Pir0San

hahaha, that last part EScalon, made me laugh. As for the other 20 yr. olds in war, all but one of my friends have joined the military, and they are all up for going over to war zones, but lets just pray that they don't. One of my friends, who is a Marine and is stationed over in Okinawa, called me internationally to wish me a happy birthday, which really made me realize how lucky I am to have the people in my life that I do. I still have maturing to do, and it'll come with time and experience.

well thanks to everyone for the replies, be them birthday wishes or wise pieces of advice. I do agree, I should move out, but as for the time being, I don't want to, and would rather live with my family for the remainder of the time that I am in college (to make it easier on myself). I do think I was overreacting towards the whole situation, and I agree, it was a pity party, and it took all of you to make me realize it. As for my birthday, I had a great time, I spent time with both my father, friends, and my girlfriend. Everything went together smoothly, and I couldn't have wished for more. I guess it was just an off day, so no hard feelings anyone? I don't want people to see me as just another whiny kid, but as a fellow Z fanatic, as it should.

actually, my dad didn't forget my birthday, just didn't wish me happy birthday...I feel like an arse, but that's what makes us human.

, man, trust me, I'd move out if I could. My father is reliant on me for income, because I do all of the billings for his business. He's said he was going to get someone else to do them, but so far I'm the only one that does them right and on a consistent basis. I am going to be moving out in about 2 years for college (the whole reason I'm living at home right now) so at that time, I'm going to have to train someone else to do the billings.

1 Bravo 6, I agree with what you're saying about the whole daughter situation, and I do feel that I understand that. I guess I was just looking for one day, where I could be the main priority, but I guess that's kind of childish of me to do, when I look in retrospect . I'm just going to take everyone's advice, and make it the best day that I can.

thanks from everyone! I guess I explained what I'm feeling a little bit wrong. I was just mad at my dad last night, because I feel like he's forgetting things, or putting me behind all of his priorities. I do value my dad, he raised me (since my mom is a druggie crackwhore schizophrenic, no joke) but I was feeling mad because I felt like he was forgetting something important (which I reminded him it was my bday today about a week ago) but instead of just getting angry, I'm going to talk to him before dinner rolls around, that way if I have to back out, I can give my girlfriend and her mom prior notice (they baked me a cake and are making me dinner, my girlfriend is awesome). I'm going to try to be respectful, as far as I can be. He should be able to find another person to watch my sister, if need be, but wanted me to do it that way it'd be easier. I don't mean to take it out on my sister, but she's just put up on a pedastal (no joke), so it makes her an evil little brat overall. She has no respect for anyone, including my father, because he lets her get away/get whatever she wants. I just usually end up being the one who has to clean up after her messes, and I'm the one in the household who has to act as the other parent (since I'm 20), so I get frustrated when I have to deal with stuff last minute (like the seminar). Overall, I think I'm going to enjoy my day today, as long as Farmer's calls me back about my Z! Thanks again for everything guys, and don't get me wrong, I love my dad, but yet I get frustrated at him in the same respect. Besides, who can't love someone who gave them their first Z car?

yeah, I totally understand that, and I agree with what all you are saying. My main beef is that I feel like he doesn't even really care anymore, which causes me not to care anymore. He just wants to go to a seminar tomorrow for some timeshare so he can get free tickets to vegas, and wants me to babysit. I'll sit and talk with him today, and hopefully he will put me at a higher priority than Vegas.

tried to sleep, but couldn't. I think I'm going to wait until I'm already at my girlfriends house to call my dad, and at that time I'm going to tell him politely that it is my b-day, and that I want to spend it with my girlfriend because she's already made plans, whereas my father has no idea what's going on.

nah, no hard feelings. I did feel like I was bitching though. I got my Z as a present for getting my license. I had already known the Z was mine, it was just a period of time until it was given to me. I'm all distraught about the Z, and the fact that I wrecked it right before my birthday, so lets just hope that the insurance company doesn't total it, because that'd be a shitty birthday present.

