I am actually writing this for my boyfriend. He has a 2004 blue manual transmission with nav. He bought this car back in the beginning of March. Well a month after having the car he got into an accident when some guy cut across the intersection causing him to hit the guys front end and then a big rock. Needless to say there is a lot of damage to the car to the first estimate tune of $7,500.00, probably more than if he t-boned the guy.

Well anyways this accident happened on April 13th and everytime he calls the shop they find more damage. The originally said 16 working days. Now I think that this shows there is something sketchy going on with the shop and it was dealer recommended but he does not believe me. Any advice as to what you would do in this situation? He has callled twice in the last three weeks and each time more damage.

 

usually the first estimate is going to be off. The more they take apart the car the more damage they probally see. Even if it costs $20,000, whats the difference? Your insurance covers everything...thats what its there for. If something is shady your insurance company will probally let you know anyways..its their money that the shop is messing with not yours.

 

He's not driving Anthracite 04TL, right? I'm sorry to hear this.

prophet is right. Without taking apart, you won't know how serious damage your car would be. However, it has been in the shop for almost a month now, they should give you the definite list of all damage and possible replacement. Has your BF checked the car personally in these weeks?

 

This is something they don't tell you when you buy a FWD car. Front end damage can be extensive and difficult to determine since all the expensive stuff is in the front.

 

I was involved in a similar situation. A few years ago, I bought a cheap new car to use for work. About 5 weeks later, some jo ran a red light and T-boned me in the driver's door and rear quarter and pushed me onto the sidewalk into a telephone pole and USPO mailbox! Alot of damage including blown out rear window and bent rear axle. Every part of the car had damage except the passenger front fender. Body shop (owner "friend" of my uncle) submitted estimate to insurance co for approx $8000. They said repair/I said total it. Took 4 months to complete and in the end the shop requested another $4000 for unseen damage. Insurance co paid $12000 to fix a car I paid $14000. They will only total if damage is 80% of list (which was $16000).
They body shops know this so they low-ball the original estimate and ask for more $$ after they are already into the car and the insurance co has no choice but to pay :bigun2:
When I finally picked up the car from the shop, they told me to turn around and sell it quickly due to the amount of repairs done. The car was an absolute piece of sh*t after that. Never again.

 

dang that sucks, if i were in the same accident i would want the car totaled. who wants to keep a car that has been in such a bad accident.