A guy hit my car in the parking lot at work today. A tail light will need to be replaced and rear bumper cover needs to be replaced and painted. A little buffing to get a scuff in the paint out. He might pay me cash if he's not going to report it. I'm going to get estimates, but I'm just wondering how you guys think I should handle this.

contact His insurance co. let them know he hit you and they will work it out. get a quote and give it to them and let them cut you a check. Too many people will tell you they are going to pay for it themselves and they never do. they will give the "I don't have it now, but I can give you some when I get payed"
that's BS. especially if you don't know this guy. don't trust him.

Toolapcfan,

Sorry that happened with your car...go to a shop asap and get an estimate. Make sure you get all his insurance info, driver's license, and home address/number, work number, etc., business card.

Document everything in writing, then get back to the guy that his you asap on the quote. If he doesn't pay you after showing him a copy, keep the original, file it with his insurance co, but do it fast. Get the quote today if you can.

If you need a body shop, e-mail me at mmanahan123@yahoo.com.

Good luck!
GameDay/Mike

I guess I should clarify. I've worked with this guy for 6 years. He's a good guy, he's like in his late 40's early 50's. I wasn't even out there when it happened. He tried to call me on my phone but I'd left it in the office. He was really apologetic and everything. He wouldn't stiff me the money. I guess what I want to know is how I can pad the bid a little. I'm going to ask when I get quotes, that they price it with brand new OEM parts. If it's not a lot of money, I'll just buy the parts and put them on and just have the new bumper painted. Or maybe just have the bunged up one repainted. But if it's a lot of money, I'll just replace the taillight witha used one and call it good for awhile. Put my money away until I start doing mods.

Originally posted by Gameday: "If you need a body shop, e-mail me.."

Hey Mike you don't go to Creighton U. Do you? I saw a black classic there with Douglas county plates on it, or is your car still down? It's the second classic I've ever seen around town, not including my own. Saw a 4 door XE yesterday on campus that looks like someone tried to drive under a semi trailer. heh.
I'm going to take it to B Street and Dave's for estimates, they both do really good work. Engdahl's is right across the street from my work, so I'll get one from them as well. Know of anyone who's really expensive?

Toolapcfan,

Hey, I went to Creighton, but that was awhile ago...didn't graduate from there. I went to alot of places, but Metro was the best, imho.

Expensive but great places to go include: Imperial Auto Body (approx. 134th and B/C Street) and Import Auto Body (I think that's their name, on 85th and F approximately, right by the Acura dealership). Both those places are used by Lexus :)

Good luck, and bring your car around sometime. Mine is still down :(

Mike/Gameday

I went to Creighton too, for three years (Fall of 95-fall of 98) Then I went to metro and got a two year degree in construction management. I work at Creighton so I'm around on campus a lot.

Anyways I got two estimates today. Engdahl's $864 and Dave's $851. I'm going to get one or two more and I'll go to those places you recommended.

Now, I've got to figure out how I can get a used taillight cheap and a Bumper cover cheap and painted. Then used the leftovers for a clutch and other goodies. :)

T,

You can always check out Olsten's salvage in Lincoln, or you can switch out the stuff from your xe and sell your xe for a couple hundred less. ;) ;P

Mike

Went to Import Auto Body today. $1300 :eek: I dared to ask what it'd cost to reshoot the whole car. He said at least $5K. :eek: By the way, saw two classics this weekend. One was a sharp black one with in-transits and the other was that darker red. Pissed me off to see that black one, I had to drive forever to get my POS and they just went out and found one like that! Fuckers! They probably don't even know what they're driving. :rolleyes: :mad: I drive around for years and see only one classic, I finally get mine and I see 3 within a week! Next thing ya know it'll be like those damn PT Cruisers, I'll see them every time I turn my head! ;) I've also seen two classic GXE's as well since I got my SE-R.

same here...after looking for 3 yrs for a classic se-r, i get an aztec red one (wanted a black or white one). Had it for 2 weeks and the engine blew. Now that i finally got it running again, there are two white classics and one sharp looking black one in my city....oh, the irony!

Well here's a pic. You can't see it, but there is a tiny ass dent just below the taillight right on the corner, that's what costs so much. They have to reshoot the entire side of the car up to the door, remove the side molding, take the glass out, etc. I probably won't have all that done. At most I'll have the bumper replaced and shot, and I'll put in the tallight.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid29/p810ca206105e4abaab642653971e816a/fd59a676.jpg