Reconditioned part is a fender with a dent full of bondo....
Camaro Smoothie
- Thread starter ArrestMeRedZ
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Yeah, I'm about to tell them to put all original new GM parts on the car, or they can keep it. If they won't pay me the actual value of the car before it was hit, I'm going to cancel my 40+ year membership and all the insurance accounts with them, collect my large subscriber's savings account, and cancel them from probable future management of a very significant retirement savings account. Then I'll sic the lawyer on them.
I'll go to the supervisor tomorrow, and give them one last chance. I figure their quibbling over a few thousand dollars is going to cost them about 40 times that amount.
I'll go to the supervisor tomorrow, and give them one last chance. I figure their quibbling over a few thousand dollars is going to cost them about 40 times that amount.
Before the accident, your fenders and other parts were 11 years old. The insurance company is only obligated to restore your car to the way it was before the accident. You had 11 year old parts before the accident, you should have 11 year old parts after the accident. Why do you think you deserve brand new parts?
The fact of the matter is my 11 year old parts are very much like new. If they can replace my 11 year old parts with 11 year old parts that are in as good of condition as my 11 year old parts, that's fine. The problem is, I don't think they exist.
Something that's been on a junk car, removed with a crescent wrench and blow torch, and patched back up with Bondo isn't going to cut it. And a Chinese radiator will never go into my car.
Something that's been on a junk car, removed with a crescent wrench and blow torch, and patched back up with Bondo isn't going to cut it. And a Chinese radiator will never go into my car.
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"If" they find you some 11 year old GM parts off another car that requires NO fixing thats OK. But if they have to pull out dent or patch in rust, that ain't ok. Thats when new replacement parts come in.
Originally Posted By: ArrestMeRedZ
"How can that car be so fast, it doesn't even have an independent rear suspension?" In a pure cost to performance ratio, I don't think there has been much in history to compare.
I don't think the average car enthusiast realizes that stick axle versus independent doesn't dictate how grippy and wide your rubber is.
Sorry to hear about your Z-28. That generation of Camaro didn't really speak to me, but it's always sad to see a well loved car be put through this.
"How can that car be so fast, it doesn't even have an independent rear suspension?" In a pure cost to performance ratio, I don't think there has been much in history to compare.
I don't think the average car enthusiast realizes that stick axle versus independent doesn't dictate how grippy and wide your rubber is.
Sorry to hear about your Z-28. That generation of Camaro didn't really speak to me, but it's always sad to see a well loved car be put through this.
Always sorry to see a pristine special interest car get bent. But it happens. As someone who owns a rare example my heart goes out to you!
Glad no one got hurt. But the attorney idea is a good one, as you have some strong ideas that may need creative legal help to actually happen for you.
A good shop is the best defense. I have owned several salvage title cars and if they are redone by a good shop that really cares they can be every bit as good as a car that was never hit.
Glad no one got hurt. But the attorney idea is a good one, as you have some strong ideas that may need creative legal help to actually happen for you.
A good shop is the best defense. I have owned several salvage title cars and if they are redone by a good shop that really cares they can be every bit as good as a car that was never hit.
A while ago, I was in an accident with our CR-V. Someone pulled out in front of me, and I had enough time to swerve to the side and only clip my front bumper and driver side fender. USAA is my insurer as well.
A local collision center handled the repairs. An aftermarket bumper cover and fender were used, and frankly, you just can't tell the difference. *I* know it, but the parts fit very well, and there's no visual indicator looking at the car that it's been repaired. There will be signals to an inspector under the skin that things have been repaired, but you'll have that with OEM panels as well.
I realize, of course, that your damage is more extensive than mine was, but a good collision center can massage car back to life very well.
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A local collision center handled the repairs. An aftermarket bumper cover and fender were used, and frankly, you just can't tell the difference. *I* know it, but the parts fit very well, and there's no visual indicator looking at the car that it's been repaired. There will be signals to an inspector under the skin that things have been repaired, but you'll have that with OEM panels as well.
I realize, of course, that your damage is more extensive than mine was, but a good collision center can massage car back to life very well.
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Thanks for the comments. As it happens, I have an incredible shop. In addition to some great work they have done for me in the past, they restore some very high dollar classics. Their work is impecible.
My problem isn't so much with the recycled parts - the shop assures me they won't use them if they aren't right. Some of the new parts that are aftermarket are the problem. The sheet metal is guaranteed to not fit or look right, and the lights won't fit. It's my shop that's telling me which parts I should insist upon that should be OEM.
I think I'll just pay them the extra for the parts they suggest, then litigate against USAA in small claims court for the reimbursement and for the diminished value claim.
My problem isn't so much with the recycled parts - the shop assures me they won't use them if they aren't right. Some of the new parts that are aftermarket are the problem. The sheet metal is guaranteed to not fit or look right, and the lights won't fit. It's my shop that's telling me which parts I should insist upon that should be OEM.
I think I'll just pay them the extra for the parts they suggest, then litigate against USAA in small claims court for the reimbursement and for the diminished value claim.
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