TechGeek

because I feel like an idiot. Basically pics show how my beautiful baby and a center median guard rail fought (and my baby lost). Needless to say I have a whirlwind of emotions floating around. Right now I am trying to find out what is the best course of action. There was no other driver involved so not sure if I report it to insurance or just pay myself or get an estimate and go from there. Also afraid when I do get it fixed that it will never match or look 100% right like it did when I got her I am very depressed about it. Any ideas of what to do and maybe possible cost of repair would be appreciated.

Bearcat94

Well that sucks. I feel for ya.

Did something similar on my '07, but not nearly as severe.

Had somethig VERY similar on the '02; quoted ~$1700 to fix that. Same dilemma as you - report it for insurance or not. We did not, but still haven't had the repair either.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

I would assume you have a deductible on your collision insurance and the body work will far overshadow that figure, so call the insurance co. Normally they only charge, or consider an accident if they pay out more than $500, which will be the case here. After the estimate, decide what you want to do, but I would go through the insurance company and have it fixed at a reputable body shop as they will match the paint if they are quality shop.

It's an accident, no one got hurt, just your feelings, and after you have it fixed you'll forget about it, or at least it won't be in the forefront of your mind.

Good luck

Etohprn247

iTrader: (6)

Minimum 3k! That whole side needs repair and paint work. My cousins had his TL hated on some kid kicked his rear quarter panel like yours there and gas cap dent etc. cost him $3,300 repair and paint. Ouch glad your okay,

DarkSithCL

iTrader: (1)

Glad ur well!!!.. hate it for ur ride... but I must agree with the others that paying out of pocket would be crazy... thats a pretty significant repair... do you need a new rim and tire too? I noticed another style of rim on the front... could cost more than the 3k posted if there is any front axle or suspension damage...

nfnsquared

Whether you report it to insurance or pay yourself is your choice. Some insurance companies have accident forgiveness if you haven't had a claim in X years. If you don't have accident forgiveness, then you can expect your rates to go up for a while. How much? Depends.

You'll just need to weigh the total cost of each option factoring in the estimate, deductible, and potential rate increase.

jeowen

wow dude, absolutley sucks......sorry man.

platinumex

Ouch! If you can afford I would say pay for it yourself but it does look pricey. The worst part is the damage on the rear quarter, as you can't just remove and replace like the other panels. That sucks so bad, especially being on the driver side you see it every time you get in your car. I feel for ya...

flyromeo3

I just noticed our spare tires dont look so bad.

415TL

I wouldn't even report that to insurance.. if you have the money just pay it off yourself. gotta be careful when your driving!! If i were you i'd feel liek shit, i get mad enough when i curb rash my rims..

Dave_W

Wow, Looks like 5 panels that need paint. A good body shop can reshape that quarter with no problem. I'd replace the fender because the crease is pretty bad. Get some estimates so you know approximately what the work is going to cost and see if paying for it yourself is doable. Reporting to insurance is going to reduce the value of the car. Glad your OK. Good luck.

leedogg

Ouch, fall asleep at the wheel huh? well, glad nobody got hurt, could have been worse. See what you can find at a salvage yard.

mcmguti

iTrader: (2)

+1 thats all i can say too

Waveform

Sorry, but glad you're allright. That is a lot of damage; I say call the insurance company, that's why you have the policy.

bzyrice

iTrader: (10)

oooh that sucks.. I did the same thing to my old s2k.. but it was only the front side. The air bag popped.. It cost 11k to fix it..

That is gonna cost quite alot to fix correctly because like someone else said the rear quarter panel.. I would let insurance pay.. My insurance payment went up 40 a month for 2 years.. so because of my accident I have had to pay an extra $40.00x48months= $1920.00+$500.00 deductible = I paid $2420.00 for a $11,000 fix.

Just be glad you are ok!!

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Sorry to see that. I say go through your insurance.

scv76_

How sad to see this happen
Don't forget to save some money for driving school

Yonkers914

iTrader: (1)

Thats sucks brop gotta weight ur options. If it was up to me i wouldn't do the insurance route cause it will go up and plus ur car history is gonna be damaged when u sell it. (carfax etc..) The front bumper isnt a big deal. The headlight u can leave if it isnt cracked or broken. scuff's are fine lol. The front fender can be picked up at a junk yard for cheap then get it painted, then the door panels are gonna be pricey. good luck, at least ur ok.

laakness

That'll buff right out. :p

Glad you're ok.

