Repair after track damage...
 

So, I went to a Track Night in America event in my Z, it was going well until it did not...

https://i.imgur.com/a6Qzqcfh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/F2rZRLoh.jpg

I got a quote from the body shop where I bought my car and it was quoted at 17K before checking the chassis and suspension. I HIGHLY doubt the frame or suspension are damaged, nor the engine. That quote seems high, would it just make more sense to use this as an excuse to upgrade certain things, like carbon fiber hood and LED lights, or stay stock OEM since I'm still 3 years away from my loan? Also, if anyone is in the central PA area, is there a suggested body shop to go to?

Heck for 17K buy a replacement & use that as a parts car. Is there a buckle in the rear panel above the wheel? That car could very well be totaled.

Good luck with it.

Yea, it was just a cluster....dealing with everything

Eek! Sorry to hear about your TNiA. I don't have any body shop advice for you, but glad you are ok!

I see the side curtain airbag deployed. What about the others?

Best of luck.

If the airbag deployed, isn't that a strong likelihood that you're getting a salvage title?

the headlight, front bumper and fender are easy fixes, you can grab used parts to clean up that

Left rear fender is a much bigger problem b/c its not a removable part you swap on.

Not if he doesn't report it to the insurance company and just ponies up :ugh2:


Some bondo will fix up that rear quarter panel right up

glad you are OK, things happen, I would get another quote just to make sure...
which track were you at....

That seems like a lot of dough! Did they charge you for the damage to the barrier?

That price seems about right. Hope you had track insurance. If not, that's gonna hurt.

what does that 17k include?

I bought my car with very similar damage, and found the parts used in black already which saved me a lot of money for paint. It cost me under $5k total including new seatbelts, airbag module, steering airbag, front bumper, fender liners, 2 black headlights, fender, hood, and windshield.

You can DIY everything pretty easy. The quarter panel can always be fixed later.

I have had track accident damage repaired on the cheap at my local trade school where they teach automotive panel repair - the students get real keen working on a "race car" and the instructors make sure its a good job.

If there is such an training institute local to you, it can be a very effective fix - you pay for parts and the school effectively pays for the labour.

Can take a while .........

Biggest issue is the rear quarter damage.

In the machined metals classes we faced blocks and bored em out ect. Was a lot of fun and great way to interact with real world machining jobs. When we were done they went back to automotive classes and reassembled. :tup:
Sorry about the damage OP.

The front is easy to fix if the frame horn isn't twisted.

On the rear. Looks like the rear rim is broken. I would start looking for more damage under the rear.

That's way overpriced. Maybe I am not seeing the front end damage but I think it's around the 10k mark. BUT if the insurance will pay out for a replacement Z try and buy yours back and use it for parts.

You need to match the paint.
If you use panels from another black car you will be able to see the slight difference.17K is not out of line for parts, proper fitment, body work and paint.
For 17k this would be a flawless job from one of the better shops.

You will never be able to see any paint different on black cars. Just needs a quick polish on both panels and it's all identical. It's probably the only color that you can get away with just replacing panels from a similar car.

Looking at this & :icon14: :eek:
May require telling some kinda fib to your insurance company :wtf2:
Hopefully you have gap insurance; as it looks pretty toasted.

Thanks all for your concern. I'm fine, just had a cut on my neck from the seat belt and bruising on my side. The 17K is from the dealership's body shop, I'm taking the estimate to another shop on Thursday and seeing if I get non-OEM parts if they'll put them on. I did contact the insurance company as I did not purchase the track insurance and was flat out denied because even though it was not a race, the crash happened on a race track so they denied it that way.

Fortunately I was only going around 40 MPH and wasn't at the end of the straight away where it would have been about 80-90

Don't forget to see a doctor and document all findings. Keep all the paperwork

get all estimates in WRITING, with contact info for the estimator or manager who authorized it

check for frame damage - thats gonna be the killer

anything metal or plastic on the outside or that can be unbolted like an arm, caliper, etc, don't worry about it, its fixable whether stock or aftermarket. frame damage and you're done.

I've got all the paperwork from the ambulance, no visit to the doctor. I have a typed up estimate from the body shop. There doesn't seem to be any frame damage, it drives straight....while dragging the from bumper

on rear quarter damage, They'll likely need to cut and weld a clean sheet in. A couple of friends had the track bite back and needed similar work done.

Sell it, invest 17k get a new/newish Z

Op still owes, 3 yrs till free and clear.

:eek: BOHICA

I still think that you can sell it to a private person, get at least 12k+ 4 it, pay off the loan, then pick up a 2007 350z for 10k.

If your going to drive around breaking new cars, might as well stick to cheap **** till ur good or wealthy.

PS i crashed my brand new 370z when it was like 6k miles on it, but the damage wasnt as bad as OPs, anyways it was fixed by insurance, lets say i had to go back and reinstall the crap that the shop fixed.
it was a crappy fix never the less, i learned how to drive. Crash free since.

track day insurance is a good thing. It's relatively inexpensive considering the piece of mind you have knowing you won't have to foot the whole bill.

Hindsight is realising you should of........

Yep. I'm lucky It only took two of my friends to put their Zs thru tire walls for me to start using it. It is nice though as I can push the car a little past its limits in areas where I usually wouldn't.

I spoke to another body shop, in addition to one quote, it needs suspension work.

It's pretty much totaled

So, the update on this disaster is that the car was totaled, the price to fix it was more than the car was worth. Fortunately I was able to pay off the loan on the car and get a new 2019 370Z Sport Coupe and will forever get any insurance if I do autocross/track events again.

Glad you landed on your feet. Good luck!

Thanks, I'm done with the Poconos...

Shouldn't need insurance for autox. For track, it can be worth the peace of mind.

Agreed

:iagree: