Sorry to hear. Get it fixed, you'll never be happy and you want it to look right. 
Smacked an armadillo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
Smacked an armadillo
I recently smacked an armadillo while in Missouri on a back woods highway. I was going about 30 when I saw a cat and an armadillo in the middle of the road. To make a long story short with little time to brake my lowered and unarmored C5 unintentionally made short work of the inadequately armored mammal. 
Don't worry cat fans, cats are fast and pay much better attention to their surroundings.
The armadillo wasn't the only thing I heard under the car; apart from squealing tires I also heard what sounded like a skidding hubcap. I back up and found it was my front license plate cover sandpapering itself across the asphalt. I pick it up and drive to the nearest gas station where I assess the damage. Apart from a couple scratches and two slightly torn up but still useable screw holes on the plate cover I see nothing wrong. I attach it and go on my way.
FAST FORWARD 4 WEEKS:
It turns out I now have what looks like "stretch marks" along the bottom of the front bezel as well as paint peeling.
I am 100% sure this is because the bezel was bent up and cracked up the paint. I have since repaired my plate cover using touch up spray paint. It turned out OK. The colors match when looking strait on, but the color changes at strange angles. Anyone know what it will cost to fix this... CORRECTLY. Is it worth getting insurance involved? What is involved in fixing this CORRECTLY? I have Sebring Silver Metallic.
Don't worry cat fans, cats are fast and pay much better attention to their surroundings.The armadillo wasn't the only thing I heard under the car; apart from squealing tires I also heard what sounded like a skidding hubcap. I back up and found it was my front license plate cover sandpapering itself across the asphalt. I pick it up and drive to the nearest gas station where I assess the damage. Apart from a couple scratches and two slightly torn up but still useable screw holes on the plate cover I see nothing wrong. I attach it and go on my way.
FAST FORWARD 4 WEEKS:
It turns out I now have what looks like "stretch marks" along the bottom of the front bezel as well as paint peeling.
I am 100% sure this is because the bezel was bent up and cracked up the paint. I have since repaired my plate cover using touch up spray paint. It turned out OK. The colors match when looking strait on, but the color changes at strange angles. Anyone know what it will cost to fix this... CORRECTLY. Is it worth getting insurance involved? What is involved in fixing this CORRECTLY? I have Sebring Silver Metallic.
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Sorry about the damage. You may want to get an estimate for repair from a body shop, then decide whether you should claim it under comprehensive. It would depend on your deductible and what the total cost is I would guess.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,567
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From: Aurora IL
Those little buggars are vandals for certian, every time they get under a car they smash anything they can reach. Like the man said a good estimate from a body shop and I bet it will be insurance man time,
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
Sorry to hear of your plight. Whenever I'm out driving the back roads I'm
always concerned about those things, terrapins (box turtles) and possums.
Its usually the transitioned to road kill version to be navigated around.
Been lucky so far this year.
When I was a kid, the only time we saw an armadillo was on TV shows
filmed in Texas! Suckers definitely migrated.
Good luck getting it fixed!
always concerned about those things, terrapins (box turtles) and possums.
Its usually the transitioned to road kill version to be navigated around.
Been lucky so far this year.
When I was a kid, the only time we saw an armadillo was on TV shows
filmed in Texas! Suckers definitely migrated.
Good luck getting it fixed!
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From: Sierra Foothills California
Deer are the primary concern here in the foothills. My buddy had one run full speed into the driver side door (window was down) scared the Hell out of him and the deer. Tore off the side view mirror, cracked the fender, broke the steering wheel (they were face to face)! Somewere in the neighborhood of $4500. to fix.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,058
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by RS2K
I recently smacked an armadillo while in Missouri on a back woods highway. I was going about 30 when I saw a cat and an armadillo in the middle of the road. To make a long story short with little time to brake my lowered and unarmored C5 unintentionally made short work of the inadequately armored mammal. Don't worry cat fans, cats are fast and pay much better attention to their surroundings.
The armadillo wasn't the only thing I heard under the car; apart from squealing tires I also heard what sounded like a skidding hubcap. I back up and found it was my front license plate cover sandpapering itself across the asphalt. I pick it up and drive to the nearest gas station where I assess the damage. Apart from a couple scratches and two slightly torn up but still useable screw holes on the plate cover I see nothing wrong. I attach it and go on my way.
FAST FORWARD 4 WEEKS:
It turns out I now have what looks like "stretch marks" along the bottom of the front bezel as well as paint peeling. I am 100% sure this is because the bezel was bent up and cracked up the paint. I have since repaired my plate cover using touch up spray paint. It turned out OK. The colors match when looking strait on, but the color changes at strange angles. Anyone know what it will cost to fix this... CORRECTLY. Is it worth getting insurance involved? What is involved in fixing this CORRECTLY? I have Sebring Silver Metallic.
Don't worry cat fans, cats are fast and pay much better attention to their surroundings.The armadillo wasn't the only thing I heard under the car; apart from squealing tires I also heard what sounded like a skidding hubcap. I back up and found it was my front license plate cover sandpapering itself across the asphalt. I pick it up and drive to the nearest gas station where I assess the damage. Apart from a couple scratches and two slightly torn up but still useable screw holes on the plate cover I see nothing wrong. I attach it and go on my way.
FAST FORWARD 4 WEEKS:
It turns out I now have what looks like "stretch marks" along the bottom of the front bezel as well as paint peeling.
I am 100% sure this is because the bezel was bent up and cracked up the paint. I have since repaired my plate cover using touch up spray paint. It turned out OK. The colors match when looking strait on, but the color changes at strange angles. Anyone know what it will cost to fix this... CORRECTLY. Is it worth getting insurance involved? What is involved in fixing this CORRECTLY? I have Sebring Silver Metallic.Glad you didn't get hurt...
Did you retrieve the armadillo?...They make handbags out of them you know...saw some in a high fashoned magazine for $550 and in some antiques shops for between $200-$300.....and I am serious!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,887
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From: Havin' fun in Frederick, MD!!!
St. Jude Donor '05 '09
Aww Maaannn...
I love them little critters! Didn't know they existed in MO, and am dreadfully sorry to hear about the damage to your car RS2K, but let's not take it out on the Arma's guys.
I love them little critters! Didn't know they existed in MO, and am dreadfully sorry to hear about the damage to your car RS2K, but let's not take it out on the Arma's guys.