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Well, I started off to work this morning at 6AM but didn't make it. The roads were mostly snow covered and more of the white stuff was coming down, but not too hard. In respect for the condintions, I was going a steady 50 or so (65 zone). The first hint I got was when the rear end twitched to the right. I countered and got it back. Suddenly it went right again, but this time there was no catching it. I did a few full counter clockwise 360's before it straightened out and suddenly snapped into a few clockwise 360's.
I pushed the clutch in as soon as it started spinning on me, and when I knew I wasn't going to be able to catch it again, I turned the wheels straight. The car partially straightened out, but now I was going backwards/sideways with the right rear corner in the lead. The wheels were still pointed straight when the whole car veered left (toward the right berm of the road if I had been going forward). I knew I was going to hit, and that there was nothing I was going to be able to do to prevent it.
Using my couch potato training, I relaxed as best I could and let my head relax against the head rest...BOOM... guardrail...
The next thing I know, I'm staring at my dome light...the driver's seat had collapsed and was in a full recline position. The car had stalled and all the dash lights were on, but Amy Lee was still coming out of the speakers (My Immortal). A quick inventory assured me that all my pieces-parts were where they were supposed to be and that there were no new holes anywhere (as I type, my back is a bit stiff, but nothing too bad...I've had more than a few pulled back muscles).
When I got up to look around, I saw that some nice lady had stopped and was calling the local PD. My first words to her were: "WOW, What a ride!" She let me borrow her cell to call my dad (no sense in freaking out the wife at 6:30 AM). I thanked her again, and assured her I was OK, and that she didn't have to stay.
That's when I really got to look at the car. The right taillight looks ok...the rest of it... Well, the right reflector on the truck lid is gone...so is the trunklid for that matter, and the rear spoiler, the rear bumper cover, the left taillight and reflector and the guardrail cut into the left quarter panel about 2 1/2 feet (about where the base of the rear window is). I have no idea how bad it is inside the trunk, or how bad the underbody faired, I should be able to get to it sometime this week and post pics.
I tried to restart the car for some heat, but all it would do is turn over, not even a hint of ignition. After a while the Highway Patrol showed and called for a wrecker (I didn't get cited for failure to control, so that's a good thing). My dad came and we made arraingements for my bodyshop to pick up the car from the tow company. They're supposed to let me know when it's at their shop.
I did a check on KBB.com and the rough value on my car (with 67,000 miles) is $5,300. I'm not sure what I still owe on the car, and I'm kind of afraid that since a run in with a raccoon caused nearly $1,000 in damage that this will total the car and leave me still owing on it.
I'll update you guys when I can
I pushed the clutch in as soon as it started spinning on me, and when I knew I wasn't going to be able to catch it again, I turned the wheels straight. The car partially straightened out, but now I was going backwards/sideways with the right rear corner in the lead. The wheels were still pointed straight when the whole car veered left (toward the right berm of the road if I had been going forward). I knew I was going to hit, and that there was nothing I was going to be able to do to prevent it.
Using my couch potato training, I relaxed as best I could and let my head relax against the head rest...BOOM... guardrail...
The next thing I know, I'm staring at my dome light...the driver's seat had collapsed and was in a full recline position. The car had stalled and all the dash lights were on, but Amy Lee was still coming out of the speakers (My Immortal). A quick inventory assured me that all my pieces-parts were where they were supposed to be and that there were no new holes anywhere (as I type, my back is a bit stiff, but nothing too bad...I've had more than a few pulled back muscles).
When I got up to look around, I saw that some nice lady had stopped and was calling the local PD. My first words to her were: "WOW, What a ride!" She let me borrow her cell to call my dad (no sense in freaking out the wife at 6:30 AM). I thanked her again, and assured her I was OK, and that she didn't have to stay.
That's when I really got to look at the car. The right taillight looks ok...the rest of it... Well, the right reflector on the truck lid is gone...so is the trunklid for that matter, and the rear spoiler, the rear bumper cover, the left taillight and reflector and the guardrail cut into the left quarter panel about 2 1/2 feet (about where the base of the rear window is). I have no idea how bad it is inside the trunk, or how bad the underbody faired, I should be able to get to it sometime this week and post pics.
I tried to restart the car for some heat, but all it would do is turn over, not even a hint of ignition. After a while the Highway Patrol showed and called for a wrecker (I didn't get cited for failure to control, so that's a good thing). My dad came and we made arraingements for my bodyshop to pick up the car from the tow company. They're supposed to let me know when it's at their shop.
I did a check on KBB.com and the rough value on my car (with 67,000 miles) is $5,300. I'm not sure what I still owe on the car, and I'm kind of afraid that since a run in with a raccoon caused nearly $1,000 in damage that this will total the car and leave me still owing on it.
I'll update you guys when I can
I feel OK (my ego on the other hand is in traction in the ICU ward). I won't get to see my car for a few days at least, but I did find out that I owe nearly $8K still 
(looks like my next car will be a used Hyundai Accent, or maybe a Metro 
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