Understeered and crashed, looking for advice moving foward

[leroychickencurry]

It's pretty unlikely that any body shop will "repair" that quarter panel, that's a replacement. And yes, it requires cutting, welding and panel glue. Also, I'd be very surprised if that headlight doesn't have broken tabs. There's also structure under that front fender that will be out of place. Then there's the front door, I can see a pretty deep gouge down about half of it. If that is pierced anywhere the outer skin will be a replacement. As far as paint, you're looking at painting the front and rear bumpers, hood, fender, door, rear quarter (which will mean blending the roof as well). And what about the side mirror? It's not in the photos.
My WAG is $7k - $10k.

Exactly. I've talked to only 1 shop so far (will make more calls after xmas), from pictures they said they could restore the quarter panel and repaint the bumper for ~$900. The headlight tabs and outer lens is broken, so will need new one. The structure that the fender attached to is bent out of place, but it's thin aluminum only meant for mounting panel/bumpers (not structural). Gouge doesn't appear to be piercing.

I'm really hoping rear panel will be just a restore, but a replacement will def cost a lot more due to painting and labor! Thanks for writing this! I should file a claim for anything above $4k right?

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[2morrow]

@OP before you file a claim I would ask the mods to delete this thread.

ask me how I know in the DM.

 

[xSouthSyde]

Not much damange underneath, just splitter and undercover plastic was ripped. It was a soft impact with the barrier and the front wheel was turned so it avoided a lot of contact. I felt nothing stiff/hard through the chasis when I hit it. I will be getting 4 new tires asap and getting the alignment done

If you go thru insurance, they will check all the suspension and at least replace the two tires and rims on the side that you hit against the rail. I would definitely go thru insurance. The total repair may vary depending on which crash shop you go to, some are more thorough than others.
I wouldn’t go with the cheapest quote unless I was planning to flip the car after repairs

 

[Cobra Jet]

Exactly. I've talked to only 1 shop so far (will make more calls after xmas), from pictures they said they could restore the quarter panel and repaint the bumper for ~$900. The headlight tabs and outer lens is broken, so will need new one. The structure that the fender attached to is bent out of place, but it's thin aluminum only meant for mounting panel/bumpers (not structural). Gouge doesn't appear to be piercing.

I'm really hoping rear panel will be just a restore, but a replacement will def cost a lot more due to painting and labor! Thanks for writing this! I should file a claim for anything above $4k right?

Whoever said they can fix that damage in your images for $900 isn’t a real shop.

In your images you have at least, at the bare minimum $10k in damages. Thats at the bare minimum providing there isn’t any unforeseen damages beneath the parts that have to come off.

Don’t get ripped -do it right and make sure you’re talking to reputable shops, not just some jack on the corner.

There’s NO WAY at all they can fix all that damage for $900.

And next time it’s cold out and you’re driving on Summer Only tires, don’t think the car is going to handle, brake, perform, or grip the road the same as when it’s 79-90* in the Summer. It sucks you found out in this manner, but to drive on those tires in cold temps is a risk, period.

I’ve owned 22 Mustangs and other rear wheel drive performance cars for 30 years now - with Summer Only tires - I know their limitations and what can/can’t be done once it’s cold outside. You cannot drive the car in the same manner as you do in the winter months with those tires - that’s fact.. Yes you can drive on them - but you NEED to do it with caution. If you’re familiar with the car and its equipment, you “know” what can or can’t be done. I’m not in any way saying that in a derogatory manner - don’t take it that way.

Good luck - shop around and don’t get taken advantage of…

 

[Dave2013M3]

File the claim, just don't make it a habit of wrecking it. This could be like an onion, there will be layers

 

[leroychickencurry]

Whoever said they can fix that damage in your images for $900 isn’t a real shop.

In your images you have at least, at the bare minimum $10k in damages. Thats at the bare minimum providing there isn’t any unforeseen damages beneath the parts that have to come off.

Don’t get ripped -do it right and make sure you’re talking to reputable shops, not just some jack on the corner.

There’s NO WAY at all they can fix all that damage for $900.

And next time it’s cold out and you’re driving on Summer Only tires, don’t think the car is going to handle, brake, perform, or grip the road the same as when it’s 79-90* in the Summer. It sucks you found out in this manner, but to drive on those tires in cold temps is a risk, period.

I’ve owned 22 Mustangs and other rear wheel drive performance cars for 30 years now - with Summer Only tires - I know their limitations and what can/can’t be done once it’s cold outside. You cannot drive the car in the same manner as you do in the winter months with those tires - that’s fact.. Yes you can drive on them - but you NEED to do it with caution. If you’re familiar with the car and its equipment, you “know” what can or can’t be done. I’m not in any way saying that in a derogatory manner - don’t take it that way.

Good luck - shop around and don’t get taken advantage of…

Gotcha, my estimates are way too low based on what you and the other members have suggested. Definently learned my lesson to respect the road and the conditions.

 

[Dave2013M3]

After looking at the photos...that could easily hit $10k+.

