Today's (mis) Adventure

[Grant Lamontagne]

AWD systems are also great for dirt track type environments, like when you see the Subarus and other low clearance vehicles whizzing around corners and kicking up dirt.



The AWD systems tend to choose for you when and where power is sent, usually transferring power from one wheel (or set of wheels to another to offset slippage.

4WD is a system that does just what it says- it drives all four wheels at once, so if you were to lift the vehicle off the ground, all four wheels would turn together.  It's usually much less efficient than AWD as it is pushing four wheels, not just two at random intervals.  Here's more (and probably better!) information on it:

https://www.motoring.com.au/what-is-the-difference-between-4wd-and-awd-7530/

Also, if you scroll down at this link you will see that even defined terms like "4x4" are open to interpretation, in that Jeep alone has several different types of "4x4" available.

https://www.jeep.com/4x4.html

Def

[Gerhard Gerber]

.....since this thread stayed so perfectly on track......two things:

Even being above average size I find those pick-ups comically large.

Secondly, I've never seen one mention of the VW Amarok.........you guys never heard of Vorsprung? 

 

 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Amarok isn't sold here.  The only big VW we get is the Atlas, which you may not have seen as I think it's a North America only model.

Def

[dks]

also, VW tests their vehicles on cute little monkeys !

[Whoey]

I haven't seen many Amaroks here either. Pickups in general are pretty rare over here. I was amazed to see a Ford Ranger parked locally, I didn't even think they sold them over here.

[dks]

I have seen some US pickup truck in Europe, mostly in Austria, but they are usually the smallest models, and still look too big for the roads

[dks]

When people need something bigger they go for a proper truck, made by Ford, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Iveco etc, rather than a big pickup. 

e.g.

[ThePeacent]

I haven't seen many Amaroks here either. Pickups in general are pretty rare over here. I was amazed to see a Ford Ranger parked locally, I didn't even think they sold them over here.

they are definitely rare here...unlike Schindler's lifts   

[Syph007]

Where I live every second house has a full size pickup parked in the driveway. I Iove having one.  I can see so much better being up high in traffic.  My headlights are taller than most cars so visibility is amazing. 

[Whoey]

I haven't seen many Amaroks here either. Pickups in general are pretty rare over here. I was amazed to see a Ford Ranger parked locally, I didn't even think they sold them over here.

they are definitely rare here...unlike Schindler's lifts   

those are definitely not rare

as mentioned, you see a lot more van/transit based vehicles than pickup trucks. I believe they said it on either Top Gear or Wheeler Dealers that over here in Europe an open backed vehicle is just looking to have the gear nicked out of the back.

[Syncop8r]

My headlights are taller than most cars so visibility is amazing.

Even the relatively small SUVs / pickups are annoying with their high headlights in your eyes.

[Syncop8r]

AWD systems typically are non user selectable and for the most part just drive the front wheel and only transfer some of the power to the rear when the front wheel slips. Generally speaking these are for on road foul weather use, not for deep snow or mud bogging.

4WD is user selectable and will have a Hi/Low range and at least a rear diff lock some have front too.  Power can be equally transferred to front and rear and all wheels.

AWD systems are also great for dirt track type environments, like when you see the Subarus and other low clearance vehicles whizzing around corners and kicking up dirt.

The AWD systems tend to choose for you when and where power is sent, usually transferring power from one wheel (or set of wheels to another to offset slippage.

4WD is a system that does just what it says- it drives all four wheels at once, so if you were to lift the vehicle off the ground, all four wheels would turn together.  It's usually much less efficient than AWD as it is pushing four wheels, not just two at random intervals.  Here's more (and probably better!) information on it:

https://www.motoring.com.au/what-is-the-difference-between-4wd-and-awd-7530/

Also, if you scroll down at this link you will see that even defined terms like "4x4" are open to interpretation, in that Jeep alone has several different types of "4x4" available.

https://www.jeep.com/4x4.html

Thanks for clearing that up guys. 

[Nix]

... an open backed vehicle is just looking to have the gear nicked out of the back.

That's just sad.

I sometimes leave my wife in the truck's bed. It'd suck to come out of the store to find her 'nicked'. She makes a nice cup of tea and I'd probably miss her.

[Marc_in_NS]

Funny, I keep my wife in the truck bed too, but I got her a cap.
 

[Gerhard Gerber]

Amarok isn't sold here.  The only big VW we get is the Atlas, which you may not have seen as I think it's a North America only model.

Def

Yup, Tuareg is the largest VW SUV here......never even heard of an Atlas......looks huge! 

The Toyota Hilux and teh Ford Ranger are the top sellers here, VW might catch up a bit with the face-lift that now has a V6 on offer.

