Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II

paisan

It doesn't matter, once it's on record, he's screwed on his insurance... At least in NYS it's listed as an accident even if no claim is placed.

-mike

ateixeira

Well, our appointment is at 8pm tonight, so I'll share the details tomorrow. He never mentioned trying to settle out of insurance, if he had I might have. Oh well.

-juice

subaru_team

of affairs. Just looking at things that I see every day at work really makes me disgusted with our society. Talk about neck pruning!!!

When I had my neck surgery and was in the "collar", I was approached by lawyers on 4 occasions. All wanting to know 1st - if I had "representation" and 2nd - what happened. The look of utter sadness when I said it was caused by a sneeze was comical.

Anyway - I always suggest letting the insurance know because you pay a pretty high premium for them to protect you, your home and assets. They should do something to earn that when you are a good driver with a good record. Surprises a few years down the road can be painful and if you haven't told them about the incident, they seem very willing to leave you on your own.

But - the most important part - Lana is okay - and for that I'm very happy.

Patti

hondafriek

I agree with what you have to say, and I agree that N Americans as a whole seem to lead the world in sue happy people, some of the suits are mind boggling to say the least like somebody suing a tobacco company because they got lung cancer, give me a break.It was a free choice to smoke the product.

 But to get back to the advice given to juice, I have reread all the posts and I don't think one of them advocated launching a suit, rather all of them was in getting the accident documented in case there was a problem in the future.

  Cheers Pat.

c_hunter

My impression from Juice's initial post re: accident was that it was just a minor tap with two bolt dings and his wife was absolutely fine. So I think he described it correctly from the get-go. Everybody else overreacted! But I know we're all glad it was minor and the Mrs. is OK.

Craig

njswamplands

houstonseller

I didn't see overreaction to any great degree. Mostly I saw people suggesting, just as I did, that one doctor's visit to be checked out and have it on the patient chart would be a wise decision.

Frank, and all, I agree there are FAR too many lawsuits filed in this country. I guess that's what happens when there are FAR too many lawyers.

I would report it as a precautionary measure. That doesn't violate the golden rule, at least in my opinion. If the situation were reversed I would expect the other party to report it as well. I see a difference in looking after one's family and self interests and violating the golden rule.

I firmly believe in following the golden rule however I also firmly believe in being responsible for myself and mine.

L.D. (formerly Subarusaleshou)

ateixeira

Well I decided not to sue - there was no beer in the cargo area. ;-)

Insurance estimate came out at $327, to remove and replace the bumper, replace the fasteners (good call hypov), and fill the ding and repaint the whole bumper.

Hard to believe, you see two little dimples, I know some folks that would just ignore it.

For the record, I don't think anyone overreacted, we didn't have all the information at first and people were being cautious, looking out for me, and I appreciate that. The claim is now documented so we're covered just in case, though the wife really is fine. I think the bump startled her, that's all.

Lucky will be restored to her original condition and the only question I have is this: how soon can I wax that newly painted bumper? LOL

-juice

c_hunter

If you get it repainted, make sure they strip it down, use flex primer and flex agent in the paint, then clearcoat and bake. That's the only way the paint will come close to factory quality. I don't think $327 would cover all that (I paid about $300 just to have a few plastic body kit parts painted the "right way" 5-6 years ago, and they didn't even need to be stripped first).

I would have them do all the other work but leave the bumper cover as-is, with factory paint. I'd rather have two dimples than a new paint job! I've seen too many repaints that look bad 2-3 years down the road (especially on a bumper which is prone to getting abused).

Pat should weigh in on this, since he had his rear bumper done the right way.

Craig

ateixeira

I'll consider that. You don't even see it now since the car isn't clean.

I want new fasteners, though.

-juice

rob_m

I had the front bumper cover on the 99 GT replaced over 3 years ago - it didn't clear a tire tread on the highway and cracked the lower air dam in 3 places. Cost me $600. It was prepped, painted and baked off the car and then installed. I guess silver is the hardest color to match. The paint matches almost perfectly - it looks darker at an angle in the right sunlight. The paint has held up in 4 New England winters. Some minor chips, no peeling.

damish003

Juice-

When I got my 04 OBS back, I was told not to wax it for at least 2 weeks. I was also told not to send it thru a car wash that uses brushes, but I don't do that anyway.

-Dan-

hondafriek

What Craig said,I got some gouges in the bumper when the Titan was only 3 weeks old, the bumper was completely stripped then flex primed and as Craig said a flex agent is added to the Paint.

 When you see bumpers with the paint flaking it means they have not been properly done, when a flexible bumper cover is done properly there is no reason that it will not hold up.

