Corolla - written off :( (now with crash pics)

[Kev]

Well I have a decision to make really, buy a car that would a be little more sporty as standard such as an Almera GTI, but I would have very little if any cash to do anything with the car. It would remain pretty standard.

Sam and I run a house together now and it leaves very little to spend anything on modifying both our cars, which I came to terms with a long time ago, I cannot express how good and enjoyable it's been doing our house up and running it over the last 18 months.

Now with the Escort I could do a fair bit to it with the payout and have a car that is only 33k on the clock, considering my corolla was 84k! The car has electric everything including air con and the engine is very responsive and would give me the opportunity to do something I love and not strecthing financies either.

I would be looking at:

• lowered suspension -60mm
• 17" rota alloys
• full s/s exahust system
• cold air induction system
• angle eye headlights
• smoked rear lights
• bodywork would possible remain as is apart from a rear boot spoiler
• respray in midnight black with a red flake
• walnut dash replaced with brushed aluminium steel effect
• double din headunit space to play with
• simple upgrade for the stereo system

Anyway there is lots to sort out yet before I can consider doing anything like above. I have to get the claim put through yet and as some people mentioned about Adrian Flux being a sod to payout I'm keeping things very realistic.

But what I have to keep as realistic is what ever happens I'm driving again and have a replacement car lined up that has everything I need and more with incredible low mileage. I will of course return to Jap cars as I still want an integra Type R, but a good example is around 6.5k which is more then I can spend at the moment.

Depending on payout the Escort is a real opportunity for me.

Kev

 

[ollie240585]

Nothing wrong with Fords. Me and my mate are currently working on a 1985 Ford Orion!! Pure beast!!

Hope all goes well mate, glad to see you're looking into the future!!

There are so many crap looking modified escorts in this world!! Make a pretty one for us Kev

 

[Kev]

lol! thanks ollie

Anyway one thing is for sure you will not be loosing your chairman over this whatever car I end up with. I stayed on with the Corolla and I will be doing the same with my next car.

I'm not interested in other owners clubs as I have put too much time and effort into the MSC to walk away. I modify my cars for just me and don't feel the need to do it for anyone else. I will of course join other forums if I get the Escort, however this will not effect my role here.

If this ends up giving the opportunity to modify again, then great, however if I end up with a standard car, I have no problems with this, kind of puts things into prospective being upside in wrecked car.

Kev

 

[James]

I don't think your position here ever came into question, the Corolla wasn't a Micra and you still did a blinding job!

 

[ollie240585]

Exactly James....Chairman Lacks Micra, Admin Lacks Micra and the website and events are run well.

Your position never EVER came into question. The only thing that came into mind was the fact that you were ok!!!

 

[sparkie]

ollie, james. doe's this mean that you won't need the ball and chains now. lol
and it's good to here your stay with us kev. as it would be one hell of a big pair of shoes to fill.

 

[Ems]

Yeah defenately good your staying Kev. I doubt any of us would like a new chairman!! Just promise it sticks when you start a family too

 

[Kev]

I had a phone call this morning and the inspection is happening tomorrow and report should be available late on Thursday.

I'm kind of hoping it's write off as I don't seriously think I could drive it again knowing it's taking such structural damage.

I'll let you know when I have the report.

thanks
Kev

 

[Arnold]

Well you can be quite confident that if they dont write it off, it will be pretty safe to drive. It doesnt take much to write off these days

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Really sorry to hear about the Corolla Kev...last thing you need is that!

Escort's are decent cars...now did someone mention a Cossie conversion?

 

[CALI]

what is the colour code on that corolla?

 

[Demarest]

Sham to hear about this, know how it feels, rolled my 1990 Civic about 2 years ago, car held togeather really well.

Good luck with the Escort

 

[micra.jas]

why did my reply get deleted?

 

[Type-R]

its a shame about the corolla was pretty sweet! as for the escort my mate scrapped his one few weeks ago he had so many sweet mods on there he would have just gave away... i will ask him if he has any parts left lying around that he wants to get rid off.

 

[Kev]

why did my reply get deleted?