, only if, fun_in_my_z, and I hope that was a joke and not sarcasm, because I'd feel like I was bitching if it was . Sorry to everyone if it seems like I'm whining. My childhood has been like this for as long as I remember, with my dad only being there when he felt like. Don't get me wrong, he's an awesome dad, I wouldn't trade him for anything, it's just that he's always telling me my priorities are f**ked up, when I sometimes feel like it's his instead. I'm not going to use my birthday as a revenge tool, but I am going to go out and enjoy it. If he has a problem with it, well, I guess that's too bad. I'm going to make the best of what I have, and who knows, maybe my dad does have something planned. Montoya_fan01, I totally agree with what you are saying, and the world does not revolve around me. I guess I'd just hope that my family would at least remember my birthday, even if it's a simple happy birthday. To me, it is just another day, I'm not too excited, but I still think it'd be nice to have him remember. If he were to remember, he wouldn't be getting pissed at me today and giving me all of this stuff to do tomorrow, he'd just be more nonchalant (sp?) about it, and just ask me to watch my sister. Thanks for the birthday wishes though, at least someone cares!

and I don't mean to whine, but when it comes to favorites, Bre definitely gets put above everyone else. As an example, my father is on a tight budget, I understand that, but when he makes promises to pay for my college tuition, has the cash, and blows it on trivial things (like movies and fast food, etc.) it's not right. I needed $100 for books and whatnot for school, and he starts telling me why he can't pay for it (mortgage, insurance, electricity, etc) but yet he writes a $160 check so that my little sister can participate in some after school program once a month for 6 months. I'm guessing that means that her after school program (which was art classes, my sister is only 7) is more important than the mortgage? As another example, I was driving my '94 Ranger (my father's, but I drive it since the Z isn't right) and the truck broke down (clutch diaphram spring broke) so I had to call my dad. This is at 6 in the morning, and I was giving my little brother a ride to school as usual. I wanted him to use his '96 Ranger to push my truck back home (we push cars with the trucks all the time), and home was about 1 1/2 miles away. He tells me that he doesn't feel like waking Bre up and putting her in the truck, so I'm screwed, and to either walk home, or to just sit in the truck until he has to take her to school (which is around 9). So, I call up a friend of mine, he gives me a ride back home, I get my Z, and go about my way. My dad could have taken 15 minutes, picked Bre out of bed, set her in the truck, drove up, pushed the truck home, and been back asleep by 6:20 by the latest, but he didn't want to wake Bre up. I know it may seem like I'm exaggerating, but realistically, I'm not. I'm not the only one who sees what goes on (my friends, my girlfriend, her mom, etc.) and it's a reacurring problem that needs to cease.

I know I live under his roof, and yeah, I know I'll be 20, but still. I went and at least got him something for his birthday, and made it a big deal, and I'd like for him to respect me the same. I know I do live under his roof, but I mean it's gotten to the point lately where I don't even feel welcome in my home. When I am home, I'm on the net, researching my Z, or I'm outside working on a vehicle. Otherwise, I'm at school or work, or at my girlfriend's house. My dad has just been a huge jerk lately, almost to the point of where I'm afraid I'm going to get the living s**t beat out of me because I made him a little angry. I don't think this'll be the case tomorrow, but I'm hoping it'll be an eye opener, which it should.

