Crashed :-(

[Peerzy]

First off me and my passenger are fine bar being a bit shaken up.

Drove from Guildford to Portsmouth last night to visit a uni friend, the A3 was perfectly fine, was just coming off the A3 onto that motorway that goes into Portsmouth by the big sails (M275 possibly or something like that? M257....), didn't see a lump of frozen snow/ice on the road and it hit my rear drivers side wheel.

Sent me fishtailing all over the place, I hit the snow/ice at about 55MPH/60MPH, tried my best to control the car but obviously it was no use. Hit the barrier with the front drivers side of the car, sent us spinning and ended up with the rear drivers side planted in the barrier about 30-40ft away.

Think I was doing about 40MPH by the time I first made contact with the barrier.

No air bags went off, engine refused to start the first time I tried to turn the key, but then pumped the gas and it came on fine. A couple of people got out, helped me move the car so it was only just on the slip road into some snow and called the police.

Was waiting for the police, turned round and there's a Renault Megane spinning towards us, turns out she'd done the same thing and ended up about 5ft away from where I crashed. She was a 22 year old women, she got out totally shaken up and came over and said sorry she must have hit me and knocked me off the road. It took ages to convince her I'd been here for 10 minutes.

Police came, took details said they wern't going to investigate anything and helped me out the snow. Car feels and drives fine, tracking seems to still be in and the damage appears to just be cosmetic. I'm amazed at how well the car held out and inside there is no hint of it being in a crash.

Drove it home this morning and everything seems fine apart from obviously the panel damage.

Only got crappy phone pictures for now as the passenger took the proper ones on her digital camera.

I've got the worlds biggest excess (£1400) so I'm going to see if I can pull in a favour or two and get it done without going through insurance as I was looking to replace the car in the next 6 months anyway.

Damage could have been a lot worse thinking about it.

 

[Peerzy]

Yeah all I know was I was doing 55-60 when I hit the ice.

I spun it a few times before hitting the barrier and a few more times before finally finishing off.

No damage to doors as all. All the damage is in the photos.

 

[Peerzy]

Glad everyone's ok, did someone go and remove the offending ice?

But on another note... DUDE...


My insurance at 21 with 0NCB was less than that!!!

Yeah Police moved the chunk off the road, was about the size of an adult head after the two cars hitting it!

I decided to have the massive excess to keep the premium down.

 

[Peerzy]

Sorry to hear about the accident. Looks like it might dent the wallet a bit

I've got to ask though....why in God's name did you have a £1400 excess?!

Cut my premium from £700~ to £480.

That sucks... but any day you walk away from a potentially fatal crash unhurt is a good day.

Yeah, the other side of the barrier we hit is a direct drop into the Pompy sea

 

[Peerzy]

You don't anticipate using it though do you ?

Not really, I spoke to a few people and basically decided I'd rather take the risk. I've lost but it's not the end of the world. It's a £1000 excess with £400 extra for being an under 21 driver. TBH I'll live and it's not the end of the world. It was either this excess or £500 + £400 for being under 21 and it would cost £200~ more.

Of course it did, because look what it's going to save your insurer now! Absolute madness to save a few quid, absolutely mad.

It's an insurance, you don't plan on using it. It's a gamble that I took. To get the quote down by the same amount I'd probably do it again.

The A3 has been notorious all week, tough break, but it's taken out a lot of cars in the last few days. You wouldn't be catching me on it until it thawed out. Glad to hear everyone is fine though.

Yeah, there were a few cars ditched into the snow on the way down but the road seemed fine, the M275 was a lot worse.

Very unlucky, car held out very well. If that was me in my little box of hate I dread what would happen.

Yeah, I never really bothered looking at NCAP ratings and stuff but it didn't feel like a crash. I expected it to feel much worse, just felt like being on a slow but jolty rollercoaster tbh.

There is no way thats getting repaired for under £1400.

You've damaged the most difficult panel to replace on the entire car bar the roof - lots of labour and lots of work to replace the rear quarter panel, also needs a new bumper, repairs to the tailgate and thats before you get to the front.

Still, insuring that 330Ci will be fun now with a claim

Yup, it's annoying that I managed to get 3 panels on the rear but oh well. A friends dad owns a garage that does repairs so he's going to look at it on Monday. I recon it's about £2.5k's worth of damage so hopefully get it done a bit cheaper and stay away from claiming on the insurance. I've been saving for a new car anyway so i have the money and it's an expensive mistake. Just means I'll wait a few more months before getting a new car. Not the end of the world.

I take it you glanced the barrier. I've hit a barrier at a high speed without doing a huge amount of damage by sliding along it. Was a long time ago though.

Yeah, spun glanced the barrier with the front, span back into the road and ended up planting the rear into the barrier. Could have been soooo much worst tbh.

Glad you're OK. What new are you thinking of getting btw?

