Got Dented. :(

[moazam]

I parked my car in downtown Palo Alto this morning and someone hit it in the rear right panel area while backing out. The alarm went off, I ran out of the restaurant and saw the damage. I felt, and still feel like total crap. I just got the transmission rebuilt, some upgrades done and was going to get upholstery work done next week.

I got the guys insurance information and called his insurance company (GEICO). They seemed very nice on the phone and scheduled a time next week for me to bring the car in for an inspection. The lady told me this is still in the investigation phase, but it is possible that at the inspection time they may just write me a check for the damages.

The guy who backed into it had a Ford Explorer I think, with rubber bumpers. At first I was hoping this could be just hammered out from the inside, but unfortunately there may be some paint work involved also.

Any guesses on what this is going to cost to repair?

[Shuie]

That sucks. How's your oil tank?

[FenderGuy]

That sucks what happened to your car when my 914 got rear ended I had to sue the people that hit me and they had (GEICO). Worst company I have ever dealt with.

[moazam]

Originally posted by Shuie
How's your oil tank?

I don't know...I drove the car about 25-30 miles after this. The oil temperature remained normal, I didn't hear any noises or anything. I have not looked for leaks yet though.

[Dantilla]

GEICO?

eeewwwww!!!! Good luck!

[moazam]

So any cost guesstimates?

[niner11]

Oddly enough it looks like just the quarter panel took the abuse. Some of the pics I see on this board show 10mph fender benders that crease the entire unibody making the car a write-off. Luckily that is not the case with your car. Good luck

[Jim Smolka]

Min cost would be over $1000. Don't let them do that 'paint blend' thing. Very bad. Insist on a total repaint. That should run over 3K. Might need a good bit bull (attorney)

[Craig 930 RS]

You will be *shocked* at how much this will cost....
Rear 1/4 repairs on 911s are big coin -

Craig
@RS

[ubiquity0]

Originally posted by Craig911
You will be *shocked* at how much this will cost....
Rear 1/4 repairs on 911s are big coin -

Craig
@RS

I agree- thats a pretty sizeable dent- far beyond what I could see a paintless dent removal technique overcome. In the Bay Area I would guess 3000 or so.

[vash]

sorry for your woes! i saw a car like yours get it from behind near the caldecott tunnel two days ago. i hear very good things about a russian body shop guy in concord. i THINK the shop is called bay area auto body. he is very familiar with the 911 unibody. his motto is, "i can fix it" he does all the body work for tom at deutche motorsports. let me know if you want me to get you a number. i guess 2k.

cliff

[Sonic dB]

That sucks. Im sorry that that happened to you. and I thought I was having a bad weekend with my 911.

Erik

[afterburn 549]

you will need a clip welded in to fix that right' and the fender painted from the door back.....matching will be ez by the same competant peo you choose to replace that fender......like said the oil tank is probly shot along with a hose or two.

[nhromyak]

When my quarter rear got hit - the top Porsche Body shop (somewhere in San Jose - I forget the name) they were Porsche only) wanted to REPLACE my rear quarter panel.

They quoted $8900+

That would total my Carrera.

I took it to Carlsen and they quoted $3900.

My quarter rear was smashed in about 3 inches just above the rear tail light. It affected the hood, and the paneling inside the engine bay. You can still see it if you look at it for a little while.

I have a metallic paint. They tried to blend it, but good body guys can see the paint mix.

[rbcsaver]

moazam,
Something struck me when I looked at the photos that you posted. There is a definite shading difference that is consistent and without regard to camera angle, It appears that the car has had a prior paint job or something , in the RR quarter. Any idea?
regards,
Steve

[KNS]

That's the shadow from the drip rail.

[KobaltBlau]

It does look funny with the sun at that angle, though.

[moazam]

Originally posted by rbcsaver
moazam,
Something struck me when I looked at the photos that you posted. There is a definite shading difference that is consistent and without regard to camera angle, It appears that the car has had a prior paint job or something , in the RR quarter. Any idea?
regards,
Steve

Steve, you're very observant. The original owner had a rear end hit many years ago and had some body work done in the rear.

I'm going to go to Yeaman Auto Body in Palo Alto on Monday before I see the GEICO claims adjuster. I want to see what Yeaman will quote and how close GEICO comes to that.

Everytime I look at the damage I just feel like crap...I swear it's almost making me want to sell the car and go get a Toyota Corolla beater. The fact that I just spent $3300 in transmission rebuild and a bunch of little upgrades is making me even more sick now....I seriously hope the insurance ppl don't give me too much hassle.

[steve930t]

Looks like the panel is repairable. I would rather see a GOOD body guy reapir it rather than replace the quarter any day. With the oil tank, tail lamp, bumper extension and wheel removed, that area is pretty open. The car looks black? If it is panel painting it won't be a problem.
I would go to a few shops and get some estimates and decide who is going to fix it before taking it to the Gecko drive in. Going there without an estimate from your shop would be a mistake. As long as you don't go there with unreasonable demands like painting the whole car, they should work with you and your shop.
Take your time choosing a shop. Theres a lot of hackers out there! My guess is $2700. GOOD LUCK!!!

[moazam]

Originally posted by KNS
That's the shadow from the drip rail.

You're right. I went back and looked at the original photos and freaked out!! I just went downstairs to look at the car again, that 90 degree angle shaded area does not exist. It was the shade...whew.

Well....the big fat ugly dent is still there though...I was hoping I'd go downstairs and that'd be gone too...but no luck.