My birthday is tomorrow, and my dad has forgotten it is my birthday. I'm turning 20, not a big deal, but it is when you live at home and your father is absorbed into his favorite child, my adopted sister Bre. He has no idea it's my birthday tomorrow, and he's treating me like utter $^!#, like he usually does. So, because I want to get a point across, I'm not going to tell him until it's too late. He wants me to babysit Bre tomorrow so that he can go to some timeshare seminar, so I'm going to go to my girlfriend's house for dinner, and when he calls me to ask where I am and go off on me for not being home, I'm going to say "oh yeah Dad, I guess you forgot, but it's my birthday today. Since you apparently don't care enough to remember, I'm going to be in company of people who do. Since I don't want to ruin my night, I will talk to you later when I come home." Chances are that this is going to wizz him off, but I'm hoping it will make him realize that he chooses favorites, and that he has a problem when it comes to making time for his kids. I know it's cruel, but sometimes you just have to do something drastic in order for someone to realize that they have a problem. Chances are that he's just going to make some excuse about being distracted, and that he forgot as a result (which will be totally bogus). Am I being too harsh, or is this an appropriate way to handle the situation? I know I could be up front and tell him, but I know if I do (and I have tried before) he's just going to go off on me and tell me that I'm being overdramatic. What do you all think? Sorry, just needed to vent.

Mat, thanks for the offer. I'm not sure what's going on yet, since Farmer's loves to play phone tag, and refused to call me at work today to figure out what was going to be done in the way of taking care of the car. I may need them to take a look at your Z, I may not. It just all depends on if they want to fix the damage to my car or not. I can tell you right now that if they try to total out my Z, I'm going to raise so much hell that they won't be able to assist any other customers. Lets just say that I'm going to walk softly, but carry a HUGE stick. I'll keep you updated nonetheless.

Here's engine and interior pics, as you asked for. http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image049.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image050.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image051.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image052.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image053.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image054.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image055.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image056.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image057.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image058.jpg Or you can just try looking at my photobucket album: http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion Oh, and I keep forgetting, I did convert the points ignition to Pertronix Ignition, works like a charm!

man, you guys are awesome. I posted the same info I gave you all about my accident on Zcar.com, and it became a huge flame fest, where everyone just wanted to tell me how stupid I was for driving the Z and making a left hand turn. What happened was that I found a witness (the guy who waved me on), and had him issue a statement to both insurance companies, and the witness and my statements coencided (sp?) with each other, and the other driver had no idea what happened, so her insurance company found her at fault. Now I'm just waiting to get a call for them to come out and appraise my Z (I want them to do it on my terms, so at my house) and to hurry up and get me a rental car so that I'm not reliant on my father and my girlfriend's mother to drive me to and from work.

I know about buying it back, but I don't want to do that because it lowers the value of the car if I ever were to sell it, and with a salvage title, you can only be insured for 1/2 of the total value of the car. I'm looking around at other Z's, and there's one that sold here for $1000 (73 240Z), and it had horrible paint, moderate rust, no interior, but an ok engine. There's another Z (78 280Z) that is selling for $1200, but it has horrible paint and poor interior, but not too bad of rust. Hopefully Farmer's is the same as AAA, and they use a reputable estimate company. I'm just going to keep my foot down about it, and I'll do everything I can just to get it fixed w/o a salvage title.

Interior is alright, needs new seats (still has stock 72 seats), new headliner (has cracks in it, new carpet kit (little rugged now from age, but looks good when vacuumed), but dash looks good except for cracks on top. Has an aftermarket head unit (which I removed to send to service, faceplate was going out). Electrical is pretty well in order, the only thing that is a batch job was the hookup I made from the fusebox to the blower fan. For some reason, it won't work via the stock wiring, so I ran a hot from the common fuse to the positive connector on the fan, takes maybe 15 sec. to remove. Engine wise, head is fully rebuilt, engine is swapped out for another 2.4L P30, the original is awaiting engine rebuild due to spun rod bearing, brand new radiator (had less than 600 miles on it before it was shoved into engine) replaced the alternator and water pump, new fan clutch, new voltage regulator, rebuilt stock SU's, replaced vacuum booster for brakes from another Z, clutch master cylinder and slave have been replaced. Also has a glasspack exhaust with fiberglass melted out, to make it louder/more free flowing. All smog regulation devices have been removed, as well as the A/C system that was installed. This was done because the Z is smog exempt, and I wanted to de-clutter the engine bay. Transmission has a new clutch kit from Autozone, has less than 1000 miles on it. Brakes have been done, switched out with lifetime pads from Autozone, stock disc in front and drum in back. Pretty much the whole car is stock, the only thing the P.O. did that I didn't care for was cutting holes in the light cover panel in the rear for new speakers, which I took out because they were blown. As I said, rust isn't too horribly bad, I think it could be fixed for minimal cost. I've pretty much went along and replaced things as I saw fit, and I never really skimped on quality of parts. It's pretty much stock, other than the sound system. The little damage there is on the Z could be fixed by either a shop, or by someone who is competent with minor body work/welding (for the rust). I'll take more pics tomorrow, as long as it's not raining too bad.