FYI. I painted my mudflaps using this method and they have held up in extremely hard conditions.

  Cheers Pat.

subaru_team

Okay - from what I've found...the dealers are getting notification letters about the vehicles involved and how the conditioner will be shipped this week. Letters to customers will start going out the week of 3/26/04. I hope this helps!

Patti

subaru_team

the chat tonight - but I'll be late. Probably by 9:15. See you all there?

Patti

paisan

Patti, do you happen to have the part # for the conditioner? AZP would like to stock some of it for when we do 30k/60K services but the dealers are clueless unless you give them a specific part #. Thanks.

-mike

hondafriek

Thanks for taking the time to look into that, I really appreciate the effort, more especially since SOC should be the one giving the reassurance.

  Cheers Pat.

subearu

I know I mentioned it in the chat, but from the paper insert for the owners manual (which I received in my recall mailing) has the part # as SOA635071 - Genuine Subaru Cooling System Conditioner.

I will try and get this taken care of next week, I will let you know if it states differently on the WO.

-Brian

twrx

In 2000 I was at fault in a rear end accident. The minivan I hit was only dented on the bumper. No one required medical attention. Two days later a 65 year old front seat passenger went to the minor emergency center complaining of pain in her left shoulder (not the one that the seatbelt would had crossed.) She had a history of arthritis in almost all of her joints. She was given a cortisone shot. My insurance company offered her a $400 check for her injury (charge at the MEC center had been $60.) Two months later she went to a doctor with pain in the right shoulder and hired injury lawyers. Monthly cortisone shots to that shoulder began. In 2001 a law firm sued me for $125,000 for her permanent disability. They refused a settlement of $3000 from my insurance and we went to trial one year ago. After missing 2 days of work the jury rendered a descision. I was at fault in the accident and I was not at fault for her joint pain. She was awarded nothing. The attorney hired by my insurer in his closing statement declared that I was the victim having been put through this.
TWRX

subaru_team

I think you can order it by the case with a different number. I'll check it out and post tomorrow night.

Brian - way to be on the ball!! Thanks!

Patti

paisan

Just want to keep all the subies running well

-mike

p0926

Well at least you were exonerated and the "alleged victim" didn't get a dime (good thing she refused the insurance company's settlement offer). For justice to really have been served the plaintiff (and her ambulance chasing lawyers) should have been forced to pay court costs. This country is in desperate need of tort reform but with the foxes essentially guarding the hen house that's not likely to happen.

-Frank P.

bluesubie

You're an Amsoil distributor now??

I'll probably put in an order for some gear oil in a little while.

-Dennis

ateixeira

Sorry I missed the chat, I had a late appt yesterday that ran until 10pm! Did a lot of folks show up?

-juice

hondafriek

we had a full house.

  Cheers Pat.

njswamplands

ateixeira

Root, Birch, or Ginger? ;-)

From the Cafe thread...

-juice

subearu

I get the WWP-99 service next Friday afternoon. The dealer said it'd be about 20-25 minutes tops.

dw is very anxious for the F-XT test drive.

-Brian

nygreg

F-XT test drive - that's a good thing right?

G

ateixeira

Don't do it unless you are prepared to fall off The Fence like Humpty Dumpty.

Plop.

-juice

subearu

- I've already sampled one back in November. This one is to 'convince' the dw. At the autoshow she didn't care for the cloth seats, but maybe a drive will help 'focus' her away from the seats. ;-) Besides, this is *my* ride replacement!

-Brian

ladywclass

I have a daughter whose husband is in the army. The last three years they have been in Hawaii near Pearl Harbor. They flew most of last night, and arrived in Houston this morning after about 13 hours on 3 planes with 2 boys aged 8 and 4 1/2. They will be in Louisiana the next 3 years.

We will go in a few weeks for spring break to see the granddaughter born near Houston the end of September, this family (who will be only a few hours from the older daughter in Texas), and my dad who is still slowly recovering from his 'near death' last fall! I'm looking forward to the trip!

Brenda

rsholland

hondafriek

Enjoy it indeed, they are a lort closer to you in distance than our daughter is to us.

  Cheers Pat.

subaru_team

njswamplands

ladywclass

Actually we'll probably see that "American made" Aztec in front of the home that has wheels and parked in the yard with the non-running vehicles and boats and dogs and .... oh well ...

Ya might be a redneck if ....

fibber2

supplier on Thursday and Friday, and my company allowed me to rent a car. I pulled my '02 OBW up to the Hertz bldg and parked right out front. When I asked "what are we driving today?", the lady answered "same as what you drove in", tossing me the keys to an '04 OBW with barely 100 miles on the clock. Turned out to be a great choice, as we got snow and ice in the Albany, NY area on Friday morning.

