My car got damaged, and the shop quoted me a huge repair cost. Things like the radiator, AC, bumper cover, and headlights need work. I’m wondering if I should sell it as-is or repair it. Anyone been in a similar situation?
If you’re trying to save money, go for junkyard parts. You can do some of the work yourself over weekends. Leave the radiator and AC for the shop since those can be tricky.
Mika said:
If you’re trying to save money, go for junkyard parts. You can do some of the work yourself over weekends. Leave the radiator and AC for the shop since those can be tricky.
Thanks for the tip! If I get the radiator and AC fixed by the shop, will that clear the overheating warning? Will the car be okay to drive?
@Ciel
Fixing the radiator should stop the overheating warning, as long as there’s no damage to the engine itself. If you skip fixing the AC, you’ll lose defrost in winter. Don’t drive it with the warning on, though—you could warp the engine head, which will cost a fortune to fix.
@Ciel
I’ve driven my car without a front bumper or hood before, and it was fine under 120 km/h. Just be careful about the plastic tray under the radiator—it’s held by weak clips, and if those fail, it can wrap around a front wheel. Learned that the hard way.
Mika said:
If you’re trying to save money, go for junkyard parts. You can do some of the work yourself over weekends. Leave the radiator and AC for the shop since those can be tricky.
The repair time estimates seem way off for some parts. For example, replacing a headlight assembly shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. I’ve done it myself many times.
@Darby
Shops usually bill in half-hour blocks even for quick jobs. They follow set repair times from manuals, and you won’t get them to lower it.
Mika said:
If you’re trying to save money, go for junkyard parts. You can do some of the work yourself over weekends. Leave the radiator and AC for the shop since those can be tricky.
This might be a silly question, but how do you get junkyard parts? Do you have to take them off the car yourself?
@Val
Not silly at all! Some junkyards let you pull parts yourself, but others might already have what you need removed. Just call ahead and ask. Pro tip: take a friend, especially if you’re a woman. Some places might try to overcharge you.
Get a second opinion. I don’t see why frame labor would even be involved here.
Jaden said:
Get a second opinion. I don’t see why frame labor would even be involved here.
Sounds like a shop that deals mostly with insurance claims. Their hours seem inflated, and they’re suggesting unnecessary replacements. OP should find a shop that focuses on making the car safe and driveable again without all the extra costs.
I don’t get why they’re saying both headlights are bad. Seems weird.
Tristan said:
I don’t get why they’re saying both headlights are bad. Seems weird.
It might just be a loose connector or broken support. I’d replace the radiator and AC and keep driving it if it’s mechanically sound. No point fixing things that don’t affect how it runs.
Just sell it. If the transmission is close to failing, you’ll be pouring more money into it soon. Junkyard parts are okay, but I wouldn’t keep it.
If you don’t care about looks, you can fix the bumper cover with a heat gun. For the radiator and AC, let the shop handle it. The rest, like the hood and headlights, you can get for much cheaper from a junkyard. They’re easy to swap.
@Darby
Thanks! I just want to make it safe enough to drive home. With the radiator smoking from being pushed in, what’s the minimum I need to fix?
Ciel said:
@Darby
Thanks! I just want to make it safe enough to drive home. With the radiator smoking from being pushed in, what’s the minimum I need to fix?
If you can go without AC for now, just have them replace the radiator and any damaged mounting parts. Since the AC condenser is attached to the radiator, it might be worth doing both, but that’s up to you. Skip any cosmetic fixes unless insurance covers it.
@Darby
Good to know! I’ll ask the shop tomorrow about just doing the essentials. Hopefully, it won’t cost too much. Thanks again for the advice!