OT! Bad News for the Lotus... Options

[Qarl]

(IMG:http://www.my914-6.com/crap/PICT0077.JPG)

This is no joke...

fu@K, Sh!+, CR^P! DAMAGE!!!!
First of all, I did EVERYTHING I was supposed to except stick around and watch.

Dropped my Elise off to the local Goodyear shop to have new F1G3s installed. My Father-in-law is the service manager and has been for 10 years. He is out on medical leave, but he met me at the shop this morning, because he understands the uniqueness of the car.

I handed them the tire tools and opened the Owner's Manual to the jacking instructions so they would be clear. We went over all the instructions and they assured me I was in good hands.

We (my father-in-law and I both left)

1 hour later I get a call about the "accident" and that I needed to come down...

WTF!

The picture above is what I found...

It get's better. They said they read the manual, but not to the point where it spoke about the 4-point lift. After the crash, they continued reading. Yipee for me.

The damage is inclusive of the rear clam, front clam, underneath the driver's door, and a nice puncture through the bottom diffuser around the passenger seat area.

More pics here... http://www.my914-6.com/crap

When I was there, they had a wrecker attached with a winch to the front end so it wouldn't come crashing down. After it cleared the lift, the front end swung around and crashed into some tool chests.

I'm mostly worried about the rear structure... the puncture underneath and the loss of value of the car (it's paid off free and clear)!

I've already called Dimmit in Clearwater and they are expecting the vehicle. Goodyear has filed the claim with their carrier and has promised to fully cover the repair. Luckly my FIL was there as a witness.

What else do I need to be concerned about in the repair/insurance claim? Diminished value, loss of use (not my primary vehicle), etc.

Dammit!!!! And I have the Central Florida Lotus Fun Run on Saturday which I've been organizing. Guess I'll have to drive the 911.

[wbergtho]

I would find as aggressive an estimate as possible, see if you can get it written off and replaced.

I'd tell the shop that they are now the proud owner of a Lotus Elise and that it came to your shop in perfect condition and as a result of their jackass fuckup, you are not interested in having it back...even if the lotus factory does the repairs. Let this be their headache...not yours! When you bought the car...you were not looking for a repairable. That is exactly what this car will be after it is fixed. Get a lawyer and make them replace it! Your FIL and your pictures make a pretty clear case. Sorry to see this happened to you.