michaelb20

So i just picked up a sick 97 diamond pearl metallic sc300 this tuesday.. was driven by an older lady, serviced it at a lexus dealer ever six months, so it runs beautifully, barely above 94000 miles.. So the next day i had it registered and insured, and just my luck someone backs into my right quarter panel and now theres a dent about 1 foot in diameter and a crack in the paint at the bottom. i was quoted by a certified lexus collison center 4500 to fix it, and the other party's insurance is only willing to pay 1600. if anyone could give me any idea as to how much i should be looking at to fix this or if 'm getting ripped off by the insurance company or not...


oh and i also have a problem with the drivers seat height adjustment in the power seats. when i try to move the seat up or down the motor will work for a little then stop. could it be a weak motor?

iridebmx

iTrader: (6)

other party should have to pay all.... sue em'!

yeaaa!

92lexi

Depends on the state but if you were parked and not in the vehicle, they would have to pay for it. Atleast in mich that is. I had someone hit one of my talons while i was in the house and their insurance covered everything. And that totaled out to 4 grand

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

LOL @ 4500 to fix a dent. You're getting ripped off alright, but not by the insurance company. There are plenty of reputable body shops that are direct connect to insurance agencies so you never have to handle the cash aspect. Just ask the insurance company handling the claim for a list of their authorized body repair shops and drop it off at one of them. They have to cover it as they are linked to the body shop through contractual agreements. Let them battle for the bottom line.

More info here: http://www.autobodyfaq.com/

LEXXIUM

iTrader: (1)

I am with OLT on this one, and for a 4500 I can buy another sc

michaelb20

well i got the other parties info and all that, but i guess the lexus dealership put some extra stuff on there that the inspector didnt think was necessary so he wrote me off a check for 1600. i'm so pissed cuz it took me forever to find a car as nice clean and serviced as well as this and to top it of it was a lexus sc... i was thinking about getting one of those paintless dent pullers but i dont think it will look as good as if i had the collision center repair it

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

Don't put much stake in a cars history, put it in it's here and now. You own it NOW, what it looks like NOW is what matters so fix it and move on to better days. if this was a 3 year old car fine, but the SC and resale are two words that don't belong together. It's a lovable relic and we own them for the love of the game, forget this perfect world dream because it doesn't exist. Fix that sucker and enjoy it! If it's as clean as you say then there should be no issue with pulling a dent.

Luxor

iTrader: (15)

I am having the same problem with my drivers seat motor. The motor is just on its way out, time to get it rewound or get a new one.

michaelb20

yeah i dont plan on selling it... if i do end up pulling the dent would the paint crack?

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

Most likely. A PDR guy might be able to heat it and pull it, but it'll probably crack. Then again, that's the guy to ask..... he'll be doing it.

michaelb20

should i just take it to the shop then? they were gonna pop it out and repaint it anyway

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

The end of all this is that you are the only one that can control the outcome because every shop is different. Cheap shops don't prep well and leave orange peel, pricey shops are........... pricey. Google body shop reviews in your area and find out where to go that way. Plan on burning that check up...... no extras. spend the money if you CARE AS MUCH FOR THE CAR AS YOU SAY. That's what's important.

JZBrian

pictures???