Hello everyone,
Well I drove a MINI about a month ago and was really considering buying one. However, I couldn't part with my Celica that I've had for the past 5 years now. Well all that changed this past saturday thanks to the idiotic driving skills of the people here in Maryland. Anyway, I was hit by this idiot lady who made an illegal left turn on to a street with opposing traffic while also not yielding to on coming traffic( aka the silver Celica that was clearly right in front of her and had the right of way). Needless to say, it doesn't look good (see picture). I'm really hoping it's totaled since she hit my car directly on the wheel, and i am quite sure it's not going to drive the same. I am just glad that me and my girlfriend were not hurt, and who knows maybe this will lead to me being a future MINI owner.

 

From one Marylander to another, hope all goes well with your insurance claim. Hopefully I'll see you in a MINI sometime soon.

 

"...thanks to the idiotic driving skills of the people here in Maryland..."

Sorry for your loss, and good thing that you are safe.

However it is idiotic to include all people of Maryland based on one single experience. Bad drivers are everywhere, your statement is rather irrational, but i understand the anger and frustration.

 

Doesn't look like a total to me.

 

I don't know, I drive all around Maryland, stupidity seems to be the norm on the roads here.

 

I see a MINI in your future, grass-hopper...it is your destiny...

 

I'm inclined to agree with BensMini; it's going to be a pricey repair, but probably not totalled. You've got sheet metal damage to the quarter panel, the hood and the door... nose may or may not be salvagable (depends on if any of the plastic we can't see has snapped).

Probably the only way this is totalled is if the frame and/or suspension up front has been compromised, but looking at the extent of the sheet metal damage, I don't think it was hard enough of a hit to do that kind of damage.

Also note, if you do decide to let this prompt you into making the move to a Mini, do your best to sell the Celica yourself. Accidents show on CarFax, so your trade-in value just took a hit (figuratively and literally).

 

I tend to agree with BensMini & Jtbrown! My friend's car was worse than that a few years back, front on both sides pretty well crunched in. Was repaired without much trouble (As I recall engine was surprisingly intact), I think her insurance went up a bit (although wasn't her fault). But hey! If this is the catalyst/incentive to get you into a MINI, I'll go along with it (it's something I would totally do)! So, er...yep, it's a goner, go with the MINI! Now then, first question, what color shall you choose? Better yet, with what mods to start? See, you can feel the excitement.

 

yep...turn it into something good

 

Biggest issue with that repair is that the wheel/suspension may be damaged. You may have all sorts of things behind the wheel. Either way, make the leap and join the MINI cult!!!

Also - I live in Maryland too and people here SUCK at driving. I've never seen as many people who think the rules apply to someone else. Point in question - HOV lane on I-270 is probably 30-40% 1 person cars some days.

Where in MD are you OP? And where are you too Darwinian? You got B-more and the 270 corridor represented

 

There can be countless (Well maybe not countless) things that need repair, being hit on the wheel.

I remember a friend of mine had to tow someone out who was stuck in the winter up here, it was on a fairly new cavalier, he hooked the car up using the recommended attachment points, didnt get more then a couple of feet before they heard a crack from underneath-seems the frame (what little some new cars have) cracked. So just sayin, there can be a multitude of issues under there. Cars just arent made the way they used to be.

 

People are people, bad drivers are everywhere, it's not a Maryland issue. I used to live in NYC region, go figure. But the guy tried to make it sound like a Maryland thing, it is not. Bad drivers are simply everywhere, sometimes we are unlucky to bump into one or two, other times we don't, location is irrelevant.

The HOV lanes on I-270 for multiple-person cars only have a few hours of time frame. For I-270 South, it is in the morning between 6-9 and I-270 North between 3.5-6.5 (I might be off on the numbers). Any other time one-person cars technically can drive on the HOV. I usually drive on the slowest lane. I am in Frederick, Columbia, and Baltimore.

 

Those celica's aren't worth a ton used (nothing against hte car, just the market). I'd say you've got a 50/50 shot of that being totalled.

