So I was at the grocery store Sunday. When I returned to my 5K mile 2006 S2K which I rarely drive I noticed a large dent/scratch on the passenger rear qtr panel. Can't believe it. Luckily two notes were left on my seats(top was down). One from a witness who left the offenders tag number and the other from the offender (who "lost control" of her shopping cart...). I called and spoke with her and went out today to get estimates for the repair. The first was Dent Wizard(who does paint and minor bodywork in addition to PDR). They quoted me $750. Next I went to the Honda dealer I purchased the car from. They quoted me.... get ready... $2,300 as they explained since painting was needed I had to have the top removed otherwise it would get overspray on it. The top R&I alone was $1200(like I want to have that done with the many problems people have with the tops tearing anyway...). I then went to another bodyshop. They said removing the top was rediculous(which I thought too when they told me in the first place) and quoted me $675. I simply can't believe the dealer would be so stupidly overpriced for such a small repair. I will be having the car done at Dent Wizard BTW. The lucky thing in all of this is that the person took responsibility for their mistake(all too uncommon these days). She said she had her kids with her and did not want to set a poor example...

 

Wow, crazy. You should have insurance write you a check

 

Glad to hear she stepped up. It also seems as if she only stepped up because there was a witness, hence the two letters. Oh well, as long as everything works out. Good luck with the fix.

 

I got a scratch on the divers side rear lower quarter panel that was hard enough to bend in the lower support bracket a little. I had insurance cover it at one of their prefered shops. Don't know the final cost but they origionally estimated ~$300 when asked as I didn't know if I should turn it on the insurance ($250 deductable). Didn't like the first attempt so had them repaint again. Looks good now. You may want to go to some of the insurance body shops and get estimates. If I used a State Farm prefered shop (all of them in town have decent reputations), satisfaction was guaranteed and the work warrented for life. Both times I left the car they detailed it for no extra cost (keep the customer smiling and possibly unfocused on the actual work area).

 

The place I am using also has a lifetime guarantee on the repair. They work on a lot of high end cars so I am not too concerned. They said paint match wouldn't be an issue. I hope they are right as Silverstone looks like it would be tough. I will be going with white next time- I am sure that is easier to repair if it becomes necessary.

 

You are indeed fortunate you got a name. My experience has been to avoid the dealership except for items under warranty. They almost always try to stick you. Dent Wizard is a good choice. Yes, go with white next time!

 

heres a thought. go through insurance, give them honda's estimate, ask for a cash out, then go to dent wizard, pay the 750. then buy some parts with your leftover $1550

 

QFT

 

I could, but then I would be contributing to the rising cost of insurance. It is expensive enough as it is. Now, if she would not have stepped up I might try that route. I doubt it would have been approved anyway considering how low the other two estimates were.

 

First of all, with an s2000, I don't think the car should be left unattended without the top up. It's just too much of a beautiful car to risk!

Well, I had a similar situation.

I work at CVS and after getting off one night, I discovered a dent the size of a baseball on the passenger side door. Unfortunately, there was no note. The dent appeared as if it were left by a shopping cart but judging from the height of the dent (from the floor), it couldn't have been. Perhaps the wind must've blown open someone's door causing it to hit mine?

I got a quote on it from a very respected body shop in town and they quoted me ~$1000. I called my insurance and luckily they declared it as non-comprehensive damage. They paid for most of it minus the 250 dollar deductible I was responsible for.

I believe I got what I paid for. The door looks immaculate and I'll definitely be going back to them. My point is...sometimes depending on your insurance, you might have to go the expensive route. I got cheaper quotes from other body shops that weren't as renowned or respected but I didn't want to take the risk.

GL with the fix.