My mom is a big fan and frequent user of this site. She has a 2004 TSX. Sadly...I was dropping her off at the hospital in Seattle in her car and on the way home, I rear ended someone in stop and go traffic. I live in Olympia, WA. I had hit a truck who was barely affected (no one was hurt we both agreed we barely felt it). But my moms car....not so much. The passenger headlight, the bumper, the hood, the radiator, and maybe a main course support needs replaced. I got an estimate from a family friend who does body work of $1500 in parts and $1000 in labor. I trust him but my mom wants an opinion from you guys, the one who knows acuras better than anyone! Does that sound about right? What is the car worth before the accident (it was in perfect condition with 160,000 miles). All questions she wants to know before going through the friend. There's a few pictures of her poor baby. Any help or advice is helpful! As you probably gathered, I'm in deep shit. She has no way to get to doctors appts once she gets out. Help me find the best option around my area!

 

hey shelby!

estimates are funny. because they are just estimates. some one could quote you $2.5k for parts and labor but then when it comes time to tear down the car to replace the parts; they might find MORE damage.

the best course of action would be to pay the insurance deductible of $500 or $1000 depending on your policy.

This way; if there is more damage that the eye cannot see; you're not out $5k.

 

with all new parts from Delray Acura - Online Acura Parts Store
just the hood, headlight and bumper already reached $1000.

so, im assuming your moms body guy will not be using brand new parts.

 

Here's the worst part: my mom did not have insurance!! And what was I suppose to tell my dying mother? No I will not take you? It was a tough situation :/ so I'm stuck with a no insurance ticket also. Which puts me paying this all out of pocket.

 

if I were in that situation; I would take your moms body shop guy up on his offer.
$2.5k to get it rolling again.

I would have him replace the critical parts first; like radiator and radiator core support.
then use the left over money for the headlight and hood.

the bumper is the least important part of the car in its current condition

 

This was me a month ago. Came out to $11k for parts and labor. Given it's a newer model, but your buddy's quote is low, taking short cuts or he has connections.

 

^most likely taking short cuts.

he's going to score the hood and headlight used, most likely.
most likely, he'll bend metal back into place instead of replacing it.

 

for a car that old I would use aftermarket parts for sure, that would save you money but $1000 for labor is not bad at all. $1500 for parts, $1000 labor does that include paint?

 

did they use OEM or aftermarket parts?

 

Paint wasn't included. I said I'll deal with that after the car is up and running but the mom insists it looks the way she left it with me. She doesn't even want to see the pictures. Well this is all good news, sounds like I have a good deal with him. The labor is cheap because he will only charge half the price an hour. Whatever that is. He didn't know the price of paint for that car though. It only got chipped in one spot and that's on the hood but she said if you don't paint it, it will start to chip everywhere and become a bigger problem.

 

bumper does not come painted. I'm leaning towards getting all USED parts.
this will be significantly less!!!!

and you wont have to paint the used parts as they should be an exact color match to your car.

- used hood
- used head light
- used bumper
- new radiator support
- new or used radiator (rads are cheap)

if you go this route, you wont have to paint.

 

OEM parts. Hood and fenders were reworked and repainted.

 

do you think the body shop pays RETAIL FOR ANYTHING?

you made you same old 'i need an estimate' response in post two.

now move on with your drivel.

 

obviously; with the $11k in damages that ULRBLITZER showed; the shops are spending a lot of money.
I also have a packet that shows what my insurance bought and how much they bought it at.

I'm only trying to help Shelby and her mother, if you arent going to contribute; why even bother to come in and chastise me?

 

here's a little photo of my damage assessment.
I damaged the front end, much like the OP and ULRBLITZER



they bought everything from Honda as indicated with the Part# and if was not bought from Honda its indicated by **non-OEM.