I've been looking around. I have no real requirements, it doesn't need a certain number of seats or to be pratical. I've driven a few cars and was going to make a thread in a few weeks when I've evalutated everything. Of the stuff I've driven I've been drawn to a S2000 for about £9K, a 335i for about £23k or a 4.6l Mustang for about £16k. Obviouslly it's a stupidly weird list of different cars and all three are totally different. I was leaning towards a S2000 for a couple of years before moving onto a BMW.

It wouldn't surprise me if that rear quarter can be pulled out and filled.

Get a quote before you go claiming.

Yeah, I've not spoken to my insurance company yet. I'd rather stay away as it would ruin my chance of getting something decent this year. Got a few friends who have family who own or work at bodyshops and garages so going to speak to them and check out things first.

You should have just kept the girl believing she had hit you and claim on her insurance...

Obviously I am kidding!

TBH I just wanted to make sure she was okay, she was in such a state it was more of a concern that she hasn't hurt herself or wasn't going to hyperventalate (sp?) or something!

Least you'll know not to drive so fast in this weather next time.

The A3 was perfectly fine all the way down, I did about 60MPH all the way down and was constantly overtaken by people doing 80MPH+ in bigger cars.

Yeah sounds like BS to me

Personally I wouldnt be doing 60mph on any road in these conditions anyway.

It was right on the exit of the A3 onto the M275, basically both lanes were clear and I was moving from the second lane to the first lane. The block of ice/snow was pretty much on the lines in the middle of the motorway.

The rest of the journey went without an issue and 60MPH felt more than safe.

 

[Peerzy]

Why do you guys love the mustang so much, in standard form its a pretty crappy car. Typical us build quaility and the ford modular v8 isn't detroits finest hour.

who cares about build quality when you have the exhuaust note of an american muscle car V8.

Granted its not quite the same as the old GM big blocks etc.. but its still tons better than the euro stuff.

Plus the mustang has a a certain cool about it, a certain x factor. Its a looker, its very rare over here, and its got prescence.

yes as standard the handling isnt great, but because the americans love them so much, it means theres a massive tuning market so you can set the thing up how you like. Look at what gibbo has achieved with off the shelf parts, you can easily make it handle without spending the earth.

I guess the reason we all love mustangs here is that we've all seen first hand what can be done with one after being in Gibbos heavily tuned saleen supercharged one.

+1 pretty much that.

Plenty of 20/21 year olds are going to have Golf GTi's, Type R's, 3 series' etc.... how many have a Mustang!

It's not the best interior but it's a purchase with your heart more than your head I'd imagine. My dad had a few in America (back in the late 60's and early 70's) and one in the UK before he died so it's always been an ambition of mine to own one.

A friend is going to have a look at the Bravo tomorrow and I'll be getting a quote!

 

[Peerzy]

Common sense may eventually have come into the equation somewhere as well

The people who got out had all left by the time the women came skidding towards us, but either way it was freezing, dark and she was bricking herself the last thing on anybodys mind should have been how do I get out of paying.

As long as all the damage is repaired completly and is safe I don't see any issue with not going through insurance if it works out cheaper in the long run for me (considering future plans with cars etc...).

I had a friend have a quick lookover and apart from the smashed headlight glass (the headlight still works fine) he said it isn't unsafe at all and looked like it was all cosmetic.

 

[Peerzy]

You'll have to tell your insurance because you are also responsible for repairing the damaged armco you hit, and that's not cheap

I asked the bobby who turned up and he said I wouldn't be responsible for repairing it, I explained because of my massive excess I'd look at getting it done privately which obviously made him check my insurance details and everything.

He said the same thing to the women. Just off to get quotes now, going to go to my friend and then to my local Fiat to compare prices.

 

[Peerzy]

I'll phone them up and see, the problem was me and the women both hit the barrier at pretty much the same place and neither her nor me could tell the police officer what damage we had done.

Just got back from getting quotes, the friend has said about £350-£400 for parts (rear bumper and headlight) and about £1000 in labour to repair the rest.

Went to Fiat and they don't do bodywork but phoned a guy who came down, had a look, took my details and said he'd email me a quote.

I'll be quite happy if it comes in at £1350 total!

Oh and organised a test drive for a 335ci on Sunday

 

[Peerzy]

What about the boot, rear wing and front bumper?

EDIT: Might be a stupid question, but how can you afford to be looking at 335ci's but you couldn't afford the extra £200 on insurance to reduce your excess?

He thought they could all be repaired (included in labour cost). The boot is a tiny bit, checked for any structual damage, suspension and everything and he said it's fine and all just cosmetic.

He said the front bumper should repair and respray fine, but he could replace or get a second hand one if I wanted so he's checking out prices.

I could afford the extra £200 on the insurance, I gambled that I wouldn't need it and went for a big excess to cut the premium.

 

[Peerzy]

Insuring a Punto with a 1400 excess then crashing it is not the actions of a 21 year old who can afford to buy and run a 20 grand 300bhp BMW. Sounds like a financial disaster waiting in the wings. Thought you were a student anyway?

