Planet 9

vertical · #1 06-22-2009, 11:05 PM

Hello everybody,

I am a Canadian. I’ve bought Cayman S 2007 in Michigan and it was to be delivered to British Columbia.

The car has arrived to BC to-day. The truck, a Canadian subcontractor of the US company I paid for the shipment, got into an accident. As the driver explained me, the truck brakes failed. He had a choice of smashing through the vehicles in front of him or going through the ditch. He chose the second option.

As a result, my car jumped up and down in the amplitude of 30 – 40 cm on the lower deck and hit the upper deck with its roof. The roof of the car has got two deep and wide dents– on the left and right sides. I believe the roof must be replaced.

My major concerns:
Can the engine joints; transmission; wheels alignments or something else mechanical be damaged as a result of the accident/jumps?
Will the roof joints be more vulnerable to the rust if the roof is replaced?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thank you!

**HassaanAbdeen** · #2 06-23-2009, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by vertical

As a result, my car jumped up and down in the amplitude of 30 – 40 cm on the lower deck and hit the upper deck with its roof. The roof of the car has got two deep and wide dents– on the left and right sides. I believe the roof must be replaced.

My major concerns:
Can the engine joints; transmission; wheels alignments or something else mechanical be damaged as a result of the accident/jumps?
Will the roof joints be more vulnerable to the rust if the roof is replaced?

I am sorry... deeply sorry to read this! Somebody's eye must have hit you for owning such a materpiece...

My input:
1. Was it insured? If so, you are in a very good shape for you can claim for the damages?
2. Have it inspected by Porsche Cervice Center in your area (and nowhere else) and let them decide for you.

I am sorry again... God bless you!

h_curtis · #3 06-23-2009, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by vertical

As a result, my car jumped up and down in the amplitude of 30 – 40 cm on the lower deck and hit the upper deck with its roof. The roof of the car has got two deep and wide dents– on the left and right sides. I believe the roof must be replaced.

My major concerns:
Can the engine joints; transmission; wheels alignments or something else mechanical be damaged as a result of the accident/jumps?
Will the roof joints be more vulnerable to the rust if the roof is replaced?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Firstly this shouldn't have happened if the car was properly secured. Was it just sitting in the back of the truck like luggage? Cars are supposed to be tied down and secured by law!

I think you are asking for trouble with this car to be honest. If you take the roof off and replace it they will cut it and this could cause a host of issues. I don't think rust will be an issue but noises and integrity will be compromised. Will this work be done at a Porsche Dealer? I think that would be a good idea since I don't think they would compromise integrity. If you can get out of buying this car I would. If not, then I suggest you take it to a Porsche dealer and see what they say. They may be able to fix it by removing the dents and using a bit of mud and repaint. Replacing the whole roof would be the last resort IMHO.

kareldeeley · #4 06-23-2009, 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by vertical

Hello everybody,

I am a Canadian. I’ve bought Cayman S 2007 in Michigan and it was to be delivered to British Columbia.

The car has arrived to BC to-day. The truck, a Canadian subcontractor of the US company I paid for the shipment, got into an accident. As the driver explained me, the truck brakes failed.

Fault of the Driver/Company................

They Need to Provide You A - New Cayman - No Compromise.................

vertical · #5 06-23-2009, 07:43 AM

Gentlemen,

Thank you!

The car was secured by the belts on all four wheels but it looks like the shoch was too strong and it jumped up.

My idea about the roof is pretty much the same: to do whatever it takes but not to replace it. The local Porsche dealer does not have a body shop but they refer customers to a body shop.

Under such circumstances, I should probably look for a shop with a good tinsmith rather than specifically their body shop.

Cayman-S · #6 06-23-2009, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by vertical

Hello everybody,

I am a Canadian. I’ve bought Cayman S 2007 in Michigan and it was to be delivered to British Columbia.

The car has arrived to BC to-day. The truck, a Canadian subcontractor of the US company I paid for the shipment, got into an accident. As the driver explained me, the truck brakes failed. He had a choice of smashing through the vehicles in front of him or going through the ditch. He chose the second option.

As a result, my car jumped up and down in the amplitude of 30 – 40 cm on the lower deck and hit the upper deck with its roof. The roof of the car has got two deep and wide dents– on the left and right sides. I believe the roof must be replaced.

My major concerns:
Can the engine joints; transmission; wheels alignments or something else mechanical be damaged as a result of the accident/jumps?
Will the roof joints be more vulnerable to the rust if the roof is replaced?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Wow, i'm truly sorry to hear about this. That sucks.

Originally Posted by kareldeeley

Fault of the Driver/Company................

They Need to Provide You A - New Cayman - No Compromise.................

I agree. They should get you another Cayman S in the same conditions of the one you bought.

Good luck.

JpoL · #7 06-23-2009, 08:14 AM

Now that hurt even me, half the globe away...

