[ParisTNDude]

I finally got hold of the officer at the scene who gave me some interesting info. The other driver told him he wasn't paying attention and when he saw me stopped he didn't have time to apply brakes. I suspect he was going close to the speed limit since someone who saw it said he was doing 40 or so. I thought it was the officer be he couldn't confirm that.

He told me something else interesting. When he and the tow truck driver tried to move it up on the truck, it wouldn't try to start and he was surprised to see a warning on the dash "airbags deployed" or words to that effect. He said he couldn't understand that since it would be obvious visually if that were so. He thought a faulty air bag electrical circuit could have caused the smoke.

The guy's insurance company is the agent that has my house insurance. Gonna talk to them Monday.

[JayhawkSS1LE]

Good luck and glad you were OK.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by ParisTNDude

If they total it, I will be looking for another just like it. Been perusing the for sale threads and there are several. Wouldn't mind upgrading to a ZL1, but they may be beyond what I want to pay. It was only a month old to me and I really didn't get to drive it more than 3 or 4 short trips...it rained nearly every day since I brought it home. I bought a bunch of bolt ons for it and some sit in the garage waiting to be installed.

GREAT deals on 2018s if you can find them right now! I almost said screw it and sold mine for a ZL1 or ZLE due to the deals but then my financial responsibility side kicked in :(

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by ParisTNDude

He told me something else interesting. When he and the tow truck driver tried to move it up on the truck, it wouldn't try to start and he was surprised to see a warning on the dash "airbags deployed" or words to that effect. He said he couldn't understand that since it would be obvious visually if that were so. He thought a faulty air bag electrical circuit could have caused the smoke.

Yeah these cars don't start after airbag deployment from what I've seen. If it tried to deploy but had a defective bag I bet there's a bunch of stuff burned up depending on which back it was. Also if someone finds that to be the case I'd be bringing that up to GM customer care.

[ParisTNDude]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

GREAT deals on 2018s if you can find them right now! I almost said screw it and sold mine for a ZL1 or ZLE due to the deals but then my financial responsibility side kicked in :(

I found a used 2018 1le with PDR nearby for $30,400 or so, but it sold pretty quick to someone out of state...dang! Anyway, if they total it, I will be looking hard!

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Yeah these cars don't start after airbag deployment from what I've seen. If it tried to deploy but had a defective bag I bet there's a bunch of stuff burned up depending on which back it was. Also if someone finds that to be the case I'd be bringing that up to GM customer care.

It wasn't just a little bit of smoke! It really boiled out from under the dash mostly on the left side. I was able to get a closer look at the car today and the trunk floor is pretty much messed up. I couldn't see the battery, but the trunk didn't smell at all like burnt wires where the interior did.

So, here I am waiting for the answer on repair costs. Just talked to my attorney and he advised waiting to hear what their offer was for then entirety of the damages. If I don't like what they offer, he will step in on my behalf...we'll see.

[ParisTNDude]

A few photos from today

[Boost Creep]

Wow.

Mine wasn't nearly that bad and I was shopping replacements before it even made it to the body shop.

My plan was if the car wasn't perfect, it was being traded in on it's replacement before any accident history made it to carfax.

The final result was acceptable, it actually looks better than before the hit. It had some minor scratches in the clear coat that I was working on buffing out and now they are gone.


The body shop experience wasn't completely painless. The first time it was suppose to be done, it wasn't done by my standards. They had to replace the spoiler and fix a few other things I wasn't happy with, but in the end the car was like new.

Oh, yeah. I had the car in valet mode and it ended up driving the body shop nuts because they couldn't get the trunk to pop with the fob, they were going to sublet the car to an electrical expert. I unlocked the valet mode and everything worked as it was suppose to, to everyones relief.

[ParisTNDude]

Originally Posted by Boost Creep

Wow.

Mine wasn't nearly that bad and I was shopping replacements before it even made it to the body shop.

My plan was if the car wasn't perfect, it was being traded in on it's replacement before any accident history made it to carfax.

The final result was acceptable, it actually looks better than before the hit. It had some minor scratches in the clear coat that I was working on buffing out and now they are gone.


The body shop experience wasn't completely painless. The first time it was suppose to be done, it wasn't done by my standards. They had to replace the spoiler and fix a few other things I wasn't happy with, but in the end the car was like new.

Oh, yeah. I had the car in valet mode and it ended up driving the body shop nuts because they couldn't get the trunk to pop with the fob, they were going to sublet the car to an electrical expert. I unlocked the valet mode and everything worked as it was suppose to, to everyones relief.

Did you get diminished value from the insurance company? I am going to insist on at least $3k diminished value if they will not total my car. That along with pain and suffering and I should be good to get into a 2019. Are they making a 2019 1le? I wonder if you can still find a brand new 2018 1le? I think the used Camaro part of this forum lists some pretty decently priced alternatives if they total mine.

[lgarrison34]

There are several new 2018 1LEs still on lots.

[appleman22]

3k in diminished value? Thats a really low number. Did you reach out to the guy I posted on here? I bet you he can do much better

[FH212]

Originally Posted by ParisTNDude

Did you get diminished value from the insurance company? I am going to insist on at least $3k diminished value if they will not total my car. That along with pain and suffering and I should be good to get into a 2019. Are they making a 2019 1le? I wonder if you can still find a brand new 2018 1le? I think the used Camaro part of this forum lists some pretty decently priced alternatives if they total mine.

There are ALOT of 2019 1LE's already being discounted and I just took a brief look on Auto Trader. There are quite a few 2018 1LE's new still on lots also. Finding a replacement if its totaled should not be hard. I bought mine off the forum last May and there were not many 1LE's around at all. You are in luck because this year is a different story.

[7speed]

Man that sucks to hear. Doesn't look totalled though. I'm sure they will get everything sorted back out.

[ParisTNDude]

Totaled

I got a call from the adjuster just now and the body shop is calling it totaled. They said there was suspension damage as well as everything else. I honestly think the shop wants it to fix up for a sale unit.

INTERESTING: I spoke to the shop yesterday and they said they checked codes on the car and the only code was the automatic seat belt tensioner. He said they cleared it and there were no others. He said it was normal for them to smoke when deployed...REALLY? I doubt that very much! Is it also normal for it to totally drain the battery as well? The smell was definitely burned wires. I was a professional electrician for 17 years...I know the smell.

Anyway...it's time to start looking for a replacement car in earnest!!!

[Boost Creep]

Originally Posted by ParisTNDude

Totaled

I got a call from the adjuster just now and the body shop is calling it totaled. They said there was suspension damage as well as everything else. I honestly think the shop wants it to fix up for a sale unit.

INTERESTING: I spoke to the shop yesterday and they said they checked codes on the car and the only code was the automatic seat belt tensioner. He said they cleared it and there were no others. He said it was normal for them to smoke when deployed...REALLY? I doubt that very much! Is it also normal for it to totally drain the battery as well? The smell was definitely burned wires. I was a professional electrician for 17 years...I know the smell.

Anyway...it's time to start looking for a replacement car in earnest!!!

When I was looking, the D.C. and Baltimore area was littered with 1LE's.