The Vibe Crumble Zone (or how to get in an accident)

[disneydj]

Ah yes, just another GenVibe Forum member talking about an accident. I learned first hand the wonder of the crumple zone. It actually kind of sucks. It all started out as a pretty nice day. Got my Cinimini's at BK and was headed to pick a friend up at Sound Advice. It seems my superior sound upgrade got him in the mood to compete. I was pretty excited because I had just passed another Satellite VIbe on the road, which in Orlando is very rare. I waved my happy we're driving Vibe's wave and continued onto the Interstate. A typical rainy day in Florida, I was Vibin' listening to some tunes, when suddenly up ahead Brake Lights. Suddenly the thought of "maybe I should've gotten ABS" runs through my head as the front of my beautiful baby, found the rear of a Dodge Ram Dualie.I knew it was bad, when for the first time I was looking at my hood. So the score was Vibe - zero, Dodge - one. Of course lucky me, no one was hurt... but those airbags I paid extra for didn't pop out to say hello... which makes me wonder if that Stereo upgrade rumor is true. No stock radio... no airbags... or maybe I wasn't going fast enough for them to make their grand entrance. After exchanging some info, we were both on are way. This is my favorite part of the story. Have you ever seen Planes, Trains, and Automobiles? Well I got to experience the hood flying up and covering the window while driving to the body shop. Which might bring me to start another forum called, "where to look if your hood flies up." There's not much to look through, just miles and miles of beautiful Satellitte Hood.So that's my story, and I'll post all the beautiful photographs. So much for that INJEN Cai I was gonna get this weekend... looks like instead I'll just pay the $500 deductible. Oh well, the joys of tourists in Orlando.

[millster]

Ohhh... sorry to hear that. Glad nobody was injured. Here's to a speedy recovery!!

[joatmon]

What a shame, sorry to hear about it. Don't know if I want to see the pictures or not, might make me cry. After something like that, remember the only important thing is that no one was hurt.If the airbags didn't deploy and you still weren't hurt, then maybe they didn't need to. One less thing to replace. There's a number of threads byFCSer, who is fixing a wrecked Vibe, and his airbags hadn't deployed either, so maybe the crumple zone kept that from happening. At least it was still driveable, (when the hood was down) The Vibe comes with those cargo area tie downs. I bet you could use them to hold the hood down somehow. Good thing you didn't have a second accident on the way to the shop.

[disneydj]

Never thought about those tie downs. There still sitting in the unopened bag in the trunk. However I did notice that the hood flying open damaged the roof of the Vibe.Good thing that happened in the accident *wink wink*You know with the headlight gone, and the battery moved over a bit... I'm starting to see parts of my Vibe I've never seen before. Not that I really wanted to see them to begin with... but what are you gonna do. I took pictures... just gotta upload 'em.This is one of those days, where you should just call it a day, go back to bed, and try it again tomorrow.

[disneydj]

Thought this was kind of ironic. The rental car from progressive is a Pontiac Vibe. No moon and tunes, but the same color.

[ragingfish]

Sounds like the front of the car went under the truck, in whcih case, the airbags are not supposed to deploy.I wouldn't worry -- i'm sure if they should have, they would have.

[disneydj]

Here Are the Pictures

Attached files

[disneydj]

Ouch... what the h*ll is in here anyways?

Attached files

[disneydj]

and finally... here's what will happen to your roof if you forget to latch your hood. It isn't pretty. First Progressive Estimate $5150 and Two Weeks! Fortunately it's going to a Pontiac Dealer to get fixed, wonder if I can convince them the accident knocked the sport package off?

Attached files

[millster]

Ouch! Well, hopefully they get it fixed quickly and well for you. Good luck on a fast return to the road!

[scherry2]

OUCH!! glad no one was hurt except the vibe, the Dodge must have been up there or your nose did a big dive.

[wildvibe]

Ouch lol Looks like it held up decent though! Glad nobody was hurt!

[Fast Eddie]

Wow, never seen a Vibe with a 'black eye' before. Get well soon!

[msmyer]

The word of this forum....Ouch!

[disneydj]

Another update. Since I would never wish anything like this on any of you fine people. Here is the first estimate.https://personal1.progressive.com/inter ... ate.aspWow, there's a lot of stuff on there!

[ragingfish]

Definitely doesn't look like it hit the right region -- or hte right speed -- for an airbag deployment.

[JayAyeEm]

I'm vaguely reminded of the guy that rear ended a Dodge Van. When the cop asked what happened, the guy said he was just 'following the instructions on the van'The cop asked, "What intstructions?"The guy responded, "Right there... It says 'Ram Van'"I guess the van driver was cited for not following his instructions, on the dash where it said, "Dodge Ram."

