Welp, driving a nice/mint car was just too good to be true. Some lady in a Suburban didn't see me and backed in to me in a parking lot. She's willing to pay out of pocket to forego an insurance report so I'm looking for the absolute best people in the business to make my car look 100% again. Bumper and hood need reprays, maybe even a replacement on the bumper. Would prefer Fairfax area, but I'm willing to travel.

 

Wagonwerks. 3x more $$$ than most other body shops but repair will be perfect.

 

i've seen them receive much acclaim on the web, but cannot find a website or phone number.

 

I'll comment on wagonworks after they finish repainting the rear bumper on my 05 Rio for the second time under their guaranteed paint match promise. LOL Right!

Cost: $900 + 21 dollars service fee for using credit card to replace/paint rear bumper.



Its going to cost you at least 2-3K to fix your car at wagon works.

 

Here is their number: 703-684-2985. Ask for Doug and tell him you want your car to come out better than that 2005 Rio S. I'm sure they will do a much better job on yours. LOL!

 

I would NOT forgo insurance. You'll get a quote, then there will be more work after they pull stuff apart. It's always like that. And if she decides to just back out or disappear, you're screwed...

Always better to have your insurance deal with her insurance. No sense in being the "nice guy" when people are always so anxious to screw you over in situations like this. That's my take, anyway.

Might want to read the last sections of this page:
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/paintclinic.html

especially "Body Shop Tango" and the subsection "Get Involved & Stay Involved"

 

Welp, I took it to Precision Auto Body in Manassas per the recommendation of some forums and a friend. Quote was for $1543.60. Wish me luck when I call her! If she freaks, it goes to insurance tomorrow.

 

pics of the damage: http://iammike.org/gallery/?dir=my_c...00%2Fdamage%2F

 

I'm guessing one of the items on that $1500 bill is a new hood?

I'm under the impression that there's no fixing an aluminum hood, just replacing and repainting... Though I could be wrong. That's a very expensive bill for what looks to be very minor damage. Glad you're not paying for it!

 

Bumper labor + paint: 10.2 hours
Hood labor + paint: 5.5 hours
Miscellaneous emblems and fender liners: 2.8 hours
Sanding, priming, blending quarter panels: 7.3 hours
Details and clean car: 1 hour

900 total for paint labor + supplies
515 for body labor
90 for new emblems

Does it seem like overkill? I've never dealt with body shops before, but since it is not my fault I want the best job I can get. What added a good chunk on is the fact that the bumper is actually deformed, they'll have to heat it and bend it.