my car hit wall, please help me

[wusuli]

As the title says, the right front of my car hit a wall today, as shown in the following picture. My heart is still paining. I went to a body shop and got a repair estimate, which would cost me over $1,500, a arm and leg to me.

I think it's better to leave like that and just do some work to prevent that part from rusting. However, I don't know how to do it and where to start from because I am just 3-month old driver.

Your any input will be welcome and appreciated!

Thanks in advance

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/4153/img0713ru8.jpg

[demha88]

use imageshack (imageshack.us) to host, then copy the direct image link, its the last one there

[MrDisco]

how did you manage to hit a wall? :confused:

[wusuli]

thanks !

use imageshack (imageshack.us) to host, then copy the direct image link, its the last one there

[wheel]

The car hit the wall? If only they came with some sort of steering mechanism!

[masterballer]

The car hit the wall? If only they came with some sort of steering mechanism!

lmao :lol:

[Odysseus_Maximus]

Get some touch up paint for the (Alero or Intrigue?) and cover all the exposed steel it will look much better.

The only other thing you do is hammer/bend the metal back a bit but that is will properly make it worst.

[Mr D J]

The car hit the wall? If only they came with some sort of steering mechanism!

rofl

and I guess cover the area with rust preventing thing and use touch up paint on top if you don't wanna repair that.

Btw how did you manage to hit the wall? %_%

[MP3_SKY]

fender + bumper + paint + labour.

Around 1000$...shop around....doesnt have to be OEM. I replaced a bumper for a camry (not exactly OEM, but look the same) and it cost only 431$ all included for a front bumper. Excellent quality as well.

[virgoan]

damn...that would cost a bit to fix it prefectly...but if you just want to bend it back and repaint it..I think you will be able to find a guy that will do it for less than $500...

my neighbour...got a similar dent...but it's on the bumper...it was pretty bad...but the guy bend it back and paint it again for only $200...pm me if you want his number...

btw...what kind of car is that...i am just curious...cuz it looks like a grand am to me...

[Mr D J]

damn...that would cost a bit to fix it prefectly...but if you just want to bend it back and repaint it..I think you will be able to find a guy that will do it for less than $500...

my neighbour...got a similar dent...but it's on the bumper...it was pretty bad...but the guy bend it back and paint it again for only $200...pm me if you want his number...

btw...what kind of car is that...i am just curious...cuz it looks like a grand am to me...

Looks like Oldsmobile Alero to me. Really really looks like it.

[wusuli]

thank all of you heartfeltly first.

Should I follow those steps and materials as described in "DIY: Rust Repair" http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=295757&highlight=diy+rust

In addition, the yellow part of front lights were quite scratched. if I sand that part, will it help to look better?

Thanks again

[wusuli]

Looks like Oldsmobile Alero to me. Really really looks like it.

yes, it is a 2001 alero. I really love it so far.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

yes, it is a 2001 alero. I really love it so far.

Who cares how he hit the wall? Stop badgering the buy already and provide a solution! My solution: The new BMW 7 series with the automatic parking would have been perfect for a guy like you. Never drive into a wall again! :lol:

Dunno if you really want to spend $1000s fixing up a car that's only worth $10,000 at most. I probably would just touchup paint the thing and live with it. Doubtful that it will be worth fixing completely.

[Mr D J]

You should buy a new BMW 7 series when they come out with the automatic parking system. That would have prevented this. :lol:

Dunno if you really want to spend $1000s fixing up a car that's only worth $10,000 at most. I probably would just touchup paint the thing and live with it. Doubtful that it will be worth fixing completely.

So tell me how would a new driver afford a BMW 7 series? And I'd fix the car just because I guess I just like to look good =)

[ChinpokoMon]

You should buy a new BMW 7 series when they come out with the automatic parking system.

A very similar system will be available next month on the LS460. :)

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

So tell me how would a new driver afford a BMW 7 series?

Well he won't if he wastes all his money fixing up the Oldsmobile. I would start there. :)

[mau108]

lol

I want to know how you hit the wall first and then I'll give you some numbers to body shops.

Are you asian? Not that it matters but I just want to add to my statistics count.

[virgoan]

lol

I want to know how you hit the wall first and then I'll give you some numbers to body shops.

Are you asian? Not that it matters but I just want to add to my statistics count.

from ur post...i bet you r an asian yourself...chinese one too...another wild guess...u go to Pmall a lot...and u probably run into a lot of bad "asian" drivers there...

[mau108]

from ur post...i bet you r an asian yourself...chinese one too...another wild guess...u go to Pmall a lot...and u probably run into a lot of bad "asian" drivers there...

oh im asian, south asian ;) I dont goto pmall alot cuz I live in Vaughan. I only goto pmall if I wanna get ripped off (whichi is never lol)

[stevethewheel]

Go to Canadian Tire and buy two things:

1) A dent removing suction cup about the size of a softball

2) "Dent King" dent remover

This will cost you less than $40.

