GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

My wife got backed into the other day... the lady's insurance co just came out and did an estimate. It's only body damage - nothing mech and it drives fine.$3800 for this: Can that be right?

The cladding is killer expensive.I bought that piece for my Vibe and it was $400.There are 10 clips at $5 each.The body shop probably saw your alumni sticker and charged you more.

Well the body shop is looking at either trying to pull out the damage or getting a new back panel. Then they have to cut the wreck pieces out and tack well the new piece on. With alot of prep work after that.When I had my truck and I got hit just like it is on the vibe. Driver back side. It was $4500.00.So the price does seem right. Plus you have a rare color.

It's because it's Envy Green, a collectors item.

Take the cash, go to a local junkyrad and hunt down replacement parts and get them painted and installed yourself, and you just made $2000+

Sounds about right. Pops had his grand prix GTP in the shop (with very similar damage as yours, from the looks of it) and it was just over $3000. He did all the prep work (and postwork) and the bill dropped to $800 for parts and paint.

Yep, looks like you need a wheel too, that's $600 new. (Or $100 for a slightly used 1 that I am selling). The paint also will run the price up, a lot harder to mix and match than a standard colour. Plus, from the angle of the pic, looks like the damage goes under the taillight, that's a lot of pulling (unless they are just installing a fresh Qtr panel {which is how I would prefer the repair done, can't stand having all that damaged just mudde'd over with bondo and filler})

Wow... guess I just haven't had any repairs done in a long while.btw - why did you say I need a new wheel? The appraiser said the same thing, but I really think the scrape is just from backing along a curb a couple of years ago... wasn't going to argue though - it was the other persons insurance co coming up with the price they thought they should pay. Haven't actually talked to any body shops yet.

it probably got bent. from the angle of the hit, i'd say get a new one just in case.

Labor is part of that charge. Cladding, connectors, and when you are dealing with a panel such as a rear quarter, they are typically part of the body frame so cannot be popped off and replaced. Therefore they have to utilize tools to bang out the metal, and possibly weld chains to it to pull out the dents. Then repaint and blend.

sounds about right for the damagewhen i got backed into, it cost +$5000 to replace molding, tire, and bend the a-frame

That looks worse than what just happened to our vibe. Someone backed into it with a van and pushed in right below the taillight. 1100 to get it fixed.

well hopefully i wont have to ever find out...