It wasn't a Punto

I'd rather not get into a what I can and can't afford to buy/run in this thread, I'll make a new thread when I'm coming to the point of buying.

I am a student, however I'm currently on my placement year so working and do have the funds and wouldn't even consider financing a car.

 

[Peerzy]

Did you get a placement as CEO of IBM? Why waste your time going to uni if you have already been sucessful enough to earn 25k to buy and run a car like that. I swear half this forum has its head in the clouds. If you actually have that sort of cash in the bank it makes your insurance saving plan of fail even more mind boggling.

I did have an interview at IBM, not for the CEO though! I've not earnt £25k in the last year to buy a car. As I explained when I purchased my last car I had more money tucked away for future things anyway, plus I get 'paid' to go to University.

As for the insurance, it was a £1000 excess (young with mods) and £700~ premium or £1400 excess and £480~ premium. Having already owned the car for a year and not had any trouble keeping it on the road I took the risk.

Obviously this is a forum of motoring enthusiasts but the huge rush to get into the most expensive metal possible does seem to be getting a bit extreme.

There is plenty of time to buy into expensive metal once you have the well paid job, nice house etc. in the mean time there are stacks of cars out there that are great to own and drive for a fraction of the cost.

I've got seperate money aside for property. Although I do agree with the whole jump into the most powerful expensive thing isn't a good idea and although I could afford my 'dream' car (Mustang 4.8l GT) I'm thinking I'd rather get something cheaper but still fun now while I can still enjoy it (Honda S2000).

 

[Peerzy]

So you get paid to go to Uni, have 20k set aside for a flash car *and* enough money aside to buy a property?

All within 3 years of being proper working age?

Cash in transit robbery?

Being so wealthy the mind boggles at the steps you took to save a paltry 200 quid.

I don't have enough to buy property, but there is some set aside for a house deposit etc....

Not all money is acquired through working (unfortunatly in my case).

There is no point wasting money, I felt confident enough that I wouldn't crash my car, it was £200 saved by risking £400. Not the end of the world and I gamble worth taking.

I appreciate the 3rd degree but I won't be answering any more questions untill I make a 'New car' thread, cheers.

 

[Peerzy]

Good god. Are you seriously considering buying and running a 335ci? I feel when your buying thread comes around, it'll go the same way as the thread you made when you were utterly convinced that the Bravo was the best car on the road and it was a good idea to spend 11k(?) on one.

£8k was spent, I originally wanted a bog standard Punto and ended up with the top end Bravo with the best engine and £3k to spare.

Peerzy - You're not on the Fiat Forum by any chance are you?

Yeah, but hardly ever post.

The amusing thing was that it was full of people telling him to spend a bit less on something a bit more interesting like a 330Ci and he kept telling us he didnt like that sort of car. Now he likes it enough to drop £20k he managed to amass before even starting Uni (at the age of what 18) on one

Doubtful we'll get the usual OMG ITS HIS CASH crew but some people really do set themselves up...

I did actually want (and looked at) a Mondeo ST but at the time wanted a smaller hatchback. I also didn't want to jump straight into RWD and uber powerful, which is one of the reasons why I'm sure I won't end up gettign a 335i but will settle for something far cheaper.

I really can't be bothered to continue explaining how I've amassed money, all anyone needs to know is what funds I have set aside for a car, and that they were gained legally - which they were. Some have been earnt, some has been given and some I enherrited.

I welcome the anti spend £20k on a car group as at the end of the car I want to make sure I don't make a mistake.

What's the point anymore, waste of time.

There is a point, you were at one stage going to end up with a 2 seat sports car and ended up with a luxobarge that you're very happy with!

Seems a bit weird trying to save £200, then spending probably double that on your remap, speaking of which, given the ludicrous excess, that must've added a fair whack to the premium? Mods have never been cheap for me to add to my insurance for some reason!

Map & induction added very little (£100~ish) on my previous insurance when I added them. No idea how much it added this time as I didn't do any quotes without the mods.

this thread makes me laugh

To OP. How have you, by the tender age of 21, managed to acquire enough money to splash 20k on a car and have enough to put a deposit down on property?

Also seems like an insane excess to have if you have 40k or so sitting in the bank

I have money aside for property, never have I said I could wack down a £15k deposit tomorrow.

Without any no claims bonus, having a crash on your record (if you do claim that is) and being 21, I can safely say you wont be having any major insurance savings schemes on an S2000

This is why I'm going to do all I can to not claim, I don't mind about the car I just don't want to ruin my ability to get something quicker in the near future.

There is tight and there is financially reckless.

Insuring a £10,000 car with a £1400 excess to save £200 is the latter not the former

I wish my car was worth £10k, it was worth £2k less than that over a year ago! It's saving £200, but only gambling £400, so really I've only lost out on an extra £200 because the excess was high with me being young and mods.

 

[Peerzy]

The damage;



Look about right? That's not including £600~ for parts he said and VAT. I've got a friend who's going to do the whole lot for just under £1500 + VAT though.