Use the suction cup first, have a bowl of water handy and dunk the suction dup into it, then press it against the dent and pull. Note you start working the pull at the EDGE of the dent not the middle and gradulally work your way into the centre. At first the suction cup will want to slide around until you get the hang of it. You will remove 80% of the dent like this and you won't believe how it pulls out.

Now you can use the Dent King remover (hot melt gun is included in the box) to finish the small crease that will be left. Just follow the instructions it is pretty straight forward.

This will not get you the same look as new, or as a new fender, but it will make it a lot less noticeable.

[pandaharo]

you should be able to do an ok repair on the top metal piece, remove it and hammer it back out. It wont be perfect but will be better then finish off with touch up paint.

You will most likely need a new bumper, see if you can find a used one and get it painted. Should be able to do under $400.

[LegiT]

A very similar system will be available next month on the LS460. :)

Heh...ya. The LS460 parallel parks into a spot by itself. The 7 series goes straight forward into a garage, that's challenging.

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/autotech/0,71344-0.html?tw=rss.index

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

BMW has a parallel parking (http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/02/17/video-bmws-automatic-parking-system/) system too.

Besides, I don't think the OP did that while parallel parking.

[Mr D J]

you should be able to do an ok repair on the top metal piece, remove it and hammer it back out. It wont be perfect but will be better then finish off with touch up paint.

You will most likely need a new bumper, see if you can find a used one and get it painted. Should be able to do under $400.

Don't use hammer... it leaves spots on the metal. Use something big to push it down, like a brick.

[gilboman]

BMW has a parallel parking (http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/02/17/video-bmws-automatic-parking-system/) system too.

Besides, I don't think the OP did that while parallel parking.

But I dont think BMW has actually made the system avilable in their cars yet

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

Nobody has I don't think, but most of the Bimmers and Benz already have all the technology in place, i.e. the new Benz all have that radar guided "active" cruise control that keeps the car following the car in front at a set distance, so the driver never has to touch the brakes or gas on the higway. Putting in the parking this is just a matter of updating the software.

The OP just has to wait one or two years more before he can get it.

[gilboman]

Nobody has I don't think, but most of the Bimmers and Benz already have all the technology in place, i.e. the new Benz all have that radar guided "active" cruise control that keeps the car following the car in front at a set distance, so the driver never has to touch the brakes or gas on the higway. Putting in the parking this is just a matter of updating the software.

The OP just has to wait one or two years more before he can get it.

no..the lexus ls460 has the system in place ..u just push a button and it'll parallel park...only thing u have to do is keep foot on brake to modulate the speed.

there is a big difference between maintaining distance with car in front and making a car measure distance and turning angles to parallel park. its not that hard to maintain distance where u basically just need one or two sensors to measure and maintain distance with car in front. its way more complicated to have multiple sensors measure out a parallel parking space and then have the car turn in and move in by itself

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

Hmm, so it does. The OP should buy an LS460 then. The JDM Prius also has this system? :lol:

[gostinger]

"my car hit wall, please help me"..........actually you hit the wall and your car was an innocent recipient of the damage......... ;)

[Alvito]

I think it's better to leave like that and just do some work to prevent that part from rusting. However, I don't know how to do it and where to start from because I am just 3-month old driver.




get some bondo.

sand the affected area down. (this will take a long ****ing time.)
apply bondo.
sand that ****er down again. (long ****ing time)
add paint. if done correctly it will just be a dent n not a scratched up dent.

if ur bumper plastic or metal?

[aquariaguy]

Pray that someone hits you there and than claim insurance lol.

[deep]

Some pretty good advice above on home remedies for dents.

We can only hope that next time you're actually in your car to prevent it from doing such things on its own.

[russfest]

You can try to take it out like what the guys say above, you will have to touch up that area with corrosion block style paint and touch up paint. Or you can call around to the local auto-wreckers and see if you can get a used fender, and a bumper if you want. I would just do the passenger side fender. You might get lucky and get one with the same colour even. If not, call around to some local body/paint shops and ask how much to do it 'cash' with no receipt.. should be pretty cheap then. Fenders are pretty easy to do. Because its a passenger side fender i am assuming that the radio antenna is there.. be careful when you remove the fender, You dont want to bust the coaxial cable. Ive done it and its a pain if you do.

Good luck with whatever you do. And dont worry about all of them harrasing you about hitting a wall. Everyone does small scuffs like that, especially when you are junior driver. You will learn from it and be more careful next time right? Its just a fender/bumper and a pole.. you didnt hit another car or a person...

Russ