Viper's owners worst nightmare

[Don Hiltz]

Viper\'s owners worst nightmare

Well, it happened yesterday.... I saw a woman backing her Yukon back out of a parking space and heard that sickening sound of fiberglass being crushed by steel. The right rear fender was hit. Light lenses lay broken on the ground, the fender was bowed, and areas of plastic had been torn.

I immediately took it to the best fiberglass man in town. Driving was tough because my vision was blurred by tears, but I was able to assess the damage with him.

His estimate to replace and paint the fender and its lights was approximately $4300. He indicated that he could repair the fender for about $1500 less and the insurance company would proably agree only to a repair.

While I'm not an engineer, it appears quite evident to me that a bowed fender has sustained stress damage which will probably manifest itself at some future point in time.

Now my question to my follow Viper owners: How can I force the insurance company to spring for a new fender?

My argument is that the car was perfect and any repair which doesn't provide a perfect fender is unaccepatble.

Help......

 

[Dion Fisher]

Re: Viper\'s owners worst nightmare

Don't fret too much these cars are rebuildabe, but be sure the person doing the repair is not using fiberglass this car requires a special kind of epoxy repair to do it right..

 

[Sniper]

Re: Viper\'s owners worst nightmare

I feel your pain and sent your e-mail. Everything should get replaced by new parts.

 

[2charmed]

Re: Viper\'s owners worst nightmare

Get ahold of Jon B. at the Parts Rack!!! He can help you with the
insurance company!!!
Good Luck,
Steve

 

[Qualitywires.com]

Re: Viper\'s owners worst nightmare

Like I said in the past..to hell with those dam*! trucks and SUV's..nothing but gas guzzling yuppy cars! Man! I would be sooo pissed..don't let the insurance company do you wrong! I would demand new parts!

 

[Don Hiltz]

Re: Viper\'s owners worst nightmare

Given that 2 respondents have indicated that a special material is required to repair body damage on a Viper, wouldn't this strengthen my argument for a new fender? I'm assuming, of course, that the "special material" is more expensive and requires more expertise than conventional fiberglass.

 

[Dion Fisher]

Re: Viper\'s owners worst nightmare

I would get three or more knowledgable opinions and estimates in writing before I pursued... I had similar epoxy repairs done on my car last year and cannot see the damage today..

The unfortunate thing is no matter how much we love our Vipers and we feel sickened if it becomes tainted it is still only a car in the view of the insurance industry..

 

[Double Venom]

Re: Viper\'s owners worst nightmare

Having a little experience in this field, here's a hint to determing if your "shop" knows how to properly fix a Viper.

As mentioned, the two magic acronyms: SMC and RTM

Simply look the guy in the eye, and asks if he knows what they mean? Better yet, does he actually know how each are made and how they are used.

If he gives you the "huh" look,or tells you he can fix it just fine with normal type shop materials--find another shop. Fella's as much as you might hate to admit it, any bodyman/mechanic can take a Viper apart, and put it back together--no secret there. (Some may take longer than others

)

On the other shoe, any well trained bodyman can fix the body so it looks like absolutely brand new, better than factory when it goes out the door. Just show it to me in 6 months.

It isn't vodoo to fix them right. Chances are if the damage is less then 50% of the replacement cost of the part, your going to have a hard time getting the insurance company to replace.

Take this and throw it into the, for what it's worth, 2-cent pile.