:

1. A very light clutch, that bites almost as soon as you release (I stalled 5 times driving down my road!!!)..Yes, I did pass my test on a manual!

2. Engine that revs freely to just over 6,000rpm.

3. Not much torque low down, needs a heavy right foot

4. Good grip and roadhandling, but ride is awful. Every single bump gets transmitted to the steering wheel and cabin. Fun for 5 minutes, boring when trying to cruise home after a tiring day.

5. Can't find a good driving position. I had same problem in Audi TT, where I get neckache after about 30 mins of driving.

6. Seemed to attract unwanted attention at traffic lights (now everyone wants to race)..

The hire company couldn't give me an Auto today, but might have one tomorrow. I think I'm going to push for them to get a IS200 SE Auto in black with 19 inch alloys ;-)

I just realised how lucky I have been to drive my LS400 for the past 6 years.

[chips229]

Sorry to here about your car getting damaged maneesh.

Hope that you get it back soon.

good luck

[paulydude]

Dude,

:yack: So sorry to hear ya baby`s not well.

Puts a big knot in your stomach when it happens! Tell ya what though, when you get it back you will appreciate it even more. You don`t realise what you have until you lose it for a while.

Hope all goes well mate.

[maneesh]

Thanks guys for your messages of support! Lexus have had the car for over a day now, and no news of whether it's going to be repaired or not. Oh well!

The beemer is a strange car, I think that other drivers must reckon I'm a BMW driving prat since nobody gives me way or lets me sneak into gaps.

With my LS400, people probably took pity on me thinking I was borrowing my grandad's car!!!!

[maneesh]

an update. My car is still in the Lexus bodyshop. They have not called once since the car was recovered to tell me what was going on. They never return my calls. Disgusting!

Anyway, the insurers call to ask me how the repair is going. I say, I don't know!

So insurers call the bodyshop then call me back to say repair approved, it's costing £2,500 (for one wing and one door!!!). Piccie of damage coming soon.

Car should be ready in another week and a half (it's been one week already).

In the meantime, I get to drive the beemer. I must say I'm getting used to the steptronic box. In normal mode, it's a milk float, in sports mode, it's much crisper, and in manual change mode, it's awesome. However, since it seems to spin all the way round to 6,500rpm, with little thrust until you are over 3500rpm, I'm getting around 22-23mpg driving around town. Still slower than the LS though.

For a comparison, has anyone driven the 7-series with steptronic box? Does it behave the same as the 3-series, or is it more relaxing because of the torque?

I'm shocked it's only a bit less fuel consumption than my old LS400 which spends most of it's life under 2,500rpm.

I miss my baby....

[ColinBarber]

it's costing £2,500

:o Luckly they didn't write it off.

[maneesh]

it's costing £2,500

:o Luckly they didn't write it off.

Yes, lucky indeed.

How do these things work? Do they write it off when the repair is 100% or more of the car's value? Or do they write it off when the cost of the repair is say, 80% or more of tha car's value?

According to Parkers (it's the only guide I have), my car should be worth 3,300. However, since Parkers undervalues cars, mine is closer to 3,500?

[SHAHZ]

How do these things work? Do they write it off when the repair is 100% or more of the car's value?

Normally when repair will cost more than the value of the car but they would probably still write it off at 100%

[Chris Skelton]

:winky: Well, the only surprise is....that you let the van driver live! I carry a big stick-well, a herb gathering scythe actually- in my car. But have yet to get to slice anyone's head off with it yet, thank ***! (It's just the thought of seeing someone's face if I emerged from a prang irate and carrying this strange curved evil looking weapon! TEE hee! Life should be theatre some times.

Should we be setting up a 'Don't prang Lexus' vigilante group to visit mayhem on anyone who dares to prang our lovely cars?

[maneesh]

Yes, the bizarre thing was that I was incredibly calm after the accident. I thought what's the point of going off on one, the accident has already happened, just have to make sure nobody is hurt and exchange details. Maybe I'm getting old!

[maneesh]

Check the latest out. Lexus Edgware road bodyshop took 3 weeks to repair the car, and even then they haven't fixed it properly (badly fitting new panels), so I sent it back to get it done properly!

Whilst I was talking to them they told me the final invoice was £3,000 to replace the wing and driver's door! Eh, and Norwich Union have approved the repair!

How much is my car worth then? So, the bodyshop dude asked the Lexus sales team, who laughed and said as a part-ex, the car is worth £1,750. They then explained that their part-ex values are very low, and privately they reckon £3,500-£4,000.

Go figure!

[Claire G]

I'm surprised you've had so many probs with Lexus Edgware Road, when they did the bodywork on my IS200 after a coming together with a lorry, I really rated them. I was dealing with a lady called Michelle who seemed to coordinate everything.

Hope it's all ok now for you though

[maneesh]

I'm dealing with someone called Ross - customer service doesn't seem their top priority. They are working on bank holiday monday to fix it. Fingers crossed they are awake when making the adjustments!

[flotsam]

it's costing £2,500

:o Luckly they didn't write it off.

Yes, lucky indeed.

How do these things work? Do they write it off when the repair is 100% or more of the car's value? Or do they write it off when the cost of the repair is say, 80% or more of tha car's value?

According to Parkers (it's the only guide I have), my car should be worth 3,300. However, since Parkers undervalues cars, mine is closer to 3,500?

I've heard that should the seat belt tensioners or the airbags go off, then it costs a small fortune to replace them and often they write off brand new cars up to about £30,000 in price if this happens.