UPDATE: Got the car back after 6 weeks and I couldn't be happier (given the circumstances). Just as I thought they would, the shop I brought it to did a fantastic job with the repairs. Almost dead on perfect paint match, in fact the rear bumper and spoiler are probably better matched to the rest of the body than from the factory.

No filler was used at all which is great, and the only welding they had to do was a tiny spot weld on the wheel arch where there was a split in the sheet metal. The rest was pulled and brought back to spec. My rear quarter actually lines up better with the rear bumper than it did before, and my exhaust is PERFECTLY even on both sides now (passenger side tip was 1/4 inch further out before but I never bothered trying to fix it). Rear quarter windows were also leak tested 4-5 times during it's stay to ensure a tight seal.

I know it's lost value but maybe it'll just force me to keep it a bit longer than I have my previous 17-18 other cars lol :D


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8642/...f90144bd_o.jpgIMG_1827 by Burrcold, on Flickr


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7517/...b5332857_o.jpgIMG_1824 by Burrcold, on Flickr


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/...bd5aa54e_o.jpgRear after by Burrcold, on Flickr


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8640/...8443770e_o.jpgQuarter after by Burrcold, on Flickr

Glad you got it fixed and are happy with the repairs! Just out of curiosity, how did the insurance company handle replacing any aftermarket parts that were damaged? Looks like the only casualties may have been your Tom's and maybe the rear diffuser. Did you have your modifications insured, or did the insurance company just cover them for you?

I'm with State Farm and they didn't even question the aftermarket parts. The rear diffuser and TOM's lights were both replaced with no questions asked. The shop I brought it to even indicated "aftermarket" in the insurance invoice rundown. And no I did not have the aftermarket parts insured at all.

Probably wrote up the cost for the OEM replacement parts and then it was up to OP to come up with the difference if aftermarket cost more.

Yeah State Farm is good about that kind of thing, but then again most insurance companies don't care about aftermarket parts because they usually end up being cheaper to replace than OEM stuff.

Looks like they did a good job on the repairs!

glad you're back up and running

Good to see you got it all sorted out! Now back to enjoying that beautiful machine

Oh it felt so good to drive (even on winter tires) after coming out of the rental I've been in for almost 2 months. It was 2014 RAV4...honestly was surprised by how much I disliked it. My wifes old CRV (2011) was so much better in almost every way.

Haha, rentals are the worst... my car was only out of commission for about 2 weeks for a fender bender, and I was already having serious withdrawals. It's always nice to get a free alignment, though :D (well, courtesy of the at-fault driver's insurance company)

I really like how your car looks in this shot with the shaved badges, red tails, and smoked plate cover

https://flic.kr/p/rt2H8t

Thanks!

Sorry to bring up bad memories, lol! But may I ask which shop you used? The repair sounds like it went great!

I know the owners of Miltowne Collision (in Milton) so I would only bring it there. They do amazing work. Haven't had the best of luck with previous cars at shops in Toronto.