Crashed - Need Advice

JoeD · 10-05-2009, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

You might even be able to talk the guys at the dealership and let them you which way you'd want it to go.

Wrong move. A body-shop would rather not have the car totaled so they get the work/money. If it's totaled, the only one who collects is the owner of the car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

To be honest, they're more likely to find enough stuff wrong to get the insurance company to total it, even for minor stuff.

If you're at a proper shop, this should make no difference. Everything should be fixed to as-new condition, "even minor stuff", regardless.

Jason · 10-05-2009, 02:00 AM

i went to the courtesy parts site and came up with $5,000 in parts not including electrical stuff and the driver side tire (i couldnt find the price but im assuming an extra $300 bucks). plus labor, paint and all that will probably hit almost $8-10k with miscellaneous parts. maybe another $1-2k on rental costs. I'm being very optimistic. lol.

tomorrow im going to an independent shop. i have a good relationship with the owner so i think the estimate will be extremely thorough and high compared to a quick basic walkthrough.

im also going to a place where an infiniti dealer sends their cars. i went to that shops site and they also do jag, volvo, land rover, for the same dealer chain. im going to check them out too.

i'll also research lambo/ferrari dealers to see where they send their customers and see what they say. i'll check out all three shops' work and see which one i'll go with.

you guys think this is a good plan? should i use another strategy to find a good shop??

kannibul · 10-05-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeD

Wrong move. A body-shop would rather not have the car totaled so they get the work/money. If it's totaled, the only one who collects is the owner of the car.

If you're at a proper shop, this should make no difference. Everything should be fixed to as-new condition, "even minor stuff", regardless.

Some shops are "less dilligent" than others. Just sayin...

RatedZ · 10-05-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

Never accept an insurance adjuster's estimates...or accept their payoff check.

Take it to an independent shop (preferrably the dealership), and get a proper "as new" reapri estimate. You might even be able to talk the guys at the dealership and let them you which way you'd want it to go. To be honest, they're more likely to find enough stuff wrong to get the insurance company to total it, even for minor stuff.

This is a good suggestion, and another thing. I haven't read most of the posts here, but DO NOT LET THEM REPLACE BODY PANELS WITH AFTERMARKET UNITS! Aftermarket body panels do not line up, nor are they the same quality as OEM panels. They aren't made to the same standards. The body lines don't have the same creases, they don't have the same rust inhibitors, and the panels are not as thick.

zZSportZz · 10-05-2009, 10:45 AM

Ouch....poor Z

Blown32 · 10-05-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RatedZ

This is a good suggestion, and another thing. I haven't read most of the posts here, but DO NOT LET THEM REPLACE BODY PANELS WITH AFTERMARKET UNITS! Aftermarket body panels do not line up, nor are they the same quality as OEM panels. They aren't made to the same standards. The body lines don't have the same creases, they don't have the same rust inhibitors, and the panels are not as thick.

I seriously doubt anyone is making aftermarket body parts for the 370 yet?But if they were I'am sure it being a new car a reputable shop would use OEM parts.

kenchan · 10-05-2009, 12:35 PM

ouch...

sorry to hear and see.

yah, that damage does not look totalled. the panels can easily shift backwards like that yet no penetration to the frame.

if that was my car, would get it repaired, sell it, get a new one
unless i turn it into a project car...then slight imprefections are
OK as long as functionally sound.

Jason · 10-05-2009, 01:28 PM

I think if I sold it after fixing, I'd be taking a huge hit... Selling it without an accident, I'd probably have to sell it for $5k less than I paid. Post accident $10k (just a random guess, I really have no idea).

Modshack · 10-05-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason

I think if I sold it after fixing, I'd be taking a huge hit... Selling it without an accident, I'd probably have to sell it for $5k less than I paid. Post accident $10k (just a random guess, I really have no idea).

You may or may not have the option of applying for diminished value reimbursement. There are only 2 states that allow this through your insurance Co as opposed to the guilty party's.. In my case the person that caused the accident was clearly guilty and I eventually got +$2200 diminished value in addition to the repair. Mine was fixed better than new after a front/rear sandwich and $7000 in work..

Post repair (New hood, nose and tail + underlying metal):

INSURANCE101 · 10-05-2009, 01:55 PM

it wont be totaled unless ur repair bill gets close to 20k, i would recomend you do a lot of homework on which shop to send it to. A LOT. other than that sorry to hear about your accident.

Jason · 10-05-2009, 02:04 PM

modshack, do u have pics of the accident? looks like they did good work. im pretty detailed with my inspection post fixing so im not too worried and i'll make sure any imperfections are fixed before i hand over any money.

anyone have good tips/advice on choosing the perfect body shop? i have my strategy but i dont necessarily think that because some shops work on luxury cars versus economy cars that they're necessarily "better".

dainedazz · 10-05-2009, 02:04 PM

ouchhhhhhhhhh. i hate seeing stuff like these. sorry about this man. good luck.

