Oh Man, I'm sorry to see that. I bet she was nice. They're great riding and cruising cars. People are in a rush, or just don't look where they are going. I guess this gives a whole new meaning of "Dodge-Ram"? Sometimes it seems like insurance companies are a little quick to total a vehicle that has a few years or miles on her. Hope you can get her fixed.

 

No doubt that car will be on the road again, even if they total it and it goes to auction. Easy cheap fix.

 

The latest news on the Magnum is that it is being repaired. The original estimate was $4K. Then when the doors were removed and the pillar damage was inspected more closely, it grew to $5K. Then the two salvage yard wheels were dinged up and the second set of "refurbished" wheels didn't measure up, so they ordered two new wheels from Dodge. So, I'm not sure what the final cost will be. I'm supposed to get it back next week. The two replacement doors from the salvage yard were perfect, didn't have any dings or rust, and were even the same color as my car.

My rental car is a Ford Focus. They have come a long way and are nice cars and have plenty of pep with the 2.0L direct injected engine. FWD sucks though. My wife had only driven FWD cars until last year when I bought her a new leftover 2013 rear drive Infinity EX37. She now says she never wants a FWD again. We don't have to worry about snow here.

 

So is repairing the Magnum a good thing, or would you have preferred to just pocket the settlement money and move on.....???

 

Good question. I had planned to keep the Magnum forever. At age 70, it's possible as my forever. After the accident, I wanted it to be totaled at first. But, if they fix it to look and work as good as it was before, I will be happy to have it back. My favorite body shop went out of business, so I called the dealer. They did away with their body shop and told me the name of the shop they used and that is where I took it. My impressions so far are good. I'll find out next week when I get it back.

I remembered my 1970 Mustang Fastback that we bought new and my first wife smacked it up real good. It was repaired and I drove it 11 years. That may happen here. Although since it is an 05, it's already 10 years old. Still seems like new to me. The week of Thanksgiving, my second wife and I drove to FL and as far south as Key West. The Magnum was the choice by both of us because it is more comfortable than her new Infinity.

 

Maybe they will do a good job on it. I know how it is to give up a vehicle you really love. Always liked the looks of those things.

 

Well, I finally got it back from the body shop. It looks great!

 

That's awesome!! I bet your stoked...how's she drive? Love those

 

Thanks! It drives and handles just like before. I haven't heard any new noises and it has always been a quiet car. I'm really happy to get out of that Focus rental car, although for what it is the Focus is a great little car.
The repair was estimated to be $4K and the final tally was $6k plus a month of rental car.

The Hemi Magnum is a really fun car to drive in town or on the road with the hp/torque of the engine. And it handles great too after I put some proper tires on it and the rear settled a bit inducing a tiny bit of negative camber in the IRS.

 

Looks great!