Never drive behind a pick-up truck!! (pics)

[eeshazor]

GAH!! On the 405south passing through Long Beach before hitting the 22 this morning, I was doing 80 in the fast lane right behind a pick-up truck.. all of a sudden this huge box and whatever is in it comes flying out all over the place. There's someone following behind me too close to break, someone next to me so I can't change lanes.. so I take it. The sound when it hit my car was soooo nasty but I kinda didn't think anything of it cause I've hit stuff on the freeway before. Anyways, I get to work and I was yelling so loud in the parking lot everyone in my store heard me haha.There's a clean hole through my bumper that you could stick a pencil through, the bumper is falling off, the fog light fixture on the passenger side (that took all the damage) came completely off and is gone, the drivers side fog light fixture is in process of falling out, the nissan emblem is gone, some nasty scratches, and some clips are gone (which is why the bumper is hanging low).

I've got 2 options:

1) Buy a new stock bumper with my bf's discount (he works for nissan) for $175 and then get it painted at a body shop for however much else, and then the bf can install it free or,

2) Take it to a body shop, have them sand down the bumper, bond it, repaint it, and re-install it...

The option of buying an after-market body kit bumper is out of the question for right now because I can't afford to do the whole body kit right now and I don't want the car looking funny =/

Any suggestions? Or anyone from here in socal know of a bodyshop that can help me out with paint or repair?

P.S. - The whole thing happened too fast.. didn't get the other guys license #, so this all comes out of pocket for me

Hole in bumper.. there's actually a big chunk sticking out that I can't push back in

Missing fog light fixture.. bye!

Missing emblem

The grill is lifting too, but I can remedy that.

[Codelicious]

Wow, sorry that this had to happen to you!

There are quite a few members on the forum who are from SoCal (Theo (Suprerskunk) and Greg (#1Tango)) who might be able to help you find a good place.

Greg (#1Tango) also just replaced his bumper due to an accident I believe, he went with the Sport bumper, maybe he will be able to help you with prices and figure out which would be the better route for you.

I wish you the best of luck!

[superskunk]

i think it would be too much to have that repaired... i could be wrong... go and get a quote and if its more than $200 dont do it... just get a sport bumper and then take it to where we get our stuff painted... he will charge about $100 to paint a brand new bumper...

[superskunk]

if you need to get a hold of me just ask Edgar for my number (Theo)

[blindsnyper]

my V got effed up also, but mine was my fault...

[eeshazor]

i think it would be too much to have that repaired... i could be wrong... go and get a quote and if its more than $200 dont do it... just get a sport bumper and then take it to where we get our stuff painted... he will charge about $100 to paint a brand new bumper...

Hmm... you don't think a sport bumper would look funny on a completely otherwise stock car??For sure though, I'll hit up your guy for paint if that's the way I'm gonna go.Where's a good place to even start looking for bumpers?

[eeshazor]

P.S. - sorry blindsnype what happened? that looks pretty brutal

[Promise Land]

Where's a good place to even start looking for bumpers?

I know there are a few on Ebay and Craigslist. Also try a couple of our sponsors in the "Sponsor Spotlight" thread in the general section (I've got it stickied at the top). Let them quote you a replacement bumper and find what's the best for you.

[superskunk]

the easiest way is to just pick one up from your local dealership and then have it painted...

[silverarrow27]

Doesn't look that bad, just call it battle scars...tell those drift fan boys that you've been drifting in your Versa lol

On a serious note, I think if my front bumper was damaged, I'd probably try out the Tiida bumper.