Instructional Guide: How to Destroy 4703 Mazda 3's

Pariah

Elite Member
Apr 16, 2000
7,357
20
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Good move on Mazda's part from a PR standpoint, even though they probably aren't losing much money from this. I don't see why the insurance companies aren't trying to salvage some of the parts though. Smashing the CD players? Surely those must all still work, why not salvage them?

A Crushing Issue: How to Destroy Brand-New Cars
 

Owls

Senior member
Feb 22, 2006
735
0
76
Originally posted by: Pariah
Good move on Mazda's part from a PR standpoint, even though they probably aren't losing much money from this. I don't see why the insurance companies aren't trying to salvage some of the parts though. Smashing the CD players? Surely those must all still work, why not salvage them?

A Crushing Issue: How to Destroy Brand-New Cars

Because the insurance payout is adjusted for each car as if it were a total loss. It sucks but that's what they have to do.
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
62,901
19,131
136
I read the article in Wired about the guys who saved the ship those were on. One of the team died. It was a pretty good article.
Link
 

Pariah

Elite Member
Apr 16, 2000
7,357
20
81
Originally posted by: Owls
Originally posted by: Pariah
Good move on Mazda's part from a PR standpoint, even though they probably aren't losing much money from this. I don't see why the insurance companies aren't trying to salvage some of the parts though. Smashing the CD players? Surely those must all still work, why not salvage them?

A Crushing Issue: How to Destroy Brand-New Cars

Because the insurance payout is adjusted for each car as if it were a total loss. It sucks but that's what they have to do.

I understand why Mazda can't salvage anything, but it appears insurance is paying Mazda to destroy the cars. Once they pay for the cars, don't the cars usually become the property of the insurance company? Most of the damage is probably cosmetic, all the electronics and engines should be OK. You would think insurance would lose less money on this if they salvaged some of the parts rather than just shredding the cars and recycling the metal.
 

Owls

Senior member
Feb 22, 2006
735
0
76
Originally posted by: Pariah
Originally posted by: Owls
Originally posted by: Pariah
Good move on Mazda's part from a PR standpoint, even though they probably aren't losing much money from this. I don't see why the insurance companies aren't trying to salvage some of the parts though. Smashing the CD players? Surely those must all still work, why not salvage them?

A Crushing Issue: How to Destroy Brand-New Cars

Because the insurance payout is adjusted for each car as if it were a total loss. It sucks but that's what they have to do.

I understand why Mazda can't salvage anything, but it appears insurance is paying Mazda to destroy the cars. Once they pay for the cars, don't the cars usually become the property of the insurance company? Most of the damage is probably cosmetic, all the electronics and engines should be OK. You would think insurance would lose less money on this if they salvaged some of the parts rather than just shredding the cars and recycling the metal.


If it were say 50 cars instead of 4703 then I think they would try to salvage all they could :)

It would take an enormous amount of time and effort to do what you said because of the manpower required.
 

Demon-Xanth

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
20,551
2
81
Yup, it's the source, the story behind the righting of it is pretty cool though.

I'm surprised they didn't give a few to research places who just need a car that will never be driven on the street (ie: DARPA challenge). Although, if I were that wrecking yard I couldn't resist an impromptu demo derby.
 
Aug 23, 2000
15,509
1
81
Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Yup, it's the source, the story behind the righting of it is pretty cool though.

I'm surprised they didn't give a few to research places who just need a car that will never be driven on the street (ie: DARPA challenge). Although, if I were that wrecking yard I couldn't resist an impromptu demo derby.

Hell yes, can of spray paint to put the numbers on the doors, bust out the windows and have at it.
Don't forget, if you can find a big enough field, you could have Mazda 3 polo.
 

rockyct

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2001
6,656
32
91
I just bought a new Mazda3 hatch. It will mourn for it's fallen comrades.

I also read that article in Wired about the crew that actually corrected the ship. They still got paid, but it seems like a waste.
 

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
13,140
138
106
It's a shame the insurance company couldn't let them donate a few to fire departments for extraction training.
 

PlasmaBomb

Lifer
Nov 19, 2004
11,636
2
81
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I read the article in Wired about the guys who saved the ship those were on. One of the team died. It was a pretty good article.
Link

The wired article is awesome :D

Cheers NF