Damage magnet

[bernhund]

Is there something about certain cars that attract damage? My wife has been driving for 30 years and, until recently, only ever owned cars with no bodywork damage. One and a half years ago she bought a new Nissan Juke, and in that time 3 people have crashed into the back of it. On top of that, some teenagers had a fight by it and dented a door with one of their faces! Then to cap it off the head gasket went a few months back. Numerous punctures too.
So, she has now got shot of it, as she thinks it's jinxed. Yesterday at 6:00pm, Nissan delivered her brand new Juke. This morning at 7:00am,someone crashed into the back of it! So WTF is going on here? Her driving is fine & someone went into the back of the last one when I was driving too, the new car is also a different colour. So could the shape of a car actually distract the driver behind? I mean, it is fking ugly, so could the driver behind be thinking about that then forget to brake? I don't know.

Edited by bernhund on Tuesday 3rd March 12:21

[bernhund]

Any thoughts on this? Have you had a car that just attracted damage?

[bernhund]

Haha, I like that! Maybe she should do the lottery?

[bernhund]

Boosted LS1 said:

Is your wife an overcautious driver who brakes unexpectedly ie starts to pull away or execute a manouver and then suddenly panics and brakes?

No, not at all. She's a competent good driver & it's happened to me too in the Juke. I seriously think people are so taken aback by its hideous rear end, they are distracted & plough into it. But my wife really likes the look of the car, which now leaves me concerned about what attracted her to me!

[bernhund]

Faxo said:

Pics? Are we talking a scratch or written off, as tbh I wouldn't want my BRAND NEW car repaired!

Luckily no damage. She's just told me that every time it's happened, she's been stationary too, so definitely not because she was braking late or anything.
What's really disappointing is that I've been trying to rear end her for the last 20 years but can't get anywhere near it!

[bernhund]

Hoofy said:

Are the brakes really good? Maybe she's braking too hard and people are surprised at how quickly it stops. Doesn't mean it isn't their fault but might explain why she's had everyone up her rear but you.

Great turn of phrase! Nope, she says every time it's happened, she's just been sat in the traffic. As has been said earlier, perhaps 'statisically' it was over due and now it's catch up time. But it does seem odd still.

[bernhund]

simonwhite said:

I think there is a small but genuine effect whereby vehicles that have a markedly different silhouette to a "normal car"

These are the lines I was first thinking along. Because the car has always been static when hit, the drivers have been different and so has the colour. The one constant is the shape..maybe just the position of the tail lights or something?

[bernhund]

GuinnessMK said:

bernhund said:

simonwhite said:

I think there is a small but genuine effect whereby vehicles that have a markedly different silhouette to a "normal car"

These are the lines I was first thinking along. Because the car has always been static when hit, the drivers have been different and so has the colour. The one constant is the shape..maybe just the position of the tail lights or something?

My car is fitted with both options "Damage Magnet" and "Stealth Mode". It's a black Seat Leon, which I used to love, but over the past few years;

• Next doors roofer managed to slide a ladder along the bonnet while trying to get his ladder off the roof of his van,
• The other neighbour had a roof tile blow off, hit the door and front wing,
• Another neighbour managed to hit the rear quarter while parking his hire car,
• Whilst driving across the M62 the silencer fell off a car in front and shot through my front grille and bumper,
• Another neighbour hit and ran the front quarter,
• Whilst parked up in town someone slid their bumper down the front door, across the wing and into the wheel,
• Then to top it all my wife managed to hook the front bumper over a kerb, and reverse off, leaving the bumper in the carparking bay..

Any bodyshop owners want a new project???

Just read this out to my wife and she now feels better! Also, have you ever wondered whether your neighbours want you gone?