My car got rear ended so I'm looking at some possible places to get it fixed. Since it's covered by insurance, money isn't an issue. Should I take it to a dealership or a local body shop?

I've heard that dealers actually send the car to another body shop, so it's the same as if i brought it straight to the shop. Does anyone have any recommendations for a body shop in Orange County, CA?

 

Just watch with paint from body shops. My Dad got a new front bumper off of eBay for his mustang, went to a body shop to get it painted, and one year later - the paint started to peel off.

 

sooo....why wouldnt u just take it to the dealership?

 

I'd say just take it to the dealership, unless you know for a fact that they are shady/poor quality (which is unlikely for a proper dealership). They should know how best to take care of it, IMHO

 

I've gotten rear ended twice since I've brought my car back in Feb 05, car got repaired at Longo both times. They did a great job the first time n the second time I'm not so happy with them. I've taken my car back twice since it got repaired and I'm about to take it back again. =( so it pretty much depends on your luck

 

check out Walnut auto body and repair...just up the 57 from u in Walnut...good place

 

walmart? WTF!?!?!

just go on ebay... bu ya new bumper... it's cheaper and already painted.. this one place has good stuff.. i dont remember the place.

 

he said walnut not walmart

 

^^not to mention...i would never buy something as major as a bumper from ebay...it'll probably end up a civic front end

 

Thanks guys, I found a place called Kelley's Auto Shop near by that's been in business for a while now. It has good ratings by the BBB too.

Because sometimes, dealerships aren't necessarily better.

 

you could just bring it to a dealer that is "toyota certified collision center" and has their own shop. these dealers that you are talking about who don't have their own collision center will just bring the car to another local shop, but there are dealerships with toyota body shops. i would bring it to these as you're going through insurance anyway.

 

word, that way all replaced parts are oe

 

bring it to a well known body shop. My brother owns a body shop and all the dealers bring the work to him. Most dealers (at least the major ones in chicago) will have their body work done elsewhere, they do not do thier own.

 

My tC had it's rear bumper damaged as well. I took it to the dealer and they replaced it, but the paint is absolutely horrible. Orange peel, dull, and pores. Just awful. Before you have anyone touch paint your car, ask them to show you some recently painted customer cars. Take a flashlight, and check every area of the paint.

As for my car, I've had it with the dealership body shop. No matter how many times I take it back, they just can't get the paint right. I'm just gonna try to find a mint rear SW bumper cover, with factory original paint, and sell the one I have to someone who isn't as **** as me.

 

I find callined a high end car dealer (mercedes, porsche, etc..) and asking where they have customer cars repaired is a good start.

Then, head to a few recommened shops and ask for customer references, also ask to see completed work and work in progress in the shop.

Paul G.