A bad night for the Marauder

[sconut1]

After a two week long business trip to Vancouver, I finally got home the evening of the 14th. I got into the car and on my way out of the parking lot, a guy in a 1/2 ton Dodge truck smashed into me. No one was hurt, but my the Marauder is more than a little worse for wear. I had the car towed to my buddy's shop where I took these photos. What really worries me is that the driver's door won't open now. I hope it's just the hood that's pushed the left front fender out of alignment and not something more.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/570/medium/PICT0005.JPGhttp://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/570/medium/PICT0001.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/570/medium/PICT0004.JPG

I had the car picked up this afternoon and towed to a Ford dealer who I've had do body work for me before. Not much more to tell right now, but I'll keep the post updated. There's more photos here: http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/570

Sigh.....

:bigcry:

[LeoVampire]

I think I would have another heart attack if someone hit my Marauder. I hope she is fixed as good as new for you soon!

[CBT]

That's sucks! Whose fault is it?

[oldekid]

Hate to see that happen to any of our cars. Hope they fix it right for you.

[shawn.criswell]

I know your pain, hopefully it doesn't take as long to get yours back on the road. It took about 45 days to get mine back on the road.

[twin03]

Thank God that it's not done for.

[ImpalaSlayer]

looks easily fixable. good luck

[stryker]

Sad to see that hurt Marauder wish to recover prompt as possible

[LIGHTNIN1]

That is bad enough but it can be fixed and you were not hurt which is the most important thing. Seems like these are getting wrecked daily.

[LeviEA]

Just as everyone else said the most important thing is no one was hurt, and hopefully you'll have your Marauder back on the road soon. To agree with what Shawn said it took the body shop about a month or so to get mine fixed with a similar collision. Speaking from that collision, it is just your fender keeping your door from opening. My driver door wouldn't open either after the accident...

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y64/LeviEA/Wrecked%20Mercury%20Marauder/000_0623.jpg

[liquid]

Some days I think a fender bender would be a blessing, considering the sandblasted and chipped paint on my front end :( But actually seeing any MM get beat up is just so sad!

[RoyLPita]

Keep us posted on any progress, please.

[sconut1]

Thanks for all the input guys. I won't know much more until next week when I talk to the bodyshop and the insurance company. The thing that really gets me is I finally got my boss to give me the next two weeks after next off. I have to get to the United States one a year to help re-gain my sanity..(lol) so this year I was going to go to Montana and Wyoming to see Yellowstone and I really wanted to take the Marauder. Guess I'll be taking the Sable now. I don't mind my winter car at all, but it ain't my Marauder, thats for sure.

I'll keep everyone posted as I learn what's happening.

LeviEA: Oddly enough, as you can see I got smoked on the passenger side, but it's the driver's door that won't open. The passenger side still does! I think the hood knocked the left front fender over and that's what's keeping the driver's door from opening. I hope to god the rad saddle isn't pushed over! So how long did it take to get your car bad and how much was it to fix? Looks like you got exactly what I did on the other side of the car!

[CBT]

That's sucks! Whose fault is it?

Yeah, what he said, whose fault is it?

[sconut1]

Don't know how that's going to play out yet.

[RoyLPita]

If you wanted to see my MM wrecked, check out my gallery.

[TAKEDOWN]

Ohhh $h**! Ouch, may the God of Speed be on your side doing the repair!

[CBT]

Don't know how that's going to play out yet.

Well I hope it works out for you, brother. You are handling this fairly calmly, I'd be going bonkers.

[SID210SA]

Mine took about 6 weeks to fix.....wasnt nearly as bad as yours....on the bright side I had my rock chips taken care of that I had on the hood.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/9/4/3/accident002_thumb.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/showimage.php?i=7014&catid=member&imageuser=3943)

[sconut1]

Well, looks like it's going to be 100% my fault, uinless they can get the other insurance company to play ball. Essentially what happened is that I was driving on a "main" road to the parking lot exit booth. A guy came out of nowhere to my right from a "feeder" road and hit me in the front right side. As we all know, unless the guy on the right has a stop or a yeild sign, (this was an uncontrolled intersection) I'm at fault. I'm not really even fighting the insurance company on this, because, well, they're right. I tried playing the I was already in the intersection when the guy hit me card, which is true, but they tell me it doesn't count. Well, mostly doesn't count. If I'd smacked the guy with the front bumper of my car, my fault, period. But they're going to see if they can get some partial fault from the guy that hit me beacause of this. I'll see how it plays out, but I'm not holding my breath.

As far as the bodyshop goes, the guy tells me it doesn't look *too* bad, so now I wait untill the adjuster takes a look at the car. I want to get involved immediatly after though, because I want to make sure that my concerns get addressed.

By the way, anyone been in an accident with a CV, GM, or Marauder and had their steering wheel lock quit working? Mine's not working right now and this caused some problems with towing the car to the shop. I know the lock was working before the accident.

[Phrog_gunner]

I hope you at least get something from the other insurance company.

FYI: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER say "came out of nowhere". You might as well say "I fell asleep", it tells the insurance company you weren't paying attention. You are better off saying that you saw it coming, tried to stop to avoid them, and just couldn't stop in time because they were going too fast.:beer:

[sconut1]

Well, here's the latest update:

$7427.94 in damage + the cost of repair to the steering column locking mechanism + any damage to suspension components (doubtfull there is) + a wheel if it won't balance properly (again doubtfull) - my little concessions.

