New in the Northwest

KateA · 03-28-2009, 10:07 AM

Hi. I'm the proud owner of Maxwel, a yellow & black Passion. I barely got a chance to drive it because my husband was always using it. Unfortunately, Maxwel was munched last week. A young driver, trying to get across five lanes of traffic, didn't see the bright yellow car, punched down on her accelerator and hit Max squarely in the driver's door. Of course, he was in the furthest lane from her so she had up quite a head of steam.

Sorry to be so wordy. I joined the forum partly to find out about repairing the car. The rollcage appears to be compromised, so we want to know whether it can be sectioned out, a new piece welded in, and still maintain the integrity of the vehicle. In other words, we want to be sure it will protect us as well as it did in this accident.

Five star crash rating -- yes!

Dave777 · 03-28-2009, 10:17 AM

KateA, welcome.

You're asking the wrong people though. I assume you have an insurance carrier, and/or have gone to the dealer.

When you get it fixed, be sure to show up at the next PNW get together.

**Dunerunner** · 03-28-2009, 12:16 PM

KateA - Welcome to the forum!! I looked in on poor Maxwel at Portland smart center prior to the Multnomah Falls Run and he was being well cared for!! Glad you are alright, looks like you took quite a smack in the drivers door!

KateA · 03-28-2009, 04:55 PM

Good to get a couple replies. Dave - Maxwel was taken immediately to the dealer (only authorized service people), and the adjuster has looked at him. Problem is we don't really want to take the adjuster's word for it. They admit to having no experience with smart cars. That does not make me comfortable. So...maybe someone looking in here might have some pricesless knowledge. Like Dunerunner...thanks for your observation. Glad Max is in good hands. He sure did a good job of taking the hit for us.

**Suze** · 03-28-2009, 05:29 PM

Hi KateA~

I'm really glad you weren't hurt and also glad you made your way to this forum. Welcome!

So, the good people at sc Portland have Maxwell and you're not happy with the adjuster? I don't get it - is the adjuster in disagreement with the smart mechanics? Has the dealer given you a written bid for repairs and the adjuster won't sign off on it?

Sorry for the questions, but I don't know what you mean.

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery!

Suze

John_H · 03-28-2009, 06:07 PM

In this case the crew over at Smart Center Portland are the experts. Find out what they have to say and see if that's (verbatim) what the adjuster reports. Since there's so little experience with Smarts, I expect the adjuster gets the low-down from the dealer directly and passes that on to you and the insurance company. If the folks at the dealer think there's anything questionable, they can talk to you about it. They aren't given a gag order by the insurance folks. The service department in Portland is made up of good people.

**Dunerunner** · 03-29-2009, 09:11 AM

There seemed to be some pretty extensive damage to the safety at the sill plate and rear door post as well as a wrinkle in the vertical portion of the safety cell by the rear quarter window. The drivers door may require replacement but still operated (opened, closed and latched!!) What a car!!!

KateA · 04-01-2009, 10:09 AM

You're right, DunneRunner, it's a heckuva car. The little wrinkle in the safety cell is what worries us, but the smart guys seemed to have a good handle on it. They were very reassuring when my husband talked to them yesterday. It won't be a quick fix, but it will be right when they're done, or they won't release it back to us. That feels good. I never really doubted them, but I am less than trusting when it comes to insurance adjusters. Thanks for your updates. Hope the Mutnomah Falls Run was fun! Sorry we missed it.