Don't know I didn't see it....

its a shame about the corolla was pretty sweet! as for the escort my mate scrapped his one few weeks ago he had so many sweet mods on there he would have just gave away... i will ask him if he has any parts left lying around that he wants to get rid off.

Thanks that would be great if there is anything of interest.

EDIT UPDATE

Engineer is finalising report and is pretty sure it will be written off! Kind of have mixed feelings about that really

Received a letter today from Arthur Jones where the car is being kept and my insurance company have until Tuesday to remove it or they will scrap / sell it lol!

I should be able to get access to the car when it's being moved and will be speaking to Equity Red Star to find out when the collection is being made.

So it's all going smoothly so far and hopefully now I will get access to the car either this friday or next monday and then I'll be able to take a few bits off the car that aren't related to the insurance policy.

Fingers well and truly crossed.

btw today I'm valleting and detailing the Escort

Kev

 

[paddymarsden]

good to hear everything is looking up, are you taking out your tax disc too ? i got £20 back on mine when i had my accident. Stuff thats on your policy like the ICE are you leaving that in there ?

 

[James]

I saw this today, I thought the number plate and colour were fitting (even if the red isn't as nice as yours):

 

[Kev]

wohoo!!!

I get access to the car today, confirmation of write off and being removed tomorrow.

Mixed emotions right now as I'm going to see it in daylight for the first time since the accident.

Back later
Kev

 

[James]

Best of luck mate

James.

 

[Kev]

GRRR!

Well I got to see it, but couldn't remove a thing from the car! I have to wait until it's at Universal Salvage in bloody doncaster!

Car was a total wreck, but did hold up very well considering the impact, will update more later, just back at work now.

Kev

 

[p11sr20]

GRRR!

Well I got to see it, but couldn't remove a thing from the car! I have to wait until it's at Universal Salvage in bloody doncaster!

Car was a total wreck, but did hold up very well considering the impact, will update more later, just back at work now.

Kev

chances are if you've got to wait until its at salvage yard they will charge you to remove bits as they will have bought the car from the insurance company as is. therefore assuming ownership of the car and any parts on it.
best to check that this isnt the case.

 

[paddymarsden]

they wont charge you a penny ! mine was taken to a salvage yard and i just let them know i was here to take the bits off it then bish bash bosh.

 

[Kev]

At the moment the car is going into free storage whilst the insurance payout is processed, in the meantime I hope I can gain access to the car and remove what I want that doesn't affect my policy.

Unfortunately this is at Doncaster, however still worth the drive for the bits I want.

There isn't a panel anywhere on the car worth saving other then a complete un-damaged rear bumper, but everything else is gone. It basically looks like someone has attacked the car with sledge hammer.

Kev

 

[paddymarsden]

ahh man i feel for you, when i had my car accident i was the same, ok mine wasnt near as bad as yours but when the car is in perfect condition it makes it 100 times worse. who is your insurer ? i had my payout within 10 days of my accident - norwich union

 

[Kev]

update:

Car now at Universal Salvage, I have access to the car next wednesday and have been given clearance to remove a few bits from the car that isn't related to my policy.........finally!!! grr I should be able to get photo's of it at Universal....

Claims forms went in today's post by special delivery and my insurance company have informed me that once the forms are in and processed they are ready to make me an offer, which should be sometime next week.

Kev

 

[Kev]

pics of the car

Well today I travelled 180 miles round trip and about 4hrs driving to go upto Doncaster and remove a fair few bits from the car.

Road Pilot
laser diffussers
Front and rear speakers
genesis amp
PIAA plasma bulbs and side lights ( now in the escort, they survived the crash)
decals for keepsakes :down:
Momo gearknob
and few other bits...

now for the pics...

Such a sad state seeing it like this, but it really did hold up well considering the impact was about 40-50mph and flipped upside down :S I'm soo lucky I got out alive let alone without a mark on me!!!

Kev :down:

 

[SR_Micra_Boy]

Ouch kev! ur a lucky sod!

 

[Kev]

I know, I think hit me today spending about an hour on the car stripping bits off it and ripping apart the interior wasn't much fun.

Kev

 

[mean micra]

EDITED Me Kev, thats a state...

think its important to get as much off it as possible to flog to your TOC mates...

