January 31, 200917 yr My apparent stupidity has taken the life of one unsuspecting Jetta. I was on my way to work this morning and I ended up totaling my car. I wasn't rushing or in a hurry, I was on time. The roads weren't any worse than what has been regular this winter, from my perspective. I drive this same road every day on my way to work. I left around 8:40 am. I came upon this one sharp curve and I oddly misjudged it for the conditions and traveled around it a bit too fast, causing my front tires to slide. By then, I noticed a snow plow coming the opposite direction as I exited the turn, but I kept sliding towards the center of the road. There wasn't anywhere for him to go and I was stuck sliding and slid right into his rear wheels after barely nicking the cab. The hit flung my rear around while it basically stopped the snow plow right in his tracks. This was at about 8:45 am. I looked around and stared at my air bags for a bit, realizing they give off nasty gases that weren't very pleasant to breath in. I heard him talking on his radio to get help until to called over to see if I was okay. After another minute of looking around and actually making sure if I was okay or not, I began to try to get out. My door was basically inoperable with the A-pillar hitting part of the truck and peeling it and the door frame back like a sardine can. After noticing that, I hopped over to the passenger side and exited using that door. Circling around, I see that I definitely totaled it with pretty bad frame damage being visible. I mean, half my front is demolished, so I knew there was no doubt about it. Afterwords, I called my dad, called into work, and then waited around staring at the Jetta while I froze my ass off as everyone arrived. Once my dad got there, I sat in his truck to get warm for a bit until the Police came. Soon enough, a state trooper arrived and I talked to him and told him the story. I finished going through all the motions and grabbed what I could find out my car. I had my dad take me to work. I finally arrived at 10 am, an hour late. I suppose the good news is that I'm not hurt. I just feel a little sore. Otherwise, I walked away pretty much unscathed. One really freaky, coincidental thing that happened with all of this was the fact that my Pharmacist told me I could be an hour late if I didn't want to come in as early. As mentioned, I ended up being exactly an hour late. This, besides the fact that I felt like I expected this to happen. Not in a "I woke up and felt like I would wreck today", but as it was happening and right after, I didn't feel surprised. I'm not sure how exactly to describe it, it was just an odd feeling that I had. At the moment, I'm not sure what my plan is from here on out. I only had comprehensive coverage on the Jetta. I'll probably have to look into parting it out or something to get atleast something back from it. I'm not sure what kind of loan I could possibly get right now, either. It's not exactly a high time to apply for a loan and I don't have much of a credit history. I currently don't have the money to invest into either the Millenia or the Cutlass right now. Both of which are far from being driveable. I'm sure there isn't going to be a problem with me driving my brother's truck for a little bit to figure things out, however. We'll see, I guess. Anyways, here are the only three pictures I have at the moment. Bleh...
January 31, 200917 yr I suppose the good news is that I'm not hurt. I'm glad to read that you're alright. Thank you for sharing this personal story and even some photos. You can get always get another car.
January 31, 200917 yr Bad news, Vipes. I'm sorry man, I know you enjoyed that Jetta, they're good cars. You smashed her up good! I'm glad you're OK and I hope you can find a way to get another car for yourself soon.
January 31, 200917 yr 1998 Sonoma for $3200: http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/1015332831.html :AH-HA_wink: All kidding aside, it's good to hear that you didn't seriously get hurt. And I know what it's like to have just liability after totaling a car too; putting it bluntly, it's a real headache.
January 31, 200917 yr Aw BV, that sucks...you really enjoyed the Jetta...and of all the cars I remember you telling us about this was the only one that wasn't $h!pile. However it did it's job and protected you, and that you are ok is what matters most.
February 1, 200917 yr That sucks dude. You might want to consider a Subaru Impreza or AUDI for the next ride for the AWD.
February 1, 200917 yr Author Thanks, guys. And I know what it's like to have just liability after totaling a car too; putting it bluntly, it's a real headache. Indeed. That sucks dude. You might want to consider a Subaru Impreza or AUDI for the next ride for the AWD. True. Although, I'm not sure how much it would have helped in that situation. I was just going too fast for the conditions. I'm glad you didn't get hurt, did you have your seatbelt on? Yeah, I always wear mine, unlike my most of my family. Edited February 1, 200917 yr by blackviper8891
February 1, 200917 yr Good to hear you are ok. Your door frame looks like it was really peeled back...
February 1, 200917 yr Wow! That looks pretty bad. Not to sound totally cliche, but the good thing is that you walked away. Had it caught the door a little more, that might not have been the case. "That which does not kill us only makes us stronger" (An old one, but a good one)
February 1, 200917 yr Glad you are Ok there...that doesn't look very good..... Maybe you could trade both of your other cars in?
February 1, 200917 yr haha sucker! Just kidding man. Sorry about the car, but I'm happy you made it out pretty much okay. You'll be able to find a replacement soon, I'm sure.
February 1, 200917 yr Maybe another Jetta...ironically a VW was the most reliable vehicle of the lot.
February 1, 200917 yr I'm happy to hear you are unharmed. Why did I think your Jetta was green? Either way i took quite a hit. Thank God your VW has framed doors! My 500SEC would not have trapped me. :wink: Yeah, I always wear mine, unlike my most of my family. Good Job. I'm sure glad I had my seatbelt on when I was hit head on in my Datsun by a Red-light running BMW, otherwise there is a good chance my face would have smashed through my windshield & ended up as a hood ornament on a 328Xi.