[disneydj]

Sure thing... Should've "Dodge"ed... Now I'm wishing I would've cut the wheel left instead of right. Maybe then I could've hit some contruction barrels instead of him. Here's the breakdown of the repairs... Description: 2003 Pontiac Vibe Vehicle Production Date: 00/00Body Style: 4D Wgn Drive Train: 1.8L Inj 4 Cyl4AFWDMileage: 17,086 OEM/ALT: A Color: SILVEROptions: Alum/Alloy Wheels, Air Conditioning, Power Steering, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Tilt Steering Wheel, Cruise Control, Electric Defogger, Automatic Transmission, AM-FM Stereo/CDPlayer(SingleLine Entry Labor Line Item Part Type/ Dollar Labor Item Number Type Operation Description Part Number Amount Units ____ ______ _____ _________________ ___________________________________________ _____________________ _________ _______ INFORMATION LABELS 1 400002 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE INFORM LABEL VACUUM ROUTING 94859563 GM PART 8.52 2 400004 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE INFORM LABEL AIR COND CAUTION 88970292 GM PART 11.03 3 400008 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE INFORM LABEL EMISSION CONTROL 88971574 GM PART d13.70 FRONT BUMPER 4 400035 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE FRT BUMPER EMBLEM 88969815 GM PART 30.91 0.2 5 400040 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE L FRT UPR BUMPER SUPPORT 88970434 GM PART 15.43 6 400041 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE FRT LWR BUMPER COVER 88972298 GM PART 353.34 2.1 # 7 400044 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE FRT BUMPER IMPACT CUSHION 88970441 GM PART 130.15 0.2 # 8 400047 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE L FRT BUMPER IMPACT BRACKET 88970440 GM PART 20.07 FRONT LAMPS 9 400062 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE L FRT COMB LAMP ASSEMBLY 88969943 GM PART 298.29 INC # 10 BDY CHECK/ADJUST HEADLAMPS 0.4 HOOD 11 400085 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE HOOD PANEL 88969690 GM PART 351.97 1.2 12 REF REFINISH HOOD OUTSIDE C 2.4 13 REF REFINISH HOOD UNDERSIDE 1.2 14 400092 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE R HOOD HINGE 94857419 GM PART 27.27 0.2 # 15 REF REFINISH R HINGE 0.2 16 400093 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE L HOOD HINGE 94857420 GM PART 27.27 0.2 # 17 REF REFINISH L HINGE 0.2 FRONT FENDER 18 400184 REF BLEND R FENDER OUTSIDE C 0.7 19 400191 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE L FENDER PANEL 88969695 GM PART 252.14 1.3 # 20 REF REFINISH L FENDER OUTSIDE C 1.4 21 REF REFINISH L FENDER EDGE 0.5 22 400199 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE L FENDER LINER 88969697 GM PART 81.30 INC 23 400210 BDY REMOVE/INSTALL R FENDER WHEEL OPENING MLDG 0.3 # FRONT INNER STRUCTURE 24 400234 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE UPR FRONT BODY TIE BAR -S 88972195 GM PART 74.14 2.0 25 REF REFINISH UPPER TIE BAR 0.5 26 400238 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE L FRONT BODY HEADLAMP SUPPORT -S 88970730 GM PART 17.50 0.5 27 REF REFINISH L RADIATOR SIDE PANEL 0.3 28 400249 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE L FRT INR FRONT BODY SUPT REINFORCEMENT 88970741 GM PART 20.58 0.5 29 400284 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE L UPR OTR FRONT BODY SIDE RAIL -S 88970752 GM PART 76.72 1.0 30 REF REFINISH L UPR OTR SIDE RAIL 0.3 31 400288 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE L FRONT BODY FRONT APRON PANEL -S 88970758 GM PART 283.02 4.0 # 32 REF REFINISH L FRONT APRON PANEL 0.5 33 400293 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE L FRONT BODY SEAL 88970773 GM PART 77.51 AIR CLEANER 34 400625 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE AIR CLEANER COVER 88969105 GM PART 263.58 0.3 # 35 400634 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE REAR AIR CLEANER INTAKE DUCT 88969114 GM PART 12.61 0.2 ELECTRICAL 36 400712 BDY REMOVE/REPLACE RETAINER 88970964 GM PART 16.41 WINDSHIELD 37 400737 GLS REMOVE/INSTALL WINDSHIELD 3.4 # FRONT DOOR 38 400998 REF BLEND L FRT DOOR OUTSIDE C 0.9 39 401020 BDY REMOVE/INSTALL L FRT OTR BELT MLDG 0.2 40 401022 BDY REMOVE/INSTALL L FRT REAR VIEW MIRROR 0.7 # 41 401028 BDY REMOVE/INSTALL L FRT UPR DOOR ADHESIVE MOULDING Existing 0.2* 42 401044 BDY REMOVE/INSTALL L FRT LWR DOOR ADHESIVE MOULDING Existing 0.4* 43 401056 BDY REMOVE/INSTALL L FRT DOOR TRIM PANEL INC 44 401107 BDY REMOVE/INSTALL L FRT DOOR HANDLE 0.2 # ROOF 45 401403 BDY REPAIR ROOF PANEL Existing 10.0*# 46 REF REFINISH ROOF PANEL C 2.6 47 401445 BDY REMOVE/INSTALL R ROOF DRIP MLDG 0.2 48 401446 BDY REMOVE/INSTALL L ROOF DRIP MLDG 0.2 49 401496 BDY REMOVE/INSTALL LUGGAGE LID RACK 0.6 ADDITIONAL OPERATIONS 50 REF ADD'L OPR CLEAR COAT 2.2 ROOF 51 ADD'L COST PAINT/MATERIALS
250.20* FRONT INNER STRUCTURE 52 900500 MCH* REMOVE/REPLACE FUSE BOX New 897.00* 0.5* 53 MC NAMARA 407-849-0610 54 900500 BDY* REMOVE/REPLACE BATTERY **Qual Repl Part 50.00* 0.2* MANUAL ENTRIES 55 900500 BDY* REPAIR TIE DOWN & MEASURE/PULL Existing 1.0* Add'l Labor SubletI. Labor Subtotals Units Rate Amount Amount Totals II. Part Replacement Summary Amount _____ ______ ______ ______ ___________ ____________ Body 28.5 32.00 0.00 0.00 912.00 T Taxable Parts 3,410.46 Refinish 13.9 32.00 0.00 0.00 444.80 T Parts Adjustments 336.05- Glass 3.4 32.00 0.00 0.00 108.80 T Sales Tax @ 7.000% 215.21 Mechanical 0.5 48.00 0.00 0.00 24.00 T Total Replacement Parts Amount 3,289.62 Taxable Labor 1,489.60 Labor Tax @ 7.000% 104.27 Labor Summary 46.3 1,593.87III. Additional Costs Amount IV. Adjustments Amount _________ ____________ Taxable Costs 250.20 Insurance Deductible 500.00- Sales Tax @ 7.000% 17.51 Customer Responsibility 500.00- Total Additional Costs 267.71 I. Total Labor: 1,593.87 II. Total Replacement Parts: 3,289.62 III. Total Additional Costs: 267.71 Gross Total: 5,151.20

