Yup sitting in a parking lot picking up some friends and I was parked behind another friend of mine who was also parked. Anyways..joking around I told this guy "hey don't hit my car ey!"....he laughs and says "Ya right like I would do that". Anyways not more then 60 seconds later...BAM he nails the side of my car (both sides of the wheel) because he thought I was gone! Obviously had he the beer goggles on!

Anyways took my car in for an estimate and so far it looks like it's going to be about $1,100.00ish from the Ford dealership that is right around the corner from my house. No parts have to be replaced lucky for him. This guy wants to pay it out of his pocket instead of going thru insurance..not sure what he going to think when he finds out the cost so far.

My question to you is, should I take the car to a good autobody shop or take it to the Infiniti dealership? I am leasing the vehicle so does that matter where it is repaired?

Lastly, I am interested in painting the black skirting around the car to match the body (white)...can this be done and will it chip?

Thanks again! )

 

The first thing I'd do is make sure there is a police report and verified witnesses. I don't know how well you know this guy, but you definitely don't want him backing out on his promise to pay later.

I'd stay with the Infiniti dealer's recommended repair shop, that way they won't bitch to you later that shop X did a crappy job (you can tell them that they recommended the shop). I would also tell them that the vehicle was damaged, you don't want something to pop up several years down the line where you are responsible for some additional charges.

Painting any part of the car can be done, just realize that more than likely you will need to return it to a stock color upon the end of your lease. Chipping is bound to happen if rocks hit your paint, but I think you can find a body shop that will get a more durable paint than our stock paint.

Good luck.

 

I have discovered over the past twenty some years that the delaership
bodyshop is just a convience the dealership offers. Their body shop
is almost always inferior to a good independent body shop. Skip the
dealer and find a recommended body shop. I found my favorite
body shop from a dealer who did not have one associated with it.
I asked them where they send body work to. They named two shops.
I checked them both and found one to be exceptional. Do not use the
dealership's attached body shop!

03 5AT Sedan, sunroof, splashguards, HKS muffler,
14 wire Grounding kit, Z Duct, Stillen HF/AB
Underbody rear diffusers, Drilled alum pedals,
Stillen sway bars S/H. Sport Tuned Suspension<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by cato on 11/16/04 05:18 AM.</EM></FONT></P>