DarkSithCL

iTrader: (1)

^Anytime...

joerockt

That's great advice. Make sure you look for everything Also, check their policy about coming back with an issue several weeks later. Lastly, they should give you some document about all the work they've done should be covered under their own warranty, though that might come from the insurance company.

JediMindTricks

thanks.

fsttyms1

Pick it up in DAY LITE. You will be able to tell any imperfections better this way. Look to see that the pain matches, and that there arent any runs (look closely in areas paint might hang like wheel wells.

Use the natural light to help look for waves in the roof. Check gaps in doors and fenders.

Look for every thing darksith said, and if you see any thing dont take the car. from them Make sure to point it out. If you notice something not right on the way home call the shop and let them know or stop back right away,

charliemike

Might be worth paying to have another body shop look at the work and critique the repairs.

JediMindTricks

thanks. they haven't called to let me know that the paperwork's taken care of so i'm relieved about that since it'll get dark soon.

i'm hoping they'll call tomorrow morning-ish so i can take a look at it during the day when the sun's out.

JediMindTricks

the owner of the shop that my car was originally towed to called me the other day to see how the car repair was progressing. (in case anyone forgot, my car was towed to his shop after the accident, but he wasn't willing to fix the roof. therefore, i had to get it towed somewhere else.)

he said he'll take a look at it to see how well the car was repaired.

charliemike

Awesome. A well-informed second opinion definitely should help assuage any concerns you have.

JediMindTricks

well the shop called and said the car's ready to be picked up.

i'll head out there tomorrow morning....hopefully everything will be alright.

wish me luck, guys.

and thanks again.

EuRTSX

Good luck on picking up the car. Be sure to check and recheck before you take it home.

JediMindTricks

what a morning.

left the apartment around 8 to get to the shop. ended up taking an hour and 15 minutes to get there because of traffic.

the car looks great and drives well.

i didn't see or feel any waves in the roof. all doors and sunroof open and close properly.

i did what darksithcl said and ran it through a touchless car wash twice and there weren't any water leakages, thank God.

the car felt stiff, and the guy at the shop said it was because they replaced the suspension and that it should wear off eventually.

the alignment felt fine. the car pulled a little to the right, and i was told that was because the front right tire had to be replaced. but after driving it to work, it wasn't that noticeable. the guy at the shop said if it keeps up after a few days, i can take it back to the shop and get the tires rotated.

should i go ahead and get 3 new tires now? i'm still on the OEM tires. 3 years and 44k miles.

they do offer lifetime warranty on their repairs and 12 months/12,000 miles on mechanical repairs.

i'll still take it to the other shop to get a second opinion. but so far, i'm relieved and that the other shop says it's good to go.

but man, it feels so great to be back in my car again. they even cleaned and shined the interior so it looks like a brand new car.

i didn't really inspect the paint thoroughly as fsttyms1 said. but i'll do that later today.

but i do miss being high up in the RAV4...and i miss the integrated key fob already.

i'll post pictures later when i get a chance and keep you guys updated once i get a second opinion.

thanks again, everyone.

joerockt

Cool man, glad it worked out for you and it didnt take long

CCColtsicehockey

Glad everything worked out for you. That was the same results with mine. It works just like the car did before and looks the same too. I even lost some scratches in mine since parts that needed to be resprayed.

Sounds like its time for you to do the TL key mod for the all in one feature.

JediMindTricks

haha yea. the scrapes underneath the front bumper are all gone since they replaced it.

thanka again, everyone.

teranfon

Glad it appears to have worked out. Keep an eye out on the repairs and have anything that appears amiss repaired by the bodyshop. Personally, now the that the repairs seems satisfactory and the car is paid off, I would continue to drive it for some time. You seem happy with it and its still a very nice car. Drive in until you get your money out of it.

Terry

JediMindTricks

thanks.

yea, i figured the best case scenario is that the repairs are done well and i could keep driving it.

saves me the trouble of trying to sell a car that's been damaged and looking for a replacement.

EuRTSX

Glad everything worked out. I'd get new tires if I were you. Just one new tire out of 4 isn't such a great idea especially at 44k miles.

JediMindTricks

yea, that's what i'm thinking too.

JediMindTricks

well, it's been awhile.

the owner of the body shop that my car was originally towed to was on vacation, but he's back now.

i was waiting for him to come back since he knew what the problems were and saw the car after the accident and he wanted me to come back after it was repaired to give an opinion of the repairs.

so i stopped by his shop on monday, and he looked over it and said it was a 9 out of 10.

he's pleased with the job on the roof, which was his main concern.

the only thing he didn't like about the repair was that the front right fender, which was replaced, isn't exactly level with the hood. it's a bit higher. i didnt notice it until he pointed it out.

the shop that repaired my car warranties their work. so i dunno if it's worth going to fix. it's not that noticeable at all unless you're feeling for it.

perhaps if they offer a loaner car, i'd consider it. but there's no way i want to pay for another rental.

but in the meantime, i'm gonna buy at least one new tire since they put on one new one.

here are some pics if you guys want to see. (i apologize for the bad pictures.)

i'd like to thank EVERYONE that posted in this thread. i really appreciate your advice, tips, wisdom, suggestions, and words of encouragement.

you've all made this unfortunate situation go a lot smoother than i had even hoped for.

thanks again.

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nokiaman

^Nice to see everything is clean up and running again JMT

EuRTSX

Looks good JMT

CGP TSX Drivers unite!

JediMindTricks

thanks, guys.

Costco

Looks good, dude.

I wouldn't notice it even if I were looking for it.

JediMindTricks

^thanks.

DarkSithCL

iTrader: (1)

JMT... wow 9/10... thats an "A" in my book and it sounds like they stand behind the work too! Happy ur back on the road again... I just got my CLS back from my wife after 2 1/2 months of driving our family's spare 1997 accord (I bought my wife a 2008 Suburban)... I know just how ya feel! ENJOY!!!

DarkSithCL

iTrader: (1)

oh yeah... now you have to come to the next AZ meet in htown!!!

JediMindTricks

thanks for all your help, DarkSithCL. and i'll definitely look forward to the next meet.

DarkSithCL

iTrader: (1)

^ Its all good! Have a blessed day... Rick/Sith