Titanium2k2

iTrader: (2)

Ouch!

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Drive down to Texas, I'd get that done for $1000

Nonetheless, a reputable shop would cost at least $2,000. I'm estimating on $2200.

kidrocking79

Just put some Tussin on it. lol Bro.. just glad ur o.k. tough decision you gotta make, but in the end, it's you that's gotta make that decision.. any which route you take I'm sure in a little while she'll be back to looking like she did !!!!

B's 04 TL

Glad your ok! If that was my car, I would call the insurance company and get it fixed. That's what you pay your car insurance for.

TechGeek

Thanks for all the helpful and some humorus responses lol @ put some tussin on it.

When it first happened of course I was like at least me and my passenger were ok. Then 2 mins after I was like damn damn damn no my baby it still hurts every time I look at it. But all in all I decided to go with insurance because it is about a 6K bill. And thanks to good record it won't go up at all. Plus I got a sweet 2009 Altima with push button start lol. So in 3 weeks i'll have my baby back then I can go on to do the mods I wanted to do this weekend

fsttyms1

Make sure to pick up the car during the day. Look from a distance at it and from different angles to see if the paint matches. If you question any bit of it tell them to redo what ever is wrong.

kidrocking79

What shop you taking it to? I Wanna get a quote for just my rear bumper. I guess I can always look at it when it's done and analyze the work.

TechGeek

Good Morning all. Just wanted to post an update (or should I say outcome) to my problem. So after 9k + and a month of not having my baby and being forced to drive a 2009 Altima (so not for me though keyless entry is nice lol) I have my baby back. I brought my g/f with me for a second pair of eyes and turns out she is more anal and big mouthed than me lol. So after having a few things touched up, polish removed from nooks and crannies and the front bumber left corner where it meets the fender sanded and such I have to say I am 99% happy with the job. The pics aren't great but the color is spot on. Checked it in the sun and in shade from all angles and you can't even tell there was work done. Unfortunately as with any work you have done some things will fall through the crack and of course I noticed it after I left the shop. I noticed the hood when closed is not flush with the front bumper (as in if you run ur hand down the hood over the front bumper you can feel the hood sticking out). I also noticed (thought it was ok at first but now I am rethinking it) that the lower molding or skirt I guess you call it has a larger gap between it and the car on each end than the right side does. I have to go back anyway for a molding piece and to have a rim resurfaced so I will tell them then. All in all I am very happy and my fear of the color not matching is long gone. And I am sure you are all saying where are the pics blah blah blah so without further ado here they are. Mind you I took them quick with a cell so not great quality but if it is nice this weekend I will take better ones with my DSLR.

Goosew

iTrader: (1)

Congrats, glad u got her back. She's looking good. Although there may be minor imperfections, as long as she drives like a dream, that's all that matters.

Bayam0n

nice!

1995hoo

I posted a thread about the donut several years ago because mine looked like the one shown here and I commented that even the donut spare looks sporty. Several people said that their spares did NOT look like this and we quickly determined that 6MT TLs get a sportier-looking spare than 5AT TLs due to the need for the spare to fit over the larger front brakes on the 6MT.

Edited to add: Prior thread may be found by clicking on this sentence.

flyromeo3

daymn, I never looked at my spare to notice if its even like this one..... = (

I hope i do have one at least.lol

kidrocking79

Congrats dude... She looks beautiful. Paint job looks awsome !!!! when we gonna race? lol

dadon

glad you got a good paint job, I hear its tough to come around.

Rafiton

Congrats with you car back

TechGeek

lol thank you thank you..it's hard getting used to the tight wheel and stiffer pedal after driving the altima for so long.

@1995hoo...I never new about the spare looks wise till I needed it. But I can say mine is an automatic not stick though it does have the brembo brakes be caiuse it is Tl-S

@kidrocking79...lol yeah right gonna be a long while before I let loose with her. How about we just drive around side by side slowing traffic lol

Mug

Wow, that silver rim is the spare? Ha, I thought you had aftermarket rims!

kidrocking79

I only know how my spare looks because I took it out of my trunk along w/ the tools. Adds weight to my car and I'm on the TL Diet by Innacurate.
Jay... I love that idea... the northern is a 2 lane hwy.. I say we go side by side !!! slow shit DOWN !!! hahahahha