Positron

I posted this in my original thread in the lounge about my accident but got no responses. Maybe I'll have more luck here. This NIGHTMARE just gets worse and worse!

I got a call this afternoon from my insurance company's estimator. He said that he had been over to Rosenthal Body Shop to see my car. He asked why I selected this body shop and I told him that it was recommended by the other insurance company (when they were still saying they would pay) and it was pretty close to my home. After a significant pause he said that he was very impressed with the RX8 and he could tell it was a special car. He then went on to say that the Rosenthal Body Shop does great work fixing mommy-vans with dings, but for such a fine car, especially since it is so new, he would recommend WagonWorks Collision in Alexandria or Precision Auto in Manassas or some other specialty shop that has extensive experience repairing high-end sports cars. He emphasized that the choice was entirely up to me, but if I called him tomorrow he would see about moving the car to another shop if I wanted.

So, WOW! I think I'd better call some of these places tomorrow. Any comments or suggestions to help? I REALLY want my car back in mint condition. I also understand that specialty shops might be booked up and might take more time. But maybe that's ok. Whew. Help!!

mm

Truss

You should use the best body shop possible. I would go to WagonWorks and personally check it out. Talk to the owner and ask to see some examples of their work. See if they've got some experience with cars like yours (or even better, Ferraris, Porsches, and exotics).

I know there are various certification programs for body shops, like I-CAR Gold. I don't know what they all mean, but some Internet research should turn up the relevant details. Sometimes if a shop is a member of these certification programs, the certifying body also has a dispute resolution procedure you can use if you're not satisfied.

You should use the best body shop you can find. I'd call a high end Porsche dealership and ask the service manager where they send their cars to get them repaired.

Your research will pay off. Remember: you can only get your car repaired ONCE, so it needs to be done right.

Good luck!

T.

TreknMazda

Sounds like the insurance adjuster knows more than he can actually tell you. So heed what he can't say and get the car to another shop pronto. My recommendation: Precision Collision fixed my RX-8 after the hit and run. Excellent job, but I'm used to it. They have fixed my RX-7 on several occasions. Mine was the first RX-8 they had worked on. Even though the damage was just the right rear quarter, they buffed and detailed the whole car And their work is guaranteed for life.

PaulieWalnuts

^ What truss said. Research your options. Insurance is a business and I'd be weary of anything they recommend since good chances are they will be thinking of what's best for them first.

Ask the body shops what warranty they offer on their work. Stay away from the shops that offer crap like 60 feet or 60 seconds, whichever comes first. I finally found a shop that offered lifetime warranty on their work and had plenty of proof to back up that they stand behind the warranty.

I'f WagonWorks or one of the others is a high-end or specialty shop, that'd be the route I'd go.

Keep us posted on progress. And who is your insurance company?

affenage

How many miles on the car? If I were you, I would worry that the insurance adjuster wants to send you to a better shop because he is planning on having them REPAIR parts instead of REPLACE them. Make sure, especially if the car is relatively low mileage, that they REPLACE any body part that was affected.
Also, i am thoroughly convinced that there is some sort of racket between some adjusters and some body shops. He may have a deal going with those two shops that would benefit them both, and be relatively un- affiliated with Rosenthal.
I've had mine in the shop for 38 days now... should get it back next week I hope.

Positron

Thanks for the replys! I went to Wagon Works Collision - they do very good work. They understand the paint on the new car. They specialize in high end vehicles. They will actually cost a little more than the dealer, but the insurance will still cover it. Their warranty is as good, if not better than the dealer. BTW, I also looked at Precision Collision and they look good too, but Wagon Works could get to me sooner. I am going to have the car moved on Monday.

My car has 7000 miles on it. We have already discussed returning the car to pre-accident condition. The dealer's body shop wants to REPAIR as much as possible. This new shop willl Replace whatever needs replacing. They are concerned about getting the parts, but we will see about that when they have a complete list. And this shop has the RX8 in their computer. The dealer's shop didn't have any of the 8's parts in their computer. We will see.

mm

PaulieWalnuts

Sounds good. Good luck!

Meowloud

WHAT?! No responses?! I told you my story Positron!
That was good advice too, especially since I got shafted moving body shops like you're doing! I think you are doing a turn for the better though.

Good Luck!

Astor

When mine was repaired, I took it to the place where they only fix high end cars and exotics, they did an excellent job, all new parts, lifetime guarantee, and it was the recommended body shop of the insurance agent.

Astor

Also, if this is on someone else's insurance, ask about diminished value compensation.

Positron

:D Meowloud - yes, yes, and I thank you very much for your support and advice. After doing more research I am really hoping that this will work out better. This is making me NUTS! I really wish it was easier. But I have to think that going to a shop that specializes in repairing high end cars will be better. And the insurance company approves it. They just called and said they will pay for the flat bed trailer to take the car to the new shop on monday.

I will keep posting updates. (I think I am going into RX8 withdrawal now. Its been 1 week and 2 days since I drove my car. And the Ford Focus rental car just isn't the same - !!)

mm

clyde

Wagonworks would be my first choice in the DC area these days. Overall, they get very high marks from the local BMW enthusiasts. Not everyone I know that has had work done there has been 100% happy with the work done, but they seem to do better along those lines than just about every other body shop I've ever heard of or dealt with. From the stories I've heard, they've been more than reasonable when it's come to fixing problems and they appear to stand behind their work as well as anyone.

I'm kind of shocked that your insurance adjuster recommended them. In most cases that I'm familiar with, when the insurance companies heard that the cars were going to Wagonworks, they weren't very happy. They have a reputation for fixing things right instead of cheap and they can take a very long time...and get kind of pricey.

Good luck!

offdaheeze

My 8 was damaged and am planning on taking it to Wagon Works just for the simple fact they always have high end cars parked in their lot, I drive past there everyday on my way to work.

My concern is that it will take forever to fix as the car is relatively new and parts maybe hard to come by, especially the rear door panel, which is aluminum $$$. The bottom line is that I want it to be done perfect and will pay any additonal costs to have body parts replaced instead of repaired. I know little about body work, but do they replace the whole door or can the just replace the panel?

It just really sucks to have to drive an attention getter like the RX-8 with dents in it.

affenage

I am glad to hear that you have made a decision that you are comfortable with. I wish both of us a lot of luck! My car was hit when I had only about 500 miles on it... and it's been gone now for twice as long as I had it! It really wasn't that bad - no engine damage, and all the damage located on the side front panel, and underneath. But the parts seem to take about a week or two for each batch, and the withdrawal symptoms are really bad sometimes. Hanging out on this forum has really been amazing therapy for that! (thanks everyone.)
so - good luck to you, keep us updated. I hope to have mine back middle of next week. (but am getting used to dealing with delays..)