So I had a lady run into the back of my car last Friday. Today, while at work, I had my dad take it over to the body shop I've gone to in the past. The guy always acts like he knows what he's talking about, and I don;t always buy it, but my dad does for whatever reason...

Anyway, I just got off the phone with my pops and he is reporting to me that the body shop dude tells him that "these cars," while doing a good job protecting you in an accident, tend to crumple like tin cans even after minor fender benders, and he has to keep the car over night and take off the rear bumper and inspect the vehicle thoroughly.

I'm not paying for any of this because the accident was not my fault, but I am wary of them having the car for too long and doing unnecessary shit to it. I have an over 100 mile commute every day, and cant afford to have my car down for very long.

What are your opinions? Is the s2000 known for crumpling even after minor fender benders? Should I just shut up and let them replace whatever they want? Anyone else with any kind of experience here?

some pictures of the accident:

 

What car doesn't "crumple" when hit from anywhere?

 

It just looks like the bumper and trunk is damaged. Looks minor to me.

 

Shadow- this is my issue.

We all know that there are crumple zones. But this guy is adamant about the s2000 being particularly bad and susceptible. I'm wondering if anyone else has heard this.

Presto- yeah, the damage is minor, which is why I figure it can be replaced relatively easily and painlessly. I don't understand why this guy is insisting that it's going to be a huge process

 

If it smashed a mount up, they are gonna have some work ahead of them getting the new one to fit correctly.

 

The car IS easy to dent. The sheet metal is pretty damn thin. So?

 

I'm good friends with the OP and thats pretty much what I told him. Cars in general are designed with so called "crumple zones" that crumple to protect the passenger cabin. From the looks of the damage, it seems like its minor damage from the pics.

shawn, just explain your situation to the bodyshop guy. tell him you cant be without a car for an extended period and ask him for a timeframe estimate as to how long it would take to repair everything. if you still dont feel comfortable with him, i know of a great shop down in doral that has done my cars and has never done less then an awesome job.

good luck with the repairs fgt.

 

maybe the guy thinks that the frame crumples easily... which just isnt true... Mine has been in 2 accidents... a fender bender a little worse than yours and an Autox incident that invloved going sideways over a curb at 40+ mph...in the latter there was a lot of suspension dmamge such as a snapped front LCA and bent rear cam bolt... but the frame still measures perfectly straight...

 

additionally, its pretty standard policy so to speak for a body shop to want to peek around and see what damage there is. remember the more shit they find the more they can bill from the insurance.

 

it crumples so you dont have to