One thing is for sure, the VW 4Motion system is amaxing, the places people go with the Kombi/Transporter/Caravelle is just unbelievable.....

[Grant Lamontagne]

It's been more than a month and the insurance company still isn't bothering to measure my frame.  They tell me that I can pay for it out of my own pocket, and if it turns out to be warranted then they will reimburse me.  Gary says it's ok, and he has seen a couple of pictures of my Jeep, so we can totally trust his opinion.   

For your amusement, the email chain so far:

My claim has gone over a month now, with absolutely no resolution in sight.  To remind you, I was rear ended on January 19th and suffered damage to my vehicle, and I am stuck in Ottawa until such time as it can be repaired.

The one concern I had regarding the repair of said vehicle has also gone completely ignored, in favor of relatively minor, quick bolt on parts such as a replacement bumper that I could easily have done in my own back yard.

Additionally, I have been very annoyed by BOTH of your approved body shops- the first because they completely ignored my concerns and the second because they still have not gotten their work orders, estimates etc in order to begin the extremely simple repairs they are willing to do.

As you can imagine, I am remarkably displeased with the time frame involved, the approved body shops and the blatant disregard for my concerns.  I believe that I have a significant level of insurance with your company, and I would appreciate seeing some kind of service and or results for the amount of money I pay for said coverage.

Hi Grant,

Thank you for being this to my attention.   Claims, I appreciate you are at the mercy of auto body shops and others that provide services to our clients, but clearly something has gone off the rails and needs extra attention.  Can you please coordinate a solution and keep myself and Grant in the loop as to what process you are making.  Thank you!

Grant, I can appreciate it is frustrating, especially where it wasn’t even your fault.  I expect once Claims has a chance to make some calls and follow ups she’ll be in touch.

I have been following up with the shop regularly. The estimate was finally sent over to us last week. The new estimate does include the request to have the frame measured as you asked. It will be up to the appraisers to approve that measurement.

I am waiting for the estimate to be approved by our appraisers. Unfortunately at this time, it is still a waiting game, but I am keeping a follow up with the appraisers to get the estimate reviewed ASAP.

Hi Grant,

I got the approval for the repairs today.

The appraiser noted that he does not feel the damage to the vehicle warrants the frame to be checked. However, if they do find damage to the frame that is related to the rear end accident, then it will be covered and the amount for repairs will be adjusted.

Let me know if you have any questions.

"He" does not seem like an overly reliable source as Bodyshop (most assuredly not a "he") is the only one at Carstar that looked at my vehicle.

Taking the expert opinion of someone who has not even seen my vehicle, even in passing, does not fill me with confidence.

But I suppose if this is the best I can expect then let us get it done, as I am not interested in wasting any more time on this.  If no one is going to address my concerns then I am not certain I will bother going to an approved location so any advice on how to proceed elsewhere would be appreciated.

Hi Grant,

The “he” I was referring to in that email is our appraiser, Gary.

Our process is to have the body shop send us an estimate with their recommendations and then our appraisers review the estimate and approve or alter the estimate. Gary reviewed both the estimates that were done on the Jeep, including several photos of the vehicle. He advised there are no signs of damage to the frame and the damage done to the Jeep does not warrant checking the frame.

He did mention as well that you can sign a work order for a frame check and if damage relating to the rear end is found, then it would be paid back to you. Any damage to the frame that is not consistent with the accident would not be covered by us.

You can chose any body shop you wish - it does not need to be a preferred shop, however we cannot guarantee their work if it is not a preferred shop. If you choose to go to another shop, we will not be able to cover the costs of a third estimate, if there are any. As well, it will still need to be approved by our appraisers before repairs can begin. Both shops and our appraiser advised that the Jeep is driveable. It is an option for you to drive back to Nova Scotia and go to a shop there.

If you do decide to go to another shop, please let me know which one you choose.

These choices you are offering me are not exactly choices now, are they?

I will go ahead with what Gary says, and I am not going out of pocket on  something that is not my fault and that I have paid your company for for many years now.  If Gary says it is ok from a few photos, then who am I to argue?  After all, I am sure he is quite capable of eyeballing a slight variance in frame position from photos.

As I said, since my concerns are being ignored and I am not allowed any useful input in this, let's just get the show on the road so that I can get back to my life.  I have already wasted far too much time with this particular brick wall.  Please make whatever arrangements are necessary with Louise at Carstar so I can start to put this mess behind me, where it should have been a month ago.

The joke is on them.  If there is frame damage after all, I'll probably be killed somewhere on the highway and they will have to pay out A LOT more because my home and several life insurance policies are through them.   

But what do I know?  I have only inspected roughly 750,000 cars in the past decade.  I'm sure Gary has seen more pictures than that.   

