I got bumper bendered tonight. A girl at work backed into me and put a big nice dent in my rear bumper and put some spiderweb-looking cracks in it as well. While I could theoretically pop it out and repaint the piece, I doubt it'd look quite the same. I was thinking in order to save her some money, just get an estimate and have her pay me outright so she doesn't have to pay a deductible plus raised rates. The cop said that is fine and dandy and cheaper for them as long as its under 400, which is where reporting it may be cheaper for them. What are your guys' thoughts on this old school way of handling business?

Also, since mine's an Ion, I doubt many of you know parts, but anyone have an idea of a good bumper cover for a sedan? I hate the grandmaw's butt stock bumper and the aftermarket rears are cheaper than oem, so if it needs replaced, I can save them money there.

 

So many fender benders. Thats why I dont drive my cobalt much. haha.

 

there aren't really any nice aftermarket kits for the ions :'(

 

I didn't figure. I found a couple this morning, but without some serious power, I'd feel like a ricer. Poor girl. She cried her eyes out to me. You can't get mad in those situations. I actually laughed when I saw it. At the end of the day, its just a car. As long as she's okay and my car isn't totaled, its fixable.

 

Sucks. I had the same thing happen to mine. Because the bumpers on the Cobalt are like a ABS plastic it is very hard to pop back out. Mine was cracked and pushed in. I tried to pop it back out and in the end got it pretty good and painted it. Could still see it a bit if you were looking. Almost always have to just get a new bumper to make it look like new again.

Good luck.

 

That's what I figured. Anyone have a guesstimate on how much that's gonna cost? I'll get an estimate Monday, but the girl was curious today at work. Gonna head up to Saturn tomorrow and see if they do any bodywork. I've never driven a car before where I actually cared about the body, so this whole process is new to me. Last two cars were a 90 Tempo and a many-a-wrecked Ranger. The Jeep I own is a tank and only deals damage. Haha.

 

So I had the damage estimated today. Without checking the metal surround frame and the sensors and such, its at 751. The bumper cover is cracking more and more every day and will need replaced and painted. The trunk is not lined up correctly, which could mean the whole rear is in need of work. I found that one out when I washed it and flooded the trunk, which means the trunk will need realigned. The body shop said with all the damage under the bumper, a rough estimate could put me anywhere from 2000-4000. Glad she has insurance. I just wonder if that will not total the car, seeing as I paid 7000 for it 20k miles ago.