Am I Crazy!?!?

[3rd Gen 3 Owner]

Okay, here's the situation. I am the proud owner of a 1992 Camry DX. This car has been in our family since my Mom purchased it new back in 92'. She sold it to my Aunt, who eventually gave it to me as it needed some repairs. I've been driving it for a couple years now, it's in very good running condition, with just over 156k miles and I recently had new axles installed. The paint on the hood, left front fender, and drivers door has shed it's clearcoat, due to these areas being repainted back in 1995 after an accident. Anyway, 2 weeks ago some b@$%*rd ran a red light in front of me and while I avoided him I lost control (it was raining and dark) and fishtailed into a chain link fence. I wasn't carrying collision and because I didn't contact the other driver I am left to foot the bill. Here's a pic of the damage.

So, I've gotten a couple estimates, the actual repair of the area will run about $1400, and the repair and repainting of the aforementioned clearcoat-less areas will run about $2400. I've already replaced the tail light, but the rest has me wondering....Am I nuts to spend that much money on this car? Several people I've talked to are scratching their heads as to why I'd spend almost the blue book on the car to fix it, and for basically double the estimate I could buy a used 1998 or later Camry. I enjoy driving this car, and I've always loved it's lines compared to the later generations. But I can't afford to throw money away on a salary of 30k a year. I don't have the skill or location to attempt the repair myself, it would have to be done professionally. What does everyone here think?

[95toyotacamry]

Well i know how you feel, something similar happened to me but in the front. If the car runs perfect and you can fix it with 2400, are you really gonna go buy another one, which you have no idea of past treatments and problems? Do the math. And they want to charge you 1400 for the back damage only, what a rip off, I paid 1400 to get my whole front done with new parts and everything from fenders front!! And got my doors re-painted. Just do everything little by little, because times are hard.

[Albuynp Ryeno]

You could try going to a junk yard and finding a rear side fender and bumber. If they are the same color and not badly scratched up, you could relatively easily just swap them in. Or if they are a different color, it should be pretty cheep to have them painted.

1400 and 2400 seems ridiculous. I know a person who would paint my gen 4 black for 600. If you just swap out the body parts yourself, it should save you a TON of money.

[95toyotacamry]

Originally Posted by Albuynp Ryeno

You could try going to a junk yard and finding a rear side fender and bumber. If they are the same color and not badly scratched up, you could relatively easily just swap them in. Or if they are a different color, it should be pretty cheep to have them painted.

1400 and 2400 seems ridiculous. I know a person who would paint my gen 4 black for 600. If you just swap out the body parts yourself, it should save you a TON of money.

This is a great idea. Or maybe you can buy the parts primed already and just get them painted.

[Eye8Pussies]

...except that the rear fender doesn't unbolt and needs to be welded and then the seams ground down and smoothed.....and THEN painted....


if a shop is willing to fix all that for 1400, then that's quite a deal actually...

[Hajoca]

You will more likeley save money by removing bumper skin and then hammering the dent out,
putty repair and then paint.

Get bumper skin sanded and putty too It is only cosmetic damage.

Save your money to use later.

[Silent Shadow]

personally, i would do what hajoca suggested. but i have an even smaller budget. as long as your tailights work, its only cosmetic.

[eddie926]

Well, I won't comment on the $2400 to fix the failing clear coat areas, but if the car is in good condition and you like it/are happy driving it, then spending the $1400 to fix the collision damage is certainly not crazy. You have to look at how much the car is worth to YOU, not just the blue book. What other car could you get for $1400 that would be as good as your Camry? You know exactly what you're getting, so no used car surprises, and if it's in good running condition, you could get another 100000 miles out of it.

[Dave's]

I had similar damage on my '92. I took most of it out with wood blocks, a hydraulic jack, a dolly kit and painted it with dupli-color. Didn't look too bad, nowhere near perfect but I figured I didn't have much to lose but the time. Really I couldn't imagine it being worth the repair costs with that mileage. Mine was just over 200k however, and I parked it pretty much worn out at 250k. It was my last of 3 Gen 3's but they're just getting too old unless you stay on top of them. Just seems things start going- struts, transmission, engine, door handles, etc. to name a few. But you could buy the newer used one and have problems too. Decisions, decisions! Good luck!

[ONE_to_HATE]

get on craigslist, look under the services postings for individuals that work at a Autobody Shops who's looking to make some side money. Usually- since they have ZERO overhead (LOL) they charge like.. 1/4 or 1/3 of the price.

OR

Get on youtube and start learning how to do body work and make this an educational experience. If you botch it, then grab an autobody guy n' have him fix it.


AND


I say stick with it. i mean, its stuck with your family for 16 years- a little fender damage and you give up on it? .. be a pal and return the favor!

[shajbot]

Hammmer/pull the dent out, sand and prime and paint it!

[eyeball96]

U may be able to sit in the trunk and push alot of that dent out with ur foot...or find another Gen 3 that has a good, body and use urs for parts...hell they'll run forever!

[lgcongbach]

rear fender ??? doesn't that part stick with the frame body ??? That's why my mechanic couldn't replace mine and had to take out the bumper, to pull the whole thing out to the same level.

BTW, i got hit on exactly the same area (some what smaller) and it costed me only 200$ for the labor to prepare, reuse bumper and everything (still on fixing).

THose people are way over priced, check some other shop for better deal IMO, i couldn't be as much 3 times difference. Somebody tried to quoted me 800$ for a dent on front fender (replacable) plus overlaying paiting it to the same color as the car 0_o ... "Look !!! it's a fucking camry, not LEXUS !!!"

[future_spiegel]

well i know a lady who got rear ended something awful (she only has about half the trunk space now) and she's been using the car for 6 months as it is.

frankly man, if its in such a great shape, just keep it as it is but try to primer the exposed metal so that it doesn't rust and maybe someday you'll find a guy that's willing to do the work cheap.

besides, its been in your family for forever and a day! i'd just keep it as it is and take my time finding a good deal.

[ECale3]

Yes.