Was gonna say 'you could T-cut it all out' but thought it was in bad taste...

as i said earlier, just count ya blessings... we all could have been Kevless..

 

[Kev]

thanks

Well I have spoken to my insurance company today and I will be given x amount towards the modifications.

There is a possibility of getting the wheels off, suspension and exhaust system. The rear bumper is ok, but all other bodykit parts are badly damaged.

The interior is full of crap and dirt and the leather seats are in quite a state.

I'll be happy enough with a reasonable amount added to my payout and I will of course inform TOC members where the car is if they want to get anything from it.

Kev

 

[paddymarsden]

ahh man i know how you feel when removing parts from your car, heartbreaking

 

[Antony]

that should buff out.......

no realy i know exactly how it feels mate. stripping my 309 wasnt funny after just 1 month of ownership and flipping it upsidedown...

 

[JamieGti]

You're both lucky and unlucky...

Glad you're ok, I had to look it over that it wasn't actually YOU that was dead when I saw "R.I.P" on yout avatar!

That's what I get for going missing for 6 months, I suppose!

Good luck with everything, take care!

Jamie

 

[James]

It's such a shame to see your car in that state Kev, after seeing it at countless shows now it seems so barbaric to see it in that state

It did hold up very well in the crash though, but such a shame your Corrolla ownership had to end this way :down:

James.

 

[Kev]

thanks James.

I know what you mean and the daft thing of it, sitting there in a complete mess the paint still glowed orange under the sun light and looked stunning.

tempted to do the escort in the same colour, but I will decide that at a later date, I have lots of colours to choice from at barwell

Kev

 

[Type-R]

man thats pretty rough!! Glad to see your ok though, at least the car had a strong crumple zone thank god.

I would be crying to see my car in that state, feel really sorry for you dude.

 

[G_Man]

glad ur ok mate, sad to see it like tht

 

[K10Daz]

That looks very nasty mate! Looks like you were very lucky to come out not majorly injured! Hope everything goes smooth with insurance etc, from previous experience it has been a pain!

Daz

 

[Kev]

Well the advantage of doing like for like on modifications may well see me right.

I have been searching around for reciepts for the modifications carried out on the car and I will be getting an extra payout on top of the vehicle valuation.

Should hopefully know by the end of next week, still have a few more reciepts to present, but I have already sent in lots for about 3k's worth of modifications.

Kev

 

[Arnold]

Wow Kev, totally amazed & shocked how smashed to bits that is, especially as you walked away without any physical issues.

Any joy with the wheels and the rest of the bits you want to remove?

 

[Ems]

Really didn't think it would look that bad. Just glad your still in one piece. Hope you continue to get it sorted without too much hassle.

 

[Courior]

aww man that looks bad! glad your ok and amazing how tough that car is! Does it still run? maybe you could buy it back and sell it for parts to get some £££ back for the escort?

Sorry to see this mate.

 

[paddymarsden]

no point in buying it back, imagine that sat on your drive i know i couldnt do it

got the escort now kev just work on that for now could turn out v well

 

[Spike]

yeah! rock on Blue Oval

 

[Kev]

CHEEKY *&^%&&!

They are trying to increase my premium by £97.14 for a standard Ford Escort!

My no claims is protected so therefore not effected by the claim and my original policy was £420, I have other quotes as low as £376.72!!!

Just about to ring them back and demand they at least match my original £420!

Kev

 

[James]

Unfortunately Kev, you may still have your no claims, however you still have an accident listed now, which can also increase your premium. It sucks but that's the way it is. Just imagine how high it would go without protected NCB!

However if you have other lower quotes, demand they match that or you'll go elsewhere, that should kick them a bit.

 

[Kev]

haha clever me!

insured it with a filter and dtm mirrors

premium remains the same and i can add all my previous mods as i do them at no extra cost...........oh yeah!

Kev

 

[James]

Excellent work

 

[Kev]

I thought so

hehe

 

[Arnold]

Unfortunately Kev, you may still have your no claims, however you still have an accident listed now, which can also increase your premium.

Very true for online quotes, regardless of the circumstances of the crash, blame for example. Always best to do policies by phone imo, can usually get the 'online discount' if you just say you were going to do it online but it said to call