i just got into a wreck and im thinking i can replace most of the parts myself.i have access to alll the necessary tools and help from a knowledgalbe friend about cars. alright first, im going to a shop go the the frame straightened out. then i just need to replace the...

1- L & R headlight assemblies
1- Front bumper cover
1- Front hood(CF from cheston, i hope)
1- AC condensor(if cant be repaired)
1- a new grill(not sure which one yet)

they dont seem too hard of a jobs to do, should i, or just take it to a shop and let them do it? parts right now are around $1200 and labor, i was quoted from 2 places, is around $1400 for everything. a bit too much for me. let me know what you think.

 

Well, if insurance gave you the $$ already and you can do the repairs yourself, why not? I guess you'd have to be comfortable with your own work...

 

well depends how experienced u are.
keep in mind when the headlights and bumper comes it..it'll almost never line up when u put in the new part. you'll have to bend brackets and line parts up yourself. if you don't take that time then it's going to look like crap when you're done.

 

why dont u try it , if it doesnt go, then go for the shop

 

just make sure the shop is close by. driving w/o headlights and hood may get u pulled over.

 

If they are giving you the money to get it doen by a pro then what happens with the felt over cash? Do you get to keep it for other things on the car? If not I say just get it redone by a shop and not worry about it. If they let you keep the extra try it yourself and use the let over cash for mods.

SuDZ

 

normally the insurance company will give u the choice.
you can have a shop fix it..the shop will get the check and you get a fixed car. any additional cost the shop will ask the insurance co for more $$.

you can have the insurance company cut u the check and you can find a person to do it...or do it yourself. your choice. what's left over is yours to keep.

 

Well, replacing the hood, bumper, grill, and headlights shouldn't be too difficult. However, if you have not evacuated your AC system of refridgerant, it is illegal to work on your AC system yourself. Environmental laws prohibit discharge of AC refridgerant by a non certified technician, so you will probably have to get the condensor replaced by a shop.

 

dru i know how to work with headlights and grilles and maxipadman (ryan) can help with the cf hood

 

it be great if you guys could help, but i just came down to houston for winter break. dunno, i have to go get an appraisal from the ins. co. first. we'll see how things go after that. another question, should i paint the CF or just leave it as is? my car is white btw.

 

paint it if you dont want to look odd, i dont like the look unless its on a dark green or black or somethng fairly dark

 

so basically make sure no one is looking when you discharge the system.

 

well, my horn punctured a hole in the AC condensor so it is already discharged. i have no AC right now.

 

then hyour all set.