Sooo....

[Blackhawk3D]

I was backed into at an intersection last Sunday. His insurance called and said they took full responsibility. My bumper has a crease in it, the plastic is deformed, so it'll need a new bumper, paint etc to do a good repair (Bondo is icky...). I'm taking it in to the body shop tomorrow. Now, I am hoping to get a new car for graduation, but that depends on getting good scholorships for college next year etc, so it is most definitely not a sure thing. Now, I have four choices.

1. Get it repaired
2. Take the cash settlement, fix it myself.
3. Take the cash, buy new shocks and springs (Needed more than the bumper I must admit... The bumper doesn't look too bad, it will just cost a good bit to fix. My shocks and springs are horrid... I care about driving more than looks)
4. Take the cash, keep it, maybe use some of it for the car. I am broke, but if I don't spend it on the car and do get a new car, it may cause problems with my brother, who gets the car after me.

What do you think? I'm leaning toward some Tokico Blues and Ebiachs.

[ASG14]

Personally, if it was me, I'd do 2 things. Fix the bumper myself with a color matched bumper form the junkyard ($100, and say $15 for new clips), and go with KYB GR2 struts and Eibach's (my current setup). Also, if your Strut Mounts are original, replace those as well. If you have some car knowledge, I'd say do that all yourself as well.

~Adam

[Blackhawk3D]

Hmmm That could work...

[Blackhawk3D]

One question, my car's paint isn't in primo condition, if I were to do it myself, how much would it cost to paint the bumper if I can't find one that matches? I have access to a paint booth.

[ASG14]

Unless your Top Notch in painting, I'd shy against doing it yourself. What color and year is your car?

[Blackhawk3D]

It's the gold. I can get my shop teacher to help me paint it, I've seen his paint jobs and have been impressed. Last year he fixed an older prelude, it had a smashed rear quarter panel. He cut it out from halfway back from the front of the door (Mid doorframe) and to just shy of the middle of the trunk, and spliced in a new piece and when he was done and had it painted I couldn't tell it had ever been wrecked. He's basically a pro.

[ASG14]

you are forgetting though, unless your car has been garaged it;s ENTIRE life, the paint will be faded (especially since your in cali and have sun), and will not match the rest of the car, unless it is faded in, which is very time consuming. IF he can do that, then I say definatley go for it. The paint itself is not too expensive,a nd you have the most common color Camry. Also, remember you will need clearcoat since you have a Metallic paint.

But yeah, if he's that good, I'd say go with him paining it.

[Blackhawk3D]

Okay I'll ask him. I think the car has had paint work before, I took it in for an estimate on fixing the door paint (Had a little mishap) and he said that by the looks of it it wasn't just faded but that some parts of the car were damaged during shipping and the dealer just threw on a quickie paint job to cover it up. The hood paint has visible lines from the paint gun (Like when you see spray paint paint jobs, just not as bad)

[geoff5093]

I would just take the money if its a good amount. In December a guy backed up into me and dented the door, but I kept the $1300 and im just living with the dent.

[Blackhawk3D]

I may do that, of course, if it only costs $600 for the shocks/springs (I will install them myself), and the check is for $1300, that's still $700 to keep.

[ASG14]

Remember though, Strut mounts and sway bar links will likely need replacing.

[geoff5093]

It cost me close to a grand for new KYB struts and mounts, so it adds up

[ASG14]

^ That BETTER have been with instalation included, or you got ripped.

[geoff5093]

Originally Posted by ASG14

^ That BETTER have been with instalation included, or you got ripped.

*looks back at records*

It was $189 for the front passenger strut, $169 for mount and bearing. + $70 labor.

I cant recall what it was for the rears, but it was less for the left and right side then it was for the front.

[ASG14]

KYB GR-2 Strut Front Left fitment
In Stock 1 $77.00 $77.00
KYB GR-2 Strut Front Right fitment
In Stock 1 $77.00 $77.00
KYB GR-2 Strut Rear Left fitment
In Stock 1 $64.00 $64.00
KYB GR-2 Strut Rear Right fitment
In Stock 1 $64.00 $64.00
Eibach Pro-Kit Spring Set Front and Rear fitment
In Stock 1 $220.00 $220.00

+ shipping

Additional Fees and Taxes
Tax: $0.00
Excise Tax: $0.00
State Waste Tire Fund Fee: $0.00
Grand Total: $555.64



Toyota OEM from Dealer online (several diff types, type take is the MORE expensive one. you may have the lower priced one):
Front:
Strut mount, avalon - camry, corolla, avalon - CAMRY, COROLLA, AVALON 95-96 List=$85.74Price=$65.16x2=$130.32

Rear:
Strut mount, corolla, right - avalon, camry, corolla 1995-02 - AVALON, CAMRY, COROLLA 1995-02 95-97 List=$104.97 Price=$79.78x2=159.56

$130.32+$159.56=$289.88 (Say $310 with shipping). Remember, those are for the HIGHER priced ones. Your car may use the cheaper ones.



$555.64 (Struts AND lowering springs)+$310 (Mounts)=$865.64. And without the lowering springs, if you use the OEM ones you have, take $235 off that price. and Throw in new Sway Bar end links and sway bar bushings.