VX casualty.... again

[navistar]

If you can't trust them to simply drive it into the work bay properly how can you trust them to do something really complicated like doing an oil change??

Let's see...

"Hey Buck...does transmission fluid go in the radiator thing or in the hole that says OIL"?

"Neither stupid, it goes in the windshield washer squirt bottle thing."

"Oh...I already filled that up with antifreeze!"

"Nah...the antifreeze goes in the hole that says OIL."

"What'll I do with all this oil?"

"Put it in the radiator, stupid!"

[cyronman]

I know nothing you read here will make up for that...
but still, I'll add my "that blows".

I can't imagine...

[Y33TREKker]

Sounds like your supercharger took the tech by surprise and he froze at the controls. Hopefully the claim and repairs will be trouble free.

[Chopper]

No friggin MAACO crap either! They pay for new panels, blend time on adjacent panels, and your car rental fees! DO NOT SETTLE FOR LESS! This is what I do for a living (as I'm sure you're aware) These three things you should not compromise on. They are gonna fight you on the blend time, don't relent. I wouldn't accept repaired panels either. They weren't made of plastic when you rolled in. They OWE you a rental car for as long as it takes. Stay strong...don't hesitate to have an attorney draw up a letter stating these things( and your serious intent) Good luck brother. Chop

[Hotsauce]

I drove someone elses VX, and had a similar unexpected acceleration. I didn't hit anything, only scared myself.

The cause? Aftermarket pedal covers.

John C.

[Hotsauce]

Oh, and become familair with the term: "Diminshed Value"

A crashed and repaired vehicle is not worth as much as one that was never hit.

Start a folder, and write a note every time you call them. Time, who you spoke to, and summary of what whas said.

John C.

[etlsport]

ugh sorry man.. definately sucks.. my guess is hitting the gas and the brake at the same time.. i used to have that problem in my boots, then i removed the pedal cover and put a new one on as far from the go pedal as possible so that helps.. and new pads and lines make it so my brake pedal rarely gets down far enough to be even with the gas...

[WormGod]

ugh sorry man.. definately sucks.. my guess is hitting the gas and the brake at the same time.. i used to have that problem in my boots, then i removed the pedal cover and put a new one on as far from the go pedal as possible so that helps.. and new pads and lines make it so my brake pedal rarely gets down far enough to be even with the gas...

Aftermarket pedals surely are part of the issue. I even brought it up while we were looking over the damage. I had said to the guy that being a shop, his work boots were probably too bulky for the coverage down there, as I stopped wearing mine when driving because it so so tight. He still had a chip on his shoulder and denied it. Stuck by his word that the brakes simply did not work for him.

*enter my disrespect for liars HERE*

However, I worked in many shops over the years and we see all makes, models, and years go in and out of there everyday, so they have to always be prepared for different owner ride and comfort packages. If there is ever an issue or concern with any MOD that anyone has done to their vehicle, the operating tech or porter needs to declare this to management BEFORE the vehicle is even touched. Its simply a matter of covering your butt and making your insurance happy.

And yep, second time she will be getting bodywork. Luckily none of it ever involved frame damage and ALL parts were replaced with new. This damage is far lighter than the previous, so I am keeping fingers crossed on coverage for new panels. If not, she stays in the garage until I wrangle up the difference between bondo-bucket and fresh panels, heh. Her track record will house 2 eye sores on her record, but thats something I can live with, and it helps to be a "retired" bodyshop tech because I know what to look for when the work is done and I dont accept it unless its done 110%.

[Y33TREKker]

I drove someone elses VX, and had a similar unexpected acceleration. I didn't hit anything, only scared myself.

The cause? Aftermarket pedal covers.

John C.

That's a good point. My VX had some aftermarket pedals on it when I got it, and all they seemed to do was get in the way of my shoes. Taking those things off in the name of safety was one of the first "mods" I made.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I drove someone elses VX, and had a similar unexpected acceleration. I didn't hit anything, only scared myself.
The cause? Aftermarket pedal covers.
John C.

That was the first thing to pop into my skull too. I learned first hand from my Fiero when it happened to me skidding up to a deer...braking & accelerating at the same time! When I put pedals on the IronMan, I made every effort to space them apart! So far, so good.

Note to self...continue to change my own oil!

How very true! Fear of this kind of crap results in why I lay out on the cold, cold ground (that, and no garage!) to do scheduled maintenance. Even my trusted mechanic only sees her for the bigger jobs (trannie filter change).

Sounds like your supercharger took the tech by surprise and he froze at the controls.

A variation on this idea...they probably were so infatuated with the eye-candy (underhood mods) they got "sloppy" in doing their job.

I've done some underhood mods on my Ram (14" chrome Edelbrock "carb style" air cleaner, chrome Gibson headers, MSD ignition, new wires&belts&hoses) and now when the oil change gang opens the hood to do service...they stand there like they are in a trance...and things begin to get hairy after that! A couple changes ago, they put the wrong oil in! I caught them in the act and they fessed up but I let them off the hook and just made sure they billed me accordingly. (I asked for synthetic and they put in dino.) I still go there because: U drive it in and U sit in the vehicle while all service is done and U drive it out!

Aftermarket pedals surely are part of the issue. I even brought it up while we were looking over the damage. I had said to the guy that being a shop, his work boots were probably too bulky for the coverage down there, as I stopped wearing mine when driving because it so so tight. He still had a chip on his shoulder and denied it. Stuck by his word that the brakes simply did not work for him.

*enter my disrespect for liars HERE*

However, I worked in many shops over the years and we see all makes, models, and years go in and out of there everyday, so they have to always be prepared for different owner ride and comfort packages. If there is ever an issue or concern with any MOD that anyone has done to their vehicle, the operating tech or porter needs to declare this to management BEFORE the vehicle is even touched. Its simply a matter of covering your butt and making your insurance happy.

A few years back I would have admitted to the tech that the pedals & boots could have been part of it...but, now... I wouldn't give them any leg to stand on. It could only complicate matters leading up to you getting your VX returned to you in the proper condition.

I would take the money, and save up for the new parts, Gary. I wouldn't worry about the Carfax hit, I would want it repaired "as good as new", which is what the jerks that broke it should pay for, IMHO.

This is how I feel about it too. I would explore what your options are to try and get them to pay it all though. To me, your vehicle SHOULD be returned to you as humanly possible to the condition it was when it entered their oil change shop! That means NO Bondo!

Hope you hear good news and things go smooth. At least you still have the Subie to get you places until spyhunter returns!

[psychos2]

I would tell them bondo is not an option. Tell them you want new or your getting a lawyer. I would not worry about the carfax thing. Take pictures to document the damage and the repairs so you can prove no major damage. shawn

[WormGod]

Going in for a final estimate tomorrow. Sadly, I am back to work, but my lovely sister has volunteered to run these errands for me. This next shop is the shop that did the repairs on it years ago and they are familiar with it, so I am a LOT of confidence in them.

I think in the end, I will just take the vehicle history hit and collect the check. I am sorry, but I am not so generous to left this tech make a mistake and get away with it. They are a good shop and I always appreciated their business, and they will continue to get business from me, but I may rethink things some and start doing my own oil changes again. Probably time to get the "lazy" out of my system and stop relying on other people to do my "simple" things, heh. Be nice to get back in the garage some anyways. :gring: