Help! I need to get a collision repair estimate

[WeatherB]

Hi,

I was involved in a minor accident in a parking lot on Saturday and need to get a repair estimate as soon as possible.

I checked the bodyshop thread and have the choices down to either Keele Collision or BMC Auto Collision. Anyone know how long it'll take to get an estimate? Can I just drop by during my lunch time tomorrow?

Tnx

http://www.istop.com/~fbiglar/Mazda/IMAGE_024.jpg
http://www.istop.com/~fbiglar/Mazda/IMAGE_029.jpg

[S.F.W.]

most places can give you an estimate over your lunch. I would suggest calling ahead to make sure the estimator is around.

[WeatherB]

most places can give you an estimate over your lunch. I would suggest calling ahead to make sure the estimator is around.

Great. For this kind of damage, I'll need a body shop right? I can't just take it to a Mazda dealership?

[MPS]

here is a free 1 for you $1700

[S.F.W.]

Great. For this kind of damage, I'll need a body shop right? I can't just take it to a Mazda dealership?
Mazda will end up sending it out to a body shop anyway, so may as well go direct to the source.

[RX9]

it looks mostly like low 400ish to me.
ps:its time to get LED refectors.:)

[doughboyr6]

OK, you'll find my thread here from september....same type of dmg/severity....

first off, since you have a hatch, take this opportunity to get a speed 3 bumper instead. Its actually cheaper than a regular hatch bumper....weird....not sure if prices were changed for 07/08 model....but when i shopped for my 05 sedan bumper, it was nearly $500 unpainted. The speed 3 was only $300. I wished i had a hatch at that point.

reflectors are $20/each for the side ones and i think $40/each for the rear ones....

you're looking at labour paint + any parts behind the bumper that needs to be replaced.
most likely the rebar is fine. The foam may be salvageable. There are some brackets too which are i think about $80....and it may or may not need to be changed.

[doughboyr6]

you can take it to the shop where i had it done...but they are out in mississauga.

Parkway Atlantic right next to mississauga mazda.....they are the body shop that does all the work for the 3 dealerships (all owned by one person). Tell them you were referred from Toronto Mazda3 forum and see if he gives you any additional discounts.

[WeatherB]

Thanks for all the comments. I am definitely thinking of getting the Mazdaspeed bumper instead. It's cheaper and looks better, but then I may have to replace it again 3 years down the line if I decide to return the car.

All the reflectors are in good shape and even the brackets look fine. It was a pretty slow speed collision so I don't think any of the underneath stuff is damaged.

[RX9]

as long as its Mazda parts, you will be ok, no need to change it back when you return ur lease, once you return the lease, the car is a used car, they dont really care.

[WeatherB]

as long as its Mazda parts, you will be ok, no need to change it back when you return ur lease, once you return the lease, the car is a used car, they dont really care.

I think they will care. They expect the car back in stock condition.

[RX9]

I think they will care. They expect the car back in stock condition.


they expect the car back in mint/resaleable condition (even light stone chip on glass will be fine). of couse if you do engin mod ect...thats different story.

[WeatherB]

Alright. Got some quotes, looking at around $1100 to replace the bumper, foam, two reflectors, and clips.

[doughboyr6]

i thought you said it was only the bumper damaged...

[S.F.W.]

Alright. Got some quotes, looking at around $1100 to replace the bumper, foam, two reflectors, and clips.
I would suggest getting a quote from Joe for the parts. Then getting quotes from the bodyshop for paint only, and then go to MacGuyver and get an install price. I'm betting it can be done for $300-$400 less.

[Kevin@nextmod]

When i did my speed 3 bumper, IIRC i think i did it for under $600. Did my own install. (took about 40 mins for the first time)

[Gizzmo_jr]

The only difference WeatherB is the $50 diffuser at the bottom. And the two triangles on either side painted black. Get the stocker, then the diffuser and call it a day. Speed3 bumper and stock one for lease.

