Cortez rides again. I'm back in the saddle.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Cortez rides again. I'm back in the saddle.
As many of you may have heard S2KDude & I picked up my car in Knoxville Saturday. 
Finally, after 11 weeks of intensive care at Tennessee Collision Center (TCC) Esmerelda made it home from Dragonball 2001. 
However, we chose not to run the Dragon on the trip back home. 
I was nervous and anxious about the car since it was being repaired so far away from home. The decision to have it repaired locally rather than towed all the way home to Atlanta from Knoxville was tough. I had no idea what kind of shop TCC is. I relied upon the recommendation of others. But I must admit Tennessee Collision Center exceeded my expectations. S2KDude & I were equally impressed with the shop. It is a sizable center with a lobby that makes you think you are at a car dealer. We were shown the frame machine and given an idea of the quality of work and repair they perform. I have no doubt that they did as fine a job as could be done.
Initial estimates of the damage were approx. $11K. The final total was a little over $16K. Far below being "totaled". But the car rides smooth, handles well, and exhibits no funny stuff (so far...) I need to have my brakes checked, I think there is some air in one of the calipers. The repair did not require breaking any brake lines loose. Considering the extent of the damage it's darn near impossible to even the critical observer that the car has been repaired. Open the hood of course there are telltale signs.
All the Stongard was installed. Pretty decent job. Some moisture around the new Stongard headlight pieces should clear up. The convertible top works flawlessly. Those of you who were on hand to see the car at the wreck may remember it took 5 of us to get the top down because of the twisted frame. No leaks or whistles.
The engine sustained no damage. They did have to replace the radiator as it got cracked. New front left wheel and tire. All the parts are Honda OEM. The only thing I'm missing is my antennae. It's still tied to the "tree of shame" at the bottom of the Dragon run.
I sure hated missing all the fantastic weather during the past 11 weeks and club drives!
Now the weather finally begins to go sour and I will have to wait until spring for top down drives. Maybe not, we'll see.
Kudos to S2KDude for going up with me and driving my WRX back. I got my garage interior painted so Esmerelda has a nice home to reside in. And Elmo and Fester have a hood to sleep on.
Hope to see everyone soon as I'm backkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally, after 11 weeks of intensive care at Tennessee Collision Center (TCC) Esmerelda made it home from Dragonball 2001. However, we chose not to run the Dragon on the trip back home. I was nervous and anxious about the car since it was being repaired so far away from home. The decision to have it repaired locally rather than towed all the way home to Atlanta from Knoxville was tough. I had no idea what kind of shop TCC is. I relied upon the recommendation of others. But I must admit Tennessee Collision Center exceeded my expectations. S2KDude & I were equally impressed with the shop. It is a sizable center with a lobby that makes you think you are at a car dealer. We were shown the frame machine and given an idea of the quality of work and repair they perform. I have no doubt that they did as fine a job as could be done.
Initial estimates of the damage were approx. $11K. The final total was a little over $16K. Far below being "totaled". But the car rides smooth, handles well, and exhibits no funny stuff (so far...) I need to have my brakes checked, I think there is some air in one of the calipers. The repair did not require breaking any brake lines loose. Considering the extent of the damage it's darn near impossible to even the critical observer that the car has been repaired. Open the hood of course there are telltale signs.
All the Stongard was installed. Pretty decent job. Some moisture around the new Stongard headlight pieces should clear up. The convertible top works flawlessly. Those of you who were on hand to see the car at the wreck may remember it took 5 of us to get the top down because of the twisted frame. No leaks or whistles.
The engine sustained no damage. They did have to replace the radiator as it got cracked. New front left wheel and tire. All the parts are Honda OEM. The only thing I'm missing is my antennae. It's still tied to the "tree of shame" at the bottom of the Dragon run.
I sure hated missing all the fantastic weather during the past 11 weeks and club drives!
Now the weather finally begins to go sour and I will have to wait until spring for top down drives. Maybe not, we'll see.Kudos to S2KDude for going up with me and driving my WRX back. I got my garage interior painted so Esmerelda has a nice home to reside in. And Elmo and Fester have a hood to sleep on.
Hope to see everyone soon as I'm backkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,290
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
Cortez, it was my pleasure to help out. Your a great friend and I feel lucky to know you! I finally got a good nights sleep last night and am feeling much better as a result. We missed you at yesterday's club meeting, hope you'll be able to make the next.
I enjoyed driving your WRX, what a great car for Atlanta traffic, plenty of power for lane hopping
.
It was great to see Mack and the crew heading for the Dragon, if the situation was different I'm sure we would have joined them. Glad to be home...
and am feeling much better as a result. We missed you at yesterday's club meeting, hope you'll be able to make the next.I enjoyed driving your WRX, what a great car for Atlanta traffic, plenty of power for lane hopping
.It was great to see Mack and the crew heading for the Dragon, if the situation was different I'm sure we would have joined them. Glad to be home...
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green
You guys should have joined us on Saturday for our run up the Dragon...It was awesome...Only Sumir, Mack and myself were the only S2000's around that day, but it was still a blast...We also had a Prelude with us as well, which was cool...Hope to see you guys in April!
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville, TN
Cortex, I am glad to hear your car is back in good shape.
Even though its a little chilly, it is still a great time to drive in the mountains. The roads are almost empty. I went up to the mountains yesterday morning with a couple of BMW guys. It was a little cold, but I put the top down anyway once I was at Toosy's. It was a blast, very few tourists clogging up the roads. There were quite a few motorcyles yesterday.
Anytime you want to go, either post it or PM me.
Even though its a little chilly, it is still a great time to drive in the mountains. The roads are almost empty. I went up to the mountains yesterday morning with a couple of BMW guys. It was a little cold, but I put the top down anyway once I was at Toosy's. It was a blast, very few tourists clogging up the roads. There were quite a few motorcyles yesterday.
Anytime you want to go, either post it or PM me.
Registered User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceville (Atlanta)
Cortez,
Welcome back. It sounds like TCC did a top notch job on the repairs. I guess time will tell if there will be any "memory" in the frame that will twist out later. Maybe adding an x-brace or other chassis bracing just to ensure that nother "moves around" as you go over the bumps.
Again, welcome back.
Welcome back. It sounds like TCC did a top notch job on the repairs. I guess time will tell if there will be any "memory" in the frame that will twist out later. Maybe adding an x-brace or other chassis bracing just to ensure that nother "moves around" as you go over the bumps.
Again, welcome back.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Thanks everybody. I also wanted to thank Tim & Ha for being willing to go with me although it didn't work out for them this past weekend.
I'm soon going to look into the "diminshed value" Esmerelda has so anyone that has experience going down this road please post your advice. I believe Johnyboy32 and Tms02 have been there before. I need to know how to go about it. TIA!
I'm soon going to look into the "diminshed value" Esmerelda has so anyone that has experience going down this road please post your advice. I believe Johnyboy32 and Tms02 have been there before. I need to know how to go about it. TIA!
