Wednesday I dropped my car off at the local stealership because when the car was stone cold on start up the coolant light came on and I could hear the fan running full speed.I also could hear the clicking of what sounded like a loose relay.So since i have the maximum care extended warranty I decided to take it in and have them do the work instead of me trying to fix it myself .I got a call that same day at 4 pm from the service manager telling me they had bad news,that the mechanic was out "road testing" my car and he was hit by another car.they insisted it was the other guys fault and they sent me some pics they took and an initial estimate of the damage.I was told it was a woman who ran a red light and the car was driveable etc. Yesterday when I went there to check it out in person I see the impact was to the passenger side door and rear qp and the rear tire took a hell of a shot,it was cambered way in at the top and toed out.I also find out it was not a woman but a man that hit him and the report was from the state police so it happened on the highway.After looking at the damage to the wheel I told the service person that was with me no way the car should have been driven,especially not on the highway considering what I brought it in for and that it shows serious bad judgement to drive it with the wheel and suspension the way it was.Also i was told they haven't put it up on a lift to see the underside,that the estimate was given by a mechanic that looked at it just as we were.I haven't heard anything from an adjuster and I called progressive insurance and there is no record of a claim.Progressive was the supposed guilty parties insurance.So so far I've been lied to a couple times and they gave me a pos jeep patriot as a loaner.Anyone had anything like this happen to them any advice would be greatly appreciated .

 

one word : LAWYER

 

I had to read that at least twice before i could get my jaw to un-drop. Wow......+1 for the legal action suggestion. Just wow.

 

I wish I could say that it was unbelievable, but this behavior by stealerships is getting to be too common, especially when they want to joy ride someone elses car that has babied its whole life by a meticulous owner.

Good luck with this, unfortunately I think you need to seek counsel as well.

Edit: Don't be surprised if they total the car with that body damage and the possible suspension/frame damage.

 

I'm thinking a lawyer is the only way I'm going to come out of this anywhere near even.The estimate they sent me included replacement parts to the rear suspension.Knuckle,wheel hub,suspension links etc.This was all quoted without actually looking at the car on the lift.The dent and paint work to me looks minimal really and the quote was over $5600.My concern is of course something bent that can't be straightened and the fact that if it hit the wheel that hard to destroy the knuckle and links then the axle shaft has to be damaged and who knows what it did to the differential only time will tell.

 

Wow that would be a hit in the stomach for any car guy!
It would be hard for me to allow anyone near my car other then myself, knowing that a service tech is going to take it for a joy ride. And they shure do, after road testing whimpy econoboxes, they will do anything to get behind the wheel of a car with real power.

Hope it turns out good with no downside on your end. If the car is written off, make sure you get them to pay for a replacment srt-6 in as good or better condition.

Also fight to make sure the dealer gives you a 2013 viper for your pain and suffering as well. That should equal everything out.

 

HS!
So sorry this happened to you. I know it will work out but what a PITA!

From now on when I bring her into any shop, I'm writing down the exact milage and informing the service writer as such.

I'll bet JOY RIDES happen all the time...especially at stealerships.

 

Its suspicious to me where the car was hit. Right in the blind spot that anyone that drives this car knows very well. If I were to bet on this. The tech driving the car changed lanes right into someone .Now to find a lawyer you can trust.That will be the hard part.

 

And paid off the highway patrol man to write the report I'll betcha!

Sorry to hear your girl got nailed like that.. I do hope you can get a lawyer and maybe teach them to be more responsible in handling customers cars. Had my Miata detailed back when at a dealership... could have sworn it had over 60 miles extra when I picked it back up! And they had just finished (if you call it that) with the detail 9 hours after dropping it off to them with an appointment made previously in the week.

 

Why is it everyone immediately says "lawyer" ? You are an intelligent guy and the dealership has nothing to gain by treating you unfairly other than obtaining a bad rap. They have insurance for such matters and I'm sure they will either get your vehicle bacle to pre accident condition or replace the vehicle with like or better. Cooler heads prevail....sure it's a bummer, but no one was hurt!

 

I'm playing it cool for the time being to see how this plays out.The things I think that bother me the most are the fact the guy was obviously taking it for a joy ride and then drove it after the accident rather than have it towed.When I saw the damage I thought the same exact thing ..blindspot.I consider myself an excellent driver and until I got accustomed to driving the car I know there were at least a half a dozen times I nearly wiped someone out that was in my blind spot.

 

I keep thinking of Ferris Bueller and that Red Ferrari.Sorry I know its not funny But !. I do agree you should talk to the gm at the dealer first.Tell him what would make you happy ,and most important make you go away.Then go to a Lawyer as a last resort.

 

I don't know, I would think it would be better if you visited the GM with your lawyer .....
( but maybe I'm lucky, my lawyer is a friend of mine, impossible as that might seem )

 

How much is an "accident" label on your carfax report worth on your resale even if they fixed it back "like new". When I look on Ebay and see salvage or rebuildable title that's as far as I look.. and that's just browsing prices and "value" on mileage.

 

I would go and talk to a lawyer just to get an idea of what legal rights you have and what they think you should get out of the dealership for having to deal with this crap. Most lawyers will give you a couple minutes worth of advise over the phone (at least in my area) to give you a general idea of your rights. They might suggest you stop in and speak with them in detail about the situation. I wouldn't hesitate to go in and talk, always better to be fully informed of what you can get for your troubles than to be talked into taking crap from the dealer.
Once you know what you are up against, I would have a long sit down with the owner of the dealership to give him a chance to fully rectify the situation. Inform him you have spoken with a lawyer and you know your rights from the get-go, just so he knows you came to the party armed and won't try to screw you over.
Sorry for your troubles.

 

Is this the white roadster in Reykjavik. Good advice in one country might not apply in another.

 

you have a police report that gives you details of the accident and the insurance info. If someone lied about the insurance, contact the reporting officer. Charges can be filed for their little lie. As for the dealership, they should have their tech insured for such things, but it will be your insurance company who will take care of that, and their attorney. That is why you have insurance. This old cop has seen a lot worse...

 

That suck to have that happen...I'm willing to bet it might get totalled...My passenger rear axle got twisted in a rear end collision...I work at a dealership and I can tell you joy rides are not the norm...Most techs don't even like test driving cars because it takes time away from working...With that said, there are some idiots out there...Legally they are supposed to document the miles in and out...

 

You need to hire a lawyer. With this on your car's record, you will be the victim of DIMINISHED VALUE if and when you decide to sell your car. DIMINISHED VALUE can only be calculated by the court (assuming you can't come to a reasonable accomodation with the dealership). You also have the loss of use and your time and trouble for having to deal with the problems caused by either the dealership or the alleged person who ran into your car. Don't settle with either the dealership or the other person's insurance company unless and until you collect for your entire loss.

 

I think I'm going to talk to a lawyer to try and get an idea as to what I should expect as compensation but I'm going to try and have a play nice attitude toward the dealership at this point and give them the chance to do the right thing.I have looked into a diminished value claim which I am definitely going to pursue.my Srt6 has just under 45k on it and I told myself to write the exact mileage down when I dropped it off but of course I forgot bah.I'm really hoping this doesn't turn nasty and require a lawyer.