(BAD) So a few weeks ago my wife was at the center of a 6 car pileup on I-275 on her way to work. She stopped in time to avoid the car in front of her but the guy behind her (and the 2 guys behind him) were not so lucky. She got pushed into the car in front of her and the two cars behind her got towed away.
See what happens when you poke a Beetle in the ass.
(Good) Other than some minor whiplash, a scrape on her shin and a bruise on her elbow she came through it well. Her '03 Beetle Turbo S (180 HP/6 spd) was still driveable and after popping the lights back in and securing with some electrical tape found on the side of the highway (seriously) she continued on to work and gave her final exam of the semester.
I kinda like the spider look.
(Bad) Although the car was driveable and seemed to track straight, etc. we noticed that the sunroof was not closing. It would cycle and not seat. Ruh Roh Shaggy. Body shop initial estimate was $2500 BEFORE they took the bumpers off and got it up on the rack. Friday AM we got the call, "She's dead Jim". Of course this is right after we spent about $2K in other crap that needed being done (it has 99K on it). Honestly I'm not too upset. While I loved the drivetrain on this car I hated working on it and the interior fit/finish was crappy. Stuff just kept continuing to break and don't get me started on those headlights...
(Good) Tonight she is driving home a 400+ HP potential replacement. We have it for an overnight stay to see what we think. I suggested she drive it on her 32 mile (one way) commute today to she what she thought.
(Bad) She is in total grid lock on the drive home and is currently not pleased with my suggestion.
I'm psyched she might actually want this car although it is everything she said she didn't want and she loved it on the initial test drive. This is totally her car so I will back whatever choice she makes.
So what is this 400+HP replacement?
It's not difficult to upgrade from a Beetle. They lose their "cuteness" really quickly when the fit, finish, and interior disintegrate at an insane rate.
What was damaged on it so badly that they totaled it? The bumper must be hiding come pretty serious damage.
Oh and I say new charger is the "replacement"
Your wife sounds pretty awesome in that she fixed the car herself to make it drive able and went on to work. Glad she is ok. Those cars do look horrible to work on. I have a weird obsession with the new ones especially with the wheels that look like the old classic wheels. Unfortunately they are like 25 k for the turbo
In reply to Cone_Junky:
Yeah but that drivetrain! I love the way the 1.8T in that car pulls. I had wicked thoughts of keeping the engine, etc. and putting into the rear of something but have not read anything good about previous attempts at this. If I could longitudinally mount the engine and fab a RWD set up it would be awesome in my Amazon wagon.
The replacement? It is an '08 and is not forced induction.
The car that hit her first.
hobiercr wrote:
The replacement? It is an '08 and is not forced induction.
I'm guessing G8.
*edit - just realized they weren't quite 400hp, so I'm probably wrong.
In reply to moparman76_69:
Buckled trunk pan, bent frame rail and some front suspension damage. It didn't drive badly but there were some new clunks under hard acceleration.
Beetle's just don't take a hit real well on repair. They do hold up though in terms of safety though.
If you have decent insurance then you can give them the repair bills that you have just paid and they will prorate them a bit.
hobiercr wrote:
The replacement? It is an '08 and is not forced induction.
Hmm. Sounds like a Mustang kind of day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imKBZohO_ho
EDIT: Losin' my mind..forgot to mention I'm glad she's OK!
In reply to nepa03focus:
My wife is awesome! She was talking to me on her cell when she saw the roll of electrical tape on the side of the interstate. She couldn't believe it. I told her we have to throw a replacement roll out soon. You know, to pay it forward.
In reply to wearymicrobe:
I do have to agree with you. It was at the center of the six cars and got hit 3 times and probably bumped the car in front of her 3 times as well and she drove away. This car was a rear-ender magnet though. She had 2 previous hits from younger drivers on Bruce B Downs when she lived in Tampa. This is the 3rd major impact for the car and it has already had over $10K of work done to it. None of these accidents were her fault and she thinks drivers may have had a microsecond confusion (whatever) between the red car/brake light.
We do have decent insurance (go USAA) so we are working on this.
In reply to friedgreencorrado:
Thanks. Not a Mustang either.
In reply to hobiercr:
I see that you have an Amazon in the picture behind the bug. Why not let her drive that instead?
Glad she's OK. Won't shed a tear at the demise of another Beetle though. 
As far as another DD, go riceburner or go home. 
In reply to Sine_Qua_Non:
She refuses to drive any of my cars. The only one she has actually ever driven is the F350. With a 64 mile commute in FL a non-AC car is not her cup of tea. Plus, I'm currently DD'ing the Amazon. No power anything and no radio...perfect.
In reply to Curmudgeon:
Well it is a little ricey.
hobiercr wrote:
Well it is a little ricey.
Serves me right. I'm old enough that when I see a 400hp figure, I instantly start thinking domestics. I forgot that a lot of imports have real horsepower now. I have a new guess, but I had my turn.
If Tucker finds his way in here he doesn't get to play.
In reply to aussiesmg:
Nope, normally aspirated but it is a 4 door.
mndsm
PowerDork
5/10/13 5:33 p.m.
08, 400+HP, ricey? I'm gonna have to guess Lexus IS-F.
... Miata isn't the answer, is it?
