TriTard

i recently wrecked my 04 rx8. wasnt a major wreck and luckily everyone was ok, but the damage is expensive to fix. i rear-ended a car and tore up the right front bumper, and fender on the rx8.

just by looking at it (purely cosmetic repairs), it needs a new front bumper, front right fender, headlight, fog light, and i think that is about it. i managed to save the plastic wheel well guard. however, the engine cooler was knocked around a bit. it still works and the car doesnt heat up, but the brackets its attached to are bent all to hell.

on a performance side, ever since the wreck, the car vibrates really violently at around 800-1200 rpms. not sure what could be causing this but maybe you guys could help me determine the issue? in addition to that, the car takes some time to startup. i cant exactly remember if it was having a starting problem before the wreck, or just after. im guessing...new starter?

i took the car to two body shops. one gave me an estimate of $3700 to fix it (thats bare minimum, prolly low grade parts). the other place gave me an estimate of around $6000. they are both reputable shops. the problem is, i just replaced the clutch on the car and money is tight. are there some things i can do to significantly cut down on the cost of repair?

and insurance is not paying for any of the repair work.

2tone

iTrader: (3)

i think you're sol buddy...parts alone will cost a couple grand, even if you could do the work yourself. why can't insurance pay for it? looks like you'll be savin' up for a while...

oh - check the f/s threads and buy the parts used, that'll save money, just might take a while to get everything you need.

lilring

iTrader: (11)

you probely broke a motor mount. that would cause the vibration. check the FS threads here or check out partsgroup.com they will have mostly everything you need

Roidz

That's sucks man. Good luck. Like 2tone said, how come insurance isn't paying for any of it?

TriTard

the car is paid for and doesnt have any deductible on it.

i know the parts will cost a couple grand, ive been researching that. hell, a damn sun visor costs $150.

are there any good aftermarket bumpers/fenders that i could get cheap, but also good quality?

so i would need one of these? http://partsgroup.com/images/sales/IMG_5315.JPG

and i assume that replacing that requires to lift out the engine?

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

You wont find a bumper that fits perfectly for cheaper than the stock one if that's what you're asking.

I would post pics of the damage if possible. Did the shops give you information on what all needs to be replaced? If not, it would be good to have people here double check for anything you might not have seen. Definitely dont want to take a chance on missing something that could put you in danger when driving.

Razz1

Sorry to hear about that.
Please post pics so we can help.

TriTard

the estimates from the two body shops included a list of parts that they were gonna replace/repair. ill post the parts list and some pictures tomorrow if i get the time.

i would like to just order the parts and then have the body shop put them on and repair the rest since im not too savvy with "modern" cars. im use to working on a 94 lightning

with that being said, i wasnt counting on an exact fit so long as it was close enough

alfy28

Sounds like a motor mount. My was shaking violently around those ranges. It goes away around 2k +. do you feel vibration on the gas pedal and stick?

ANy how mine was doing that until I replaced them.

cjkim

post pics, i manage a body shop

lilring

iTrader: (11)

yes that is the part. No you dont have to take the engine out of the car.. just lift the engine up just enough to replace the mount. it really isnt that hard. Also if you buy a bunch of stuff from the partsgroup.com it make be worth the trip to drive down there and get the parts.. its only a 4 hour drive for you

valpac

iTrader: (2)

doesnt sound good.

TriTard

sry, cant make the trip to cal

no vibration in the pedals. the whole car just vibrates.

wasnt able to get pics today due to weather and other things. btw, thanks for all the help so far guys.

TriTard

quickly snapped some shots of the damage with my phone:








i cant seem to find a stock front bumper for an rx8 anywhere. are there any good aftermarket ones that wont break the bank/cost about the same? i also have another question, and dont bash me for asking such a dumb one, but how do i tell what kind of headlights i have? im almost positive they arent HID

cjkim

lol didn't mean for you to come here, just thought I could give you advice

TriTard

hah alright. any idea on how difficult it is to remove that fender and put a new one on? when i was taking a look at it from underneath, i couldnt tell where the fender was bolted on at

cjkim

honestly, it doesn't look that bad, at least in the pics anyways

For a cash job, as long as you're not expecting it to be perfect, it shouldn't be all THAT expensive.

short list:

R&R front bumper
refinish
R&R RT fender
refinish
R&R RT headlamp assy
R&R RT side marker

Blend hood
Blend RT door panel

R&I belt moulding
R&I handle
R&I interior trim
R&I mirror assy

setup and measure 2 hours
pull and square 2 hours
and misc stuff

probably around ~1500 in labor/paint

Just find your own parts and add $1500, and you should get a rough estimate as to what it'll cost.
You probably won't be able to haggle much on the labor, since body shops make money off parts also.. and if you're bringing them in, i doubt they'd be willing to haggle much.

TriTard

the lowest quote i got was for $3600 (parts and labor). i was kinda hoping to find ways to lower that number as much as possible since im rely short on cash bcuz i just had to replace the clutch

cjkim

ask them if they're willing to let you bring your own parts

body shops make money off parts too

valpac

iTrader: (2)

pictures are good. doesnt look that bad. good luck with the fix.

TriTard

im looking at getting these body parts. I assume that giving these to the body shop will not effect the cost in labor since they are OEM and either way, the parts have to be painted? also, are the parts good? they look good to me.

http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/...ek+Google+Base
http://www.partsultimate.com/index.p...duct_id=179807

on the estimate, they have the front bumper listed at $466 and the fender at $300. they also have the engine cooler listed at $600. to my knowledge, the engine cooler still works, but the brackets for it look to be bent and torn up a bit. i dont think getting that replaced is a high priority unless the front bumper is in someway connected to the cooler bracket? in any case, getting that one of those would cost $150. they have the headlamp listed at $444 which i know i can get one for like $200-$300. im sure i can get a fog lamp for pretty cheap or keep the one i got since it works.

they have listed a left engine duct for $106? is that really necessary to get replaced?

anyways, im looking at a total parts cost of about $800 if i buy the parts myself. they have parts listed at a total of $2000. i just want to make sure i get all the right parts before i actually go out and buy them. im mainly just concerned about the bumper and fender - whether or not those will work.

edit: now that i look at the fender, it says "oversized item". will that be too much trouble for the body shop you think?

valpac

iTrader: (2)

I think oversize refers to shipping. Usually higher cost.

TriTard

that makes sense but not after reading the whole bullet point:

valpac

iTrader: (2)

If the fender is OEM I wouldnt think it would need special adjusting. trimming?

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

http://www.body-kit.com/maz06rx8cspec_fen.html

theres your aftermarket fenders that work and look great.

dont worry about blending the hood cause you can just save up for carbon fiber.