QX4 owners - would you repair this body damage or take cash? (pics inside)

[fueler]

Got hit by an amateur driver who doesn't know how to drive a box truck. My QX was parked when this happened. The box truck driver tried to get away (hit and run) but i ran, hopped in my ride and chased him down, caught him about 8 blocks away trying to zig zag through the neighborhood. He was trying to get away - You can't escape me in my own hood!!!




Modified by fueler at 12:49 AM 12/16/2009

[Ubel Feuer]

Professional and make him pay for it, it will much harder any other way.

[JonathanPrem]

Get some rubbing compound and wipe away the paints and then for dent watch this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILVWPzO_swY

hopefully that helps.

3000 is a lot man. i would take that and fix my self

[Empty V]

I say you extort that mofo for whatever you can. Ask for another $2K or tell him you'll file hit and run charges! Too many f***ed up people get away with stuff like this. It really depends on how much you value aesthetics.

I know that if I were in your situation and didn't get it fixed right away it would stay damaged indefinitely. f*** it, get it fixed. Every time you look at it, it'll piss you off.

Billy

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Since your car already has a decent amount of body damage in other areas, I would suggest not having the new damage professionally repaired (at least not in the US). I think you should throw a new steel bumper (black powder coated) on it and try to pull the dents yourself as well as compounding the white paint off.

The dents are fairly large and shallow so you may be able to push them out from behind pretty easily.

[fueler]

the thing is, the other side is damaged even worse (jeez i wish i woulda pursued the UPS driver now that i know how much repairs cost) so the side that was just damaged, it was my clean side. The side i pull up to the club with (LOL) which is why im considering fixing it. What are the chances that both my rear quarter panels would get destroyed by commercial size box trucks???

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Ok, that changes my recommendation...

I would try to get the lowest possible estimate (using aftermarket parts) to repair the two quarter panels; if you had it repaired in Mexico, will they do a quality job? Then I would also throw a new steel bumper on it (KMA rear bumpers are pretty cheap). I'm also assuming that the only damage on the other side is on the quarter panel (and not the wheel arch trim or tail lamp).

[e2xx33]

also you may be able to find another black qx4 in a salvage yard. you can also save a ton of money that way. the only thing is making sure the paint matches.

[02pathy]

i would take the moneta 3g nice i would hustling him for more write everything down on paper

[azn_ignite]

i would try to get most of the white paint off with some kind of scratch remover or polish then have one of thos dent specialist push out the dent, then pocket $2500 or more

with $3000 i can think of a few buddies that work with autobody that can repair and repaint the whole thing

[korbeano89]

you cant push that out yourself? even just a lil pushed out would look better than that you can get to it by the storage compartment, i say take the money and fix it yourself a lil and call it good just get some rubbing compound and take the other car paint off yours people wont even notice. although if you get it fixed like the way we fix them at my auto body you should get a whole new quarter panel.

[bmlawless]

Get some rubbing compound and wipe away the paints and then for dent watch this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILVWPzO_swY

hopefully that helps.

3000 is a lot man. i would take that and fix my self

I did this on the hood of my Jeep and it worked extremely well. It didn't remove the crease, but it took the majority of the depression out. If it makes any difference, I heated mine from the underside and monitored the temp with an infrared thermometer. When it hit 300F, I hit it with the cold.

[exvin]

Did you get a quote of how much it will cost to repair?

I say get the quote of how much it will cost to fix first and then decide

[KyooX4]

I would definitely try buffing that out and trying to repair the dings yourself, and use the cash for upgrades.I doubt that you would make it any worse by trying. If you're not satisfied with your results, get a bunch of estimates.
Modified by KyooX4 at 10:33 PM 12/14/2009

[GRNMACHINE]

I agree with Pwnin. Also get some estimates to see if $3k is enuff. Also agree if the guy tried to hit & run, take him for all you can get. What a dink. zig zag in a box truck...... Nice...... He really cares about your well being and damage.....

