Believe it or not, the damn springs on my garage door failed and the door closed on my car yesterday during the 5 second period it took for me to drive my car into the garage.

The result: several light scratches on my spoiler, a deep cut on my trunk, and a somewhat chipped spoiler.

I took it to 2 body shops today, one estimated damages to be an astonishing $939!! The other estimated it to be $656. I had told both of them that I would not go through insurance.

Do you think they are overcharging me? I have taken pics of the damage, and they are available at:

(it is a 1999 Infiniti i30t)
http://www.speakeasy.org/~xelenk/damngarage1.JPG
http://www.speakeasy.org/~xelenk/damngarage2.JPG
http://www.speakeasy.org/~xelenk/damngarage3.JPG

Except for the chipped areas, most of the damage on the spoiler is pretty light, but the deep gash on the trunk has clearly penetrated through to the primer coating.

BTW, the bodyshop that estimated damages to be $938 is Caliber Collision Center, and the other one for $656 is M2 Collison Center. I believe they are both nation-wide (or at least state-wide) chainstores, and have respectable warranty plans--they should have the tools to get the job done right.

Or would I be better off just taking it to a small bodyshop, and hope I won't regret it 2 years from now when the paint peels?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

I know that prepainted spoilers for the 4th gen run like $500. It sounds a bit high to me. But maybe the work is more annoying that complicated (and they're charging for that).

 

they are ripping you off!

Even if you get a BRAND NEW spoiler, it would cost way less than that. Factory painted spoilers for 5th gens. cost around $300. I'm not sure about Infinity though.

 

the spoiler is 300 bucks.......but he also mentioned that his trunk has a huge cut in the paint. hrmm - 600 bucks........- it is a bit high, but in order to fix the trunk, the whole thing will need to be repainted.

 

They should have given you a written estimate with the prices to fix each item. If they need to repaint the trunk, to do it right, will be a lot of money. I can def. see atleast $500 in damage, and I am sure there is more that can't be seen from the pic.

Maaco is also a nationwide place and your paint will peel about 15 mins after you leave the shop! Sometimes the small places are better and do quality work.

Erik