Accident Repair - Need advice from the experts

**sn95gt50** · 10-23-2018

This morning my daughter was involved in an accident on the way to school, no one was hurt thankfully. Four cars involved, first hit the brakes, 2nd hit first etc. My daughter was the 3rd car. She hit the brakes and nose dived the rear of the car in front of her. None of the airbags deployed in any cars. Speed limit is 35mph so no one was going very fast as they were coming up to a right turn.

The car is a 2008 Grand Prix with 104k on it so it isn't worth much and I am worried they will total it. It did not get to the frame or the core support, hood buckled upward like it should and is toast, front bumper cover is done and one headlight is broken. Does not appear to have damaged either fender. Damage to the rear can be buffed out enough to call it good.

I searched on-line and I can pick up a used hood same color for $200 near me and a bumper assembly the right color also near me for $100 and a pair of headlights for $100. Figure another $200 for miscellaneous, new hood latch, possibly hinges, etc.

Where should my concerns be? I expect getting the old bumper cover off will be a pain in the butt, Hood should just bolt up. Color match won't be perfect and part alignment probably won/t be perfect.

Please enlighten me,
John

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 10-23-2018

They will total it for sure.

The cost of the hood, headlight, bumper cover, paint and labor would be well north of $4,000 if they bought new parts. That car in prime condition is maybe worth that $4,000 so it will far exceed the 50-60% value to repair.

It's like my sisters car, it's worth maybe $800-1000 to be sold used because it's a 2002 with 160k and it's beat to hell but if it got totaled they'd give us about $1,500 to 1,800 in the end through the insurance company. Any wreck under full coverage is a instant total.

Take the money and buy the car back, bank the rest and fix the car on your own for far cheaper.

You'd be surprised how easy removing the bumper and hood will be. Plop the used parts on, clean them up real good and just drive it.

**sn95gt50** · 10-24-2018

Yep, I think you are probably right. The car is a good runner, never any major problems with it. The kids only drive it a few miles back and forth to school. I will need to see what the insurance company says, but, plan to keep it and repair it. I plan to drop the full coverage on it due to it's low value.

Thanks for the reply,
John

**sn95gt50** · 10-24-2018

They did not total it due to its condition and low miles. I have 3 options, have it repaired, take the money and repair it or drop it at the ins co and they will buy it from me. Leaning towards repairing it mysrlf.

Thanks for the input,
John

**sn95gt50** · 10-24-2018

Could someone snap a picture of the area where the hood latch is? Trying to figure out if the latch is broken or the metal where it is mounted is ok.

**WarStryker13** · 10-24-2018

Mine is a 2004 (and dirty), but it should be very similar.

IMG_20181024_181027142 by Ben Stryker, on Flickr

IMG_20181024_181019589 by Ben Stryker, on Flickr

IMG_20181024_181014269 by Ben Stryker, on Flickr

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 10-24-2018

They must value it a little higher than we thought. More often than not any front end damage goes over the 50-60% value of the vehicle.

If they give you a decent amount and you can find used parts that will work I go that route. You can at least pocket some money and save it for future repairs.

**sn95gt50** · 10-24-2018

Thank you very helpful. The metallic piece in your pic is crushed. I just picked up 2 headlights, the buckets behind the headlights, hood latch and vertical bar it attaches to pretty cheap. Deal fell through on the bumper, I have acquired everything else I need.

**sn95gt50** · 10-24-2018

Did better than I thought on value. Should have her back up and running next week.

I had a silver 2000 GT years ago, one of my favorite cars behind my 95 Mustang GT & 05 Jeep Wrangler

**BillBoost37** · 10-25-2018

If you aren't looking at car-part.com, I would suggest it. That is where I find a lot of items I need. Especially helpful when you are looking for certain color body parts.

**sn95gt50** · 10-25-2018

That is where I found my hood, that is a great database of parts.

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

If you aren't looking at car-part.com, I would suggest it. That is where I find a lot of items I need. Especially helpful when you are looking for certain color body parts.

**sn95gt50** · 10-25-2018

Last night after getting the hood open, I was better able to assess the damage and I was pleasantly surprised. The hood latch, the piece between the latch and the core support, the bracket that goes around the latch and the piece that runs to the bottom of the car were toast. Started looking for parts on-line and a guy had just posted to Craigslist 2004-08 GP Parts. He had headlights and the plastic piece behind the headlights that runs from side to side. I called him up talked to him and asked if he happened to have a hood latch, he did. Also asked the condition of the headlights he said not clouded or pitted. I offered him $120 for all of those pieces and he was good with that. Went and picked up the parts today and the headlights looked brand new, guessed they were probably Chinese knock-offs, nope, GM/DOT stamped right into them. All of these parts are installed. This was a huge find.

Found a hood in the correct color for $240 shipped, will be here tomorrow.

Still looking for a bright red bumper to finish it up, if anyone knows the whereabouts of one.

One other question, the driver side fender is pushed back towards the driver door just a touch any advice on adjusting?

Thanks for everyone's help.

John

**sn95gt50** · 10-25-2018

One part I am trying to find is the turn signal assemblies, they are not broke, but, they look pretty bad. I just have the turn signals not the fog light turn signal combo. Any decent aftermarket that won't break the bank but reasonable quality?

**idrivejunk** · 10-26-2018

I would try to assist by making a suggestion of how to correct the "pushed back slightly" fender, but don't know anything about 04+. If it doesn't rub, leave it be.

**idrivejunk** · 10-26-2018

Wow, I had to re-login 3 times to post that. No wonder I don't come around much.

**cheatah faheatah** · 10-26-2018

Originally Posted by idrivejunk

Wow, I had to re-login 3 times to post that. No wonder I don't come around much.

"Operational" with a side of "Finicky" ... lol.

**sn95gt50** · 10-26-2018

Got the hood installed today color match is damn good, hood is actually in better shape than my original. Gonna need a few extra hands to get it aligned correctly and that will be done.

Continue looking for a bumper.

**markpa** · 10-26-2018

Originally Posted by sn95gt50

One part I am trying to find is the turn signal assemblies, they are not broke, but, they look pretty bad. I just have the turn signals not the fog light turn signal combo. Any decent aftermarket that won't break the bank but reasonable quality?

I had the same lights and wanted fog lights. I found out all the wiring is there just buy the fog light blinker combos and a new blinker stalk with the fog light switch and bingo nice upgrade! There is a thread on it somewhere.

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