First piece of damage to my new Prius. *UPDATED PICTURES*

[whitespider]

Hello all. I guess it's bound to happen eventually, and even it's not, it's not as if it was unlikely. I was parking after filling up my fourth tank of gas. as I went to park in reverse I was too close to the car door from the space next to mine, so i pulled up a bit and struck into a metal piece sticking out from a broken parking space cement block. Anyways the damage sounded and felt a little rough, i was hopnig for not too bad a scratch on the underside.. and when I looked, I saw this:


(Click to enlarge)


This is the culprit:
(Click to enlarge)


Anyways, what do you all recommend I do? I really don't care for cost. My bills arn't high as i'm a 22 year old living at home. My car costs me alot, since I got it pkg 6, but I don't mind paying a little more to fix this problem. Whole new bumper? What is to be done? I don't want to drive around with it like this waiting for a more 'serious' blow to it before i fix/replace it. Then again, I don't know, and that's why i'm here.

Suggestions?

[Jonnycat26]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(whitespider @ Jul 22 2007, 02:10 AM) [snapback]483086[/snapback]</div>

Anyways, what do you all recommend I do? I really don't care for cost. My bills arn't high as i'm a 22 year old living at home. My car costs me alot, since I got it pkg 6, but I don't mind paying a little more to fix this problem. Whole new bumper? What is to be done? I don't want to drive around with it like this waiting for a more 'serious' blow to it before i fix/replace it. Then again, I don't know, and that's why i'm here.

[/b]

People would probably have to see what you did to know how to advise you... however, you're probably going to have to replace the bumper.

I had a very low speed parking lot collision a few months back, and honestly I just tapped the back of this woman's Buick. Her car got a scratch, and my car looked like someone ripped open the bumper. If you're interested in the costs, I have the bill around, but I did have to pay the full deductable (the cost was over 500). I also have pictures, if you want to see what a low speed collision can do to a Prius, but it's not pretty looking.

[whitespider]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Jul 22 2007, 12:38 PM) [snapback]483158[/snapback]</div>

People would probably have to see what you did to know how to advise you... however, you're probably going to have to replace the bumper.

I had a very low speed parking lot collision a few months back, and honestly I just tapped the back of this woman's Buick. Her car got a scratch, and my car looked like someone ripped open the bumper. If you're interested in the costs, I have the bill around, but I did have to pay the full deductable (the cost was over 500). I also have pictures, if you want to see what a low speed collision can do to a Prius, but it's not pretty looking.
[/b]

Hmm. This is my first car, i'm 22, and i'm in that phase in my life where i'm trying to be a responsible adult. I felt that I'd pay whatever the cost was, out of my pocket, to replace the bumper. So long as it wasn't more than 900 or 1000 then I was fine with it and could live with the cost as a testiment to be more careful (this is my first car, and i paid it out of my pocket, cash, from saving up from from $10/h+ jobs for about two and a half years), so that I would take 'scrapes' more seriously and avoid them at all costs.

I'll have pictures later today, since the sun is out and I could better see the damage.

[Jonnycat26]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(whitespider @ Jul 22 2007, 12:49 PM) [snapback]483162[/snapback]</div>

so that I would take 'scrapes' more seriously and avoid them at all costs.

[/b]

You can't avoid all scrapes, ya know.

I'd let the insurance handle this if you have accident forgiveness or something like that on your policy.

[Sean & Ian]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(whitespider @ Jul 22 2007, 02:10 AM) [snapback]483086[/snapback]</div>

Hello all. I guess it's bound to happen eventually, and even it's not, it's not as if it was unlikely. I was parking after filling up my fourth tank of gas. as I went to park in reverse I was too close to the car door from the space next to mine, so i pulled up a bit and struck into a metal piece sticking out from a broken parking space cement block. Anyways the damage sounded and felt a little rough, i was hopnig for not too bad a scratch on the underside.. and when I looked, I saw this:

(pictures coming tomorrow, sorry, just wanted to get the topic in before bed. Also, it was still dark, being 2am, and couldn't see it well myself.)

Anyways, what do you all recommend I do? I really don't care for cost. My bills arn't high as i'm a 22 year old living at home. My car costs me alot, since I got it pkg 6, but I don't mind paying a little more to fix this problem. Whole new bumper? What is to be done? I don't want to drive around with it like this waiting for a more 'serious' blow to it before i fix/replace it. Then again, I don't know, and that's why i'm here.

Suggestions?
[/b]

I was backing into a parking space and went a little too far, and punctured my rear bumper with this bolt that was sticking out of the wall. I showed it to a few car repair people, and they all said that there is really nothing that can be done to fix it, except to replace the bumper. After the incident, I immediately put a piece of clear tape over it so rain water won't go in. Now the hole is covered with a bumper sticker -- I normally don't like to put anything like that on my car, so it took me a while to find the one that looked decent. Sorry I can't show you the hole, since it's already covered up

[whitespider]

Pictures uploaded. REALLY this time, heh. Sorry I took so long. It doesn't look too bad, but i'm just.. vain.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Jul 22 2007, 12:56 PM) [snapback]483163[/snapback]</div>

You can't avoid all scrapes, ya know.

I'd let the insurance handle this if you have accident forgiveness or something like that on your policy.
[/b]

Hmm. State Farm... Don't know... Rather keep them out of it since i'm not familiar with them enough yet heh.

But if it works, it works.




The bumpersticker idea isn't bad. look at the damage and you tell me.

[TheForce]

If you want to do it yourself and cover the hole you could always get one of those chin spoilers for the Prius. This would just cover the hole. If you don't like the chin spoiler look you can always buy a replacement bumper cover. Both are not that hard to install.

[JimN]

Whitespider, put this in the "Sh!t happens" category. This car seems to pick up an amazing amount of trivial damage. I can relate to wanting a perfect looking show car but the fact is that you drive it on the road. Sooner or later it will get dinged, cut or scraped. That damage is small and low so I didn't notice it immediately in your first picture.

Here's my advice. Remove the damaged plastic that is sticking out by either carefully cutting or sanding. (The idea is to not create more damage.) Then leave it be. There isn't anything behind the plastic to worry about. Start shopping for a clear bra and get the front bumper, hood, and lights covered. I was quoted $500 for Venture Shield installed. This will prevent the inevitable nicks & scratches and maybe some scrapes. While you are at it, get the rear bumper covered as well. Have you considered the rubber trim for the bumpers as posted here?

If you replace the bumper it will be a comprehensive claim. Your insurance probably won't increase this time but most likely will next time. You'll have to buy the bumper and get it painted. Take it to a couple of body shops for a quick look.

The first ding is always the hardest and it's worse when you do it yourself. Look at it this way. Anybody can have a shiny perfect Prius. Yours has character now.

[priussoris]

Another point of view is that the parking curb should have been replaced long ago or fixed by the owner of the curb whether it is city or private property.
If someone was walking by and cut their leg who is at fault.
I would ask the owner to at least pay half the bill.
When driving it was not able to be seen.

Maybe some day-glow paint on it for now and then a new curb. will save someone else from getting a rupture.

[whitespider]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priussoris @ Jul 24 2007, 08:30 AM) [snapback]484067[/snapback]</div>

Another point of view is that the parking curb should have been replaced long ago or fixed by the owner of the curb whether it is city or private property.
If someone was walking by and cut their leg who is at fault.
I would ask the owner to at least pay half the bill.
When driving it was not able to be seen.

Maybe some day-glow paint on it for now and then a new curb. will save someone else from getting a rupture.
[/b]

good point, except that it was *drum roll......* GUEST parking!! (for my complex).