2003 TL-S about 25K miles. On Valentine's day, about 8PM, I was driving home on highway about 65 to 70 mph. I saw some debris on road and dodged it, then dodged another piece, only to nail a 1.5 to 2 ft round peice of old concrete that must have fallen off a truck. The concrete block started rolling in front of me--I was able to maintain control and avoid hitting it again. While car seemed to be OK, I pulled off about 0.5 mi later at first exit to discover more than cosmetic wounds, car was towed to dealer.

Estimate from body shop (as far as I know a very good shop) and insurance are very similar, about $4000. Damage include bumper cover which will be replaced. Radiator and the following are to be replaced with new parts, cooling fan shroud, AC condenser, AC fan shroud, front body radiator support, engine undercover, steering cooler and hoses, and most scary of all front subframe crossmember. A bunch of stuff to be refinished and alignments etc to be done.

Both the insurance adjuster and shop think car should be good as new. The Subframe fortunately on the TL can be removed and replaced not just straightened; still, subframe holds motor in car and keeps suspension on.

If anyone knows this kinda stuff, can they really fix this like new? Will it be good for awhile only to creek and squeak sooner than otherwise expected? I considered trading in car in damaged state but the dealer tried to rake me over the coals so decided to get car fixed and either drive it into the ground or trade in to another dealer who will be more fair to me. Any ideas about how the car will turn out?

UB

 

take a pic of the damage and post it on here.

 

yes like new

been a couple times and nobody can tell

first time repair was 10000 for the front end and 2nd time is 7000 for the rear, and my car still looks like new now

 

Sorry too late for that. Car is in shop and already well on the mend per Mike at Wayne's Autobody. In fact car would have already been fixed if not for one backordered part. Mike has promised to let me know the real skinny on the car when I pick (he was trying to get me to stop asking questions but has been very polite so far--I better leave him alone for a while) it up but I think he will tell me not to worry and to continue to enjoy the car.

I had a Sirius radio install when I got the car. I really love it but it has an ugly black first generation antenna on the back trunk hood--I got it painted silver to match the car so there's a bit of X-mas. Also I have been driving a rental Chevy Malibu until car is ready. Not a terrible car but still, there's nothing like a rental Chevy Malibu to make one appreciate an Acura TL.

UB

 

This is what good body shops do for a living. Leave 'em alone to do their job.