Yesterday an old coot in his Buick (of course!) stopped at his stop sign and then tried to zoom across the road I was driving on about 35 mph. He never saw me, I nailed the brakes enough to hit him in the rear door instead of drivers door, probably saved his life. He and his wife claimed and appeared to be uninjured, I was transported to hospital; treated for neck & low back pain, nasty gouges on my right arm/wrist from air bag, released to home. Last night the archilles tendon in my right foot started hurting from the hyperextension of braking plus impact; that part is worrisome because I have a neighbor who received a similar injury in a similar crash 15 years ago, he still has problems. Well, it could have been worse...

My 2006 Coupe is seriously damaged but probably not totaled: All body panels forward of the doors are trash, doors were hard to open and might have been damaged by fenders pushing back. Driver's airbag popped, which triggers the emergency flashers and eventually killed the battery (hood jammed shut). Surprisingly, radiator didn't seem to be leaking. Frame condition unknown.

My guess is that it will cost his insurance company about $20k to fix a car that's worth about $35k (Edmunds), so they won't total it. That leaves me pissing away the summer waiting to get back my car in the never-quite-right condition that comes after a serious crash. My own agent says that the other driver's insurance needs to furnish me with reasonable transportation but not a Corvette.

Even if it gets fixed, I'll be saying goodby to the current car. The big question is whether to get a 2008 or 2009, and how to do it with minimal delay. Obviously, we won't be able to do another NCM delivery unless I order and wait until Fall.

Questions:
Those of you who have seen the 4LT interior, did it seem worth an extra $3k just to get that leather?
Nothing seems to be selling very well including Corvettes. There are some great deals available on in-stock 2008's, but I might be able to do almost as well on a 2009. Don't want a leftover 2007. Did GM just do a price increase?
The only significant changes I can find for 2009 are the variable ratio steering, which could be good or bad; and the Bluetooth connection. I'll go with Crystal Red color. Anything else?
My local salesman suggested that I not jump too soon, he expects GM to offer 0% financing soon. Any other ideas?

 

Very sorry to hear of your collision, but glad you're basically OK.

'09s are already almost as cheap as '08s through Forum dealers. I suspect more incentives are coming. The market is not showing signs of rebounding - to the contrary. The current big discounts are moving a few cars, but not a lot. More will need to be done if the plant isn't to be completely idled for a period.

No major changes for the C6 for '09.

I definitely think the interior is worth it. I wasn't convinced until I sat in one - had to have it. Be sure to see one before you decide - especially the linen or titanium.

If you can stand to wait, don't move too soon. I'm already about $1-1.5k "behind" the current discount offers, and I got a smokin' deal for this early in the year. More is coming.

Good luck!

 

Sounds about right to me. I'm getting GM Supplier on my 09 from local dealer in Atlanta.

 

Sorry to hear about your accident. Based on the information from this forum there is not much difference in between 08 and 09 , unless you like the new colors . Glad you are OK.

 

Glad you are ok for the most part, as for your injuries, yes they can last a lifetime, I have had more injuries than I can probably remember and I have good days and bad days. Make sure you are fully checked out medically before you settle with their insurance. Good luck

 

Since I plan to go with Crystal Red, no problem with colors.
On one hand, I can get some kind of 2008 pretty easily.
On the other hand, a 2008 will be a "year" old next month. If I keep the car for ten years, that extra year is insignificant. If I trade (or get wiped out again) in three years, the extra year becomes an issue.

Using the Corvette Locator website, I could not find any 2008 with the combination of options and colors that I want. And for ~$60k, I ain't gonna settle for second choice.

 

 

talk to your agent about diminished value before you settle you claim...Diminished Value is the difference in value between a vehicle with an accident history, and the same vehicle without an accident history. This is also known as "Loss of Value". After an accident, the insurer is obligated to completely restore your vehicle to the condition it was in before the accident (pre-loss condition). Even after repairs, your vehicle is not in pre-loss condition because of Diminished Value. After an accident you are owed Diminished Value.

Who pays Diminished Value?

The insurance company is responsible to pay Diminished Value. If the accident was your fault, it is a first party claim, and your insurance company is responsible. If the accident was someone else's fault, it is a third party claim, and the insurance company of the person at fault is responsible.

 

The most logical thing to do is order a 09 and get what u want and have a year newer car and be happy and be sure to get the right color so u don't have to return it in 2 days for another one LOL.

 

 

Very sory to hear about your crash, hope everything heals quickly.

 

Glad you're okay.

 

Sorry about your crash and hopefully there will be no long term effects from your injuries. As for the car I would order an 09 equiped exactly like you want it, the deals are out there and you might as well get a new one.

 

 

Unfortunately, that varies from state to state. Several years ago Allstate (not my company, BTW) won a class action suit in Illinois; they do not have to pay diminished value claims.

Not that I won't press the issues reference my doing an individual order on the car, NCM delivery, etc.

 

Sorry about happened....Hope everything works out to your benefit.

 

Man, I'm sorry this happened. My biggest fear while driving my Vette is the other idiots on the road. Of course, none of you qualify!

 

Sorry to hear about the crash but at least you are not seriously hurt as exhibited by your thoughts on a new Vette so soon. I would get whatever you want and ensure the car has what you need on it. As your accident demonstrates, who knows how long we will be around to enjoy these material things - get the one you want and drive it like you stole it!

 

Diminished value is a joke! 1st off, only a few states have laws about dimminished value. Also, They go by the last court decision in GA, which only gives about 10% of total repair cost. My car had almost 20k damage AND THEY ONLY WANTED TO GIVE ME $1,500 IN DIMMINISHED VALUE. To say the least, I still have not taken a penny from the insurance company, and the accident was 100% the other drivers fault! Good luck, but w/the economy right now, don't expect too much!! Hey, do like me, get a wide body NOW!!!!

 

i like my 4LT, but its not compairable to custom ones such as DSV
good luck!