Just do it right. I had Geico (not at fault-- other party's insurer) do repairs at their certified abra bodywork place or whatever bc I had some damage of my own to fix (long story, playin in the mud, slid into a tree trying to push the car out) and they offered to repair my damage for $400 (all other bodyshops quoted me at 600-800). I thought with the decent reviews they had and the worker I spoke to had a professed love for the BRZ, it would be good. Thing is the work came out OK- bodywork just isn't as crisp as original, paint looks real good but definitely some sub-par panel fitment. The insurer said I could come back, but I worked in a shop and I know how comebacks are often treated and didn't want to risk it. So get it done somewhere good the first time, research research, research!

first time RWD?

you wanna know how the fix your car?, they will replace your front fender, replace that door take off that rear bumper and cut the rear off. then patch up your rear fender. paint it all at the same time. youre looking to be out of a car for atleast 2-3 weeks. and it will cost probably near 10k taking it off your insurance. so you pay 1k and your insurance pay close to 7-8k or so.

I had a hater kicking my car and it cost me nearly 8k just to fix the front and rear fender. in your situation your door is also damaged so i would assume it be more. i forgot to mention the front bumper has a crack.

Agree with everyone in here. Relax, mistakes happen. Be grateful you and the other person are both ok because it could have been a lot worse. Pay the deductible, manage your new and higher insurance payment and shop for the best damn repair shop you can find. You do not have to use their recommended shops. Do your research. You don't want a hack job. Lastly, and I am sorry to say but expect your car to be worth less than it is for resale value even if it looks new after the work.

Whatever kid, this us life. You will forget about the event a week after you get the car back so its not worth freaking out about it today.

Sometimes you can find a shop that will pay your deductible, too. I've never personally dealt with one before, but I would just make sure they have a solid rep - as others have said.

Glad to hear that everyone's alright. Stuff happens, try not to let it get you down.

Thanks for all the help. Now I have a new dilemma and I can't believe I would even consider this... Would now be a good/easy time to go wide body? My logic with no background in bodywork is that it would be fairly easy to slap on a km4sh kit or something else while the damage is getting fixed.

Insurance is not going to pay for a wide body.

Insurance will cut you a check based on the appraised damage then you can pay for the wide body/work yourself.

Your correct, however what wide body kits are made that does not require full body panels to begin with? Even with the RB. You need the factory bumpers and fenders to make it work. They are not full replacements. Insurance will pay to replace the broken body panels, not the added cost of the widebody add ons.

I love this forum and this car. Only here would someone turn lemons into lemonade by looking at a recent collision as an opportunity to mod.

Spoken like a true optimist!

And - turn your mirrors out a bit so you can see your blindspots.

Drive safe.

Insurance will only cut him a check if the car is completely paid off... otherwise they will make out the check the the bodyshop and vehicle's owner, that way if the vehicle is repo'd the vehicle is at least repaired correctly.

A couple of the rocket bunny kits do have complete bumers, as does the Varis kit... but, good luck on that one. especially when you tell them they need to paint the otherside. lol


They may choose to repair the quarter panel skin and skin the door. It's hard to tell from the pictures if the door is deeply dented or just has more of a road-rash type damage.

Beware that wide body costs more than just the kit to do right.

Suspension/ Wheels are extremely costly and are only the start of what might be needed. Not accounting for shop time

I have zero knowledge of bodywork but to me it looks like I could replace the fender and door skin and cut most of the damage off the rear quarter and slap the widebody on after that...

However the car is not paid off, and according to above posts I won't be able to get a check from the insurance claim so my plan won't work. Guess I'll just have to get it repaired to stock condition.

I was just thinking I could kill two birds with one stone and just cut off the damage and put overfenders on over that.

Cut the rear damage out? thats just cray