 

Let me rephrase, the DMV area seems to have a disproportionate amount of drivers who either a) are completely jackasses who swear they own the road or b) drivers who are either too afraid to drive or are completely ignorant of signs and signals or c) both. I too am from NYC (Manhattan) and frequently make the drive up and down 95 to visit friends. Granted NYC has a whole other bread of drivers (I swear all cabbies are on crack) but I come to expect that cuz I mean it's NYC what else would you expect. But it seems like every time when I am coming back home, as soon as I hit the Montgomery county line, the ridiculousness begins. The entire 200+ mile drive from NYC will be completely uneventful until I hit MoCounty. I've seen so many devastating accidents on 270 (probably the longest straightest road in MD). Matter of fact the place I took the picture above had a car the was completely unrecognizable, the damn driver (drunk by the way) managed to get the guard rail impaled through the middle of it. Anyways my theory is that this area has way to many drunk drivers/road ragers (probably due to the lax attitude about these issues), and also the requirements to get a license here are ridiculous.
I believe it wasn't until this year that they started requiring drivers to pass the driving test on the actual road. Before, all you needed to be licensed in this state was have proof you went to driving school(easily done with 400 bucks) and have someone vouch that they gave you the required driving hours behind the wheel (easily done without having to drive a single minute) and then drive around an obstacle course in a parking lot (because that really simulates driving in real world conditions). Matter of fact, when I first moved here from NYC I knew quite a few people who had been driving for years who refused to drive on the highway. Hell, when I got my first car I had no choice but to drive on the highway, or else I wasn't getting home. At least NYC made us take the test in the middle of the city during real traffic situations (to quote Sinatra, if you can make it here you can make it anywhere).
So yes I did misspeak, not all MD drivers are idiots (I am also a MD driver, and I do know a good amount of sane MD drivers as well). But the DMV area really needs to evaluate the requirements to drive and who they allow to drive their roads.

Sorry for the rant

 

I guess the picture doesn't show the whole damage, and it's hard to see in person. Basically the wheel is pushed in a a good few inches. The suspension is definitely damaged, as well as the axel. I am not sure about the lower control arm, or if the transmission was affected (tranny is on that side of the car) I opened the hood and the fuse box that is located next to the engine was pushed over slightly. Also if you look closely the headlight housing is tilted sideways.

 

Glad you guys weren't hurt. Good luck and push for diminished value of your vehicle. From the looks of this thread you can take up for yourself...go get 'em. Hope everything turns out the way you want it to.

 

We all meet those "special people" every so often. Sorry this happened to you but glad to hear no one was hurt. Even if the car is not totaled I have to agree with the consensus here that you will be doing yourself a favor getting rid of that ride...and an even bigger favor picking up a nice MINI! I don't own one yet, but have been sipping the Kool Aid waiting to see the 2011 pricing and some more info on the upcoming R58/R59s. Please keep us informed on whatever you decide. Best wishes!

 

Yeah I feel like the 2011's are taking for ever to come out. And this is coming from someone who used to work for a dealership. The toughest part is figuring out the options and the colors.

 

Wheel's in a few inches? On the tranny side? That's definitely a different story. I was thinking a few thousand for repairs, assuming it was mostly sheet metal. Now you've got definite suspension issues... potential transaxel repair/replacement... maybe trans issues.

Hopefully the insurance company is feeling reasonable and puts your Celica out of it's misery... and you into a Mini!

 

Anubis, you sound like a MINI owner to me! I had no idea that MD didn't require a road test. I'll keep that in mind the next time I'm passing through.

Best of luck on getting that Celica totaled. I would want the same thing if the suspension takes a direct hit. My sister-in-law just got rear-ended in her Saturn - the damage was bad, but it was the damage to her rear wheel that led to it being a total loss.

Can't wait to see pics of the new MINI.

 

Hey Anubis, i have had similar experiences in DC-B'more region. Anyhow, become a MINI owner! If you are a Costco member, you can get a discount with Passport MINI if you decide to purchase one.

 

What kind of Mini are you wanting...hardtop or convert. Whatever happens happy motoring!!

 

If this helps your decision at all--you probably already know from the test drive that the MINI is a great vehicle in terms of accident avoidance. It handles like a dream and feels so intuitive throwing it around. Plus it's built like a little tank.

 

Awesome thanks for the tip, I definitely have a Costo membership so I'll make sure to bring that up if and when the day comes. Now it's just the waiting game.

 

Definitely the hardtop (I'm trying to convince my Girlfriend to get the convertible, but she wants a TSX ). I really like that black with red roof option on the 2011's but I 'll wait to see what the new configurator will have so I can make a final decision. I foresee the process of making a final decision take a long time.