How bad is it?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA 22032
How bad is it?
This is what welcomed me Tuesday morning. Someone slammed into my baby and didn’t even leave a note, and there were no witnesses. Insurance is obviously going to cover it, except for the deductible. I plan on taking it to East Coast Refinishing and Fiberglass for the repairs tomorrow. What concerns should I have about the repairs and issues that may affect me down the road? Since Tuesday, the dent in the rear popped itself out, what is behind the plastic in the left rear corner, and should I be concerned that they fix what is underneath? Of course I expect them to fix it but not sure if I would be able to tell. I’m also concerned with the front undercarriage. The front is jacked up over the curb all the way to the front wheels. I’m not sure what’s under there so any suggested concerns welcomed. I'm basically fishing here because I know there are a lot of knowledgeable people on this wonderful forum and I'm not sure how bad this really is and what concerns I should have. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 0
From: Just a little outside San Antonio, Texas
Truth is, it could be pretty bad to have moved your car enough to push it up to the curb. Your rear crumple zone might have some damage in addition to the drive train.
And because this kind of damage repair might show up on the vehicle service record (depending on where you get the work done), you might also have an issue with deminished value when you go to trade it in or sell it.
Dayum, just dayum.
Jeff
And because this kind of damage repair might show up on the vehicle service record (depending on where you get the work done), you might also have an issue with deminished value when you go to trade it in or sell it.
Dayum, just dayum.
Jeff
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 9
From: Geneva, IL Bring back the Chief!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10,'13-'14,'19-'20-'21-'22
Hopefully its not worse than it looks.
If it is, expect a fight from your insurance on diminished value. Especially with your own insurance company. I've been thru it before.
Hard to believe that there are jerks like this running around............
If it is, expect a fight from your insurance on diminished value. Especially with your own insurance company. I've been thru it before.
Hard to believe that there are jerks like this running around............
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Hang in there. Definitely take her to at least several competent auto body shops who will inform you as to the extent of the physical damage, as well as, the final cost to repair and properly paint, and, blend time needed. Thankfully, the damage is not severe, nor, extensive. She is repairable, and, that is a good thing. Good luck to you.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
If the hit was strong enough to move the car forward, then I would suspect you've got some significant hidden damage. Jerks everywhere and its too bad one found you. Good luck with the repairs. 
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Gloucester Twp. NJ
Thats the problem with the world today. People just don't want to admit they did somthing wrong. I would be aware of all the cars parking around me and looking for even a hint of my paint. 
I hope all goes well and there is no major damage.
Craig
I hope all goes well and there is no major damage.
Craig
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Sorry about the wreck. The same thing happened to me in my chevy truck a couple of years back. The insurance company tried to imply that I had somehow rammed the side of my truck on the bed behind the cab. ( it would have physically been hard for me to have done this) Then the adjuster said something like "Oh well, we gotta pay anyway." He really got my ire because he was indirectly calling me a liar.
Good luck getting the Vette fixed.
Good luck getting the Vette fixed.
damn 
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They must have really whacked it to shove the front end up over the curb like that. I'd be sure they check everything under the rear fascia, check the frame for straightness, and be sure to check the underside of the front fasica for scrapes in the paint, plus the rails for being bent. Could be other things, but a good body shop should know what to look for. Best of luck getting her repaired.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,626
Likes: 1
From: Fremont California
Originally Posted by c5BlackBeauty
If the hit was strong enough to move the car forward, then I would suspect you've got some significant hidden damage. Jerks everywhere and its too bad one found you. Good luck with the repairs.
Good Luck with the repair
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Some people are plain friggin evil. Hard to believe the scum that hit you didn't know he/she did it. 
Hope all works out well for you. Good luck.............
Hope all works out well for you. Good luck.............
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA 22032
Thanks for all the sympathy and well wishes. I feel a lot better today after backing it off the curb. I jacked up the front end and put boards underneath the tires so as not to cause any more damage while backing it off the curb. The front skid rails definately did their job. They both had small dents in them but didn't look bent, although that would probably be hard to tell just looking at it. I also dropped it off at East Coast Refinishing and Repair and the owner Reed was very helpful, went over the whole car, showing me where the quarter panel had slightly shifted by looking at some of the screws in the door jam and trunk lid, different gaps around car, and how the car basically is put together to include the front skid rails and the other functions they perform. He also pulled up cut-away diagrams for the rear end, quarter panel, and front end on the computer and explained what he would look for and his initial oservations and assumptions. Very helpful. He told me to call back on Tuesday after they have had a chance to pull the plastic off and get a better look. Hopefully the final results will be just as satisfying. With all that said, I'm still ticked/dissappointed that whoever did this lacked the moral fiber/character/dignity to leave a frickin note or something.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 1
From: www.Z16.org Western NY
It don't take much to move one of these like that. I watched my daughter do just about that much damage to my 02 and she moved it 3'. 
Don't bother with repairing the panel just get a new one. They are pretty cheap.
Don't bother with repairing the panel just get a new one. They are pretty cheap.