I am still getting over the innitial shock of things, but Alana and I are OK. Thanks to everyone who stopped to help. I hope I didn't ruin the rest of your day.

I am still trying to piece together what happened. It all went so fast niether of us really got a good look. I was comming into a corner (not very fast believe it or not) and we both remember hearing gravel...a lot of it. I felt the car heading to the right (down the cliff side) and I overreacted turning to the left. Next thig we remember is sitting back up on the road. We had spun around, hit the embankment on the oppisite side backwards and bounced onto the wrong side of the road facing the right direction.

The car is in pretty bad shape. Most of the damage is on the passenger side and is underneath. The front and rear suspesion are trashed, probably the diff. and the front is tweaked enough the the engine is kattywumpus (you can tell from the hoses that popped off and would not go back on). Even with all that, the car held up pretty well. No intrusion into the passenger compartment and the top even went up without a problem. Alana's father works at a bodyshop in Buckhead. They speciallize in exotic cars, so I am confident my crumpled stook is in good hands.

I think John Bucy has some pics of the scene. Perhaps he will put them up as a remeinder to be carefull out there. I am hoping the stook is fixable...I have not given up on driving a roadster. I will join you as soon as she has all 4 wheels again.

 

Hey Johnny,
Sorry to hear about your events.
I would suggest holding off on any picutre or movie posting until you have
the legal ramifications resolved.

Todd

 

Yeah!!!! don't post anything that you might regret....this is what I think....hopefully the insurance company come back and say sorry...your car is a total lost....so this way you could get another new one....given if the insurance give you MSRP for your car.

 

Johnyboy32, we're all sad about the damage that happened to your S. I really wish there was something we could do.

We did not want to stay around the scene too long as there was nothing we could really do and did not want to block traffic by having more people standing around gawking. We were able to catch up with the rest of the crowd in Helen and had some lunch.

The rest of the day/evening was good. While we discussed the events of the day, we tried not to let them dampen our spirits. We had a very good dinner at Sangria's, we wished you were there. Mark, the owner, was very enthusiastic of and reserved parking and tables for the group. He even suprised us with dessert for the table!

I'll post pictures of everything (except your event) soon.

 

Again, thanks. The Bucy's stayed with us for a good hour. That was all we needed until the police and flatbed got there. Not sure about the total loss thing...I want MY S back. A new one would do, but somehow I don't think state farm will be quite that generous. Besides I kindof feel like I owe the car something since I f****** her up so bad. Daily washings for a year or something like that.

I'm glad to hear you finished out the night. I hate being the party pooper.

A fairly wise man recently told me something appropriate for this (you know who you are)...

If you can afford to break it, don't play with it.

 

Sorry to hear about your accident. I recently had one that sounds like the damage was not as extensive as yours. I took it to a body shop I knew had a good reputation and they initially estimated repairs at $14K. However, once they put it up on the hoist and got a look at the rear end and suspension, their estimate jumped to $22K and they said it needed to go to a Honda dealer that had a body shop because there was more to do than they suspected.

My Farmers claim agent talked to them, went over to look at the car, then called me back to recommend that it be totalled if he could get it okayed. I know from the past experience of friends that a car which has been seriously damaged in an accident is never the same, no matter how good the repair, so I readily agreed. Farmers gave me a fair (perhaps even generous) check for $33,748 plus state sales tax and a partial refund on DMV fees for a total of $35708.85 after my $500 deductible, which I expect will be returned to me once they finish suing the insurer of the guy who was at fault.

I, in the meantime, got Priceline.com to find me a new 2001 silver/black at MSRP (32,740) which I'm going to pick up Tuesday. I lost some money on the deal because I paid a LOT more than MSRP for my first s2k, but in another sense I gained more than I lost.

Believe me, with the extent of the damage you've described, I doubt if you will ever be happy with that car once it's repaired. On the other hand, with a little luck and a cooperative insurer, you can probably wind up in pretty good shape. I strongly recommend that you push for totalling the car if that becomes an option.

In any case, good luck.

cal

 

I HATE that this happened and we were already gone.
We pulled over and waited (Thanks to Keith) and tried to reach anyone on the radio but did not know this had happened!
I am glad you both were not hurt. I am guessing you had some good video before this happened and we all enjoyed the run (again BEFORE this happened)
Wish we had known how to reach you and/or reach someone in that group.
[S2KDUDE, GET A CELL PHONE!]

Keep in touch on what happens with the car!


"General"

 

Mike,

Our cell phones didn't work up there. The police had to radio for a wrecker. I should find out about the car in a day or 2.

Thanks for the concern...from everyone. It has helped a lot.

 

JB32, Tough break on the skid, man. Glad you two are OK! We had a good run. Like the others I would SERIOUSLY recommend infuencing your Insurace to total the vehicle. No body shop can bring a high speed sports car back from offset collision and/or frame damage. It may run OK at city speeds, but back on the track you will regret fighting to save it. Get one of the 2002s in a new color like Lucky Wendy.

I do want to snake a copy of that video on the side ASAP. Can you make and mail a copy? You guys were right behind me for some cool scenery...

 

Johnnyboy,
The most important thing is that you two are ok. It was definitely not a good sight coming around the corner to see you facing oncoming traffic.

I drove a little slower afterwards going to Helen and catching up with the rest of the crew.

Keep us up to date on what happens and we hope to see you again soon.

Cheers