Let me set the stage:

My new 997S is a couple weeks old and my in-laws are in for Labor Day weekend. I invite my wife and her mom for a quick ride around the block. We live in an area with hills and brush and as I wind up our hill at about 40mph a white fox runs out in front of me and I have no time to swerve let alone brake much. At first I thought it hit the tire but as soon as I pull up to my house I see that the fox hit the front air dam. It was bad enough that I killed the fox, I also broke the grill and snapped off about three of the plastic clamps.

It amazes me how cheap the plastic clamps and grill are as I pulled off the hanging black plastic piece. See pics below, do you guys think I will need to replace the entire lower bumper piece? Will this cost me a fortune? I guess I need to look on the bright side - no humans were hurt during the drive and there are no body dents or scrapes on the 997s...

What a painful night and a sad ending to what was turning out to be a great weekend!

 

Sorry to hear about your accident. Glad you're safe. It could have been worse.

When I read your thread, I had images of blood and guts all over your car.

 

Yeah - after it happened I was thinking that I would need a hose and a brush. Thankfully not.....BUT I also didn't think I did as much damage to the bumper. All the plastic clamps are broken off and I just had the clear bra installed. I fear that buying a whole new bumper and having the clear bra re-installed is going to be expensive.

 

Wouldn't insurance cover it?

Clear Bra for the front bumper is about $400.

 

Strange I saw a silver fox on the road yesterday morning, about 6:30. Was this in the Saratoga/Los Gatos area?

You're lucky it could been a lot worse...but I'm sure that doesn't help too much at the moment.

Best bodyshop is EMC in Fremont!

 

yup could have been worse, doesn't look that bad.

EMC in fremont!

 

About five miles from there - near 87 and Capitol. Hillsdale and Vistapark to be exact.

 

Put a mesh grill instead.

 

glad you're ok and and it wasn't serious. nah i doubt you'll need to replace the whole bumper sure you can just order the parts neccessary and it will be fixed up i no time!

 

Poor foxy

 

u got any pics of the fox??

 

You probly just need some new plastic inserts. The bumper doesn't look scratched even - thanks to clear bra.

The inserts are probly not very expensive. Call around different dealers (sunset, suncoast, carlsen, stevens creek) to price out what you need. You may even be able to expoxy the old one back on without taking the bumper off. If the bumper does need to come off, clean out the side radiator. Leaves get trapped in there easily.

 

Well that sucks Synergy. After I see the TV for the last week in New Orleans with all those poor animals suffering, now I read about you running a fox down on accident. I am sooo sorry for your car, its a pain to fix, I feel for yeah.. I am sorry for POOR Mr Fox too. Goodluck.

 

Thanks for all the kind feedback - I am sad for the fox too. My wife and mother-in-law gave me plenty of grief as well since I may have been exceeding the speed limit when the incident ocurred.

I will go see Carlsen on Friday where I bought the car and see what they have to say for replacement costs. I am hopeful that they can order the parts and I will be in luck. I won't miss the 9/10 Bay Area meet with or without the grill!

 

Glad you're ok buddy... sorry to hear about that mishap!!