ScottsGT

Day 5 and I need a new front bumper. Sons friend managed to jump out of the car with it running (right after he started it up) to hear the exhaust and didn't check to see if it was in gear. Right into my garage door frame. At least it didn't go through the door and into my restored '66 GT Fastback. Sad thing is, he drives a manual trans Mustang too.
Keep in mind, these aren't young boys. They were coming by the house after Army Guard drills to work on his friends '98 GT.
I wonder if Roush is selling take off parts yet.

Flagstang

I would be more worried about getting away with all the murdering you did after the damage was done.

ScottsGT

Little brother was blocking the path to the safe....

SONICBOOST

Reminds me of that video on YouTube where a dad brings home a new roush. Let's his son in the driver seat in the driveway and the son puts the car in gear and drives into the wall of the garage! Sorry to hear about your car, Scott!

Gnhunter

I had the same problem back in 86. My dad bought me a Escort GT for graduation it was hit by a mint condition 68 corvette. I had to wait 6 months before they finally had spare parts to fix it. Repair place was searching everywhere and couldn't find parts. Hope you have better luck,

ScottsGT

$1350 in damage. Supposed to go in the shop a week from tomorrow if they can get the parts that quick.
Bumper
Grill
Lower splitter/spoiler
Adjuster wanted to hold off on the bumper filler, and I had found it at a dealership listed at $60. I told him I didn't want to delay my car in the shop a week waiting on a $60 part. My bodyshop said they would go ahead and get it just in case.

MRGTX

Poor kid. I can only imagine he felt like a dope.

Mistakes happen. At least nobody was hurt. You guys will laugh about this in a few years.

V6 Driver

Sorry to hear this. However, is your car an auto or manual. If manual wouldn't it have just died as soon as your sons friend removed his foot from the clutch, especially if it was in gear? If auto then understandable.

JoeMidnight

that's insane! This is definitely much worse than my incident! I found a 2" gouge on my passenger front fender 1 week into picking up my car! I was pretty upset for the first while.


at least they didn't cause any damage to the 66 GT. I wouldn't want to be around anyone that's just had their 5 day old BRAND NEW mustang AND fully restored classic mustang damaged in one shot. That would truly be bad karma.

Tony Alonso

Sorry to hear this, Scott. I hope your repair is to your satisfaction.

ScottsGT

It's a manual. When I park it, I'm usually about 2' from the wall. I guess these things launch pretty hard, even at an idle. I'm glad it wasn't any faster, it could have taken out the hood.
But I'm now getting into the habit of leaving it in reverse when I park there. Don't know why, all the years I've parked there or anywhere, I've never had an issue driving a manual trans.
I did give the guys hell though and used the comparison of each and every time they pick up a firearm, do they check the chamber? Don't they assume every gun is loaded until they make this check?
Treat a car the same way! Assume every manual trans car is in gear when you get in it. One of the boys there went to move my son's '95 GT with a manual a few months back and tried to crank it with it in gear and not pressing the clutch pedal. (I know, no safety interlocks for some reason after we did an auto to manual conversion) But the '95 jumped on him too. Thankfully there was nothing in front of him. But I made him a part of the *** chewing since I was on a roll!! The final insult was when I told them they all drive like women and deserve automatic cars!

laserred38

I used to always leave my cars in 1st when I parked. I started leaving them in 2nd, but with the 2014, I now leave it in 3rd. That is essentially my "safety" from having this happen accidentally. In 3rd, the car should just die without much of a lurch...

88lx50

I just leave it in neutral unless I am on a grade.

ScottsGT

Thought I'd leave this here.....


Should be picking it up from the body shop today.

TripleBlack14

My parking brake is set before I even turn off the ignition. Always. Then I put it in 1st or reverse depending on the grade.

Tony Alonso

Hope it turns out OK. Good luck!

wheelman

Good idea, never thought about it.

ScottsGT

I'm usually in the habit of doing this, but this one time was the perfect storm. I forgot to set the parking brake and the guy that got in the car forgot to check the shifter and the parking brake.
Since then, I caught myself once forgetting to set the brake, and I now leave it in Reverse or 3rd.
Picking her up today after work!