Rear Ended Repair Question

[msy-msp]

Hi All,

Am new to this forum, found it while trying to do some research on a recent accident we had with our RX400h.

Driving down the expressway last week I was hit by a Ford Expedition. The driver hit the right rear portion of the car. Anyway the rear quater panel, bumper and tailgate are all damaged quite a bit. Unlike the Expedition, I was able to drive the car to the dealer.

Anyway the dealer indicated that the body shop cannot repair the vehicle because of the new-ness of the vehicle. (i.e. they don't have the parts). They said most likely the vehicle is totaled because they cannot fix it. The insurance company figures the damage is around at most $10,000, and the car only has 3000 miles. Anyone know about this problem or know of a decent body shop to fix the vehicle.

Thanks

[litzdog911]

I would think that your insurance company should be able to tell you if the car is "totaled" or repairable. If they can't locate a body shop capable of repairing an RX400h, then it's totaled. How did they come up with the $10,000 estimate?

[Rx330driver]

thats pretty much nonsense in my opinion. How can there not be parts because of "new-ness". Its a car isnt it? how do other new cars get fixed? My rx330 was hit and the parts had to be ordered from Japan and sent here; took 2 weeks. Lexus should give u a loaner car or the othe person driving the Ford should cough up the money for a rental

[RX400h]

thats pretty much nonsense in my opinion. How can there not be parts because of "new-ness". Its a car isnt it? how do other new cars get fixed? My rx330 was hit and the parts had to be ordered from Japan and sent here; took 2 weeks. Lexus should give u a loaner car or the othe person driving the Ford should cough up the money for a rental

I agree. Our bumper was dented last Summer and indeed, the new bumper skin had to come from Japan (2 weeks). Take your RX400h to a Lexus-approved body shop and get an estimate. We took ours to a Toyota Body shop and although we had to wait quite a bit of time, the replacement skin was installed perfectly and with a lifetime guarantee.

Edited January 2, 2006 by RX400h