miata versus deer

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

pws - 29 Sep 2004 19:36 GMT

Here are some pictures of a 1996 M edition after a 55 to 60 mph
collision with a fairly large doe. We generally have small deer in
central Texas, and this is one of the bigger does that I have seen.

http://home.austin.rr.com/sheltonservices/images/smashedmiata.jpg
http://home.austin.rr.com/sheltonservices/images/smashedmiata2.jpg
http://home.austin.rr.com/sheltonservices/images/smashedmiata3.jpg

Damage done:

People, myself and my daughter - shaken but uninjured.

deer - killed instantly

The car - bent hood, both headlights shattered, both headlight buckets
are mangled, the nose has a large dent in it and one of the front turn
signal lenses is also shattered. Radiator was cracked and A/C no longer
works, not sure if the A/C condensor was cracked or if it is an
electrical problem. Finally, something is draining the car battery when
it is off. Any ideas on what that may be?

Thanks,

Pat
'96M

Reply to this Message

Mike - 29 Sep 2004 22:52 GMT

Yikes! Glad to hear nobody was hurt. I had a deer come out of a field on
me just 2 hours ago with no warning. Didn't come off the edge of the road
though. Sorry to hear about the M.

> Here are some pictures of a 1996 M edition after a 55 to 60 mph collision
> with a fairly large doe. We generally have small deer in central Texas,
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Pat
> '96M

Reply to this Message

dookie - 29 Sep 2004 23:52 GMT

i once saw a group (~6) of panicked young deer cross a road at an
intersection...they ran around, over, and through 2 guys in a mustang
convertible (top down) who were stationary waiting for the light to change.
a couple bumped the car, one went over the hood (planting all four feet once
near the cowl), and one tried to go through the back seat. it stumbled and
got a bit tangled in the back (sending the front seat passengers running),
then got free and cleared out with its buddies.

if they'd gone 10 feet to their left, they would have run behind the car
unimpeded. god knows what they were thinking.

crazy!

dookie

> Here are some pictures of a 1996 M edition after a 55 to 60 mph
> collision with a fairly large doe. We generally have small deer in
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Pat
> '96M

Reply to this Message

Leon van Dommelen - 30 Sep 2004 01:14 GMT

>Here are some pictures of a 1996 M edition after a 55 to 60 mph
>collision with a fairly large doe. We generally have small deer in
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>http://home.austin.rr.com/sheltonservices/images/smashedmiata2.jpg
>http://home.austin.rr.com/sheltonservices/images/smashedmiata3.jpg

Not good.

>Damage done:
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>electrical problem. Finally, something is draining the car battery when
>it is off. Any ideas on what that may be?

Headlight raise motor? Try pulling the HEAD fuse in the engine bay.

>Thanks,
>
>Pat
>'96M

Signature

Leon van Dommelen :) Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)

Reply to this Message

Chris D'Agnolo - 30 Sep 2004 05:28 GMT

Pat,

Sorry to read of this, I usually really like deer but....................

Good luck with the car, what's the prognosis?

Chris
92BB&T (Sugar Land TX, no deer)

> >Here are some pictures of a 1996 M edition after a 55 to 60 mph
> >collision with a fairly large doe. We generally have small deer in
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> >Pat
> >'96M

Reply to this Message

pws - 01 Oct 2004 17:47 GMT

> Pat,
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Chris
> 92BB&T (Sugar Land TX, no deer)

Thank you all for your kind words of support. The airbags never popped
and the frame was not bent, so it looks like I will just be replacing
bolt-on pieces. There is a good chance that some body work will be
required to make everything match up correctly, but I am hoping for the
best. If all of the mounting points still match up then I will be able
to replace all of the pieces myself.

I have been searching the junkyards and have come up with the following
prices so far. I was going to see what people think about the costs that
the yard is charging, all of the parts are claimed to be in very good
condition, though of course they will need to be re-painted:

Hood, including hinges - $150.00
Headlight assemblies, the entire unit with motor - $125.00 each
front bumper (includes right turn signal assembly) - $150.00
left turn signal assembly - $25.00

Total for parts - $575.00 + tax

Does anyone know a rough estimate on having these items repainted? I
don't want to bother the paint shops until I have it all back together
and ready for the final step.

I am also getting a new radiator for $120.00, but I still haven't
checked to see if the A/C system was damaged.

Thanks again all!

Pat
'96M

Reply to this Message

pws - 01 Oct 2004 18:03 GMT

> Headlight raise motor? Try pulling the HEAD fuse in the engine bay.

That did it. Thanks Leon.

Now, would you feel like sending me your front pieces that I need? I
promise to leave them white and paint the rest of the car to match. Just
think, you will be helping a fellow miata owner and increasing the
number of white miatas on the road at the same time!

Seriously, if the car had been totaled, I would probably be looking for
a low-mileage, well-maintained white 1994 model (maybe a 1996 or 1997)as
a replacement.

Pat
'96M

Reply to this Message

Leon van Dommelen - 02 Oct 2004 00:32 GMT

>Seriously, if the car had been totaled, I would probably be looking for
>a low-mileage, well-maintained white 1994 model (maybe a 1996 or 1997)as
>a replacement.

You would be competing with me. My plan is to buy a super clean
1994 or 95 white (no OBD II) and put a SC on there, presumably a
FM one. Of course, transferring about 100 dearly beloved goodies
will be very time consuming. :)

Leon

Signature

Leon van Dommelen :) Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)

Reply to this Message

Natman - 30 Sep 2004 17:58 GMT

>Here are some pictures of a 1996 M edition after a 55 to 60 mph
>collision with a fairly large doe. We generally have small deer in
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>Pat
>'96M

Thank God no one was hurt. I hope you can save the car, the Starlight
Blue used on the 96M model is one of my favorite Miata colors. Best of
luck.

Reply to this Message