A word to the wise.... protect your front bumper cover!

Ford P/N 3W3Z 17D957 AAA - $1988.47

If any of you folks in the US need a wheel, be aware that this is one part in Canada that's acutally cheaper than in the US. A wheel is just under $1000.00 here; it was just under $1300.00 at tituswillfordparts.com

It was getting a little nip 'n tuck there for awhile as to whether the car was going to be written off. I'm 99.9% out of the woods so long as the right front wheel isn't totaled and there's no suspension/steering damage. I find out on Monday whether it is; Monday, they put the car on the alignment rack and check for suspension damage (there's nothing visable) and they pull the wheel off and balance it. They also will check the right front tire at this time for damage.

The ignition column lock will be repaired at the same time. I had to make some concessions in order to protect myself from having the car written off. I agreed to use a "remanufactured" bumper cover (which might mean I get my old one back depending on stock). I also agreed to have my hood repaired (which I hope they wil be able to do) or if it can't be, replaced with an aftermarket hood (which I really don't want). I also agreed to live with the small amount of cosmetic damage on the wheel (I'm being paid a few hundred dollars to do so) rather than replace the wheel. The wheel, however, is back on the table and will be replaced if it won't balance.

So, with these little concessions, if there is damage to anything else, I'm assured that the car will not be written off. The body shop has the go-ahead to do the wheel alighment and pull the tire off the rim, inspect it and then balance the tire and rim. If all are ok, then they're clear to go. If not, they'll have to get authorization to do the suspension work and replace the wheel (which will most likely be forthcoming).

I'm reasonably comfortable with with this, so much so that I think I'll leave on vacation early next week. At this point, I suspect that I'll have the car back on September 21st. I'll keep y'all posted.

[dohc324ci]

Looks like everyone is ok...thats what counts. Still bites but looks repairable.

Good luck.

[imorb1994]

By the way, anyone been in an accident with a CV, GM, or Marauder and had their steering wheel lock quit working? Mine's not working right now and this caused some problems with towing the car to the shop. I know the lock was working before the accident.
Have not been in an accident. But my steering column does not lock, and there is no lock in mine(have had all trim off around column). How would not having a steering column lock affect the way its towed? If it was towed with a wrecker(flatbed is the proper way) which it should not have been. The steering wheel should have been locked into place by moving the seat all the way forward, wraping the seat belt around the wheel, latching the belt, and sliding/moving the seat all the way back. Relying only on the lock only is a very por way of towing cars from the rear and increases the chance of an accident.

[FordNut]

There is no steering wheel lock.

[FordNut]

I replaced the bumper cover on the wife's car with a reproduction. Cost around $400. The hood I modified with the cowl scoop on my car was a reproduction. Cost around $200. Send the wheel in for repair/refinish at Wheel Technologies, cost around $100.

[sconut1]

Uh.... I belive all cars built since 1970 by law have a steering column lock and the Marauder certainly has one. In fact, with the exception of a 1969 Plymouth I used to one, every other car I've ever owned had one. Are we talking about some thing different? http://www.popcenter.org/library/crimeprevention/volume_02/04webb.pdf - see the top of pdf page 4 (74 paper page number)

As far as the wheel goes, that's a great idea. I think I'll get that done once the claim is settled. That might be a good use of my "appearance allowance" money.

[dakslim]

Have not been in an accident. But my steering column does not lock, and there is no lock in mine(have had all trim off around column). How would not having a steering column lock affect the way its towed? If it was towed with a wrecker(flatbed is the proper way) which it should not have been. The steering wheel should have been locked into place by moving the seat all the way forward, wraping the seat belt around the wheel, latching the belt, and sliding/moving the seat all the way back. Relying only on the lock only is a very por way of towing cars from the rear and increases the chance of an accident.
My steering column doesn't lock either.

[FordNut]

Uh.... I belive all cars built since 1970 by law have a steering column lock and the Marauder certainly has one.

Does not. Do a search, it's been answered several times on here. With the advent of PATS the locking column has been decontented.

Nein! nein! nein! nein! nein! (from Inglourious Basterds)

[W4LTD]

Excerpt from an article, via a Google search:

"The growing problem of car theft, however, and the ease with which
thieves were able to overcome the existing car security devices (see
Karmen, 1981), led eventually to the introduction of legislation in Europe
and in the U.S. in the 1960s and 1970s which for the first time required
manufacturers to fit cars with anti-theft devices. These regulations focused
on preventing cars from being unlawfully driven away and provided
motor manufacturers with a number of options, including transmission
locks and devices to prevent the engine from running. The favored option
adopted by nearly all manufacturers was the steering wheel or column
lock, as this was considered to be more effective than the other devices..."

View the full article at:
http://www.popcenter.org/library/crimeprevention/volume_02/04webb.pdf

[FordNut]

While they're fixing the locking steering wheel, get them to fix the factory alarm system.

[sconut1]

Wouldn't that be funny if I sent them on a wild goose chase on the lock....lol. I always thought it did lock, but now I'm doubting myself!

Anyway, I'm on vacation right now and currently in the very cool little town of Cody, WY. If anyone's on planning on vacationing near Yellowstone, this IS the place to stay! Wish I was driving the Maurader right now tho....

Long and short... the car's getting fixed, and I'll let you all know how it turns out