Is there an autobody doctor in the house?

[Born2Late 0]

Hello All,
I need some professional advice, please. I got rear-ended at a stop light. Minimal damage done to my car. The rear bumper will need to be replaced, though. I've been to two autobody shops for quotes. Both shops are making a lot of remarks about the bumper not matching the rest of the car (it's gold). One said it won't match after he paints it, either (@$849). The second shop tells me he has to fade the color into the rear quartet panels to blend it in (@$1280). Otherwise, I won't be happy w/the repair.

I don't know about this stuff. Which shop should I go with, please?

Thank You.

Jack

[AggieDave 6]

They're right about the paint not matching correctly. Even factory paint, if a few years old, will discolor. You don't notice, but you replace a part with new paint on it and you'll really notice it.

If you can live with it, go cheap. If you need it to look like nothing has changed, then you'll have to fade the paint up the fenders. Or you could even have the bumper painted black and call it a "custom."

If you put a 3ft tall spoiler on the car, no one would probably notice the color difference...

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[oldwomanc6 60]

I'm curious why you are concerned about the cost if you were rear-ended. Generally speaking, the other guy (who hit you) should be responsible for the cost of the repair.

AggieDave made a good point of why the paint won't match if you opt not to fade it, but if your car is fairly new, the color difference won't even be noticeable in a few years after the new paint has a few years under its belt.

lisa
WSCR 594
FB 1023
CBDB 9

[Born2Late 0]

OK, thanks Dave. Black bumpers & three foot spoilers? Isn't that what they do to those old VW Bugs ???

[Born2Late 0]

Well, the car is only 2.5 years old. I just want it to look like it did before he hit me.

I'm not paying for it. The guy who hit me is going to. I just don't like being lied to. I've very limited experience with autobody repairs. I wanted to know if he was telling me a story.

Thanks.

[oldwomanc6 60]

If it was me, (and I have had to make this decision more than once) I would do it correctly and go for the fade. Done properly, you won't even be able to tell it ever even had a boo-boo.

eta: Ask your local friends if they have ever had body work done, and if they were happy with who did it. Check out their cars for quality. Check out the cars at the body shop that are finished waiting to be picked up. Check the BBB and check out different shops for complaints, as well.

lisa
WSCR 594
FB 1023
CBDB 9

[Born2Late 0]

Thank You, Lisa. Cars can be such a hassle. I really don't even care about them. I turn the key & go.

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

OK, thanks Dave. Black bumpers & three foot spoilers? Isn't that what they do to those old VW Bugs ???

No, 3ft is really small on an old bug, it needs to be 5ft tall, 8ft wide and 3ft deep...like those ricers!

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Squeak 17]

Quote

Thank You, Lisa. Cars can be such a hassle. I really don't even care about them. I turn the key & go.

Some high end and custom places can do colour matching. they stick an electro-gizmo on your paintwork and can replicate the colour so you dont need to fade it in.

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[JerryBaumchen 1,468]

Hi 2late,

Quote

I need some . . . advice

~ 17 yrs ago I was looking for a good bodyshop; as the one's that I had used many years before had gone out of business.

I got a publication from the local Porsche club & found a bodyshop. I theorized that if they advertised in a Porsche magazine, they should be pretty good.

I have used this same shop exclusively to this day; and highly recommend them to everyone.

No, I do not get a Finder's Fee.

JerryBaumchen

[Born2Late 0]

Thanks Jerry, but I don't live anywhere near Oregon. There are a LOT of shady autobody shops around me. I used a good one about eleven years ago, but can't remember where it is .

I've made my decision. I'm going w/the more expensive repair.

Sorry, Aggie. I'm gonna pass on the three foot spoiler & sub woofers in the trunk. If I pimp my ride? I might start getting hassled by Da Man... You know how they get.

[Remster 30]

I think Jerry's point was to look for a bodyshop that markets to high end cars.

Remster

[Born2Late 0]

Thanks, I got that. The class lines are strongly drawn around here. I doubt I'd get the Porsche service level if I crossed the tracks. Especially when driving a Toyota...

We'll see how it goes. Thanks again, everyone.