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I hit a slick spot going like 15-20 coming out of a lot and jumped a median.. cracked my panel under the passenger door, the front passenger quarter panel is unattached at the underside bolt and I slightly bent up the bottom of the front fender. Seems like it’s pulling hard right like the passenger rear wheel is bent inward slightly. Didn’t see any leaks thankfully. I just bought this vette and couldn’t be more upset.. sick to my stomach. I wasn’t doing anything crazy, pulled out of a lot hit like 15 maybe 20, and it just got out from under me. I dropped it off at a local chevy dealer immediately. Any tips, advice, uplifting comments etc would be more than appreciated as this is the worst day I’ve had in so, so long. I’m thankful nobody was hurt but my pride and my beautiful car. I likely won’t hear back for 3-4 days. Going to be miserable in the meantime. I’m sure this won’t be a cheap fix. Any advice?
Be honest...was there a little bit of this happening
I would say if so, not at all man. I was pulling out of a lot, hit slick spot and it just over corrected. Now I’m stuck here waiting to hear from the dealer for days I’m sure. Strange day, signed an offer for my dream job, damaged my new to me corvette. Wtf universe
If it is just the fiberglass panel cracked and no frame damage it may not be as bad as you think. I hit a curb with my first Vette and cracked the area under the right fender. A body shop was able to fix it like brand new and it was not that expensive. It was around $250. I would get more estimates than just a dealer. Dealers are going to be the most expensive for repairs. Take it to a reputable independently owned body shop. They will have more reasonable prices and still do high quality work.
thank you for the encouragement man. Tires are probably 75-80%… yea bought it 2 weeks ago
Read on here the guy who just got his zr1 out and hit a deer. Get some estimates for the repair, the dealer may not be the best option.
Also check the age on the tires, sometimes they harden up.
If it is just the fiberglass panel cracked and no frame damage it may not be as bad as you think. I hit a curb with my first Vette and cracked the area under the right fender. A body shop was able to fix it like brand new and it was not that expensive. It was around $250. I would get more estimates than just a dealer. Dealers are going to be the most expensive for repairs. Take it to a reputable independently owned body shop. They will have more reasonable prices and still do high quality work.
you’re right, I just took it to the closest spot that was still open instead of driving it 30 minutes back to my house in that condition. I’m really hoping it’s not frame damage, my buddies are saying no way. They are not exactly body or mechanic experts, they’re good, but not experts. I hit it pretty hard, dead on but the left wheel seems fine. Plus I bought it with a blue title. If that makes any difference. Hopefully it just bent something in the rear axle at most. I couldn’t be more devastated right now. I wasn’t doing anything crazy, it just kinda happened and I feel like an idiot. Hoping it doesn’t cost like $6k or anything of the sort. I can do small things regarding repairs, but this is over my head. My first thought was body shop, but I felt it pulling so I just went straight to the dealer who was like 30 minutes from closing time. Couldn’t be more discouraged. Can a frame even be fixed on these? God forbid
Read on here the guy who just got his zr1 out and hit a deer. Get some estimates for the repair, the dealer may not be the best option.
Also check the age on the tires, sometimes they harden up.
will do. The tires seemed mostly fine. I believe they were replaced relatively recently but I’ll check. I feel for the guy that hit a deer. I know mine could’ve been worse but dude 2 weeks I own it, then this.
The bright side is the car is fixable and will be as good as new. Despite the tires tread depth being good the tires are old which will render the ability to provide good traction expired. Look up how to find the week/year of tire manufacture based upon tire sidewall molding. I expanded your first picture and it appears the tires are well over 10 years old (appears they may be 2006). Please invest in new quality tires. The car will get fixed and you will have lots of quality drive time to enjoy. I wish you well.
The bright side is the car is fixable and will be as good as new. Despite the tires tread depth being good the tires are old which will render the ability to provide good traction expired. Look up how to find the week/year of tire manufacture based upon tire sidewall molding. I expanded your first picture and it appears the tires are well over 10 years old (appears they may be 2006). Please invest in new quality tires. The car will get fixed and you will have lots of quality drive time to enjoy. I wish you well.
wtf 10 years!!!!! Thank you for this information I wish I’d known beforehand. I appreciate your encouragement more than you know. I can’t believe it. After I get this straightened out, I will certainly be purchasing new tires. Do you have any recommendations? Could jumping a median cause any frame damage you think?
you’re right, I just took it to the closest spot that was still open instead of driving it 30 minutes back to my house in that condition. I’m really hoping it’s not frame damage, my buddies are saying no way. They are not exactly body or mechanic experts, they’re good, but not experts. I hit it pretty hard, dead on but the left wheel seems fine. Plus I bought it with a blue title. If that makes any difference. Hopefully it just bent something in the rear axle at most. I couldn’t be more devastated right now. I wasn’t doing anything crazy, it just kinda happened and I feel like an idiot. Hoping it doesn’t cost like $6k or anything of the sort. I can do small things regarding repairs, but this is over my head. My first thought was body shop, but I felt it pulling so I just went straight to the dealer who was like 30 minutes from closing time. Couldn’t be more discouraged. Can a frame even be fixed on these? God forbid
I definitely understand how you feel. When you are a Vette enthusiast and you finally get one….anything happening… even a scratch can make you sick. One thing I learned quickly about Corvettes is that you have to constantly have the low profile/clearance in mind while driving. Be vigilant especially in parking lots, around curbs, speed bumps, steep inclines etc. There is a learning curve if you have only driven non-performance vehicles. For the wheel/pulling issues I recommend to take it to a independent wheel/tire/alignment shop…not a dealer. Wheel shops specialize in wheel and alignment problems. Everything will work out. Keep us posted on your situation.
