My story......

2bits

Glad to hear you're ok. I just wanted to say that the $700 estimate for your original hood damage was almost assuredly incorrect. Our hoods, hatches, and doors are aluminum. A shop can't (shouldn't) just bang them out and slap on some bondo like steel parts.

A shop that is experienced with aluminum work is critical, and typically bent aluminum panels are replaced outright. I'm positive that a new hood or quality aluminum repair work costs more than $700. I highly doubt your insurance estimator knew enough about the 370z.

Just another tip, shops that fix aluminum have a completely seperate set of tools for aluminum work. When steel contacts aluminum (say, steel shavings or dust settles inside an aluminum door), the aluminum will "rust" over time via galvanic corrosion. Fyi.

2theextreme

Agreed.....I was expecting they would replace it and not just repair it, too. And I did ask about it but the estimator did in fact say it could be repaired without replacing it.....even the shop I took it to said the same thing.

2bits

Interesting. I tend to think that neither the estimator or shop have much experience with aluminum. Not that you're in this situation now that you'll get a new car, but I'd locate a shop that does a lot of high end cars and ask them for a second opinion.

At a minimum, I'd ask if they even have seperate tools and work area for aluminum. If they respond with "why would we do that?", just walk away.