Got into a car accident today. I was taking a left leaving a shopping mall & the car (an '02 Sienna minivan -> damn yota's) across from me ran his stop sign. My '04 Malibu took it in the passenger front-corner -- HARD. Both airbags deployed (what a treat that was -- do you like smoke?). Bumper was crushed, hood caved in, fendor damaged. For those that aren't familiar with the Malibu, the pass.-side airbag is hidden behind the dash -- and when it deploys, it punches a hole in your dash to explode outward. I calc $3k in parts on the inside of my car alone (2 airbags + dash + labor). Car was still drivable -- but it did get pounded -- and NO I didn't take pictures. Progressive had me drop the car off at their service center, where I picked up a rental car (covered by my ins. policy for all of $9 every six months). Anyways, I get home from work today & I check out my claim online & guess what? "Car is considered a total loss". Ouch. I'm still shocked. Nobody @ Progressive has any additional info tonight. I've gotta wait & talk to my claims adjuster tomorrow.

This sux. The car was easily the most boring ride I've ever owned. It was also reliable as hell & I could barely get the gas mileage below 32 mpg--even when I beat the crap out of it. I routinely got 34-36mpg, with a 75%hwy/25%city mix -- and half of those hwy miles were of the stop-and-go rush hour variety. Apparently Progressive uses the NADA retail value as a base; which roughly means $10,800 -- and I'm certain they'll find a way to adjust it downward from there. I'm not certain what I'll do. I'm probably not in a position to buy new, so I'll hafta start trolling used cars. What a pisser.

Edited September 22, 200619 yr by cmattson

You might be able to find a leftover G6 with the 2.4 if you want something similar, and you should be able to get a good deal on one of those.

Thanks Northy. Funny you should mention that. I was browsing the G6's. The "SV1" (value leader) would be very similar to my old Malibu -- but with a sportier look and a little more juice under the hood.

Edited September 22, 200619 yr by cmattson

Toyota, Moving Forward right into FlyBrian and Cmattson.

Wow. Two peas in a pod. I know exactly how you feel. I'm fighting mine, though.

Good luck and let me know if you want to drown shared sorrows...

mattson, look at an Aura XE. my buddy gets 30+ with his malibu v6 (admittedly mostly highway) but the XE is close to 20g and still gets good mpg.

or go wpb and get a maxx this time! equinox/torrent might work for you too.

the G6 4 cylinder SV1 is a nice idea as well, since you like the 4 cylinder. A really nice idea.

Vue greenline?

Be sure to consider new with the new 100k powertrain wty for 07.

i bet there are plenty of new 06 Malibu 4 cylinders on lots with big discounts that would make it affordable. Some of the 4 poppers now have remote start and side airbags.

look at it as an opportunity to go car shopping and enjoy it. and hey some nice 1 and 2 yo cars may pop up also.

Edited September 22, 200619 yr by regfootball

or go wpb and get a maxx this time!

196551[/snapback]

I'm not sure if that's such a good idea... And way to go, mentioning his name. Now he's going to appear...

Wow... where do you guys find these drivers? My '04 Malibu gets hit by a stupid piece of sheetrock! I'd love for it to get totalled - a great excuse to buy a new car! I better be careful though - I'm just about to leave work, and I have the Malibu with me today!!!