Body Work Question - Honda Prelude Forum

rmichels · 09-14-2006, 12:35 PM

My daughter's predude was struck in the rear, passenger side corner of the bumber. I've not seen it yet, but damage is to the plastic below the bumper area and the lower portion of the 1/4 panel is crinkled. There may also be damage to the front as her car was pushed into the car in front.

Any recommendations on a body shop in the York, PA area? Anyone have opinions if there is an advantage in going to a Honda dealer's body shop, thinking they will know the car model better? Anything lurking underneath the rear area I I should watch out for?

Thanks

Ray

Tola · 09-14-2006, 02:55 PM

Don't take it to a dealership to get it repair. From what I've seen, most dealerships just take it to an independent body shop to get it fixed. I'm considering fixing/painting my car also. I am planning on going to a bunch of body shops and getting quotes and checking out the work they've done on other cars. And go from there. Also, there's not alot of people here from the York, PA area, so you may be better off talking to local people.

ivypunk · 09-14-2006, 04:07 PM

I'd suggest taking it to a dealer. Even if they go to an independent body shop, which I've never seen here locally...They use the genuine honda replacement panels and parts which tops aftermarket taiwan s*** anyday.

rmichels · 09-15-2006, 08:34 PM

Thanks for the replies...

for now I took it to a local shop for an estimate only. $2940...yikes! The guy that hit it, asked to see how much it would cost, thinking he would pay out of pocket. Time for the insurance company to get involved.

I finally got a look at it, rear 1/4 panel is crinkled in several place which carry almost up to the door. That portion of the unibody is bent up, rear bumper buckled out from the 1/4 panel..not sure what is damaged under the bumber yet. The expensive aspects are the unibody bending, the 1/4 panel piece and the labor to replace the 1/4 panel and blend the paint.

While I was there, I also got an estimate for rust repair (the usualy wheel well spot) on the driver's side. This accident repair would fix it on the passenger side. $340

The good news is it's on some elses insurance, and I'm thinking the bad news may be that it is totalled. Ugh!

berkshire40 · 09-16-2006, 10:14 AM

kind of like this?

im assuming it was worse...i didnt have bad waving in the quarter further up.

sucks the car may be totaled...now you can get a new one though.

rmichels · 09-18-2006, 07:07 AM

worse

the bumper is buckled from the panel (but not cracked so the the estimate is to refinish it). There are larger dents in the panel. I was surprised that it went foward of the tire. That's what happens when Ford F140 pickup meets a Prelude I guess.

If it is totalled we may make out better on the money, but just a pain to find a replacement 4th generation with a reasonable (100 miles) drive.

berkshire40 · 09-18-2006, 08:16 PM

yeah...especially w/o rusted quarters.

you can see on my pic it made it past the gas tank door with a wave...but its out and all good now. just got a new sun roof and the whole car is ready for paint.

if you do take the replacement route...run a carfax and find a car from the south.