...and then there's the car situation

I finally managed to get an estimate from a body shop for the repair to our car. Now, mind you, I have not seen our mechanic yet. The "check engine" light has been glowing balefully. I suspect that the force of the impact may have damaged the exhaust system. I have been trying to drive as little as possible, and have not gotten on the freeway since the accident.

Would anyone care to guess how much the estimate for the body work was? We drive a 1995 Subaru Legacy station wagon. Nice car. But not new.

Before I tell you, I'll show you what cheered me up after hearing the estimate. These are Wild Urban Parrots, playing on the telephone wires in Berkeley California. I imagine that they are cousins of the famed Parrots of Telegraph Hill in San Francisco, but re-located to the East Bay, because rents are lower and the climate is generally nicer. It was very foggy when I took these photos. Let's pretend that the fact that the pictures are little more than a silhouette is some kind of aesthetic choice, instead of lousy lighting and poor photography, okay?


And the estimate? How does the number $5,452.47 sound?

Comments

Anonymous said…
Holy Moley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ack mmmmphhhhh urgh.

(gasp)

Uh. . . I'm speechless.

Gina
Anonymous said…
There have GOT to be cameras somewhere near that intersection that have the hit-and-run person's license or something on it. Maybe they don't have any insurance, and maybe small claims court would prove more expensive than what you'd get out of it, but it'd be nice to know that the bum has another item on their police record!!

ClioMouse
Lisa said…
Believe me, I had plenty of time to examine the neighborhood while waiting for the cops to arrive. No cameras.

Hit and run accidents must be terribly common, because the Oakland police were about as interested in this case as a barking dog complaint.

Sigh....
Anonymous said…
OK, that seems REALLy steep, since my 1998 VW Jetta car was totalled at $4800! Are they sure that the total $ amount doesn't go over the blue book value of the car?

Holy Cow! I feel for you! I would be crying....

Music Woman
Anonymous said…
Ack! I'm totally speechless about the car estimate - I mean, ouch!

But I do really like your parrots! They made me grin, too! :)

Webfoot
Anonymous said…
I recently had a hit and run in a parking lot altho it was only paint damage. My estimate was a lot lower and my insurance paid for all of it, no deductible b/c I was a "victim" and not in an "accident."
Always get a second opinion on estimates, especially if you're paying for it and ask for a detailed report of what will be fixed, you are completely entitled to that. A bonus is a place willing to insure their work as well.
I don't know what the going price on cars is in California, but it might be worthwhile to see if your car is totaled and/or put that money towards something newer. $5000+ is a lot of money for a car more than 10 years old.
Good luck!
Moonduck
Anonymous said…
Here's me butting in with unasked for advice.

I just did a quick, basic search at the kelley blue book site on your type of car. In excellent condition your car would retail for 4-6K, at least here in Asheville, NC.

You may want to investigate whether you can total it out and get something else. That really is an awful lot to pay for repairs.

I'll go sit quietly now and try not to poke my nose into your business again. :-)

Knit Wit
Anonymous said…
You're all absolutely right. The value of the car is probably about 4,000. This was just an initial estimate from a body shop we were familiar with. The insurance company for lisa's work hasn't been significantly involved yet. We're thinking they'll total the car or offer a settlement. In any event, we're going to be in the market for a new car PDQ.

Popular Posts