[ragingfish]

Yikes!!!Is insurance gonna cover the bulk of that I hope?

[disneydj]

What emissions thing? I've been told that it should be back the first week of July... but I'm not counting on it. At least Progressive sent it to a GM Certified Dealership to do the repairs. Not mine, but one on the other side of town. So now the fun begins... waiting.

[MadBill]

I've got a "so close to a crumple zone" story to tell:I commute 80 km one way on a not very busy 4 lane highway. Seems like every day there's a new set of skid marks into the center median, and I'm always asking myself: "How the (bleep) did someone do that on a straight, empty, dry road in the middle of the day?"Well, now I know! This afternoon I was coming up at about 125 KPH on a pack of three cars travelling about 110 in the right lane. When I was about 20 feet from the back of the last one, a new Buick Regal, the twit suddenly pulled right in front of me! I hit the brakes but before I got to the horn, he was across my lane and onto the shoulder. I gave him a long blast on my (thankfully non-stock) pair of Highway Blasters, and the guy gave a huge twitch and woke up just as he drove down the 5 foot bank into the median!Since I was already going a lot faster than he was, I dropped it into third and stood on it, and as I blew by he was flying along the surprisingly smooth ditch, trying to slow down. The last I saw of him in the mirror, the front end of the car was back up on the shoulder, and he had got it stopped without rolling or hitting anything. Bet he thought he was having the mother of all bad dreams!

[msmyer]

quote:The link will not come up for me.Me neither!....Cut and Paste, then post it!

[disneydj]

The Link sends you to the rather long list as seen above. Got to visit the Vibe at the bodyshop yesterday. I don't even recognize it. They have the entire front off. Looks like I have to order another Grafxwerks emblem. Maybe the extra paint they're putting on will be thiker then the factory coat. This is just a really drastic way of fixing all those chips in the paint.