[900RFWN]

So I am sitting at a light in the left hand lane. This is to go straight or turn. People are always turning here and I know that. The light turns green and the lady behind me lets go of the brake immediately and kisses my rear end. The damage from what I see is minimal. The rear diffuser is scuffed so I guess that they will just replace it. The bumper is scuffed a little so that will have to be repainted. There is nothing else from what I have seen so far. It's dark out so I’ll wash the rear tomorrow and see if I notice anything else. Here is where I need your help based off of my concerns because I’m OCD and can’t leave it as is.

1. Joy rides at the body shop.
2. Carfax reporting and loss of value even though I don’t plan on selling it.
3. Quality of work. The damage is quite simple and a competent shop will fix it.
4. Joy rides.
5. Joy rides.

What would you do if it was you and or based off of your experiences? Thanks

[Clavery1322]

Take it to a reputable bodyshop in your area and simply explain that due to the small amount of damage you do not expect the vehicle to be driven off their lot. Be courteous and upfront about it. Pay out of pocket so no carfax. Done and done. If you approach the shop in such a manner that your biggest concern is they take care of your vehicle and dont take it out for an unneccessary ride you should have no issues. They also know at that point, you know if you have 16043 miles or 16045 miles on the odom and youll be checking it upon delivery.

[Stevezx900]

I would take the bumper off and have them spray it and put it back on myself.

No Joyrides!

[900RFWN]

Originally Posted by Clavery1322

Take it to a reputable bodyshop in your area and simply explain that due to the small amount of damage you do not expect the vehicle to be driven off their lot. Be courteous and upfront about it. Pay out of pocket so no carfax. Done and done. If you approach the shop in such a manner that your biggest concern is they take care of your vehicle and dont take it out for an unneccessary ride you should have no issues. They also know at that point, you know if you have 16043 miles or 16045 miles on the odom and youll be checking it upon delivery.

So just have their insurance give me a check and then choose a body shop of my liking? No Carfax dings on my car if I go this route?

[900RFWN]

Originally Posted by Stevezx900

I would take the bumper off and have them spray it and put it back on myself.

No Joyrides!

I thought about this immediately but don’t they have to match it anyway? Garnett Red is Garnett Red but what if it’s off from the rest of the rear panels?

[Clavery1322]

Originally Posted by 900RFWN

So just have their insurance give me a check and then choose a body shop of my liking? No Carfax dings on my car if I go this route?

Depends on the state. Michigan where i am its no fault so your own insurance has to cover it. Based on the damage you described its a bumper scuff and shoot and a new valance. Probably still around $1500. but if you're really concerned with Carfax pay out of pocket, don't even involve their insurance company.

[Clavery1322]

Originally Posted by 900RFWN

I thought about this immediately but don’t they have to match it anyway? Garnett Red is Garnett Red but what if it’s off from the rest of the rear panels?

They'll run it by paint code and wont "blend" a bumper cover to the quarters. They spray bumpers off the car. This might be your best bet if joyriding is your main concern. They can always match it to your current bumper you drop off for them. It's more work for you but no one is driving your vehicle.

[arpad_m]

Along with what others said, valet mode, OnStar location tracking and a dash cam should be enough as joyride deterrents IMO.

As to insurance, I would just pay out of pocket. Once a "rear collision with another motor vehicle" entry is on your carfax, you'll have a hard time making a buyer believe it was just a few scuffs, the car loses its "virginity" and you'll potentially give up a lot on resale. As a silver lining, you could even consider a more aggressive diffuser

My car is also garnet red and I demolished the front end last year (sigh), the body shop did an astoundingly good job with the color match, there is zero difference with the original body panels.

[900RFWN]

I appreciate the feedback so far guys. My penny pinching sphincter is really tight right now with what you have said. The only thing that keeps me from spending is good bourbon but that is not here or there. Anywho, I’ll be visiting a well reviewed and recommended local shop tomorrow or Monday and go from there.

[gtfoxy]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Along with what others said, valet mode, OnStar location tracking and a dash cam should be enough as joyride deterrents IMO.

As to insurance, I would just pay out of pocket. Once a "rear collision with another motor vehicle" entry is on your carfax, you'll have a hard time making a buyer believe it was just a few scuffs, the car loses its "virginity" and you'll potentially give up a lot on resale. As a silver lining, you could even consider a more aggressive diffuser

My car is also garnet red and I demolished the front end last year (sigh), the body shop did an astoundingly good job with the color match, there is zero difference with the original body panels.

There is also vehicle location on my paired phone & it says “Parked Car”, so I wonder if it will show it moving as well. May have to check into that.

[swisstyphoon]

Originally Posted by 900RFWN

I appreciate the feedback so far guys. My penny pinching sphincter is really tight right now with what you have said. The only thing that keeps me from spending is good bourbon but that is not here or there. Anywho, I’ll be visiting a well reviewed and recommended local shop tomorrow or Monday and go from there.

Put the car in Valet mode when you leave it.

[BRM ZL1]

Valet mode as others have said and does your car have PDR option it's always recording when you start the car. Second thing is activate On Star smart driver it records every trip shows the distance hard acceleration hard braking and speed over 80mph and average speed.

[900RFWN]

Thanks again guys. I forgot how to quote everyone in one single post so I’ll kind of respond to all of you here. I always forget about valet mode so thanks for reminding me because I wouldn’t have initiated it. So will my PDR activate with valet? My iPhone also gives me that “parked car” location gtfoxy but I have not dug further into it’s features so I’ll be doing that.
That “rear end collision” on the Carfax would scream a big red flag if I was a buyer arpad_m. It’s unfortunate that more details are not provided to explain what was repaired.

[CW3SF]

Originally Posted by Stevezx900

I would take the bumper off and have them spray it and put it back on myself.

No Joyrides!

This. I just did this recently with the front bumper of my daily driver (Mercedes). The paint matched perfectly and I paid less than a 1/3 of the estimate for just dropping the car off with them.