A&Q about Lotus
Q:
glad you guys are alright, cars can be replaced but lives cannot.
A:
Just got back from Specialty Car Craft, and took a look at David's car firsthand. Well, I'm obviously no expert, and we'll see what they say when the clam comes off, but to me the damage looks mostly cosmetic. New clam, door, side sill, rear diffuser, rear panel, etc. Don't know if that equals "total" but we'll see. Just glad all involved were ok. Looked like a pretty good hit. The foam inside the clam does a pretty good job at impact absorption.
A:
Thanks for checking up on her, Alan. It may be that the damage is cosmetic. I took the rear wheel off yesterday and could see no apparent damage, but what the hell do I know?
My insurance adjuster had lots of sympathy but no clue as how to calculate the estimate for an Elise--I gave him the Newport European service number to help him figure that out. And Specialty Car Craft won't start the tear-down until they've gotten the ok from the adjuster. Once they start, and if it's a repair rather than totally, it will take FOUR or FIVE weeks!!!
A:
Thanks everyone, too, for the kind comments.
A:
Originally Posted by David
Thanks for checking up on her, Alan. It may be that the damage is cosmetic. I took the rear wheel off yesterday and could see no apparent damage, but what the hell do I know?
My insurance adjuster had lots of sympathy but no clue as how to calculate the estimate for an Elise--I gave him the Newport European service number to help him figure that out. And Specialty Car Craft won't start the tear-down until they've gotten the ok from the adjuster. Once they start, and if it's a repair rather than totally, it will take FOUR or FIVE weeks!!!
My Pleasure, Dave. I'd have the adjuster call Steve over at Specialty - inserting N.E.S. into the mix only seems to be adding a step. Specialty has done so many of these jobs, that they know exactly what it takes...also, any estimate before the tear down will be preliminary, obviously, until they can look inside.
A:
Wow, so scary, and with your kid in the car. Very lucky indeed. Glad to hear you're both fine, that's all that matters.
A:
So how does this story end?
A:
you may actually want to consider yourself glad you weren't in the tercel (or whatever other car it was they you usually drove). Side impacts on thin sheet metal cars are do not always survive so well.
A:
Good thing your ok I'm suprised the body of the car looks like it took so little damage. Seems like the unibody did it's job and kept everyone inside safe thats the important thing. And the car well we love them but its just a car it gives it's life to you so you can live just make sure you get another one soon.