New RS Accident :(

[Blue hedgehog]

From the photos it looked like you only needed doors, front fender and paint. I didn't realize they had to do frame work also.
Look the car over real good, compare left and right sides, and take it for a test drive before signing anything. Cutting and sectioning the frame if not done correctly could cause alignment issues. Make sure the car goes straight when you let go of the wheel. If there is a high crown in the road (the road being sloped for water to run off to he sides) it should want to go down the crown but not drastically. If there are roads with a slight crown those would be better. Or try driving in the middle of the road, if its safe.

Good luck.

 

[CurtisA]

Yes, they have to section because of the bending of the metal right in front of the back tire. I will be checking everything very closely. It worries me but what can I do but wait until they're finished and see. I have pictures of what it looked like new along with other pictures of new Sonic RS'. I will be looking the car over and comparing. I plan on bringing along a flash light to shine on the paint to check for inconsistencies. I'm pretty anal about marks, dents, and scratches. I'm the guy who would notice a paint chip on the hood from 100 feet away, so I hope to not be disappointed. I took it to the highest rated body shop in Indianapolis. They are on the "A List" which is a list one of the local news channels has so consumers know where to trust taking their business. This is that page:Best Body Shop in the Indianapolis area - Indy A-List

So I've done all I can do, took it to one of the most highly regarded shops in Indiana, we will see soon enough...

 

[old guy]

You know it's kind of funny how people only see their vehicles as a whole thing and not as a collection of parts, welded, and glued, and and bolted together. Your repairs if done correctly with factory parts should indeed be as good as when you first saw it as long as the shop is a quality shop. A good paint job on top of good body repair and you're all set. The fact that it's new, means it gets new parts not junk yard cut out pieces that have to be trimmed and hammered to fit. Any pulling needed on the body can be done today with exacting results. A month in the shop is realistic for a busy shop and an honest estimate. There is a very good reason the cheaper, lower grade shop down the road can take you right in. They have very little business.

 

[CurtisA]

Old Guy, Yeah Church Brothers (the body shop) is pretty busy so I understand why it takes that long. Plus I'd rather them take the time required and complete repairs correctly rather than rush the repair just to get it to me sooner. The call me twice a week and update me on their progress, I'm ready to have my car back but willing to wait if they repair correctly!

 

[CurtisA]

*UPDATE*

Finally got my car back. I've posted pictures of what it looks like.

 

[attrapereves]

Looks good as new. My granite black Sonic had a door repainted. If you get really close to it, you can ever so slightly tell that the texture doesn't quite match factory.

My biggest concern with accidents and new cars is the loss in value. Since I plan on keeping my cars for a while, I'm not too worried about the decreased value.

 

[CurtisA]

Looks good as new. My granite black Sonic had a door repainted. If you get really close to it, you can ever so slightly tell that the texture doesn't quite match factory.

My biggest concern with accidents and new cars is the loss in value. Since I plan on keeping my cars for a while, I'm not too worried about the decreased value.

Yeah I knew when I got this car that I would have it for a long time, so that doesn't worry me to much. There are few things that remind me it's been repaired but as for paint mine is pretty damn close. Can't really tell. My worry was will it drive the same, and so far it has. I also worried that I'd have a car that looks repaired, yet I'm making payments and have a loan term for a car that should look new.

 

[Blue hedgehog]

CurtisA, I'm glad to see your car is fixed, and correctly.

My granite black Sonic had a door repainted. If you get really close to it, you can ever so slightly tell that the texture doesn't quite match factory.

The factory paint isn't wet sanded and buffed like the body shops do. More than likely your respray has less orange peel than the factory paint. Some people have their new cars wet sanded and buffed to remove the orange peel. Personally I wouldn't do it. That way if I get a minor scratch I have enough clear coat left (hopefully) to buff the scratch out.

 

[xupthree60]

looks less cold!