Need Auto/body repair for 2003 Celica GT

[fatbottoms]

I want to try and repair my 2003 Toyota Celica GT with manual transmission which has a smashed in front end.

Some kid tried to make a turn in front of me as I was going through an intersection, and the insurance totaled it out at over 8000.00.

The point of impact was the right front corner of the bumper.

The engine turns over, but grates against whatever's pushed up against it...transmission seem fine

I really want to fix this car as it only had 63,000 miles on it before the accident, and the it drove like a new car...had the car for less than 2 weeks before the accident.

I am in Los Angeles.

I've had repair estimates ranging from 2k - 5k to fix it from listing on Craigslist, but I'm weary of using them.

Is this car worth reparing...if it is, can someone recommend a good auto/body shop that's fair and reasonable?







It needs right fender, hood, bumper, radiator and other parts smashed in under the hood.

Left fender wasn't damaged, but someone hit it while it was parked on the street in front of my house so there's a slight dent on it.

I do have the head lights and they're not cracked, but the attachment tabs are broken off.

I'll take more pictures of damage under the hood, if someone would like to see it.

[Method320]

The body seems like its more work than its worth if you're having a shop do it.

You're right, the car with much less than 100k would be nice to fix. If the engine is still perfectly functional, you may want to look at finding a celica with a bad engine or no engine, and just putting yours in it. Otherwise, you could also find celica with a body thats in decent shape.

Edit: I take it there's no insurance involvement here?

[fatbottoms]

If it wasn't for the low mileage and how well this thing drove, I wouldn't even consider repairing it.

I just drove a 2003 Celica Gt with 85,000 on it today and it was a sad comparison to the way this thing drove...the engine was loud and acceleration wasn't that good.

Believe it or not, someone I found on Craigslist said he could do the body work for around 2000.00 without paint...he said he's got a 2003 Celica with rear damage, and that he would take the whole front end of the car and put in on my damaged vehicle after he tweaked the frame on my car.

This guy calls himself Dave's Dentmaster and he does mainly small touch up stuff, but says his uncle in the valley has a full body shop where he would take it to...anyone heard of Dave's Dentmaster?

Oh, please don't get me started on the insurance....I have been in litigation **** for the past six months because the other insurance company won't take liability.

[Method320]

Originally Posted by fatbottoms

If it wasn't for the low mileage and how well this thing drove, I wouldn't even consider repairing it.

I just drove a 2003 Celica Gt with 85,000 on it today and it was a sad comparison to the way this thing drove...the engine was loud and acceleration wasn't that good.

Believe it or not, someone I found on Craigslist said he could do the body work for around 2000.00 without paint...he said he's got a 2003 Celica with rear damage, and that he would take the whole front end of the car and put in on my damaged vehicle after he tweaked the frame on my car.

This guy calls himself Dave's Dentmaster and he does mainly small touch up stuff, but says his uncle in the valley has a full body shop where he would take it to...anyone heard of Dave's Dentmaster?

Oh, please don't get me started on the insurance....I have been in litigation **** for the past six months because the other insurance company won't take liability.

Never heard of em, I don't live in California. Id say check out the guy who says he can do it for 2 grand. Go to the shop and meet with his uncle, basically scope the place out. Last thing you want to do is waste 2 grand on a mediocre job. On the other hand, if he has all the parts and does a crappy job on the install, cost to fix his mistakes may not be all that much.