Modshack · 10-05-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INSURANCE101

it wont be totaled unless ur repair bill gets close to 20k, i would recomend you do a lot of homework on which shop to send it to. A LOT. other than that sorry to hear about your accident.

Jason....Like yours, mine didn't look that bad, but....

Front:

Rear:

Not so bad eh?....But by the time you start replacing all the underlying metal that was bent in the process it came to $3500 front and the same for the rear.

I went to the best shop in town and had seen their work on friends cars. Their labor rate was reasonable ($45/hr) and the Insurance co. didn't even blink (but their client was caught on video causing the accident)...

cpehaot · 10-05-2009, 02:35 PM

Good that you are not hurt. Maybe not badly anyways, never had air bag punched me in the face, but I heard it painful too. Know how u feel, I had an idiot pumped my in the back when I had my new colorado. Never felt the same when u know it been dmged. Hope insurance people calll it totalled cause it is up to them.

Drive safe and look out for idiots.

Jason · 10-05-2009, 02:57 PM

ouch!

10-05-2009, 10:45 AM	#50 (permalink)
zZSportZz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,095 Drives: 370z Blk on Blk 6MT Rep Power: 18	Ouch....poor Z __________________ --Rick

10-05-2009, 01:55 PM	#55 (permalink)
INSURANCE101 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: palm beach, FL Posts: 182 Drives: susp. dl untill sept Rep Power: 16	it wont be totaled unless ur repair bill gets close to 20k, i would recomend you do a lot of homework on which shop to send it to. A LOT. other than that sorry to hear about your accident. __________________ "Aerodynamics is for those who cannot manufacture good engines" - Enzo Ferrari

10-05-2009, 02:04 PM	#57 (permalink)
dainedazz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY, NJ, Philippines Posts: 1,325 Drives: 09' SR 6MT Z34 Rep Power: 293	ouchhhhhhhhhh. i hate seeing stuff like these. sorry about this man. good luck. __________________ DaineZ' Rosalena \| Kenwood \| Pioneer \| 3M \| 180 Custom \| Stillen \| Z1 \| Fast Intentions \| Setrab \| Eibach \| Varis \| UpRev \| TEIN \| UAM \| Amuse \| Bride \| Southbend \| WORK \| TWM \| BFGoodrich \| Robispec \| TAKATA \| GTSPEC \| *Instagram* @johndainez

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10-05-2009, 02:00 AM	#47 (permalink)
Jason Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 309 Drives: Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 16	i went to the courtesy parts site and came up with $5,000 in parts not including electrical stuff and the driver side tire (i couldnt find the price but im assuming an extra $300 bucks). plus labor, paint and all that will probably hit almost $8-10k with miscellaneous parts. maybe another $1-2k on rental costs. I'm being very optimistic. lol. tomorrow im going to an independent shop. i have a good relationship with the owner so i think the estimate will be extremely thorough and high compared to a quick basic walkthrough. im also going to a place where an infiniti dealer sends their cars. i went to that shops site and they also do jag, volvo, land rover, for the same dealer chain. im going to check them out too. i'll also research lambo/ferrari dealers to see where they send their customers and see what they say. i'll check out all three shops' work and see which one i'll go with. you guys think this is a good plan? should i use another strategy to find a good shop??

10-05-2009, 12:35 PM	#52 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	ouch... sorry to hear and see. yah, that damage does not look totalled. the panels can easily shift backwards like that yet no penetration to the frame. if that was my car, would get it repaired, sell it, get a new one unless i turn it into a project car...then slight imprefections are OK as long as functionally sound.

10-05-2009, 01:28 PM	#53 (permalink)
Jason Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 309 Drives: Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 16	I think if I sold it after fixing, I'd be taking a huge hit... Selling it without an accident, I'd probably have to sell it for $5k less than I paid. Post accident $10k (just a random guess, I really have no idea).

10-05-2009, 02:04 PM	#56 (permalink)
Jason Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 309 Drives: Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 16	modshack, do u have pics of the accident? looks like they did good work. im pretty detailed with my inspection post fixing so im not too worried and i'll make sure any imperfections are fixed before i hand over any money. anyone have good tips/advice on choosing the perfect body shop? i have my strategy but i dont necessarily think that because some shops work on luxury cars versus economy cars that they're necessarily "better".

10-05-2009, 02:35 PM	#59 (permalink)
cpehaot Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: California Posts: 46 Drives: Black STD Z370 Tour Rep Power: 16	Good that you are not hurt. Maybe not badly anyways, never had air bag punched me in the face, but I heard it painful too. Know how u feel, I had an idiot pumped my in the back when I had my new colorado. Never felt the same when u know it been dmged. Hope insurance people calll it totalled cause it is up to them. Drive safe and look out for idiots.

10-05-2009, 02:57 PM	#60 (permalink)
Jason Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 309 Drives: Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 16	ouch!