[longhornsqx4]

I dont think 3 k is even enough to properly fix that man.

Personally Id get the truck back to perfect condition on his dime, no money involved in your pocket, but a new paintjob and both sides of my truck would look perfect

[fueler]

it wont buff out cause, what looks like white paint transfer, is actually scratches down to bare metal AND mixed with paint transfer

I dont think 3 k is even enough to properly fix that man.

i agree. how much do u think ?

[JonathanPrem]

Keep the 3gs and buy your self another qx4 and transfer all the goodies. Btw didn't you say your transfer case is broken.

[fueler]

the transfer case works, it just sounds like all hell is breaking loose (it's on it's last leg)

[chaonis]

If you want to have it fixed, and have comprehensive coverage, you can also try this route: call your insurance company and ask for auto body shop referral. Bring the car in, and ask them to work something out to fix both sides. For example, in the picture your tail light is cracked but you don't want to have it replaced - you would rather save the money for the fix on the other side. Chances are, they will give you a discount to the point that you don't need to pay for anything or just some minimum amount and have both sides fixed.

If you don't have comprehensive coverage, your insurance co. might or might not deal with the case on your behave. If they don't you will have to deal with the hit&run driver's insurance company yourself.

[slickroger]

Did you get a quote of how much it will cost to repair?

I say get the quote of how much it will cost to fix first and then decide

I say take this advice and also do the junk yard check for parts you can save a s*** ton of money by switching out the panels. when I got my truck fixed up all around it cost me about 600-700 for 2 new bumpers and 2 front fenders painted this price was just parts and I did most of the install work it was pretty easy just pop off and put on. Pocket the money and look around, with that money my truck would look brand new when I'm done.

I agree with exvin because if you get quotes you have a good chance of getting even more money from the box driving runner which will make your search for parts easier.

He ruined your whip so ruin his bank book Ya Dig

[Ubel Feuer]

I've gone to three junkyards looking for a drivers side mirror assembly and they have all told me they've never even seen a Pathfinder less than 10 years old in their yard.

[miamiheat3332]

well your q already has holes in bumpers and other scratches, and you say your trans is on its last leg, i say take the money and whatever more you can get, and just leave the damage, that way, in case your car does crap out on you, you have money to get another and transfer the parts. knock on wood it dont

[GRNMACHINE]

Be careful with calling your insurance co and having them foot any part of the bill. The insurance companies here mark it down as a claim no matter what they pay.

[WINNIPEGS_MOST_WANTED]

Round here hit n run is illegal. I'd say make him pay for repairs in full.

[KyooX4]

Same here.

[GRNMACHINE]

Agreed!! Same here too Kyoo!! It is also amazing how much one estimate can vary from another. Sometimes 100's sometimes 1000's.

[02pathy]

not to hijack ur tread, but i should be asking for some advice too, i just found out today along with my neighbor(maybe) that his 13 year son smash my suv in the same area as ur but mainly the bumper is damaged, there is a lil non noticable dent or indent on the fender as well not sur if it affected my suspension or not, this happened on sunday night i just found out tonight

[Pwnin O'Brien]

not to hijack ur tread, but i should be asking for some advice too, i just found out today along with my neighbor(maybe) that his 13 year son smash my suv in the same area as ur but mainly the bumper is damaged, there is a lil non noticable dent or indent on the fender as well not sur if it affected my suspension or not, this happened on sunday night i just found out tonight

To purchase a new bumper cover and have it painted and installed I was quoted $620 by a local auto body shop. Insurance adjuster estimated $480 (and my deductible is $500). I hate insurance companies. I know that an aftermarket bumper cover (unpainted) is $120. All of the cost is painting labor.

[oasisx]

will you ever sell the car down the road? or will you keep it till it dies? if you're gonna keep it i would and you know some people like you said u did, then repair it yourself for cheaper and be happy you caught up with the guy when u go cash his check @ the bank