Noticed some little changes over the 2 years. In addition to the obvious ones we talked about when the '03's were introduced, I noted the following:
1) Keyless entry now has a separate audible signal, and does not use the horn.
2) The cruise now has a 'cruise set' indicator in the cluster.

Steve

w8ifi

Hi....!
I just read a little item in the Chicago Tribune about the history behind various car emblems. According to that article the five small stars in the Subaru emblem represent the five small companies that combined in the early 50's to form one large company called Fuji Heavy Industries. Everybody but me here probably knew that but I thought it was interesting.
Jim

lucien2

it's a stylized rendering of Pleiades, the constellation known in Japanese as "subaru"

:-)

ateixeira

Azteks aren't allowed in Houston - Don't Mess with Texas. ;-)

Cool, Steve.

And guess what? This morning I saw a Subaru Legacy wagon Taxi! It didn't have a roof rack so it must have been an older Brigthon model, 95-99 body style.

Wanna know our secret handshake? Pop the hood, the hood release lines up with the right-most star in that logo. Works with many models. You'll never fumble around looking for the hood release again.

-juice

bat1161

This past weekend I took a trip up to Utica, NY. On the way up, Thurs. night, I received my first speeding ticket. I was the only one on the road, and he "hit" me with Laser for doing 82 in a 65 zone. The trooper was very polite, and inferred that if I plead not guilty and arrange a court date upstate I may be able to plea bargain the fine down. Since I have never been in this situation before, does anyone have any advice? What can I say to reduce the penalty? BTW, the BEL -840 radar detector never went off at all(-:

Oh- Steve we woke up to the snow, but the most it affected me was now I need to wash all the salt off.

Thanks,
Mark

ateixeira

Always go to court. At a minimum they'll cut the fine (and points) in half. If you're current record is clean, the judge might offer PBJ.

Not Peanut Butter and Jelly, Probation before judgement. That would mean no points, no hefty insurance hike. You'd probably pay court costs, is all.

I've gone twice where the cop did not show up, judge threw both out. No points, no fine, not even a court fee.

Definitely, definitely, go to court.

-juice

bat1161

The only problem with going to court is it is about a 3.5 hour drive upstate on a Tuesday. I figured I would try and throw my self on the mercy of the court:-)

Mark

hypov

Ring any bells for anyone?

-Dave

ateixeira

It's not the fine itself, it's your insurance rates that make it worth while.

Once after a claim, our rates went up $300 per year for the next 3 years. So it might "cost" you $900 extra to pay that speeding ticket.

If the fine is $100, you've paid a grand. Isn't that worth a day in court?

-juice

c_hunter

If you were caught fair and square and there are no circumstances that would allow you to get out of the ticket (big error on the ticket or cop does not show up in court), then the best bet is to plead "guilty" and ask the judge for lenience. You were 17mph over. If possible, look at the traffic rules and fines for your state and see how they work. In VA, there are 5-10mph over and 10-19mph over categories (20mph over is reckless driving!). Sometimes, you can get the charge knocked down into the next category with lower fines and points.

If this is your first ticket and you have a clean driving record, you have a real good chance of getting some leniency from the judge. If you can come up with a good story that will lead them to think you're normally a safe driver who obeys speed limits, chances are you'll catch a break.

Craig

ps: So were you really going 82? If there is some doubt, you could get your speedometer calibrated and see if there is any error.

fibber2

Yes, they were really out in force on the Thruway. With the cuts in Federal aid, the state needs the revenue....

Steve

p0926

he "hit" me with Laser... the BEL-840 radar detector never went off at all

Pardon my ignorance but are today's "radar" detectors suppose to work against lasers also?

-Frank P.

bat1161

This may sound like a dumb question, but do I plead guilty and mail in the ticket, plead not guilty and mail in the ticket, or just show up on the date indicated on the ticket?

In all fairness, I was doing the speed. This was my first trip using my new GPS unit, and it tells you your speed. My speedometer is off by about 2 mph. I don't even know what the fine would be, but if I can avoid points, all the better. The trooper saw I have a class E (Chaufeurs) license and hinted I should try to bargain with the judge. I just admit to not even knowing what to do or say. This is the frist speeding ticket I have ever received, and my second moving violation in over 20 years of driving.

BTW- Mike, I followed your suggestions for when pulled over. I lowered my windows (my wife yelling at me for freezing), shut my engine off, put my hands on the steering wheel, and was extremely polite. I even thanked the officer after he gace me the summons. (My wife thought I was nuts for thanking someone who just gave me a tciket, but I explained it pays to always be polite to the police.)