Killed my Bug. :(

[Cameron_Talley]

I don't post here too often, but if you're an old-timer you might know me. On March 6th, I killed my 1998 NB, Tommy.

I was coming home from a wedding. It was dark, and I was going 70mph. Hit a piece of wood and WHAM. Stopped the car. Didn't see any immediate damage. Started driving again and the oil light started flashing. I pulled off to the side of the road and cut the engine. To make a very long story short, I didn't stop it fast enough. Cracked the oil pan and the motor is dead. Replacement is out of the question. The car is 11.5 years old and has 110k on it. A motor replacement would be more than the value of the car.

Somewhere along the line I lost the rear backup light, too. My mechanic says that there were splinters all over the bottom of the car. Stupid piece of wood.

Am I bummed? You bet I am. I still feel bad about the whole thing but I just have to chalk it up to fate. Working on getting a New NB, hopefully before Tail of the Dragon. (I'll be at the Dragon one way or another, have no fear!) My main concern right now is getting my BRM wheels off before they haul him away!

I have to admit I'm a little excited about the prospect of getting a new NB. My Mom has been through three of them, and many of you that I know have been through multiple NBs, too.

I swore I would keep my car forever, but 'twas not to be. Tommy took me through high school, College, and nearly 4 years of "post-college" life. And damn if I'm not going to miss him....So raise a glass and let's have a moment of silence for the best car ever.

[mybugrocks]

I remember you from Roswell, and of course I remember your bug, so sad to see him go but I hope you find an excellent NB to replace him

[salsa-man]

I can't believe this! I am sorry to hear that. Dang its really bad when one piece of wood can take out the car for good. Even tho I have a steel oil pan, it makes me reconsider that panzer plate thing.

So you can't back out of the TOD - we've already reached our limit of cancellations.

[dnyed]

I'm so sorry to hear of Tommys demise. But, I glad to hear you are looking for a new New Beetle.



Have fun with your search. And, good luck!

[Cameron_Talley]

Originally Posted by salsa-man

I can't believe this! I am sorry to hear that. Dang its really bad when one piece of wood can take out the car for good. Even tho I have a steel oil pan, it makes me reconsider that panzer plate thing.

So you can't back out of the TOD - we've already reached our limit of cancellations.

Don't worry! My Mom told me a long time ago that if for some reason my car can't make the trip, I can drive hers (She drives a red-velvet-topped vert.). So if I don't have a new NB by that time, I'll have that to drive.

[kcfoxie]

Will you be looking for another 98 or a newer model?

[Cameron_Talley]

Originally Posted by kcfoxie

Will you be looking for another 98 or a newer model?

A brand new one. We figure if we're going to spend the money, let's get a new car with a new warranty, etc.

[Duffy]

Bummer! We met at Roswell a few years back at the Club House, alien watch night. Oh, what fun. Hope to see you in a 'new(er)' beetle next year.

[MichelleRoze]

So sad to hear! The demise of any new beetle is sad....

You're going with NEW new? That's cool. Me personally, I prefer the older body styles. Cause they came in more colors, options, engines, etc etc.....BUT to each their own. SO, what'cha lookin' for and how can I help?!

[Yello_jellybean]

OH NO! I am So sorry to hear about your bug. Glad your are okay though.

Good luck to you, with whatever car you get.

[marvins_dad]

Poor Tommy!
Oh well, he has served you well.

Hope to see you in a month or so in a new new beetle!

[Beetlescott]

Originally Posted by Cameron_Talley

I don't post here too often, but if you're an old-timer you might know me. On March 6th, I killed my 1998 NB, Tommy.

I was coming home from a wedding. It was dark, and I was going 70mph. Hit a piece of wood and WHAM. Stopped the car. Didn't see any immediate damage. Started driving again and the oil light started flashing. I pulled off to the side of the road and cut the engine. To make a very long story short, I didn't stop it fast enough. Cracked the oil pan and the motor is dead. Replacement is out of the question. The car is 11.5 years old and has 110k on it. A motor replacement would be more than the value of the car.

Somewhere along the line I lost the rear backup light, too. My mechanic says that there were splinters all over the bottom of the car. Stupid piece of wood.

Am I bummed? You bet I am. I still feel bad about the whole thing but I just have to chalk it up to fate. Working on getting a New NB, hopefully before Tail of the Dragon. (I'll be at the Dragon one way or another, have no fear!) My main concern right now is getting my BRM wheels off before they haul him away!

I have to admit I'm a little excited about the prospect of getting a new NB. My Mom has been through three of them, and many of you that I know have been through multiple NBs, too.

I swore I would keep my car forever, but 'twas not to be. Tommy took me through high school, College, and nearly 4 years of "post-college" life. And damn if I'm not going to miss him....So raise a glass and let's have a moment of silence for the best car ever.

I'm so very sorry I hate sad stories like this. If I may ask, what kind of shape is the rest of Tommy in? I have replaced engines in old cars before and got many more happy years out of them. I mean, if Tommy is in great shape everywhere else, could you consider getting a used engine? My 99 Jeep is acting up, we drove her 150 miles the other day and at idle, the oil pressure gauge was almost at 0. Scared me to death! Anyway, whatever you decide to do, I understand, I traded my first bug, Felix an 03 in (mistake) and I had to sell, or give away my Opie an 06 when I went on disability I still miss him. I do have a 99 that seems to be in good shape, his name is Ernie. Again, good luck in whatever you decide to do!

[Cameron_Talley]

The car's not in too bad shape, but it's an auto tranny with 110k on it. Probably on borrowed time. We've been discussing getting a new car for some time, so this just forced our hand. Kind of a blessing in disguise, maybe. This is my only means of transportation, so I don't have something to fall back on if he were to go in the shop again.

Even with a used motor the cost of replacement would probably outweigh the benefits of it.

[CoriBug]

I'm so sorry to hear of the accident Cameron! Good luck on your search!

[salsa-man]

Originally Posted by Cameron_Talley

Don't worry! My Mom told me a long time ago that if for some reason my car can't make the trip, I can drive hers (She drives a red-velvet-topped vert.). So if I don't have a new NB by that time, I'll have that to drive.

Ooooo a red top 'vert. I love those. So how does this all affect you being a part of our carabug?

[scarabY2k]

Doggit man! Sorry about Tommy Cameron. I'm glad I got to meet Him in Roswell. Looking forward seeing you at the Dragon, with hopefully your new new beetle

[Cameron_Talley]

Originally Posted by salsa-man

Ooooo a red top 'vert. I love those. So how does this all affect you being a part of our carabug?

Worst case scenario, I would be coming from Lubbock and likely driving in with Susan Hester, et al, meeting y'all in Arkansas. (Driving mom's car)

Best case scenario, I'll have a new bug by that time and will still meet you in Waco.

[Chaz1138]

Just crashed my Bug a couple of weeks ago, so I know how you feel.

[Mike Briggs]

Sorry for your loss.

I think there's a take-away moral here though: steel skid plates are worth the money. We put one of those one both of our VWs within a month of buying them (largely because a friend of mine went through exactly what you went through, albeit with a Jetta rather than a NB). All VWs (other than the Touareg) have very low oil pans, especially the NB. Both of our cars have been saved more than once by those skid plates....

[huck731]

i happen to know of a dealership in wisconsin (they will sell and arrange shipment to other state's, they do it all the time) that has a 2010 red rock edition and an 09 blush edition. if either of those peak your interest or pocket book