I was at a red light and the idiot in front of me decided she needed to write herself a note just as the light turned green. Traffic in the other lanes started going and the guy behind me did too. Ruined my bumper cover, and cracked both left and right taillight assemblies. Fortunately, did not harm the trunk at all. A few questions:
1. Do you think there is any damage underneath the bumper cover? If so, what might be damaged under there?

2. Is there any way a body shop will be able to match the "Pearl White" paint on a new bumper cover to the rest of the car? A car dealer friend says it will be nearly impossible for any body shop to match it perfectly, and said that even from the factory they usually don't match.
3. Should the paint used on the rubber bumper cover be any different from the paint used on the rest of the car?
4. The taillight assembly cracks are almost invisible to the naked eye (but I can see them), should I get them replaced or just live with them until they crack further?

Sorry for the long post, but I just needed to vent!!! The guy that hit me was nice (and more importantly insured by Progressive). They are willing to replace the bumper cover, both taillight assemblies, and pay for a rental car for two days, so I am cool with that. Just makes you mad to have a hot car with 4K miles on it, and know that it is no longer factory fresh.

 

the guy that hit you had insurance right? get everything replaced. Get that whole tail light assembly replaced and make sure you point it out to the body shop.

to bad you weren't here I know a shop that matches anything perfectly. Matched a custome paint job on one of my cars, I didnt even tell him what colors were in it. the car is still very new, I'm sure the dealership can get a replacement bumper that matches close enough.

If the match isn't close enough make the guy pay for a whole new paint job. The body shop can also blend the paint so you don't notice any tone difference.

BS G35C 6spd navi/aero/prem

 

he hit you... take it to where they get it done right. no matter the cost.

 

Sorry to hear about your accident.
First, are you okay? Even if you don't feel anything now, it's still not a bad idea to be checked out. (I have way too many patients who were involved in "minor" collisions, who have paid the price a few years down the line.) Thank goodness for the W.H.I.P.S. seats. Those active headrests really do help to reduce cervical acceleration/decceleration injuries.

Second, Have the dealership REPLACE all parts that were damaged. You are entitled to it. Never use a body shop recommended by third party insurance (Progressive, in your case). Remember to get multiple estimates for the repair of your car and have Progressive pay the highest amount, and try to get body work done at the dealership.

Third, seeing how the bumper was involved, you should be able to get a pretty close color match. The color of the bumper is always just a little bit different than the rest of the car, due to being made from a different material.

Hope this helps!

5AT Coupe/Ivory Pearl & Graphite--with all but the navi!!!

 

Definately gat all things replaced. If the tailights are cracked (even if very small) water will get inside and they will fog up.
I have a black MR2 and it needed a new bumber, passenger front quarter and popup headlight cover. The paint shop matched the paint so close it is impossible to tell the difference between these parts and the hood. This car is a 1994, so the oroginal paint has aged and the match was perfect. Find a good body shop and they sould be able to match it to the factory specs. As said before, bumbers will look different to metal car parts due to the material and the paint's adhesion.

Good Luck and I hope you are OK. The car can be fixed easier than you.

Mike.

"I am currently out of my mind, so please leave a message after the beep......beeeeeeep!"

 

With the low speed of impact, I suspect you won't have any structural damage. As all the posts above said, get everything replaced to original specs. You don't need to wait for any of the damage to get worse. You'll pay for those repairs later if you don't get them covered now. As backdoc said, schedule a physical and get yourself checked out. It was low speed but you also got hit from behind. ...dean

Seattle area

 

Some third party body shops do good work, even better than some dealerships. It depends on your insurance company, I suppose. 21st Century, for instance, recommends OEM replacement parts up front, and doesn't try to jack you with aftermarket replacement parts. A body shop near here that we used to fix my wife's Jeep doesn't like to put on aftermarket parts, even if the insurance company calls for it.. they'll try the aftermarket parts to appease the insurance company, but those parts don't fit right and they send them back and get the OEM parts. They do this because they stand behind their work, and they don't like standing behind aftermarket parts.


2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

Thanks to all who replied. I think that I am fine, but will get checked out by my regular physician later this week. . .as for the G35, the damage is apparently worse than it seemed. The "rebar" and "absorber" were collapsed and need replacing, which according to "my" estimate will add about another $1000 to "their" estimate. "Their" adjuster said it "probably' will not be a problem, but that another adjuster will have to check it out and then they will "probably" take care of everything. I'll keep you informed. Thanks again.