Over $1,200 in damage. What was $1,200? I don't know ask Toyota/Scion... but the theft tried to steal my car with a steering wheel lock on it. Tried cutting the wheel off and hot wiring or something, but ended up failing, probably because it took too long and someone spotted him.

He stuck a screw driver in my driver door handle so now I need to get body work since Toyota doesn't do it (I swear they could just replace the handle?)

Does anyone know roughly how much a small piece of body work will cost? It's literally just like a hole in the handle by the key. So hopefully it won't be too much and the insurance money will cover that.

I know, I could call around at body shops but I don't get off of school till 7pm and they're usually closed by then. And I leave to work by about 8:30am so I'm curious to see if anyone knows before I make some calls this weekend...

I'm just kind of bummed because I just moved here to Oakland and my car ALREADY got broken into. I think I'm going to remove all my decals, since it might've attracted 'em. =(

 

I'm sorry to hear that, hxckid88. Might I suggest posting in the Pacific-Mid Regional forum - you might be able to get some recommendations for local body shops. You could try Yelp as well, or ask your dealership for their preferred body shop.

 

The handle is less than $100 from the dealer. Why the body work? Is the door damaged also?

 

Its pretty strange, the dealership called me today and told me my car is done (FINALLY AFTER A WEEK) and explained that the insurance decided what was related and what wasn't and what they want to do... Appearantly they would rather send my car to a body shop because the labor to install the handle for them didn't work so well ,plus it needs to be painted.

Funny how my insurance makes the calls even though its my car? But hey they handled everything pretty good.

 

That's funny...did you even have to sign a release form to your dealership or something?

 

Well I pick up the car tomorrow. It was super weird because they left at check at the dealership but made out to my dad (insurance is under him) so it was just a weird way of doing things. Hopefully everything goes smoothly tomorrow when I pick it up. Just purchased a new steering wheel lock... "The Wrap" maybe the 120db alarm will help when they try and take off my steering wheel again ;) (lets hope they dont even try...)

 

Out of curiosity where do you live in Walnut Creek? Is your car parked in a driveway, parking structure? I'm a bit concerned if people our here are stealing Scions.

Also, if your insurance company's footing the bill I'd recommend Mike's Autobody, they've got locations in Walnut Creek (next to Walnut Creek Toyota), Concord, and other local places. Good quality work and decently fast. They fixed my entire rear after a hit and run.

Since they're located right next to the Toyota dealership they can get parts ordered quick if needed.

 

hxckid88, you might want to also check out one of those Autolock break locks: https://host.trustcommerce.com/autol...gi?action=cart

I know it's still no guarantee...

 

nothing is ever going to completely stop someone from "tring" to break into your car.
id rather have a pro break into my car then some punk 16 year old.
a pro knows what to look for and would walk right past my car because there is nothing worth stealing or if he did he would do minimal dammage.

a punk kid would try and steal a stock tape deck and rip out your hole dash tring to do it.

the best thing to do is keep it in a garage at night, most cars don't get broken into during the day

 

Yeah my car got broken into at night... by an amatuer. There are NO parking garages in the East Bay. Okay thats exaggerating, but with so many people moving back into cities and living in apartments, street parking is my only option...

I got my car back today. They're freakin IDIOTS.

I'm getting a VSC/Trac OFF message (and the Trac button doesn't turn it off/on) so I'd rather figure it out myself then reschedule unless its necessary they do some work on it. I hate dealerships. They're all idiots.

 

yeah i have to park my box outside... im getting a car cover though for the upcoming summer.. hopefully that will deter some peeps

 

I park outside as well, my suggestion if you can do it, mount some security cameras (you can get really good black and white ones at radio shack, and a recorder that will record 4 cameras from sams) and set up the cameras so that your car is covered 360 degrees by cameras