I'm sure many have had to had this very same part of their car repaired, and I was just wondering if you guys could give me some insight. Someone backed into me at RadioShack and sped off, and caused this damage. How much do you guys think the actual body work will cost for this part? I am planning on painting it anyways, so that's not an issue, and I need new taillight lenses as well. The bumper appears to be intact.

 

oh yeah, sorry about the quality of the picture, I'm using my cellphone because the batteries are dead in my digital camera.

 

here's another view

 

It may cost a bit, about $100-250 you'll save money if you buy the taillight from a salvage yard, and the damage wouldn't be too hard to fix, the more expensive part of repairing that would be the paint.

 

assuming I already have a new taillight and I'm already getting it painted soon... how much does the actual body work look like it will cost? I looks like its pushed in about half an inch in the rear...

thanks

 

Best place for an estimate would be at a collision repair center. Most places will do a free estimate for you.

 

thanks

 

1/4 are a pain in the *** man, its not too bad, but about 300 bucks should do it, they have to paint the hole 1/4 so it dont look like ****...paint is a lot of money...

 

You can probably remove that yourself.Just gain access to the back the of panel,remove the tailight.With a hammer & a dolly(or a piece of wood(2x4).Its really not that difficult to (pop) it out.Dont hit the panel directly w/the hammer use the dolly or 2x4 between the two.

 

I tried really hard to find the guy who did this... because I had an exact time frame that the guy walked out of Radio Shack that backed into my car... but Radio Shack would not give me the info, and they had their video cameras turned off... the cops said they couldn't help me either... I really just wanted to find out who it was and go look at their car and take pictures... then confront them... they'd prolly admit to it, and if they didn't... well let's just say I'd be paying their caddy a visit in the next couple of weeks... (gotta make sure you wait a little bit as to not be suspicious....)

 

that part of my car got smashed in just a lil worse when my car got wrecked and gaining access to the back is easy except up in the corners where the panel curves around to be welded in place......thats a pain in the *** to get to its almost impossible to get to w/ a dolly and hammer. You may have to take a pry bar and knock it out as much as possible. then grind down and get out the putty, spreader, and sand paper and blocks. .........the best part