[WeatherB]

The only difference WeatherB is the $50 diffuser at the bottom. And the two triangles on either side painted black. Get the stocker, then the diffuser and call it a day. Speed3 bumper and stock one for lease.

Are those triangles actually painted black? I thought it was just left as the bare plastic.

[WeatherB]

i thought you said it was only the bumper damaged...

It is. I think the clips, foam, and reflectors are fine, but the shops wanted to make the estimates as pessimistic as possible.

[WeatherB]

I would suggest getting a quote from Joe for the parts. Then getting quotes from the bodyshop for paint only, and then go to MacGuyver and get an install price. I'm betting it can be done for $300-$400 less.

That's exactly what I'm leaning towards if I end up fixing this myself without going through the insurance. I'm trying to settle with the other guy but he seems to have disappeared.

[S.F.W.]

That's exactly what I'm leaning towards if I end up fixing this myself without going through the insurance. I'm trying to settle with the other guy but he seems to have disappeared.

Well, it looks like you've already been to the collision centre(saw the sticker in the pic). If the other driver is 100% at fault, and he is disappearing, get it declared a hit and run.

[WeatherB]

Well, it looks like you've already been to the collision centre(saw the sticker in the pic). If the other driver is 100% at fault, and he is disappearing, get it declared a hit and run.

I have the other driver's information already so doesn't matter if he disappears. However, we were trying to settle without going through insurance since it was on private property so 50/50 fault.

[RX9]

I have the other driver's information already so doesn't matter if he disappears. However, we were trying to settle without going through insurance since it was on private property so 50/50 fault.

i will agree that, its really hard to tell whose fault from a parking lot accident unless your car didnt move at all. and from the pictures, its most likely that you are backing up and hit someone.

[WeatherB]

i will agree that, its really hard to tell whose fault from a parking lot accident unless your car didnt move at all. and from the pictures, its most likely that you are backing up and hit someone.

You are partly correct, except that the other person was backing up at the same time. I started backing up long before him and was about 90% out of my spot when he reversed into me.

I have to find out how the deductible works in this situation. Do I only need to pay 50% of my deductible?

[RX9]

You are partly correct, except that the other person was backing up at the same time. I started backing up long before him and was about 90% out of my spot when he reversed into me.

I have to find out how the deductible works in this situation. Do I only need to pay 50% of my deductible?

if i were you, i wont tell my insurance company. i will just fix it (hopefully another driver will likely pay your replairing) and learn a lesson from this.:)

[WeatherB]

if i were you, i wont tell my insurance company. i will just fix it (hopefully another driver will likely pay your replairing) and learn a lesson from this.:)

That's exactly why I am trying to settle with the other party. However, if the other party disappears, I have no choice but to claim through insurance.

[RX9]

when you reported the incident, did other party agree as a fault side and agree for private settlement (black and white on the paper work)? if so, you can feel free to go through the insurance and let them deal with other party (this wont hurt ur rate next year). if not, i never met the "NOT" before, therefore i cant really tell you what to do tho.

[WeatherB]

Nope. He said said "I am at fault" and probably never will.

[WeatherB]

Took Friday off and fixed the bumper. I'm happy with the results, cost me $0. :)


http://www.istop.com/~fbiglar/Mazda/IMAGE_036.jpg
http://www.istop.com/~fbiglar/Mazda/IMAGE_037.jpg

[RX9]

nice DIY, save money.:)

[thesober]

wow...good job!

[kaval]

came out great!

[WeatherB]

Yup. I was surprised at how easily it popped right out after I heated it up. It would have been near perfect if it wasn't for the tear.

[kaval]

yeah definitely. Try and hold on to your OEM bumper as much as possible.

[RallyPlaya]

Sweet I Did the Same thing to my bumper and it popped right out i was so happy bet you are too =)

[cwp_sedan]

That looks really good considering. Nice job.