February 1, 200917 yr Seat belts are the greatest safety innovation the car has ever had and remain so. I always wear them, and my kids will wear them too or else. Let it be a lesson to your brother.
February 1, 200917 yr Author Thanks, guy. The more it sets it, the more I realize what all I've lost. I had more invested in this car than anything else. Most of my money went towards the purchase, maintenance, and accessories of this car. The first thing I bought for myself besides this car was my camera. Everything else was related to this car in some way. I don't know what to do right now.
February 1, 200917 yr If you buy the same model, you could probbaly transfer most of what you bought onto the new one, and part out the rest of it.
February 1, 200917 yr Or pull out anything useful that you can sell, take the proceeds from that and junking the VW and fix the Milly.
February 1, 200917 yr Parting out your totaled VW is the only way you'll get a good chunk of your inve$tment back... I'm assuming you didn't have full coverage, huh?
February 1, 200917 yr Author Parting out your totaled VW is the only way you'll get a good chunk of your inve$tment back... I'm assuming you didn't have full coverage, huh? Correct, I had liability only.
February 1, 200917 yr If you buy the same model, you could probbaly transfer most of what you bought onto the new one, and part out the rest of it. That's an idea too.
February 1, 200917 yr http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?...leadExists=true I smell trans swap. http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?...leadExists=true lol. http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?...leadExists=true
February 2, 200917 yr Well, the main thing is that you were able to get out of the car safely. It did its job for you and took the loss. Of course you now have to figure things out, but at least recovery from injuries aren't on the list.
February 2, 200917 yr Author Well, the main thing is that you were able to get out of the car safely. It did its job for you and took the loss. Of course you now have to figure things out, but at least recovery from injuries aren't on the list. True. It absorbed the crunch well. It didn't feel nearly as bad as it looks, not that I have a great memory of the actual impact. I mostly just remember right before where I was heading directly for the plow truck and right after when I was staring at the gases escaping from my airbags.
February 2, 200917 yr WOW BV, Sorry to hear you were in an accident. like everyone else, very glad you did not get hurt, the auto did it's job and protected you. Now you can help our economy recover and buy an american Auto. Good Luck BV.
February 3, 200917 yr WOW BV, Sorry to hear you were in an accident. like everyone else, very glad you did not get hurt, the auto did it's job and protected you. Now you can help our economy recover and buy an american Auto. Good Luck BV. FYI buying used America won't help the economy any more than used foreign. Also, ask him how teh Cutlass has been doing for him.
February 3, 200917 yr The Mk IV in many ways was better than the Mk III, but in others, it was worse. I like the Mk III Jetta/Golf. I had a '92 Mk II Golf GL 2 door in light green. I drove the heck out of that thing. It took me to Colorado in early September of '92.
February 4, 200917 yr Author The Mk IV in many ways was better than the Mk III, but in others, it was worse. I like the Mk III Jetta/Golf. I had a '92 Mk II Golf GL 2 door in light green. I drove the heck out of that thing. It took me to Colorado in early September of '92. I'd like to get another MK3. I'd want a GLX with the VR6 and 5spd this time, though, Golf or Jetta. If I find one for cheap... Anyways, I finally got a chance to drive out to the garage where they took my Jetta. I was able to get some better pictures.
February 4, 200917 yr Safe happens, huh, Cory? I know it's hard to have to let go of your baby like this, but you're still young. Another one's in your future.
February 4, 200917 yr Get a REAL VolksWagen. The one commissioned by Hitler, designed by Porsche & embraced by hippies everywhere. You'll never have to replace a water pump or computer. Edited February 4, 200917 yr by Sixty8panther
February 4, 200917 yr Reliability wasn't a problem with it though, so that's not an issue. A snow plow hitting him was the problem..and I'd have more faith in the Jetta than some tin-can Beetle to survive a crash like that.
February 4, 200917 yr http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/1013890304.html Your new car BV. :AH-HA_wink:
February 4, 200917 yr Those old Beetles have like 9 moving parts, they're easier to take apart and ut back together than a Lego house. And also, they float.
February 4, 200917 yr http://youtube.com/watch?v=UKf4dsn9Zs0 I'll take a few more moving parts for something that won't crumple like tin foil.
February 5, 200917 yr I doubt a beetle would float after 40 Pennsylvania winters, though. Glad to hear your Okay, BV. Maybe you could get a diesel for your next VW? Chris
February 5, 200917 yr Holy cow, Cory ... very sorry that happened to you. VERY glad to read that you are OK. Hope the soreness has gone away. Cars can be replaced; people cannot be. Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...RT 66 drive = Sept '09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "It's such a cold blow from out of the dark" ... Brooks and Dunn ... 'That Ain't No Way To Go'
February 5, 200917 yr Author Thanks, again, guys. Reliability wasn't a problem with it though, so that's not an issue. A snow plow hitting him was the problem..and I'd have more faith in the Jetta than some tin-can Beetle to survive a crash like that. I will say the CEL that's promised with every VW purchase had just come on. I'm surprised it took 15k miles for it to finally light up. http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/1013890304.html Your new car BV. :AH-HA_wink: I do like those, but I'll probably stick with a VW. A GTI with the VR6 is a pretty spirited ride and they could be optioned out almost like an Audi. Parts will be more plentiful and cheaper, as well.
February 5, 200917 yr Like I've said for years: Beetle + rollcage = ULTRA SAFE economy car. As far as safety common sense goes a LONG way. i.e. slow down in winter conditions.
February 6, 200917 yr Author As far as safety common sense goes a LONG way. i.e. slow down in winter conditions. Indeed.
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