Def

[Don Pablo]

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I have only inspected roughly 750,000 cars in the past decade.
Snipped

Def

But what sort of inspections? 

[dks]

Gary knows best!!!!   

[pfrsantos]

... an open backed vehicle is just looking to have the gear nicked out of the back.

That's just sad.

I sometimes leave my wife in the truck's bed. It'd suck to come out of the store to find her 'nicked'. She makes a nice cup of tea and I'd probably miss her.

Miss Her!

[dks]

WE LOVE GARY       

[Syph007]

So I guess you have to pay for it or you'll never know?  What does that cost?

[pfrsantos]

WE LOVE GARY       

We sure do!

 

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[Don Pablo]

WE LOVE GARY       

[Grant Lamontagne]

I used to handle all of the Jaguar, Land Rover, BMW, Mini, Mercedes, Smart, Volvo, SAAB, Fiat, Aston Martin and Rolls Royce vehicles being imported into Canada.  I also handled the importation and exportation of privately owned vehicles from private sales, transport and military transfers.  I was responsible for the recall of roughly 3,700 BMW cars across Canada in 2015 following some serious damage from improper handling at the port.

In that part of my job I was responsible for inspecting vehicles and investigating damage claims from the port processors on new cars, and determining what level of repairs were required/justified.  The port processors would claim that a car was damaged when it was just dirty.... they would try to claim x number of hours in the body shop when the vehicle only needed to be cleaned, something that would happen a dozen or so times between them receiving the car and it arriving at the dealership anyway.   

In addition, I was the first person on board the Asian Emperor when she came into port after being pummeled by rogue waves at sea and handled all of the damage claims resulting from that- and there were many, from vehicles to heavy and industrial equipment and airframe components.   

But, I'm sure that totally pales in comparison to Gary's experience looking at pictures.   

So I guess you have to pay for it or you'll never know?  What does that cost?

Don't know, don't care.  I'm not paying it.  I have been paying this insurance company for years so that I don't have to pay for this smurf when it comes up.  If they don't want to pay for it then they can pay out multiple life insurance policies and the homeowner policy when I die in a fiery wreck.

Def

[Alan K.]

Don't know, don't care.  I'm not paying it.  I have been paying this insurance company for years so that I don't have to pay for this smurf when it comes up.  If they don't want to pay for it then they can pay out multiple life insurance policies and the homeowner policy when I die in a fiery wreck.

Def

Yeah! That'll teach 'em.

[Grant Lamontagne]

This is hilarious....

Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 150 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.

Even the Forum software knows that this has taken far too long.   

The case was finally closed yesterday, after copious amounts of fighting with the insurance company and the incompetent people at the body shop.  Every time I took it in to them, they broke something else, then eventually insisted that they would not take any more responsibility for the things they messed up as they were doing it as a courtesy.  Frankly, I could have done without their cock-up courtesies.

This was the insurance company's so called "preferred shop" that guaranteed my satisfaction, and no part of this has been even remotely satisfying.  The insurance company needed to be reminded numerous times that I was the one paying them, not the body shop, and if they would like that arrangement to continue then they should probably represent my interests, not those of the shop.  And, in the end, I have had to do much of the work myself.

At any rate, this matter is closed, a convenient ten months after it happened, and no where near to my satisfaction.  But hey, at least it is comforting to know that by using my insurance company's preferred shop, any concerns or problems I have in the future will be efficiently and completely ignored.

This makes me even more glad that I drive a big, heavy Jeep, in that there was no significant damage and I am not concerned about the safety of operating my vehicle.  If there had been more serious damage and that piss-poor of a repair job was done, I don't think I'd ever want to drive it again.

Def

[Dutch_Tooler]

Sorry to hear it's taken this long and that the result was dubious... if it were me I'd seriously consider changing insurer. Is that an option?

[Grant Lamontagne]

Sorry to hear it's taken this long and that the result was dubious... if it were me I'd seriously consider changing insurer. Is that an option?

Yes and no.

Yes, I can change the insurance company to another one any time I like, and, in fact, I have already been looking around.

No, I probably won't because of various reasons- the biggest one being that all insurance companies are going to be pretty well the same.  They are heavily regulated and they are all going to value profit above actually doing the job, backed up by the requirement that I am legally required to send them money every month ensures that there are only so many times I can say "screw you, I'm going somewhere else."

I'll see what some other offers are, but in the end, unless there is a significant savings (which I doubt), it isn't really worthwhile.

Def

[Syph007]

Trade it for an f150 !

If you want a high fuel efficient truck the 2.7 eco gets the same gas milage as a Honda Civic.

My V8 does 11 L/100km on highway and the eco should be around 9.

[Grant Lamontagne]

That will be the next step I am sure.  The F-150 is the truck to beat in my mind when I'm ready to go to a new vehicle.

Def