My dented car - courtesy of my wife

[BrianG]

Snowman, let's just say I won't be going to you! :P

By the way, the headlight assembly is fine. She managed to juuuuust miss it. And it's a hatchback (not that it matters for the front area). But what's with all that other stuff? Unless you know more about the damage than I, to me it looks like just a fender replacement/paint. The front bumper can stay as-is (or I may touch it up myself) since it's plastic and won't rust.

Hell, at this rate, I might just sand it down a little, spray something resembling the right color, and be done with it. Spending much more than $500 on a car worth probably $5k doesn't seem to make much sense especially since the damage is cosmetic.

[BP-Revo]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Spending much more than $500 on a car worth probably $5k doesn't seem to make much sense especially since the damage is cosmetic.

Unfortunately, from what I understand, the condition of the exterior of the car is an indication of how the car was treated.

While a car that looks great on the outside may not necessarily look great on the inside - a car that looks terrible on the outside usually does not look great on the inside...

[gixxer]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Hell, at this rate, I might just sand it down a little, spray something resembling the right color, and be done with it. Spending much more than $500 on a car worth probably $5k doesn't seem to make much sense especially since the damage is cosmetic.

That is my thought. Probably why I drive an 07 legacy with a broken tail light unit (still works but clear part cracked) and close enough black paint (no little blue flake) on ther rear fender. Insureance said it was $1600 of damage. I did order a another tail light off ebay but haven't changed it yet though.

[_paralyzed_]

Most auto parts stores sell "factory match" paint in a small spray can, and if they don't have your color they can get it. Just remove any cracked paint and cover up any bare metal. Then let her buck.