Intrepidation

Well the other day I replaced the rear struts, shoes, hardware, and drums on the Prizm, plus installed new rear speakers. Both cars really need a bath.

I came here expecting an aircraft inside a house. I am disappoint. :/

It's funny how the the biggest Tesla haters are at once the most pro `MERICA cars. Speaking of which, the Model S is currently 55% American made, and is claimed to be 90% US made after the completion of the Gigafactory. http://dailycaller.com/2014/04/10/tesla-will-soon-top-ford-f-150-as-most-american-made-car/ The ALL `MERICAN Volt, which still has 6,000 2015 cars sitting on dealer lots, is 46% `MERICAN MADE https://www.cars.com/articles/2012/07/american-made-index-odds-ends/

What up.

I'd be hopping mad if my axle jumped the gun and darted away like that. Then again if I'm driving like a anal jizz cannon on public roads like that, I'm asking for it.

This is the most badass four door car ever. Of all time.

I want my bandwidth back.

Wow not even close. The 5.7L was all new for 2003 (on Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2003 through 2007, and again in 2009) and is completely unrelated to the LA engines it replaced. As far as advancements go, in the current generation Ram alone we have the introduction of: Coil Spring rear suspension Air suspension 8-speed automatic Rotary shifter Small displacement diesel RamBox cargo management system

Me too! While replacing the exhaust was a possibility, it turned out not to be damaged and isn't necessary. The OEM exhaust system is higher quality than any aftermarket stuff. While I do have eventual plans for the exhaust its not on my priority list. Compared to what I had to go through with the Prizm this was amazingly quick and not overly stressful. A lot of that I think is thanks to my friend/mechanic who kept the car stored in his shop rather than a tow yard. In fact teh worst part of the experience besides the accident itself was probably the towing company. Who wanted to keep it at the yard, tried to tell me its "definitely a total" (it wasn't) and lied to me that it leaked coolant (it doesn't). Once I got it out of there and to the shop things went fine. I get the last laugh because they lost out on storage money. Serves the ass clowns right. At one time it was correct. Thanks, its good to have her back! I think the shop did a good job as well. The match isn't perfect, but it wasn't before either, and now I have a nicer bumper that lines up better than it did before! Now it's time for a well deserved cleaning!

Here she is Monday shortly before going to the body shop. They didn't end up replacing the rear panel after all, but instead did a damn good job straightening the existing one. The shop had a green Intrepid in their yard which provided all the necessary parts including a good bumper cover. Picked her up today. I'm so happy to have her back! The rear bumper even lines up better than it used to. Inside of the trunk is perfectly straight and the only sign of damage is at the left corner of the trunk well, but its more than acceptable. Now for it to never leave the driveway again! Chrysler's even nice enough to send me a replacement frame, which is really nice of them.

So is it cheaper/easier to do that vs repairing the existing panel? i was wondering that.

We've located a matching bumper cover with energy absorber and reinforcement for $250. I think early next week its going to a body shop to get the rear panel fixed. I have the rental until next Friday, my car should be done by then.

$1,826 No that's the trunk panel behind the bumper.

Just got the appraisal. The panel is part of the repair.

I got a call from the shop this morning telling me that the adjuster had come by. The adjuster said it was likely a total while complimenting the overall condition. Great way to start the day. So I began to prepare for a long and arduous battle with them. In I afternoon I got a call from the adjuster with some different news. "As of now it is being declared a repair." This was indeed a pleasant surprise as it means I shouldn't have to fight with them too much and it shouldn't take nearly as long to get repaired. So yay for that! Meantime I've had a chance to play with the Sonata. Bluetooth is the best thing ever. I want it in my car somehow.

I hope it goes easy, but if I have to, I will fight as long as it takes. It's not my first rodeo (Prizm). Just picked up my rental, a Hyundai Sonata.

Not a good way to end the week, this. On Friday I was on my way home from picking up some lunch before I had to go to work. Car up ahead was stopped waiting to turn left. I stopped and a Neon behind me stopped. Some ass clown in a Mountaineer didn't notice and ran right into the neon, which ran into me. The neon apparently kept rolling until it came to rest across the street half way on the sidewalk. A mix of disbelief and extreme anger overcame me. The only thing I said to in the direction of the Mountaineer driver was "What the f*ck?! You hit my f*cking car!" Called the police, home, and work, and stayed by the car. if I had gone over to the Mountaineer owner i would have likely introduced them to the pavement. And trust me, the relationship would have been intimate. Two cruisers and two ambulances came. i did go to the hospital because my lower back hurt, so better safe than sorry. Nothing serious so there's that I guess. Didn't get any photos because I didn't give a sh*t, all I could think of was that my poor car had been rear ended and now I'll have to deal the insurance companies. Its currently at my preferred mechanic's shop. I guess tomorrow I'll be getting a rental and wait for the adjuster to look at the car. If I'm lucky they'll determine the cost and I'll get it fixed and over with. if they try to total it, I'll have to fight with them like I did the Prizm. Joy. Oh and my license plate frame from Chrysler is ruined! :rage:

I'm lucky, I can usually fall asleep very quickly and sleep deeply. Speaking of which...

I find I don't function nearly as well without 7-8 hours of sleep. I can do less, but if I get 3or 4 hours of sleep the previous night I will sleep for like 9 hours the next night. Anything less than 6 I can feel slows my reaction time while driving. I love sleeping, but its hard to get in 7-8 hours sometime due to trying to squeeze as much out of the day as possible between work, side work, and other things. I'm a night owl. As far as back pains go, you could try a mattress topper. There are memory foam ones for more support and soft ones for more comfort. We use one on our matress since its on the firm side.

It's been difficult to get this done between work and all of this rain, but last Sunday I had the chance to paint and clear the passenger side. And today I was able to wet and and buff it. I think I'll go back and wet sand some more above the door handle but otherwise I'm pretty happy with it. Next item will be the rear quarter.