I *&( Hate Other Drivers!!!!

[altspace]

 

[altspace]

Now you know the difference between Mica and Metallic.

 

[bazooka joe]

i bet the clips on that bumper facia are busted!

 

[Reitrof]

Must be an easier way to change a front bumper or were they trying to steal the curb

 

[chuyler1]

Ok, so after 5 additional test panels the guys at FMW got things right...well as close to right as its gonna be I guess. Only sunlight will truely tell but overall they did a pretty good job. From far away the color is virtually indistinguishable to the original in overcast light. Up close, the color is off just a hair but the sparkle consitency looks accurate. They pulled and buffed out the trunk and the paint didn't coat as evenly over that spot...that is the most noticable flaw but it is right near the license plate so I'll live with it. The clearcoat finish is actually smoother than the stock paint, again only noticable inches away from the car.

Am I satisfied with the job? Yes. Am I satisified with the result? Not really...but I think they did the best they could and I doubt any other body shop in the area could match their job.

Nick gave me more compliments on the car...and said it ranks up there with the Ferraris and other cars he's been allowed to drive around the lot...I don't know about that but whatever. He also said to never get in another accident because the paint is the toughest to match that he has seen to date. Perhaps they say that to everyone. They did a good job and I don't think any run-of-the-mill shop would have done better. Afterall, how often would you inspect your car in the lot of joes body shop sitting next to a 100K Mercedes SL? My car was sandwiched between an SL and a Land Rover and when I said I was there to pick up my Mazda everyone's eyes lit up and said...so that's your car huh?! I doubt that happens to Honda Civic owners.

Anyway, I haven't taken any photos of the final result...maybe I'll make you wait until WPI on Sunday. But they did give me some photos on a floppy disc of them prepping the car for paint...

 

[meinp5]

Sweet - im glad you'll be getting her back soon. Look at it this way...you're keeping the miles down!

 

[chuyler1]

I've got it back now! Driving it home was a dream. I took the long way so I could open it up a few times.

 

[meinp5]

Awesome.

 

[Astral]

I've got it back now! Driving it home was a dream. I took the long way so I could open it up a few times.

w00t!

 

[Crazee D]

Mazel Tov!

 

[altspace]

Sweet!

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

My policy here in TX guaranteed my repairs using their preferred shop for the life of the car, or until you get rid of it when I ran a green light 5 seconds or so after it turned green & got hit in the rear wheel by some asswipe running the light red that left the scene also cutting my deductable in half. No frame or quarter panel damage, just suspension/strut/wheel. I suggest using preferred shops. In my case it was a Mazda dealer too.** edit wtf, I missed a few posts, LOL, nevermind.................

 

[bazooka joe]

yahoo for chris!!(dance)

 

[Reitrof]

Congrats

 

[bazooka joe]

lets see some pics!

 

[chuyler1]

Car is all wet now...you'll have to wait until Sunday to see it in person

 

[bazooka joe]

please post pics of your new rear end! we need to close this part of our mazda life!

 

[chuyler1]

Doh, I don't think I took any yesterday. I'll snap some as I leave for work and post them later.

On a side note....it never ends. Amanda's windshield just cracked from a rock that fell of a construction vehicle on 95 south. Doh!!!!

 

[altspace]

Damn boy, go buy a rabbit's foot or something. First the rear end, then the front plate and now the P5 windshield. Just don't drive anywhere. Oh wait....that does not work either. Remember my bird with rock landing on hood incident? Ouch!

 

[chuyler1]

So how much does a new windshield cost? Insurance says its only covered under our $500 deductable + a surcharge. WTF does insurance cover these days? Over my lifetime I have dished out $10-15K to those fuckers and they won't even replace a windshield without upping my premium!