Set your emergency brakes; it looks like ted drove...

tedscar · Motorer

Set your emergency brakes; it looks like ted drove...

tedscar · Motorer

When the rabbit duck takes a header, there's a reason for it. THIS was bizarre (and painful).

We were going to get an early start back to Jamestown this morning to keep ted cool. With all the bugs plastered to the windshield from yesterday's outing and condensation on it as well, I turned the car on to allow it to defrost before wiping the windshield clean. After about 10 minutes, the condensation was off and I did my thing. I turned the MINI off, did some things inside, then went on foot to run an errand. Five minutes later I was on my way back when I heard Jill yelling "I'll go get him" and saw her running my way.

Well, somehow, the MINI had slowly made its way on a fairly level surface across the trailer court parking lot, and nudged into the trailer across the way! Holy cow--I could NOT believe it! I have idled the Subie wagon there countless times. I had been in and out checking on the defrost progress several times this morning. I had been back in the trailer for about five minutes and saw no motion from the MINI before I left.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words. I am spechless, except to say I'm glad no one got hurt (especially considering it almost hit the gas meter). Insurance company has already been on the case and faxed the estimate to Towne's Body Shop.

I guess I got my first 'ow-wie' out of the way...kind of ironic after yesterday's run around the Glen, wouldn't you say?

PepperMINI · Motorer

Yikes!!! I'm glad that everyone (especially Ted) is ok! That's a total bummer. It's sad to see the MINI beat up, isn't it?

That reminds me of one night when I was leaving work, it was to a really odd scene. A coworker of mine was running down the parking lot chasing her car, which nearly t-boned a parked car in the lot. When I asked her what happened (after she wrangled her car down), she said that she had pulled it up to the curb to put some boxes in it, forgot to pull the e-brake, and ended up chasing her car down.

I can tell you that the collision shop did a pretty good job fixing Pepper's "owies", but it did take us four trips to get it all done right.

BOSS10L · Motorist

Ouch! Glad to hear that the damage is slight.

yellowmininy · Obsessed (Taking the long-cut)

You know, some Minis just hate to stop motoring when the day is done. Sorry to hear this, though all of us who have been to the body shop before you lend our sympathies.

There is a thread (or more) on MINI2 for people who have had Minis roll while in gear without the hand brake on, so it is a fairly regular occurrence. I never used the parking brake before I had a Mini (living in God's frozen country & all), unless I was on a hill, or something, but now I use it all the time when parked.

TrixieinNY · Motorer

Glad that everybody is ok and that Tedscar is already on its way to getting fixed! When Mark first saw this post last night I was really worried!

Dumpnrun · Motorer

Sorry Kim, I feel so sad,glad your all ok. I had a Roadrunner one time that it did the same thing. I come out of the store and it was rollin down the street you should of seen me run after it like the Keystone cops. But I caught it. until then seeya CJ

tedscar · Motorer

Thanks everyone. Sorry to scare you with the title.

Whenever Jill and I see a crumpled car, we joke that ted must have been driving.

Holly, I hope it doesn't take 4 or more trips to the shop, but I guess if it does, it does.

Cathleen, now that you mention it, I think I read that thread about the handbrake. I just didn't think about it yesterday (morning). I DID think of it yesterday afternoon...and today...and tonight...and tomorrow...

VeganBrian · Motorer

wow kim. Really sorry to see that happen to you. I didnt think it would look as bad as it is. Someone hit my car with their door and now i have 5 dents in the side i need fixed. i was flipping out haha. I cant imagine how you feel. Hope everything works out perfect for ya bud

yellowmininy · Obsessed (Taking the long-cut)

Sorry to hear that, Brian. I had my last door dent repaired at Towne. Soemtimes you just can't park far enough away from other people!

Ashman · Member

Oww! Sorry to see that.

Pamlico · Motorer

yellowmininy wrote:

...Soemtimes you just can't park far enough away from other people!

I finally found what looks like a solution (or at least the possibility of a significant reduction) to the dings caused by the too close parker. These are essentially pool noodles on steroids but they work. I got a set for Christmas and since the winter exile of the new car ends tomorrow I'll be using these as the parking lot a work is notorious for parking spaces that are too narrow.

tedscar · Motorer

I think I'll just wrap ted's entire MINI in about a thousand of those Door Defenders from now on...

Thanks VB and Ashman. I'm starting to reduce the amount of time I spend in woulda / shoulda / coulda land but every time I see that bunged up hood, etc. it all comes slammin' back to me...

.

CaliBean · Member

My poor baby has a dent already too. I went to Erie Pa. last weekend to take the FE exam. My car was covered in bugs and on Monday when I went to clean her, I noticed a dent just below the drivers side headlight on the hood. It looks like a stone hit it. I too was freaking out VB. Hope it doesn't cost to much to fix.

-- Edited by CaliBean on Thursday 30th of April 2009 08:06:58 PM

tedscar · Motorer

Cali! Where 'ya Bean????

Hope the exam went well and that your MINI repair bill is only another small dent (in your wallet).

I got the call from Towne Collision this afternoon that the parts are in for tedscar (already?, even the hood?). They'll have it for a few days the week after next and hopefully all that will remain of my 'mishap' will be the memories...oh, and the hole in my pocket where the insurance deductible used to live.

CaliBean · Member

Thanks tedscar,

The Exam was tough... it was 8 hrs long and 180 questions. I'll find out how I did in about 12 weeks. Sorry to hear about the MINI. It will be as good as new in no time. Hope Ted is feeling better. We have an 12 year old lab and her she is having a hard time with her age. All we can do is baby them.

Grammacoop3 · Motorist

Mega bummer...I was lucky last week when I bumped a park car pulling out of a driveway. Just didn't see it. No dents or significant scrapes.

Did anyone mention if you need a loaner they make you take a rental rather than a loaner Mini when you have body work done? I had the Clubman in for an adjustment on the bumper shortly after I bought it and was forced to take a PT Cruiser. It was sooooo awful I made Dennis hide it in the parking lot at the fire station so the neighbors wouldn't know.

PepperMINI · Motorer

You think a PT Cruiser is bad...We had a Ford 500 that smelled really bad.

Mitch · Motorer

If the work is done at the MINI shop I have always gotten a MINI. Anywhere else and you get stuck with something else. The upside it is like the first time all over again...

tedscar · Motorer

From what I've heard, Towne Collision loans whatever they have to loan and it may well not be a MINI. It's OK; it's only a few days and it saves both Jill and I having to drive up. Plus I'll be getting a 'new' MINI on the return trip. There's something to be said for that!

jrbond007 · Motorer

These MINI's that just don't want to stand still, are they primarily Sticks, or Automatics?
With my past standards, I have always used the E-brake & 1st gear when parked, but I am out of practice with all the automatics I have had lately.
Even though "M" & Charlie are auto's, I guess we better start using the E-brake again.