I recently noticed the car I bought from CarMax has a dented in passenger side rocker panel. I've already filed a complaint with the FTC/BBB and posted on CarMax's facebook page.

If I have to get this fixed, which I'm sure I'll end up having to do it, how much would it typically cost to repair a 6-12" dent on a rocker panel on this car? I know this involved welding tabs, pulling the dent out by the tabs, cutting the tabs off, sanding and painting.

It sucks Mazda designed the rocker as apart of the cars body that can't be removed. I wonder what they were thinking?

 

As for your cost can't tell you but making it all one peace is easy. Adds to the rigidity of the car less seems harder it is for the car to twist as well as save on over all wight no seems no bolts clips so on.

 

Or you can get sideskirts and cover it up.

 

Side skirts would cost more after having them painted!

The estimate to repair the rocker is $463 and 1-2 days. There are imperfections on the front/rear bumper so I'll probably just have those refinished as well.

The front/rear bumper and rocker repair total $1258.65 and they said they can get it done in under 3 days with a lifetime warranty on work. The shop has A+ ratings on google and AngiesList in Jacksonville, FL.

The labor rate is $40/hr and paint supplies is $25/hr.

 

Just thought to present an option IF you thought of going to go the body-kit route. There are people who pay for sideskirts to cover up their perfectly unblemished rocker panels.

 

so was this damage present when you initially inspected the car or done just before you picked it up? if it was always there when you signed the paperwork, it is a used car and won't be perfect.

 

CarMax sold me the car with the damage. I brought it back after the 5 day period. CarMax told me they wouldn't have sold a car with any kind of body damage used or not. So they missed the damage during inspection or ignored it. I asked for the inspection report and they told me they didn't have to show me that.

So yeah.. Obviously they either didn't inspect it or that 125+ point inspection and 12 hours of "reconditioning" is all BS. Guess there's a reason why CarMax has a 2.9 star rating on google reviews.

I was willing to accept the paint touch ups on the bumpers but the body damage wasn't even "CarMax quality" according to the service manager.

The car was transferred from Nashville, TN to Jax and neither CarMax caught the damaged rocker. It's not like the rocker is easy to see on a black RX8. I should have inspected the car more carefully though. I thought CarMax would have backed their cars but that's not the case. So they lost a customer for life over $463.

To the other posters on the side skirts --

I love this car stock and don't like body kits in general. The second gen RX8 looks great as it is and I want to keep it in as near perfect condition as possible.

 

unfortunately the rockers are the most difficult spot to notice minor damage in unless you view the car from a distance away and on a black car it would be even less noticeable.