Someone backed into my car.

[FlyingDutchman]

So I come back from track practice today, hop outta the shower and my roommate tells me he thinks someone hit my car.. so Im like that's just great. Walk outside with flashlight/camera and sure enough some girl tried to parallel park and backed into my front end.

Damage is:
- A cracked bumper cover (next to the marker light)
- Scuffs on the bumper / driver side fender

Anybody give me an educated guess on paint? Overall my paint isn't too bad.

Rockauto has a pre-primed bumper for ~$80


Not the best pic, not much light. Car is dirty, will be washed Saturday though


http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt169/1997camaroz28/thisone-1.jpg

[coolmanvette75]

dont get the $80 bumper. they are weak and fit like ****.

[1994lt1]

Yeah those cheap bumpers are not worth the money at all. OEM or bust. Find a used one or something. It shouldnt cost you too much, but it really depends on where you go. Sorry man that sucks :/

[FlyingDutchman]

Yeah I kinda figured, the price is always too good lol Im on the hunt for a used GM original though assuming you can't fix a crack like that too easy.

[V]

that crack looks small, i could probably fix that myself and im no professional

[FlyingDutchman]

that crack looks small, i could probably fix that myself and im no professional

Yeah Ill get a few pictures after I wash it up see how bad it is. It could be fixed Im sure, and it'd need to be painted too all of which are beyond me lol

[btownws6]

yea small crack isnt too bad but fixing those bumpers sucks lol hope you can find one cheap good luck

[Iroc-z86]

i feel your pain.... although you got out without much damage. good luck!!

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/nascar2496/camaro%20paint%2010/IMG_0074.jpg

[FlyingDutchman]

Here's a dumb question, any LT1 93-97 bumper will work right? Would a v6 bumper fit too? Just want to clarify.

[wrong generation]

yes.

[maroman88]

i repaired my vette bumper with some plastic repair glue that came with a metal mesh type thing, came out just about perfect too

[FlyingDutchman]

Got a chance to wash the Z up today (then it snowed just as i finished.. fml) but it seems she did a bit more than just crack the bumper cover, kinda looks like its bowed in a bit where the bumper meets the fender. theres a bit more gap between fender and hood than there was. also a bit of spider-cracking. im not familiar with what fastens everything together here.

sorry its a smaller pic, but you can see what im talking about
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt169/1997camaroz28/bumper.jpg

[V]

theres a metal plate/support bracket right behind there that can get bent, and thats probably causing the bowing

[maroman88]

theres a metal plate/support bracket right behind there that can get bent, and thats probably causing the bowing

exactly...

[FlyingDutchman]

Got an estimate today from a local body shop for ~$1000

Includes:
Restoring current bumper cover (fixing the crack)
Paint and clear (I don't think the whole bumper will get color, blended in I assume. Take care of stress cracks on both sides of the marker light)
New emblems
New marker light (cracked)
Paint and clear driver side fender (stress cracks)

I plan on going to a few other shops too yet for comparison. Guy seemed nice, was painting a TPI vette and said if I had any complaints to just speak up and he would take care of it. Anything else I should look for in a body shop?

[FlyingDutchman]

Nearly 4 months later finally got a check from the insurance company for 950$. Probably going to have to wait til I go back to school to get it fixed unless someone knows a reputable shop around NNJ that could fix it for within reason of 950 ...

[BonzoHansen]

summit rod & custom is in north nj ----->

[The Fixer]

For kicks, I was just surfing on Craigslist and found a few '93-'97 Camaros being parted out - it would be worth your time to call or e-mail and see if any of them are black. I bet you could find a black bumper cover and fender and buy them, install yourself, and save about $800.

[transmaro93]

that crack can deff be repaired... if i had to guess with the repair and paint youd probably be looking at $400 or so where i work..... but thats just a guess... if you were to get a new oem bumper i believe last time i checked they were in the $500+ range a plus another $300 or so to paint puts you at $800+... so weigh your options... maybe you can get a used bumper thats not to bad but remember used parts have damage too that might need repair that will add to your cost if you dont do the work your self... those cheap aftermarket knock off bumpers are garbage though you would deff not be happy with the fit...