Seen the Last of the Vibe
Went down to the body shop this morning and picked up the last of our personal effects and the license plate from the wrecked Vibe. Pulled the community access sticker and gate barcode from the windows, took the cargo nets and blankets out of the back, and retrieved the Buddha pendant and Chinese talisman from the rearview mirror. The talisman is supposed to provide safety to the owner, and in that sense I think you could say that it worked—all parties escaped without injury.
The insurance company doesn’t seem poised to raise our rates, at least not according to the policy experts at the national customer center which I spoke to. Their records show no fault found in the accident, plus no citations/points were issued. Someone told me that in Florida, insurance companies aren’t supposed to raise your rates unless you were cited by police and earned points on your license, but I don’t know if I believe that. It sure sounds good, though. But the quote for insurance on a new Mazda6 s is only $83 more annually than the Vibe—and the Mazda has a V6 engine! Can’t believe it. I think it’s due to the fact that the Mazda also has ABS and anti-theft systems which the Vibe lacked, and that contributes to lowering the cost of insuring the Mazda.
I’m going to the Mazda dealer after work today to test-drive a Mazda6 5-door with the V6 and 5-speed auto. Taking the new camera with me and will shoot lots of photos and take some video (primarily to capture the sound of the exhaust note, which people say is the nicest of any car in this class). The total loss department has been informed of our GMAC account number and told they can pick up the car, so now we wait for both Liberty Mutual and GMAC to get back to me with details on their decision about the value of the car and what happens to finish up the process. I think it’s probably going to take a few days, but the ball’s in their court now, so I can sit back and tend to other matters at last.
Oh yeah…Mazda6 photos should be online later tonight. 
Categorized as Cars