Disaster Struck. I think my baby is gone. :( | FerrariChat

Disaster Struck. I think my baby is gone. :(

Discussion in '348/355' started by Eric C, Jul 18, 2016.

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  1. Eric C

    Eric C F1 Veteran
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    Mar 20, 2009
    8,960
    St. Louis, MO
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    Eric
    #1 Eric C, Jul 18, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I'm still in shock. I went on a short drive last night around 8pm last night. I was going about 25 mph when a deer lunged out at me. I made the stupid mistake of panicking, then swerved straight into a concrete barrier. I should have just hit the deer.

    Main impact was passenger front, but I had to pry my drivers door open, so I'm thinking the chassis is tweaked. Nevermind the front being pushed over about a foot or more.

    Insurance is supposed to send someone out around Wednesday. What do you guys think they'll say?

    Heartbroken.
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  2. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2007
    35,997
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    Arrgh. Glad you are ok though.

    Kai
     
  3. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
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    goth
    noooooo .... :(
     
  4. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
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    Eric,

    Wow - I'm very sorry to read this!! :(

    Very glad you are not hurt.

    Given you and I both live in rural areas - my biggest fear is hitting a deer or similar to what happened to you. Hitting the deer would have been as bad or worst. Toward the fall, I almost never take my car out at night for this reason.

    I'd say it's likely the insurance will total the car. Perhaps you can buy it back and consider fixing it, especially if you can do some work yourself.

    Let me know if I can help in anyway. I have a spare front grill should you decide to fix it and if you need it, I'll give it to you free.
     
  5. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
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    Apr 13, 2004
    7,113
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    #5 phrogs, Jul 18, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2016
    Oh I know your gutted but you're ok.

    You cant take back your split second desisions its done.

    See what the insurance says and go from there.

    Just take off any bolt on parts before they take it away if they total it.

    Worse damage has been fixed its just will the cost push them to total it.

    Unfortunatly I believe it will be totaled just based on the cost of the parts needed.


    The fender, bumper headlight and hood are all toast, the inner structure is all mangled and would need to be replaced to be correct.

    Im.sure youll see other unseen areas that are buckled in the wheel well area and up near the windshield is a crumple zone.

    It sucks but life goes on.

    Maybe buy it back and part it out.
     
  6. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    Nov 26, 2012
    3,814
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    Bob Ferraris
    So sorry Eric.

    A real unique f355 in trouble. Happy it is just your car.

    Best wishes
     
  7. gt4me

    gt4me F1 Veteran

    Sep 10, 2005
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    Lewis Mitchell
    Sorry to see that, long as your unharmed is the main thing.
     
  8. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
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    Sorry to see that. Was a beautiful car. Glad you are OK. Just remember, when it come to insurance if they total the car (sounds likely from your description) you are not necessarily obligated to take what they offer if you have an ordinary policy. Check your policy. You may be able to have the car appraised at your expense and then submit the appraisal to an unbiased arbitration board. If agreed value, no problem. Again, sorry, but glad you are ok.

    And by the way, hitting the dear probably would have resulted just as much damage, so don't feel bad about that.
     
  9. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    Jun 14, 2011
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    Tim Dee
    Ahh crap man, sorry. Glad your here to talk about it

    Easy fix if you keep the car for a good bodyshop
     
  10. baschul

    baschul Karting
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    May 27, 2015
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    Brian S
    Sorry to hear. Glad you're ok. Hitting the deer would have been worse so you made the correct split-second decision in my opinion.
     
  11. Oengus

    Oengus F1 World Champ
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    crap Eric.....glad your ok though
     
  12. chris1866

    chris1866 Formula Junior
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    Noo!
    So sorry to hear this.
    Glad you are ok.
    As others have said, you probably made the right decision.
    I'm sure you'll be back one way or another!
     
  13. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
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    Apr 3, 2006
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    Glad youre ok.

    Please, save this car. It is one of my favorites.
     
  14. JoeTSI

    JoeTSI Formula 3
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    Dec 16, 2015
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    Glad you are ok, that is what matters. I too think your car will be declared a total loss given the amount of damage to the chassis/frame. If your drivers door gave protest to being opened then the fame is offset to the drivers side by the impact to the passenger side. I also wouldn't be surprised if you have damage to the A pillar area on the passenger side from the energy absorption of the impact. I would be proactive and start finding and saving recent 355 sales of cars in your condition (which may be hard given the unique color and how clean your car is) to garner top dollar for your loss. Again, just glad you are ok.
     
  15. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
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    Pete
    Oh no, so sorry to see. Glad you're ok, but sorry about the car...
     
  16. Julia

    Julia F1 Veteran
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    Feb 22, 2014
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    Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm glad you're ok, though!
     
  17. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Glad you're OK
     
  18. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
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    Dec 29, 2006
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    It looks very repairable but insurance will total it. Buy it back and fix it or sell to someone here.

    I'd be interested.
     
  19. Tape32

    Tape32 Karting

    Apr 23, 2011
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    That sucks! One of my favorite 355's on Ferrari chat. That car can be repaired, it was so clean it should be saved.
     
  20. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
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    Jun 10, 2007
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    Damn! Sorry to hear Eric. :(
     
  21. BrianNYC14

    BrianNYC14 Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2014
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    Eric,

    Very sorry to hear this, and wishing you all the best as this gets sorted. Hopefully insurance will help get you back in a 355 soon (or help you repair this one). Glad you are alright, the brotherhood is here for ya!
     
  22. Yassa

    Yassa Formula 3
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    man that sucks...glad to hear you're okay though.
     
  23. John M

    John M Formula Junior

    Nov 18, 2004
    887
    Kentucky
    #23 John M, Jul 18, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2016
    Condolences about the car. Glad you are ok. Time to find another I think. That looks done. Awesome color. One of my favorite 355s. :(
     
  24. itsablurr

    itsablurr Formula 3

    Dec 9, 2005
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    Carlisle, MA
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    Matt
    Very sorry to see. Your 355 is one of my favorites. :(
     
  25. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
    3,136
    I have a bare 355 chassis here with similar impact damage to the front.

    The main chassis won't be distorted, it will be the outer and inner wings that are pushed into the hinge area of the door. Once that is all removed it looks far better.

    The main front chassis legs on the 355 are pretty meaty, the mounting points for the front suspension and wishbones on the one here are still perfectly true.

    Cost wise though it is probably a borderline insurance write off, the front parts from Ferrari are very expensive and lots are on back order. Used front parts are hard to find as they are nearly always damaged on parted out cars.

    I know a buyer for the car though if you wanted to buy it back from the insurance company and then sell it on as it is for a profit if that is any consolation.

    A friend recently had a light frontal impact in his 355, inner wings were fine, just required outers, hood, fenders, light pods etc and the cost to repair was just over £15,000 so around $22,000. The insurance picked up the tab as UK 355s command a premium over US/European cars at the moment so not worth them writing it off.
     

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