Northwest Members - Oh Deer!

My wife and I went for a holiday drive through the mountains this last weekend(North Cascades Loop). Driving along Hwy 2, between Twisp and Winthrop a peaceful drive turned into an obstacle course of the 4 legged kind. We managed to safely pass around 2 dozen head of deer before one came up from the side of the road right smack into us! Deer limped away. Goat limped home. Dealership estimate of damages - $5271.39!!!! Basically, that's the Hood, Left fender, bumber, lights, bra and sundry smaller parts plus labor.

On the plus side:
a. Neither of us were hurt
b. The car still runs fine
c. The airbags didn't deploy
d. The insurance company says I can use aftermarket replacement parts(hood and bumper come to mind)

So, next time you see my GTO it may have a new look.

Damn, dude.. that bites. The plus side, though, is since you hit a deer (rather than crashing trying to avoid one) your insurance won't go up because it's considered an "act of God" so to speak.

That stretch of road is REALLY bad for deer, though.

Congrats?? :jest: On a serious note I am glad to hear you, your wife, and your goat are ok... Something tells me the goat is gonna prowl the road w/ an angry look from now on... :devil:

Dang that bites!

Jim and I had a scare the other night. We were bringing "Dorthy" home after the last round of tuning. Actualy doing the speed limit on the home road I just happened to catch some thing, a flick of light in the middle of the road. Hit the High beams and sure enough a doe was sniffing some thing in the road and it was time for the brakes!

They have been pretty heavy around here lately. just gotta keep an eye out!

Since there is road construction on the main road home I take a little bit longer detour through Deer Park just ouside of Spokane, and the name of the city holds true! I see on average 5+ deer a day through there on the way to and from work. Now made a rule for the wife that if she works late that she has to take the Probe through the construction zone and can't take the TA the long way, she already hit one deer, don't want to get a call about another. :eyes: :jest:

Well I'm glad you guys are okay! That could have spelled "bad news".

And sounds like it might turn out alright in the end anyway (with the aftermarket hood, etc.) :)

Have the body shop order an 05 GTO hood from GM.....same price.

Sorry to hear about the Accident..I bet that was Scary! But at least the outcome will be good :thumb:

Damn, sorry to hear this. It's deer country down here where I live too. Sometimes I don't even want to take the car out. :eek:

When we moved from Wa to Wy, hoped our insurance would go down. Was told there are 2 classes of drivers here, those who HAVE hit deer and those who WILL hit deer. One of the worst areas for deer crossing in the state is just south of Greybull. Oh joy!!

Thanks for all the kind words. It's painful now, but I'm trying to make Lemonade out of it...or at least a nice venison stew! ;)

Mark, if their adjustor lets me replace the hood(rather than repairing it) I'm leaning towards one of these:

Choice A (http://www.gravanatuning.com/applications/2004_Pontiac_GTO_5.7.aspx/26/3214/_GRAVANA_Type_W_Fiberglass_GTO_Woodward_Hood_51_Li ghter_than_OEM_)

Choice B (http://www.gravanatuning.com/applications/2004_Pontiac_GTO_5.7.aspx/26/1878/_GRAVANA_GTO_RamAir_Hood_Fiberglass_40_Lighter_tha n_OEM_)

Along with that I'd probably go with the sports appearance package bumper.

Choice A! Gotta get that front end too!

I agree with Choice A! :thumb:

I third the motion of A! :jest:

The represenative from the high speed arena also votes A. 3 motions for A and a confirmation from a 4th. its a done deal.

The front bumper with the spiltter will help you TONS out at pacific raceways on a lapping day. Might cut your top speeds on the straight by a few mph but the ground you will make up in the corners will more than compensate for it.

I would go with A also, only because of the heat extractors (I actually like the looks of B a lil better). I'd get some 05 or equiv grill inserts too.

The front bumper with the spiltter will help you TONS out at pacific raceways on a lapping day. Might cut your top speeds on the straight by a few mph but the ground you will make up in the corners will more than compensate for it.

Alright, I'm not too proud to ask. How does a bumper affect your speed through corners? Also, what is a "splitter"?

It definitely sounds like the majority over here likes the woodward style hood best. It's the least expensive and lightest weight.

Car is now at the dealership. They have been instructed to use the Woodward Style hood(choice A). Let's hope it fits and mounts up without too much extra effort. With a little luck the car will be done when I come back from Germany in October. I'll probably put the rear spoiler back on as well. Here's a pic of a red GTO with this hood and spoiler.

have you looked at this one?

this is the one I was thinking of for mine...


http://www.gravanatuning.com/prod_images/large/PFY-GT1234-FG.jpg

http://www.gravanatuning.com/prod_images/large/PFY-GT1234-CF.jpg
http://www.gravanatuning.com/prod_images/large/PFY-GT1234-CF_img2.jpg


http://www.pfyc.com/store/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PFYC&Product_Code=GT1234&Product_Count=0&Category_Code=GTEXT

It's got what I want functionally, but It's not my preferred look. I checked out every hood I could find before posting the two finalists above.

I would go with A also, only because of the heat extractors (I actually like the looks of B a lil better). I'd get some 05 or equiv grill inserts too.

You mean the "autocross" grille? :confused: