Hello all, new guy from South Carolina checking in here. I've had my 09 Cobalt SS for about a year and a half now and I really like the car. It was a big change from my 2005 STi but I've come to love what the LNF offers.

Unfortunately, I should of got around to joining sooner because this is what happened yesterday. I've heard quarter panel repairs can get expensive, hopefully its not too bad to fix.

 

Hope whoever hit you has good insurance.
With the rippling in that quarter that car is likely going to be totaled.

 

It gives me a bad feeling since the same company I'm dealing with now totaled my STi and it wasn't bad either. I got this car for $9k with 30k miles on it so I'm hoping I have the 1 of out 100 cases that can be fixed

 

You will make a profit on that if it is totaled tho.
Nada on it is about 12.7

 

Generally when the Quarter panel on our cars get fucked, the car is totalled.

 

IF they can fix it though, you should likely be able to have the car with no issues for the most part. a friend of mine got a reman title cobalt that was in a rather nasty rear end wreck and its been perfectly fine since he got it.

 

Ugh, well now the waiting game begins. Guess i'll find out if they're going to repair or total next week. If they pay out based on 12.7k that'll be a nice little down payment on whatever I get next. Any suggestions from you guys?

 

which car do you like the most, sti or SS?

 

They will pull the rear glass to repair that panel

 

So your thinking it looks repairable? I wonder how much the labor cost will be, that's even gave me the thought they might just total it

 

Bit of an unfair comparison - I modded the STi (3in turboback, intake, tune, JDM pink springs, defi guages and some other odds and ends) whereas the SS has always been bone stock.

Straight line I'd have to say I enjoyed the STi more (especially the boxer rumble) but on the twisties, I enjoy the SS a bit more. The SS definitely has some of the best handling for the cars I've driven, especially considering its FWD.

 

I'm a cautiously optimistic that it may not be a total. If its worth 12k for a payout they might repair it. Depends on a few factors as well. I can choose my own shop, and i promise you its more expensive to have it fixed there, than whatever they may offer, so that may be a factor as well.

 

Interesting - in the days to come we shall see how they handle it. I almost hope they do total it, as I know it'll be a PITA if I ever want to sell it and someone pulls the carfax. They want me to take it to one of their shops but I'm pretty sure I have the option to take it wherever I want considering they aren't my insurance provider and the other driver is at fault.

 

The only right they have is to use one of their appraisers to estimate damage.
YOU ALWAYS have the right to have it repaired where you want.
I would take it to the GM dealer. Highest cost, but you get a GM warranty on their work that GM customer care should make any dealer honor.

 

Thanks for the help BlackSS. I'm going to insist on a GM dealer since that's really where i'd want the car to go if it's going to get repaired.

Just went outside to take a peep up under the car to see what it looks like behind the left side of the bumper (see below). Somebodies going to have some fun fixing that mess.

 

Hope it can be fixed for you

 

Looks like your optimism worked - I got the call today that they are going to repair the car it wasn't as bad as I expected either...estimate tallied up to $4500. Now just have to deal with waiting 10 business days before I get the dern thing back

 

Go there often and check their work. I did that on my 06 SS/SC and the 3500 estimate quickly turned into 8 grand. They try to cut corners and put in shitty aftermarket parts.

 

Thanks for that info, I'll certainly do that. They are being a bit shady - they called to tell me the estimate amount but no one has provided me with the actual parts list so that I can see what they are doing. Hell, the online claim info hasn't even been updated, it still says they are inspecting the car. I just sent the adjuster an email to express my concerns and i'll give them a call tomorrow to insist I receive the estimate information. The last thing I want is anything off of a used car to be put on mine, it needs to be OEM everything. Is that something I can insist upon?

 

Used OEM parts are fine. Its the aftermarket chinese crap you dont want. You can insist but they may put it on anyways. Good thing is all you have to do when they are done is tell them nope, this aftermarket stuff does not fit right and my car is not the same. They have to redo the work with OEM parts.

 

Perfect that makes sense - I'll wait to get the actual estimate paperwork to see whats OEM/Re-conditioned and what's completely aftermarket. I'm really curious what they are doing to repair the quarter panel too.

The adjuster said that they were doing a "new" rear bumper, quarter panel, brake light, fixing body damage behind the bumper and some other trunk panel damage. I was amazed to hear that all that was just $4500, considering how nearly every time I've seen quarter panel damage on the forums its a total loss.

 

Cautious optimism for the win!