Gang,

This is the worst and stupidest thing that's ever happened to my S2000. I parked in a parking structure this morning and I guess it was pretty windy outside so the wind was really swirling inside the structure when I got there. I had the top up and the windows closed so I really didn't notice how strong some of the gusts are. I parked next to a concrete wall thinking my car will at least be safe from one side (from other cars opening their door) When I opened my door, a gust of wind at the most perfect angle and the most unexpected speed picked up my door and punched it forward , before I knew what hit me, my hand had slipped from the door handle and the wind gust smacked my door EXTREMELY HARD into the concrete wall!!!

The pics below are of the damage. They're not very good pics, but the net-net of this story is that the edge of my door was bent inwards, the outer edge paint is scratched and the paint along the bend in the metal is now cracked!!! God, I'm so angry, disappointed, and extremely depressed. My car was pristine and brand new (only 5K miles)!!!

To make matters worse, I tried to mend the metal back to its original form using a towel for paint protection and a pair of pliers. I think it looks even worse now.

I cannot believe this just happened. This is like a terrible dream.

Anyway, the damage is along the door's inside weld line, so I'm assuming that the dent is unrepairable. i.e. I would have to have the door replaced. Do you guys agree? I can't believe I'm going to have to have the door replaced, repainted and then have to worry about paint matching and all that mess.

PLEASE PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR ADVICE ON WHAT I SHOULD DO.

 

That does suck! I wouldn't go to the extent of getting it fixed just yet though. Paint matching is such a huge deal, I would wait until there is something else to be fixed so that you only have to worry about it once.

 

I feel for ya man......depending on how long you can live with it looking like that....I would take it and get it fixed but that is me.

unfortunately for you but it is reminder to all of us that these things can happen.....

good luck in whatever you decide to do...

 

That sucks... Sorry to hear about the damage. Stupid wind!

 

That's terrible.
Maybe when you have it repaired, they can repaint the whole car. That green color looks awful on a S2000.

 

Geez. . . That was a SMACK alright! Damn, sorry about your misfortune. Best of luck having it repaired.

 

SOrry about your misfortune Kalcium... From the pictures, the door seems repairable to me or just as easily replaced. The real pain in the a$$ comes with the paint matching. Speaking from experience (my Spa Yellow was recently rear ended), this is what I suggest...

Call around your area for body shops that specialize in matching 3-Stage Paint. Personally I called four Acura dealers in my area and asked them to recommend a body shop who specializes in NSX Body Work and has experience dealing with the NSX Spa Yellow (same as the S2000 Yellow). Call around and have patience! A lot of shops in my area wouldn't even touch the car because of the color. And make sure that you get a written agreement that if they do not perform the repairs to your satisfaction, they will repaint it again or even the entire car (no worries about paint matching then) if you are unsatisfied.

In my case, the body shop I ended up going with was recommended by all four Acurda dealers and a few Honda dealers. They matched the paint perfectly.

Good luck.

 

*** UPDATE ***

I went to a high-end body shop in town and got an estimate. Are you guys ready for this:

$1,305 !!!


Holly crap!!!

Mav: You are absolutely right: They said that this color is a nightmare to match. They also have match the color on the rear 1/4 panel becuase it is directly adjacent. Which means the molding strip for the convertible top has to come off and so on and so forth....

God, what a nightmare!!! I keep walking around thinking what in the world have I done to deserve this!!!

I haven't decided on doing the work yet. With my insurance, I'll be out only $500 (my deductible). But still, Darn it; I was just opening my door!!! Life sucks. At least today.

 

Somebody backed into LR fender of my Spa Yellow and had to have two places on LR fender repaired. It is being done by local Cadillac dealership (same owner as Honda deal next door). They have already made one repair for paint defect where I removed w/s tape and color match was perfect so I'm hopeful this will be as well. Based on my experience ($1337), I'd say your $1300 estimate is about right. Good paint work is EXPENSIVE.

 

I would go with the best shop and and the best price. You will get what you pay for. Ask around. Yellow paint can be matched, but I think they will have to blend it in. Before my S2000 I had a yellow Type R which I almost totaled. When I got the car back it looked new again and all paint matched....
It can be done.