the4v3ry

Crash! Now I need advice- Corner Lights

Hi all, just got my RX-8, and now I've gone and got in an accident! I'm hoping to get some quick help because I need to act fast at the body shop... and I know very little about cars!


I will happily send presents (Xbox 360 SWAG, coffee gift cards, whatever) to people that really help me out here, you could save me hundreds of dollars with your wisdom!

I'm going to break this up into a couple threads by topic... I've got other questions here about my headlight, fender, corner lights, fog lamp, and and aftermarket bumpers... if you're feeling really generous with your time.

QUESTIONS:
I figure now's the time to consider a corner light upgrade. I don't have time to do the kind of research I want, so I'm hoping (pretty please) you will all share your vast knowledge.

I think I like the look of clear (or tinted) corners, and I'd like to put yellow lights inside only because it's the law. Should I buy these from RX8Strakes.com, then put in these lights? Are these pretty much top-of-the-line?


CAR:
I have a stock Silver '04 sport with no body mods at all, but I have fog lights and auto-leveling Xenon HID lights.

DAMAGE: $2500-3500
Bumper-
I've basically destroyed the thin plastic bumper shell, though there's no damage visible to the bumper underneath, they want $410 for the bumper cover plus $14 for the emblem, and $17 for the retaining bracket, total 2.5 hours plus 3.5 paint hours
Fender-
There's a ding in the fender that the body shop says is too hard to repair due to the type of steel, they want $300 for the fender, total 1.7 hours plus 3.5 hours paint
Corner Light-
It's toast, they want $40 for a new one, total 0.5 hours
Fog Lamp-
It popped out when the bumper was pulled off in the accident. The bulb itself is dying, and the plastic "pot" that the plastic holding the glass cover goes into needs to be replaced. You apparently can't buy without the bulb so they want $220, total 0.3 hours
Headlight-
The outermost tab that secures the headlight assembly to the car snapped, and they want $1000 to replace the whole goddamn thing. That one I either want to leave slightly broken (it seems pretty secure), or make a new tab for it from scratch!
Additional-
They want 1.2 hours for removing & installing parts, plus 4.5 hours painting to tint match the door and hood, etc.

BigRed

get an aftermarket front bumper. in order to save money, just buy the oem foglights on ebay. they are only like 40$ and the same thing youll pay for the 220. totally worth it!

the4v3ry

Thanks for the feedback BigRed! I'll do just what you suggest (though I may choose a bumper cover that doesn't allow foglights, so I'm going to wait on that one.) If you have any advice on bumper kits, I'd love to get your feedback on that thread.

Dive Bum

If you are wanting to go with clear corners, check out this e-bay seller. In order to do it yourself, and save yourself 0.5 hours of labor costs, check out this DIY. Good Luck

jskup1

iTrader: (7)

headlights are also on ebay quite often.

the4v3ry

Thanks for the tip!!! If I buy from that eBay guy selling Japanese OEM parts, can I put these LED lights in?

Dive Bum

Many states require yellow lights in corner lights markers. The problem with a lot of standard lights as well as some LED lights is that with clear corners it looks as if you have an "egg yoke" in there. I was checking out this product (third item down) called Stealth Bulb for Clear Corners.

the4v3ry

Thanks for the tip man! I really do plan to have yellow lights, but I don't want the yellow look when the lights aren't flashing. Can anyone advise what the best "yellow lights for clear corners that don't look yellow when off" are? There's the ones Mazdatrix, there's the LEDs at RX8Strakes, plus who knows how many others. What's the best light?

BigRed

you are basically in great shape if you dont buy a replica. i am getting my Vertex lang rear installed as we speak because someone hit me as well.... other quality FITTING companies are veilside, auto-exe, etc. Anything you see on Japanparts.com will most likely be good companies to buy from. You will have to wait a decent amount of time to get the parts, and they are more expensive than stock--definitely true with shipping. hope that helps! sorry for the REALLY late response.

BigRed

In this case, I would just keep white leds in there. i used to have blue in there, actually for like 6 months, and never got a ticket. now white ones are in there to be less offensive. no ticket still unless they pull you over for speeding, i am pretty sure they wont pull you over for the leds. they need another reason.

Torchmonkey

I have had my bumper cover replaced twice...don't ask. The first replacement was perfect, the second, not even close. Both items from the same dealership and the same distributor-manufacturer. Buy the item and have your body shop test fit it before painting to ensure fit.

the4v3ry

Oooo! That's a good tip! I'll do that!

SoopaDoopa

I'd go out, buy the parts all in one shot (some places will actually give you discounts for doing so), and taking it to a place you TRUST to do the install. If you know what you're doing, save money and do it yourself. Then, just get it painted somewhere. You'll end up saving a HUGE amount in the long run.

P.S. I debadged my car the day I got it. Screw paying whatever for new ones. Rip off.