A strange roadside experience

**nutmegchoi** · 10-15-2017, 08:01 PM

I was on my way back from a driving range.
I'm driving my RAV4 in the right lane (two lane) roundabout exiting.
Guy on the left lane in Sportage tried to exit last minute without seeing me and darted into my driver side door.
We pulled over, he came out "Are you okay sweetheart? I'm so sorry!!!".
I wasn't exactly in sweetheart mood, but I'm trying to keep it civil.
(his name is Joe and looks like a guido from Staten Island. Thick Italian accident, Jets hoodie, chain with cross and all.)

I asked his driver's license and insurance.
He's handing me over the info and bagging me not to report the police or claim the insurance.
He's suggesting to settle everything in cash.
He's in the middle of divorce, his wife screwed him over with the car payments, he just got the car back from repossession after 9 grand... etc.
I told him I'll get an estimate, he gives me everything in cash, I won't claim.
Now I noticed his insurance card is expired October 8th.
He goes into panic mode.

I told him I'll call his insurance company to validate his insurance.
Insurance company won't confirm unless I claim.
I told him now I have to report the accident.
He's bagging and pleading.
I become a softy sweetheart.

I told him to get someone to bring his valid insurance card.
No luck.

He's asking if I'm okay to get how much ever cash at the spot.
This is getting really weird now.
But I'm calling my company's HR lady's husband who owns a body shop anyways.
HR lady's husband sees the picture I sent and told me to get $1,200.
We wait another 15 minutes for his buddy to arrive with cash.
Range Rover pulls over and another guido with both arms covered in tattoos comes out with his little guido.
He listened what happened, checked my car's damage, handed me over the cash and told me to call them if a penny costs more.
I'm standing there and thinking "what is going on??" and wondering if I'm dealing with couple mobs and there's a body in the trunk or something.

Anyways.
I'm not hurt and car will get fixed unless the money is fake.
My guess is he probably has a suspended license for doing something stupid.
I just would like to think that I was being nice to someone who was going through with something.
Whole thing happened and wrapped in 45 mins.

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**Benny Profane** · 10-15-2017, 08:05 PM

Leave the gun. Take the cash. Furgetaboutit. Sweetheart.

**JimmyCarter** · 10-15-2017, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by nutmegchoi

I just would like to think that I was being nice to someone who was going through with something.

Until you hear some story in the next few days about some girl who's gone missing...

**nutmegchoi** · 10-15-2017, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by JimmyCarter

Until you hear some story in the next few days about some girl who's gone missing...

He does not have my info.
I didn't show him my DL, he didn't take a pic of my car (with license) nor I gave him my phone number.
And please call me sweetheart.

**JimmyCarter** · 10-15-2017, 08:15 PM

Listen sweetheart, just saying youz being nice is startin to look and smell like aidin and abettin heah...

**Mazderati** · 10-15-2017, 08:44 PM

**Vt-Freeheel** · 10-15-2017, 09:06 PM

Obviously he has no insurance sweetheart. Likely no license as it is under suspension. Hook truck is looking for it as he is behind on payments. Did you break any laws by not reporting?

**nutmegchoi** · 10-15-2017, 09:19 PM

Nope.
My car’s paid off, license is clean, all the paper’s up-to the date and I have no issues with any laws.
No dirt on me.

**iceman** · 10-15-2017, 09:37 PM

I got no problem with that transaction although I wonder if $1200 will cover it. You may end up calling him and having another chapter to add to this story.

**Vt-Freeheel** · 10-15-2017, 09:38 PM

OK, good for you.

Watch out in the future for renegade guidos, sweetheart

Got out on my Aprilia today, I feel your pain about not riding enough.

**nutmegchoi** · 10-15-2017, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by Vt-Freeheel

Got out on my Aprilia today, I feel your pain about not riding enough.

Ouch.
Thanks for the grain of salt there.

**Vt-Freeheel** · 10-15-2017, 10:14 PM

I've only been out a half dozen times myself. Too much MTB.

**nutmegchoi** · 10-15-2017, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by Vt-Freeheel

I've only been out a half dozen times myself. Too much MTB.

Speaking of MTB, I only got to ride my Cannondale once this year.
I don’t even know what happened to my Summer!

**MTT** · 10-15-2017, 10:22 PM

Taking the cash, is a solid move.

and if it cost more to make you whole? You will get it.

Keeping the man out of the mix is good karma.

You should have ASKED for a shop recommendation from the offender, he probably knows people who would make it right

**tripice351** · 10-15-2017, 10:58 PM

Unless you were planning on trading it in or selling it anytime soon, I'd vote for just pocketing the cash. Getting that fixed the right way could run more than $1200 (black paint is a mofo). Consider your season pass paid for by some goodfellas.

**Alaskan Rover** · 10-15-2017, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by tripice351

Unless you were planning on trading it in or selling it anytime soon, I'd vote for just pocketing the cash. Getting that fixed the right way could run more than $1200 (black paint is a mofo). Consider your season pass paid for by some goodfellas.

+5 👍

And just take $100 and a toolbox to a you-pull-it yard and grab yourself a black Rav4 door, replace the old one, reconnect the wires and problem solved. Rav4 isn't exactly a rare car.

**Kenny Satch** · 10-16-2017, 02:24 AM

You sure the guy wasn't trying to hit on you

SB · 10-16-2017, 05:04 AM

lol

**Obstruction** · 10-16-2017, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by Alaskan Rover

+5 ��

And just take $100 and a toolbox to a you-pull-it yard and grab yourself a black Rav4 door, replace the old one, reconnect the wires and problem solved. Rav4 isn't exactly a rare car.

Good advice if the car is older and your not looking to get it back to showroom quality. Cash deal with no insurance also has the added benefit of no car fax report against your car. I've done this with a few cars and had good results. If you're lucky you might find one with a matching door card and wiring intact. Downside for you is that your dealing with a driver's side door so you either have to take the lock cylinder out of the old door or re-key the new one some how.

To get a matching door find the color code (on a Toyota it should be inside the drivers front door frame, low on the b pillar). You could skip this step if Toyota only had one black during the year your car was built. Then Check car-parts.com. Many of the parts listed show color and some show color code. You can sort by location and price. Or you can tour the local junk yards and look for a match.

SB · 10-16-2017, 05:55 AM

Oar just drive as is. Pocket cash.

Winning

**Viva** · 10-16-2017, 06:07 AM

You guys are all thinking about car repairs...I'm imagining Nutter saying "Guido" with a sultry Korean accent.

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**Skidog** · 10-16-2017, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by Vt-Freeheel

Obviously he has no insurance sweetheart. Likely no license as it is under suspension. Hook truck is looking for it as he is behind on payments. Did you break any laws by not reporting?

I believe leaving the scene of any accident is "illegal".

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**ncskier** · 10-16-2017, 06:30 AM

I imagine the body shop experience going something like this.

**Timberridge** · 10-16-2017, 06:44 AM

That'll buff right out.

With the extra $ have you considered taking your Rav4 to the next level? Perhaps start with a custom die cut windshield sticker such as "Choi Toy" or "Asian Persuasion." Then finish it off with a Hello Kitty tailpipe.