Hey Everyone,

Yes, this really happened - a valet driver crashed my car into a wall, screwing my front bumper and OEM lip.

The reason I am making this post is because I need a recommendation for a GOOD body shop as close to Coral Springs as possible. Thank god we were able to get the driver to admit guilt so it will go through the valet companies insurance. Please let me know where to go - I am anal, my car is mint condition 2004 with 30k miles - I will require as close to perfect as humanly possible. Oh, and a warranty!

For those of you who came for the story, read below:

It was Friday about 2 weeks ago - I was staying one night at the Westin coconut grove for a wedding. At this hotel there is no self parking. As I am sure most of you are, I am very skeptical about leaving my car with someone I do not know. I always take pictures of my mileage before dropping my car off anywhere (such as a shop or valet). Most times when I have to valet, the driver will keep it up front with the "nice cars". I asked for them to do it when I pulled up for the night, and they said no. My car has been broken into 2 times, seats stolen once, second time I had an alarm, the crooks tried to lift my hood with a crow bar and unhook the battery terminals - it didnt work because I had a backup battery - get one if you dont have one. Anyway, after declining to park up front, I asked if there was security etc - they told me there was a guard on duty and cameras. It made me feel better, but I still had a feeling something was going to happen from the very second I dropped the car off.

Fast forward to the next day - my girlfriend is hungover and ready to leave. I call the front valet to have my car delivered, and we make our way down to the front. On the way, we saw some people from the wedding and had a convo with them. By the time I get to the Valet desk, 20 minutes have gone by. To my surprise, my car is not there. There was another guy there at the desk, so I ask - he tells me the guy went to get it, and it should be here shortly. Another 10 minutes goes by, and Im really starting to get pissed, my GF even more pissed. Next thing we know, the valet driver comes walking around the corner from the parking garage. He comes to the desk, the other valet driver asks where the car is - he replies "I cant drive it, something is weird with the transmission, I cant find reverse". At this time Im like WTF dude are you serious? Has he been burning my clutch, has he been going forward thinking its reverse? I dont know. The other driver takes my keys and runs to get the car. While the second driver was gone, the original guy starts to talk to me, I question his abilities, and then he tells me that he has a standard shift honda civic - Im like bro, my car is a honda, are you serious? He trys small talk, but we wernt having it. He makes no mention at all about hitting anything with my car.

Finally, a whole 2 minutes later, the second valet driver comes around the corner with my car (keep in mind the original driver took over 30 minutes). As soon as my girl and I see the car driving toward us, we notice the huge white marks on my mint front bumper - looks like a large animal just clawed through the front bumper all the way through the lip. As soon as it pulls up, my hungover GF starts flipping her shit on the guy (haha). After calming her down, I start to lay the guilt trip on the guy. "Were you actually going to let me drive away with this?" "how can a person do that to someone?" - asked the same 2 questions to his boss, and the hotel administration. Anyway, after some talk, he admits guilt...and im stuck with a hassle just because I valet my car.

We did get the night free though!

 

Sorry to hear about your ride. This is exactly why i never valet no matter what. I would have drove around and found parking.

As for a bodyshop, check out Bob@Madmods located in Pompano bch. Had a few cars and parts painted by him. He does awesome work.

 

Nice ride, I just picked up a set of AP2 V1's. sorry to hear that they screwed her up, I dont know how I would have reacted

Thats about the range of emotions

 

if you need a body shop, check out SFC (south florida collision) in fort lauderdale. Near powerline and commercial. Ask for Neil.. They do all of the paint and bodywork for customers we have referred to them, and they have came out great!

 

what would something like this cost down here in FL?

I had a guy repaint my bumper up north and did a shit job matching the paint. I want to get it redone asap.

 

Sorry to hear that but you violated rule #1"Never let a Valet driver park your exotic..."

 

You don't seriously consider the S2000 an exotic do you?

 

Thesaurus;
1:exotic - being or from or characteristic of another place or part of the world; "alien customs"; "exotic plants in a greenhouse"; "exotic cuisine"
alien
foreign, strange - relating to or originating in or characteristic of another place or part of the world; "foreign nations"; "a foreign accent"; "on business in a foreign city"

Using this definition would make a Toyota Corolla exotic also.

2:exotic - strikingly strange or unusual; "an exotic hair style"; "protons, neutrons, electrons and all their exotic variants"; "the exotic landscape of a dead planet"
strange, unusual - being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird; "a strange exaltation that was indefinable"; "a strange fantastical mind"; "what a strange sense of humor she has"

Maybe this would apply

 

Check out this image and tell me that's not exotic..... on a serious note i think an S is very close to an exotic definition !!

 

This a sad story, but I'm glad it was resolved. So far I haven't left my car at a valet, but I can assure you that I rather drive my car to the valet parking section and walk back. If they park too forward they're going to hit the lip and if they park too far in backwards they might mess up my J's exhaust. LOL @ "Something is wrong with the transmission. Can't find reverse." Maybe because his Civic is automatic? lol