Death to Bad Kahrma!

Kevin Butler · **Posted:** Mon May 31, 2004 1:12 pm

I would never have believed bad luck could exist in a machine. However, after my experience with the Miata I purchased in December, my opinion has changed.

December - Purchased car
January - side swipe with 18 wheeler (I'll take credit for this one)

March - rear ended by Ryan

It took the body shop guy 2 times for a total of 6 weeks to fix the car. He did a really crappy and incomplete job the first time. So far I've missed 2 autox's and 1 track event. I had just gotten it out of the shop Thursday. 3 days later on Sunday morning...

May - hit head-on by uninsured junkie on methadone

I think the bitch is finally dead. Good riddance.

I escaped relatively unscathed considering the magnitude of the accident. I've got a couple of seatbelt tattoos, bruised ribs on the right side, hide removed from my left upper arm by the airbag. And oh yeah, see my sore finger?

http://members.cox.net/khbutler/OUCH!/sore%20finger.JPG

Looks like my season is over before it really began. What should my next ride be?

Kevin Butler

George Bright · **Posted:** Mon May 31, 2004 2:35 pm

Kevin,
Did the junkie walk away unhurt?

TomFreeman · **Posted:** Mon May 31, 2004 3:04 pm

Wow. I can not think of another vehicle that had a black cloud hanging over it quite like that car. I am sincerely glad you are OK.

Now in reality, I don't think you'll buy another Miata, but if you do, at least buy one that's a different color. For all but this car, Miata's are pretty darn cheap and near bulletproof reliability-wise. If you're still looking to keep your costs down and make it to the track, there really aren't many better choices. You do have a black hardtop sitting around, and it would be a shame to let that go to waste. You need somewhere to re-use that Hard Dog roll bar also.

Other choices:
- E30 325is (Mike Whitney and Charlie Guthrie can't be wrong...)
- S13 (89-93) or S14 (95-98 ) 240 SX

I think I've become a bit of a RWD snob.

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Mon May 31, 2004 3:47 pm

That sucks Kevin. Glad to hear that you are ok. Belt tatts are better than the alternative I guess. At least the safety gear did what it was supposed to do. What happened to the junkie? Cops arrest him or did the let him go.

BTW- Nice job taking you pic in front of all your degrees, certificates and awards!!

David Spratte · **Posted:** Mon May 31, 2004 4:21 pm

George Bright wrote:

Kevin,
Did the junkie walk away unhurt?

He wouldn't have if it were me.

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Mon May 31, 2004 5:32 pm

The sore finger is classic.

Glad you are relatively OK! Maybe it's time for another GM?

Scott

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon May 31, 2004 10:25 pm

Its kinda weird, the last 2 incidents you were hit by black 1st gen DSM"s. My advice, stay FAR, FAR FAR away from Black 1st Gen DSM's :roll:

Rob Keehner · **Posted:** Mon May 31, 2004 10:41 pm

Maybe if Kevin buys the car back for parting out. We can sell the cursed parts to Triad Members right before the NCAC. :lol:

Steven Bremer · **Posted:** Tue Jun 01, 2004 11:47 am

Kevin,

Sorry to hear about the string of bad luck. I am glad that you were able to walk away with no major injuries.

If you feel like getting back into autocrossing this year I would try and co drive a car that you would want to buy. For instance if you want to look into getting an E30 ask some one who has one if they would let you co drive an event or two. That way you have a good idea how the car will behave, and if it fits your driving style.

Hope to see you at some events this year.

Kevin Butler · **Posted:** Tue Jun 01, 2004 6:26 pm

Update:

I confirmed this a.m. the junkie had no insurance. For those of you who previously inquired, he was not retained by the authorities. I guess he wasn't under the influence or in possession.

This means my insurer will cover me via uninsured motorists coverage. However, I have a feeling the experience will not be a good one. Anyone with some first hand experience on such (hopefully good)?

George Bright · **Posted:** Tue Jun 01, 2004 8:23 pm

My aunt went through the uninsured motorist bit. The insurance company wanted her to prove that the other motorist had no financial means to pay off the damage to her vintage Mercedes. It took a while but they finally paid off.

Also did the cabbie who hit Penny Vitacco turn out to be uninsured?

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Tue Jun 01, 2004 9:20 pm

Damn, thats no good. Glad you're ok.

If you're doing track stuff I'd suggest buying something already built. If you've got the scratch, there are occasionally E36 M3s available already sorted out for track use. I've codriven one on a number of weekends this year and have to say, they're damn good.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Wed Jun 02, 2004 12:38 pm

My experience with uninsured motorist was good. We have State Farm and when Julie got hit by someone w/o insurance :furious:

They paid us the amount of their estimate, did not ask for money back when we got it fixed for less, and we recently got $100 back of our deductible. I think they got a payoff from wage garnishee of the uninsured party. Our rates didn't even go up. :thumbsup:

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

Glad you're ok Kevin. Looks like the Miata did at least protect you from serious injury. But if I owned a car that got hit a few times I'd consider it a sign too!

I hope the guy gets his licensed pulled by the state and the insurance company goes after him like Robs' did. Just because he had no insurance doesn't mean he should walk away unscathed... I can't beleive the cops didn't detain him. It is illegal to drive without insurance in this state, no?

Graham

Diane Hall · **Posted:** Wed Jun 02, 2004 1:00 pm

Kevin Butler wrote:

What should my next ride be?

Glad you are OK. Good luck with the insurance co.

How about the Brad Mackey then Greta Ferkel (sp?) RX7? Already set up to track and everything. You know the history of the car. Just an idea. I don't know if it's sold or not already, it was just my first thought if you want a ready to go ride.

Diane

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