Labor day weekend I got into a fender-bender (spun into a tree off the GSP doing 65) and did some considerable damage to the rear/side/frame of my S. After a month or so of "part availability delays" the problem now is they do not have, and cannot find the "Frame Measuring Dimensions". I find it hard to believe that a body shop does not have these specs and can't even find them...(they say that the car wasn't popular enough to have hard copies made?) so I am looking to you guys/gals for help. Anyone have this done/anyone have the specs? Please let me know asap...Thanks.

On a side note, I will never go back to this shop again. The name is Niro's Bodyart in NJ..I can't remember the exact city (Cranford/Westfield..one of those). I have been calling every Monday for the past 6 wks and they keep telling me "2 more wks"..every time there is a different problem. They never call me to inform me, I have to call them. Also, they told me not to upgrade to 18" wheel/tires because it will ruin the handling/response, etc...which I know is not totally true. My car is apart on their frame machine, so I think there is little I can do now but bitch and complain. This shop came highly recommended form the insurance co...I do not see why.

Thanks,

Chris

 

but the funds are being held by the insurance agent, right? you need to contact the insurance agent and let them know how long you've been out.

best/worst case scenario - they find you another bodyshop and transport all the parts and car to that shop.

you might want to also consider going down there and taking pictures. I wouldn't say anything, just take pictures of your car's status, or maybe what is in their bays at the moment to guage how busy the place is.

 

Schatten,

I believe the insurance company already cut them a check (minus my deductible).

I think I will go down there with my camera tomorrow. When I talked to the guy in charge, he said my car is still on his frame machine (been there for a month) and he wants to get it off worse than I do...but I doubt that.

Thanks,
Chris

 

I honestly don't see a motive on their part to keep your car - that's what is puzzling.

Maybe you could inquire with the insurance company about the work that they paid for which hasn't been done yet? They might chime in to interest, but I'm not so sure what their guidlines would be.

 

OHHHHHH DAMMMMMMM! Ok I,ve wrecked so many cars lol.....misspend youth. Luckily i've been good for the last 9 years.....But back when i could not go more than 6 months without a wreck i've seen all the B.S. with getting a car fixed.
They can take forever...the normal turn around time for my wrecks was 6 weeks....sometimes 4weeks and sometimes 8 to 10 weeks. Waiting for parts is B.S. All Honda parts only take two days for delivery. Frame measuring dimensions....Thats B.S.
big time.....There are a hundred sources a Body shop can use. They got paid and are sitting on it,....big time. They are in no rush they got paid the lions share...That money has been spent for payroll ..rent whatever....Borrow from peter to pay paul...
Body shops are famous for this......many are shady big time. The good ones are awesome the bad ones are your worst nightmare....Probably the cash went up his nose. Ok time to be a royal pain call once a day to check on car and call once a day at least and just ask a stupid question ,...they will want to finish the car just to stop getting your phone calls. Make a stink with your insurance agent be nice but firm and be like what the "f" . Hey i would take a ride down to your honda dealer tell them your problem with frame dimension stuff and ask them if they could call there regional service guy and see if he can help.

There is a guy on this forum how owns an s2000 and owns a body shop in south new jersey. I forget his screen name..autobody2000 or something. I've scene his posts once an awhile and i remember him saying he owns an autobody shop...maybe someone can help out with the info. otherwise your stuck ...its sucks i've been there so helpless. I hate to see this happen to good people......Hey i saw you put some money towards the auto-x event at fall colors and you where not even there.....Thats awesome .........believe me good carma will come around......a good deed is alway rewarded. Good luck hope to see ya soon at some spring meet-ups.

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply...I think its BS as well, but dems da brakes I guess..sort of got me by the short hairs. I think I will start to become a pain the ass, as much as this is against my nature. Another problem is, the bit*h who is handling my claim at the insurance agency does not return any of my calls...and I know she's there because she updates her message everyday. Anyway, I hope I will have my car back by the spring...

Thanks again guys

Chris

 

Update:

I called this morning and they have the dimensions and are working on the car now. He said two weeks until the car will be ready, but thats what hes been saying for the last month or so. I'll just have to wait and see....

Chris

 

If it makes you feel any better, my car was in a body shop for almost 5 months! I don't know how much damage your's had, in terms of money, mine was about $18,000. Are you sure the body shop received payment? I mean, normally the insurance would write a check to you and the lein holder (bank, etc) and it needs your and the lein holder's signatures for the check to be cleared. I had almost the same problems with them specially the lack of communication and the "2 more weeks" thing. However, they never gave me any BS excuse, just that they are busy or something. One day I got really mad at them and they told me how it exactly works and that it's against their interest to keep the car for any longer than is required. I learned that the 2 weeks is basically the time that it "would" take for them to fix the car if they did not have any other business. What happens is this: let's say the car's stripped for painting, then it has to sit for days for the paint guy to finish painting the other cars (that did not need to be stripped, like painting just a new bumper, etc) that he's working on. Once the paint is done, maybe there's just a half day of work left to put it back togather but the guy who does it has 3 cars waiting in line so again your car just sits there waiting for it's turn. Just visit them once or twice a week to make sure they are doing what they say they are. It's no use getting mad at them, just take it easy. Don't expect to get your car back when they tell you you would, that would just add to your frustration. Good luck!

PS: My car's still not right :-(

[QUOTE]Originally posted by striklybidnis
[B]Update:

I called this morning and they have the dimensions and are working on the car now.

 

The body shop is a direct-repair shop, which means that the insurance company can deal directly with them (payments, adjustments, etc) when needed...and I'm 99% sure they have the money already. I thought this was good and would expedite the process....the damage is around the 12000 range, give or take.

However, if they have my car for 5 months, i might have to strangle someone...and you can bet your a** that if my car is not "pre-accident condition" as promised, especially being held this long, then there will be hell to pay...

Thanks for the info Mas..Ill keep posting as things develop.
Chris

 

Update:

I got a call from the guy on friday the 1st and he told me they rolled the car off of the frame machine and had some of the body done already. He had to send the transmission box to a specialist to get it fixed and should have been there by later on friday. He said I might be able to get the car back next friday.

Concern: I was thinking of keeping this car after the lease is up, but after this accident, I don't know. I am thinking if the frame was bent, it might be alright to keep after straightening. But if it was cracked, it may never be the same again, and I wouldnt want to keep it. Any thoughts/suggestions would help, thanks.

Chris