Alright, so I'm curious what everyone else thinks the value of my Z might be, minus the front end damage done to it. I have taken a few pics with my cell phone, so excuse the quality. Here's a link to my photobucket album, and I'm not sure if it works, so here's links to every picture in case: http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/dcp02145.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image043v2.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image048.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image015.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image046.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image047.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image045.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image044.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image043.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image042.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Fast240Z/Z%20wreck/Z%20opinion/Image041.jpg Condition of the car is definitely better than I've seen on other Z's in this area. There is the typical rust on the dog legs, behind the front tire, under the hatch, as well as the floorboards and battery area. Other than that, there is no rust on the framerails, and they are in good condition. Engine has a new E88 head on it, as well as a rebuilt type A 4 speed. Paint isn't great, but definitely is far from horrible. Only real bad paint places are on the roof (as pictured) and on the door, where someone side swiped my car and failed to have the balls to come to my door and tell me. As for the rear valence, it is dented in (I was rear ended a while ago, and being a stupid 16 year old, I spent the cash on food and bowling), but should be relatively easy to fix. Paint is peeling a little bit next to the muffler, but that's expected on any car. Be honest guys, I'd rather have you be brutal then overshoot the price, but don't lowball me like you're trying to buy it.

hmmm...The insurance company that is going to be paying out the cost of damage is Farmer's Insurance, and I have Geico myself. Farmer's is handling all of the repair and what not. I do know that when I had AAA and was in an accident, they quoted me $1800 to fix the problem, and just gave me the cash, and did not salvage the Z. Any suggestions?

The insurance agency gave me a call today, and said that they wanted to inspect my vehicle to see if it is a total loss. Does anyone else in Sacramento have a Z in good condition (minimal rust, straight body, ok interior) and wouldn't mind letting an insurance adjuster get a quote from you?

thank you so much for the heartfelt concern. After evaluating the damage, I've concluded I need a new hood, new headlight buckets for both sides, new bumper, new driver's side fender, and I need to heat up the metal that the bumper attaches to on the driver's side, that bolts onto the body (kind of hard to explain) and pound it back into place. What happened was the impact shoved the bumper attachment bracket backwards, which in return creased the metal outwards (where the headlight bucket was) and then pressed the radiator inwards. I honestly believe a little bit of heat from my torch and a hammer will fix it. The radiator is a little messed up, but I think I can have it soldered and have the fins fixed at a reputable radiator shop I've dealt with before for around $40. I have another Z fanatic who has offered me a good hood and headlight buckets for either free or next to nothing (I think they are free, but I have to ask) which will help out with fixing the Z.

I think I'm going to ride my bike down to the school tomorrow and wait and see if I can find the guy in the Acura and see if I can get a statement from him.

EScalon, the road is a 2 way road, with only one lane going in each direction. You are correct, she drove through a parking lane, and by CVC, technically she is at at fault. What made me mad was that the police officer said it was my fault, since I had made a left turn. He says that no matter what, even though she did pass on the right, which is illegal, I'm at fault because I was crossing traffic, even though the man in the Acura allowed me to. The road is wide, but that is because it's in front of a school, and parents need a place to park when picking up their kids.

hahaha, zhead240, I was thinking the same thing when the accident happened.