I definitely understand how you feel. When you are a Vette enthusiast and you finally get one….anything happening… even a scratch can make you sick. One thing I learned quickly about Corvettes is that you have to constantly have the low profile/clearance in mind while driving. Be vigilant especially in parking lots, around curbs, speed bumps, steep inclines etc. There is a learning curve if you have only driven non-performance vehicles. For the wheel/pulling issues I recommend to take it to a independent wheel/tire/alignment shop…not a dealer. Wheel shops specialize in wheel and alignment problems. Everything will work out. Keep us posted on your situation.
you are 100% correct. I definitely will. I’m crossing my fingers there are no frame issues
Do you have insurance that can/will cover this accident, or paying on your own?
I think it’s called collision and covers your car.
Remember years ago I drove a tow truck and had a police tow, near brand new Volvo was stuck on center divide, Asian woman who was driving was crying and her husband was pissed.
I was trying to get the car off the median carefully when the cop started yelling at me for being careful and he was in a hurry, leaking engine oil and transmission fluid all over the road.
Of course people slowing down/stopping to gawk, the crying woman and cop telling her it was ok calm down, then he would come tell me what an idiot she was as I was loading up the car.
Took all my kitty litter to absorb the oil and transmission fluid off road.
Towed car to Volvo dealer next day and the sales people ran up saying Volvo doesn’t break down and I said yeah it was damaged from hitting median and leaked out all the oil and transmission fluid, betting it got fixed with insurance.
Hope it can be fixed and you have insurance to cover it.
Do you have insurance that can/will cover this accident, or paying on your own?
I think it’s called collision and covers your car.
Remember years ago I drove a tow truck and had a police tow, near brand new Volvo was stuck on center divide, Asian woman who was driving was crying and her husband was pissed.
I was trying to get the car off the median carefully when the cop started yelling at me for being careful and he was in a hurry, leaking engine oil and transmission fluid all over the road.
Of course people slowing down/stopping to gawk, the crying woman and cop telling her it was ok calm down, then he would come tell me what an idiot she was as I was loading up the car.
Took all my kitty litter to absorb the oil and transmission fluid off road.
Towed car to Volvo dealer next day and the sales people ran up saying Volvo doesn’t break down and I said yeah it was damaged from hitting median and leaked out all the oil and transmission fluid, betting it got fixed with insurance.
Hope it can be fixed and you have insurance to cover it.
Yes, I have comp and collision. However, I would like to avoid making a claim if possible but the way it’s looking it’s going to be much more expensive to pay out-of-pocket for. I just want it to be normal again. And hope it can be. I hit the median pretty hard. Went over it, didn’t get stuck on it. No leaking luckily
Like others have said, if those tires are more than 7 years old, replace them. Look for the date coded on the tire and if your not sure what that is, ask about it. I bought my car last fall and the first thing I did when I went to look at it was to look at tires. I told the owner they were 10 years old and he said they look brand new, they are fine. Tires go bad whether you use them or not.
The crooked tire worries me much more than the body work. I hope it's nothing major that is bent but at 15-20MPH I would think it couldn't be that bad. Hopefully just replace some parts and get the body damage repaired and you will be fine with a lesson learned about performance cars and tires. You really have to be aware of everything when driving. Best of luck with getting it done inexpensively and good luck in the new job!
Yeah this was definitely a result of old tires. A lot of people don't drive their Vette very often. As a result, you get really old tires that still have great tread. As you found out the hard way, despite the tread, they aren't safe. This is the reason that you have insurance though. The car can likely be fixed. Be thankful that nobody got hurt. It really could have been a lot worse. I also agree that the dealership is likely the last place that you want it. Their estimate will be much higher, and chances are the quality of work won't be as good as a good independent shop. I would check with your local Corvette group for shop recommendations. There's definitely something off with the wheel, but whatever it is, it can more than likely be fixed. I'm really sorry this happened to you. Good luck getting everything back to normal. Also, congrats on the new job.
Yeah this was definitely a result of old tires. A lot of people don't drive their Vette very often. As a result, you get really old tires that still have great tread. As you found out the hard way, despite the tread, they aren't safe. This is the reason that you have insurance though. The car can likely be fixed. Be thankful that nobody got hurt. It really could have been a lot worse. I also agree that the dealership is likely the last place that you want it. Their estimate will be much higher, and chances are the quality of work won't be as good as a good independent shop. I would check with your local Corvette group for shop recommendations. There's definitely something off with the wheel, but whatever it is, it can more than likely be fixed. I'm really sorry this happened to you. Good luck getting everything back to normal. Also, congrats on the new job.
Thank you for your kind words. I’m picking it up now and taking it to the one Corvette shop near me and said they will look at it today. I will keep you guys posted
Jumped a median
