sharonbruhn

My son drove my XB into a tree. He smashed the front bumper, hood, and passenger side panel. It still drives like a dream, but the estimate to fix it is over $4000 and I just can't see paying that. I'm not sure what I should do. Sell to junkyard? Part out on ebay? I don't know how to do that.

What I really want is my car fixed but $4000 seems steep.

Anyone have advice for me? I'm new, I probably put this in the wrong place. If so I'm sorry.

jct

that's why you have insurance

sharonbruhn

I do have insurance, but it is over $5000 a year and I forgot to add collision back on when I added my son to the policy. I know that was not the best choice in retrospect, but you reminding me of that is not helpful and is actually pretty mean.

MileHightC

How is that even remotely mean given the person who replied had no idea you didn't carry collision insurance...seemed like a reasonable response to me.

Front bumper and grill will run $250-ish, a hood would be another $250-ish and a fender, if that's what you mean by "passenger side panel," would be another $250-ish.

$750 in parts (and possibly less from if you go with non-Scion replacement parts or a junkyard) and figure another $1,000 in labor and paint.

If they're quoting you $4,000 it's either far more damaged than just what you've listed or they're trying to 'job you' since you don't have an insurer to battle for repair rates on your behalf.

The way I see it...get another estimate or two, find someone who has some decent mechanical aptitude to help you repair it or drive it like it is, provided it is mechanically sound to drive, until the next time the kid plays bumper cars with a tree.

sharonbruhn

Ok maybe I overreacted a little, I'm just upset about my little car. I got another quote that was about $1000 lower so I'll probably just fork out the cash and do it.

flite risk

i would make your son pay for some it would be a learning experience don't F with trees and drive. It happen to me ,and I payed it off . While I was still paying for the car to.
After it was payed off I joined the Marines and didn't drive for 5 years.