MY GS400!! - Before & After Accident
#1
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MY GS400!! - Before & After Accident
Whats up everyone, I'm one of the younger guys on here, only 19, bought my 99 GS400 3 months ago. I threw on these rims, tinted the windows (not shown in pic), and did any maintenance that was needed. It was going pretty good, until about a week ago. I was at a light when some dude in a ram backed up into me while he had his wheel turned left. On top of it all, he didn't have reverse lights!
Anyways, I have no-fault insurance, and he didnt lie to the cops by saying I rear-ended him (was expecting that!). I took it to a top-notch collision shop. They estimated $7200 in PARTS & LABOR! HAHAHAH! So AAA considered it totaled. I had 2 options..
1. Take $9900 and say goodbye to my baby
2. Take $6700 and my car the way it sits.
The damage that you don't see includes broken radiator support, broken A/C condenser, and broken passenger side headlight housing.
My dad and I know a guy that can get us cheap paint work, and decent prices on parts. We estimated that with a new hood, fix and repaint same front bumper, aftermarket grill, A/c condenser, top part of radiator support, try to glue headlight housing closed, and paint the two body parts, we're looking at no more than a $1700 fix! Which means I have 5K to put in my pocket. We'll see how it goes.. Just sharing my story!
Anyways, I have no-fault insurance, and he didnt lie to the cops by saying I rear-ended him (was expecting that!). I took it to a top-notch collision shop. They estimated $7200 in PARTS & LABOR! HAHAHAH! So AAA considered it totaled. I had 2 options..
1. Take $9900 and say goodbye to my baby
2. Take $6700 and my car the way it sits.
The damage that you don't see includes broken radiator support, broken A/C condenser, and broken passenger side headlight housing.
My dad and I know a guy that can get us cheap paint work, and decent prices on parts. We estimated that with a new hood, fix and repaint same front bumper, aftermarket grill, A/c condenser, top part of radiator support, try to glue headlight housing closed, and paint the two body parts, we're looking at no more than a $1700 fix! Which means I have 5K to put in my pocket. We'll see how it goes.. Just sharing my story!
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Yeah.. I mean, it's only the hood and bumper that need to be painted. I guess it's a 3-layer paint on these cars, which could add up. But i cant imagine it being more than $900 to paint those parts (since im getting "the hook-up").
The hassle of finding a different GS, driving out to get it, and probably having to spend money to get maintenance up to par, IDK, the extra 5K sounded nice!
The hassle of finding a different GS, driving out to get it, and probably having to spend money to get maintenance up to par, IDK, the extra 5K sounded nice!
#7
can probably do it for $2-3k on a BUDGET - its expensive just for paint on a 3stage, someone backed into my door 3 weeks ago (small dent) and it was $935
the only thing with that route is it sounds like the car will now have a SALVAGED title?
if it were me I would repair it for as cheap as possible and pocket the rest of the money....then later you have options to sell your GS for some good cash or keep it WIN WIN!
the only thing with that route is it sounds like the car will now have a SALVAGED title?
if it were me I would repair it for as cheap as possible and pocket the rest of the money....then later you have options to sell your GS for some good cash or keep it WIN WIN!
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#8
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toy4life, get this, it's gonna stay CLEAR TITLE! I expected it to be a salvaged title, but I talked to AAA and they said since there is no frame damage it will be CLEAR. I bought the car for 7100 + sales tax = $7600, and probably but 1K into maintenance + rims & tint
#11
Lexus Test Driver
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Definately salvage. I would look at the market of cars you have available. If a similar GS400 with same mileage etc. is near you for much cheaper, take the whole payment and go buy that car.
A lot of members on here once their car has been salvaged use the money and put it back into the car to upgrade it. I wouldn't go this route, but to each their own.
A lot of members on here once their car has been salvaged use the money and put it back into the car to upgrade it. I wouldn't go this route, but to each their own.
#12
i would take the 1st option my friend also hit his car like that and similar damage spent 3800 fixing it .. but hey if the car ran you way more then 10k and it would be worth taking option 2 then do it fix it and drive ..
#15
Lexus Champion
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you need to paint more than the hood and bumper...LOL fenders need paint as well. 3 stage paint is not cheap. 350 for a factory hood brand new. You still need to buy a core support, and a used bumper for 100. You can buy a used hood but you still have to paint underneath and on top, radiator will be 100-150, condenser, fans are probably gone as well...if you can do it for 1700 bucks it will look like a cheap job