Not the same? Perhaps, but some folks want non-OEM colors and they respray the entire car first thing just to get a unique car. You have to make peace with your own feelings yourself, but I think as long as you have a nice car in good condition (and nice insurance coverage) you should have no worries after the repairs are complete.

See my thread - https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/hit-deer-5-week-anniversary-76587/

When we both have our cars back maybe we can start a joint thread to discuss 'are they the same car, are they a good car'.

Perspective aside, I am sorry to hear about your damage - I know it's quite a blow to have a fine car senselessly maimed.

My wife and I had a similar near miss. When I graduated college I bought us brand new matching his-and-hers Pontiac Sunfires. We typically parked them side-by-side in two particular (but non-reserved) spots near the entrance to our apartment building in Hillsboro, Oregon. One day when the cars were only a few months old we came home from our separate errands and found other residents parked in our customary spots so we parked next to them. That night there was a terrible wind-storm and two trees fell directly (almost perfectly alligned down the center) onto the cars which had taken our spots. Crushed the roofs, shattered front and back windshields and crushed the hoods and trunks. They were tall, slim trees with stubby branches (Douglas Fir?) so the cars next to them weren't even scratched.

Another example of cars that *really* aren't the same afterwards.

After that my wife and I made sure to park away from the trees and never side-by-side.

Allright - OT stories aside - I wish you the best in finding a body shop for quality repair work. I'm using one with their own BASF paint mixing equipment which offers a lifetime warrenty on workmanship.