Regarding how insurance works. They usually cut the shop the check minus your deductible.

 

[Balr14]

Another vote for getting an estimate first. I had some a-hole hit my previous BMW in a parking lot and drive off. Damage looked similar to your. Turns out the repair was less than my deductible. So, you just never know.

 

[Rapid Red]

It's pretty unlikely that any body shop will "repair" that quarter panel, that's a replacement. And yes, it requires cutting, welding and panel glue. Also, I'd be very surprised if that headlight doesn't have broken tabs. There's also structure under that front fender that will be out of place. Then there's the front door, I can see a pretty deep gouge down about half of it. If that is pierced anywhere the outer skin will be a replacement. As far as paint, you're looking at painting the front and rear bumpers, hood, fender, door, rear quarter (which will mean blending the roof as well). And what about the side mirror? It's not in the photos.
My WAG is $7k - $10k.

Spoken like someone in the trade

 

[ORRadtech]

Spoken like someone in the trade

Nah, spoken like someone with very similar sideswipe damage who watched way too many youtube videos on what has to happen to repair it correctly.
If anyone is interested in seeing a mustang with this kind of damage repaired look up a YouTube channel called 23rd garage. They're in Chattanooga and did a mustang last year. The car was in much worse condition (totaled) but you can see the process.

 

[Jasonb543]

My focus has identical damage and estimates were 11K, I just drive a smashed up focus for a beater car now. Wasn’t worth it to repair or file claim.

 

[Johnny maverick]

My guess 12k +. Replace the quarter. Sure I can fix it but it will take twice as long to to fix correctly shrink and stretch and it WILL have some filler which could give you problems down the road. A good shop could make that like it never happened. It's red ($$$) so the car is going to get a full paint job basically. blends everywhere. It's not a difficult job just time consuming. Which is money. Sorry. I think everyone reading this has wrecked something some time. A friend of mine is in the same boat but a little more.

 

[blackk3389]

Hi guys, was driving on fun roads and on the downhill left turn, understeered and some of the tires went over gravel/leaves. Couldn't brake in time and hit a barrier :(( this is my first accident ever and it sucks. I wasn't going that fast, just a cold day and not enough braking from worn tires/brake pads over loose ground. Did that downhill 2-3 times that day already. No one was hurt and only I was involved. Open to any advice on what to do from here on and how to process things and learn from it, feeling pretty down :(

Do you guys have an estimate on how much this will cost to repair? Anyone with similar damage before? There was no structure damage, only cosmetic for 2 panels and the headlight. No damage to suspension or anything hard. Bottom damage is just ripped splitter and undertray. My insurance deductible is $2000, not sure if it's worth filing a claim. My insurance is already $250 a month (never pulled over or accident before, I'm just a young guy)

(The car is fully paid off)
How I am thinking about the repairs (these are numbers I came up with):

Fender panel - $500 OEM used

Headlight - $500 OEM used

Rear restoration + paintwork - $900 shopwork

Bent hood edge - $400 shop

Wheel repair - $600 shop

Misc - $500 shop/DIY

This is about $3500 to repair. I've never been in accident so I'm new to using auto insurance. If I file a claim and insurance says it's $6000 of damage, and I fix it using the steps above for $3500. Do I just pocket the rest of $2500 minus $2000 (for deductible)? OR do they just repair it fully at a shop, and I pay my deductible. What if I repaired the front myself DIY, and pay for shop to do rear and hood repair and it ends up cheaper than $6000, how does that process work?

My deductible is $2000, how much would repair cost have to be in order to be worth it to file a claim?
Do you guys think this is worth filing a claim? How does it work if I mix DIY/shopwork in how I am paid? It would also affect resell value later and raise my already high insurance costs. How much would my insurance increase afterwards usually?

The insurance company only pays you directly if there is absolutely no lien on the car. i paid cash for my cobra in '03. hydro planed on the highway did a few spins and the front end brushed a barrier. i was sent the check. i bought the parts and and had my old intercooler. made about a grand on doing this. plus you have to know the body shop real well for them to work with you.

 

[Torched10]

Ah I see, I was under the impression the rear quarter panel could be repaired so they won't have to replace it (that piece is welded in some places). If parts are slow to come by, I 'll probably bring it in the shop after they arrive so I won't be without a car for too long. Thanks!

Just had some thing similar happoen to my wife's caddy xts.to get an accurate estimate they're gonna have to take it apart.so waiting for parts won't happen unless your willing to pay them to put it back togthet.in my case my insurer had the repair shop do an initial estimate then when they got into it I had frame damage so they sent new estimate which insurer state farm accepted.it took 3 months to have work done

 

[leroychickencurry]

The insurance company only pays you directly if there is absolutely no lien on the car. i paid cash for my cobra in '03. hydro planed on the highway did a few spins and the front end brushed a barrier. i was sent the check. i bought the parts and and had my old intercooler. made about a grand on doing this. plus you have to know the body shop real well for them to work with you.

Yep car is fully paid off.

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