While I believe you should have the car thoroughly checked (engine, joints,suspension, transmision etc) from a porsche center (preferably a large one), also have it repaired there, I also believe you will find your way out of the situation!!
Try to find a bright side and focus at it!!

PS1. Don't forget to ask a lawyer for the matter.

vertical · #8 06-23-2009, 08:18 AM

One of the things I am going to do to-day is to see a lawyer about the issue.

"They should get you another Cayman S in the same conditions of the one you bought." - I'd love that! That's why I am going to see a lawyer.

But the fight with the transprotation vompany might cost me another Porsche

Anyway, I believe it depends on whether the roof can be fixed without repalcing. If not, it will be a point of serious consideration.

Special K · #9 06-23-2009, 08:30 AM

Not sure about Canadian laws, however, I would think it would come down to whether the car can be classified as "totaled". What this means is subject to the fine print in Canadian insurance laws. I would first try very hard to declare the car as "totaled" which would mean the moving company's insurance should cover the cost of full replacement on a new one, plus possible compensation for the delay in receiving a new one. If the car is not a total loss, you have no choice but to take it to the most reputable Porsche shop you can find. Don't just take it to the most convenient one. The insurance company will cover the cost of your rental for however long it takes. Not only will body repair be needed, it's very possible that there is suspension damage and other smaller items. Don't rule out a lawsuit as it may be very difficult to be completely compensated through an insurance company w/o doing so. I agree with the others and try NOT to replace the roof.
In any case, I send my sincere sorrow for your troubles. A car this magnificent is like taking a knife to a Rembrandt

vertical · #10 06-23-2009, 08:59 AM

Thank you!

I already called to the insurance company and they advised me they are the first one to have a look at it. If they believe the mechanical inspection is required, I will have a chpice but the choice is very narrow: there is only one Porsche dealer in Vancouver and BC.

It will be up to the Porsche delaer to determine (after the insurance company inspection) how serious it is. I hope if they cannot they will be honest and refer to a bigger dealer in US.

I have suspision the driver is lying to me. Once I came home after I saw the car last night, I recalled that there were no any tracks of paint on the bottom of the upper deck. How could it be?

Also, though the roof is seriously damaged, the paint looks like is intact. I am going back to-day and will make pictures of the damages.

CobaltCroc · #11 06-23-2009, 09:03 AM

I'm very sorry to hear about your misfortune. Going to a lawyer is the way to deal with this. Good luck!!!

**K-Man S** · #12 06-23-2009, 09:24 AM

I'm recommending a lawyer as well, sad that it happened and that it may take a lawyer for you to come out as you should. Best of luck and do post some pics!

vertical · #13 06-23-2009, 09:48 AM

Thanks! I will.

Actually it is the same Speed Yellow as on the pic above with 19" wheels.

**HassaanAbdeen** · #14 06-23-2009, 10:02 AM

Since you mentioned the driver is not telling the truth and his claim doesn't match with the incident, may I ask if you contacted the showroom/seller you bought the car from? Contact them and tell them what happened. And ask them if they noticed anything wrong when they shipped the car? Was it the same driver? How old/young? Was he drunk? Was there anything suspicious?

I am just trying to give you a lead for a suit case in case there was any foul-play!

Tesla · #15 06-23-2009, 10:02 AM

Speed Yellow! As far as I know you will be the third one in town, welcome.

I also had some bad luck when I first imported my car into the country. Car was on the road for less than a week when a professional driver backed into the front end and punched a hole through the bumper and dented the hood.

Replacing is unfortunately extremely unlikely, I'll PM you with bodyshop recommendations.

vertical · #16 06-23-2009, 10:14 AM

The problem is that the driver who delilivered the vehicle to Vancouver was a subcontractor - not the one who was delivering it all the way from Michigan to Seattle and further. The US transportation company I hired, I believe, did not even see him.

The failure of the breaks, I believe, can be qualified as negligence. I already called ICBC and they said they will send an inspector on the site where the truck and the car are sitting instead of the truck brining the car to them.

As for the body shops I was recommended Burrard's Auto Struts as the people to deal with. Thank you!

vertical · #17 06-23-2009, 10:17 AM

Tesla,

Thank you for the body shops. I believe the one I mentioned is one of the two you mentioned. It was recommended by a manager of another shop whom I trust.

**fondueski** · #18 06-23-2009, 02:25 PM

If his brakes failed and he drove into a ditch as he said, wouldn't there be some police report? He would not have continued the trip without brakes would he? Story does not hold water...

**Blitzkrieg** · #19 06-23-2009, 02:48 PM

Really sorry to hear about this, hope everything works out for you. My vote is to look for a good lawyer as well.

vertical · #20 06-23-2009, 03:52 PM

Thank you, gentlemen,

The ICBC has already inspected the car and I expect it to be released tomorrow. The truck will take it to the Porsche dealer and depending on the inspection result, it will be clear whether I need a lawyer or not.

Here are the pics.