Front Bumper Smashed...help

baxi137 · 09-28-2006, 02:22 PM

Hi all,

The front bumper of my 2 week old prius was smashed into while parked in a parking lot. And of course the evildoer left no note. Does anyone know of a good body shop in Los Angeles, or the LA area? A place that would be reasonable in price, yet not shoddy work. Thanks in advance!

eagle33199 · 09-28-2006, 02:27 PM

Not from LA, so i can't help you there... however, for body work you should probably talk to your dealer first. There are precautions that need to be taken to ensure the computers and batteries aren't damaged during the body work (welding produces a lot of heat that can funnel in an burn things out), and a random shop may not know of them, and inadvertantly cause you more problems.

Good luck, it's always sad to hear about a hurt Prius, but at least you weren't in the car or hurt too.

Charles Suitt · 09-28-2006, 03:40 PM

BAD LUCK... Creeps *NEVER* leave notes.

I believe you will find that the damaged part is the "bumper cover" made of a "styrofoam-like" material with a smooth, painted surface. These are designed to absorb the impact to a point. If you remove the "towing-eye" cover (small round plug on the driver's side), you can see the inner construction. Most likely it will need to be replaced and repainted - and will look like new with a good paint job.

The advice above to go to the Dealer for his recommendation and work is the best way to go.

TheForce · 09-28-2006, 04:57 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Sep 28 2006, 03:40 PM) [snapback]325194[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

BAD LUCK... Creeps *NEVER* leave notes.

I believe you will find that the damaged part is the "bumper cover" made of a "styrofoam-like" material with a smooth, painted surface. These are designed to absorb the impact to a point. If you remove the "towing-eye" cover (small round plug on the driver's side), you can see the inner construction. Most likely it will need to be replaced and repainted - and will look like new with a good paint job.

The advice above to go to the Dealer for his recommendation and work is the best way to go.
[/b]

Actually the bumper cover is made from plastic. The styrofoam you see is part of the actual bumper. Take a look at the pictures of my bumper cover.

You will have to scroll down a bit to see the pictures.
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=2...&hl=spoiler

Pinto Girl · 10-19-2006, 06:43 PM

Bistagne Brothers in Glendale did some excellent work on my Miata about ten years ago, but I haven't lived in SoCal for years, so things might have changed.

I can tell you that Bistagne Bros. is an LA institution, and has been family operated for I think two or three generations now. Location was near the 134 freeway, if memory serves correctly.

09-28-2006, 02:27 PM	#2
eagle33199 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,006 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Not from LA, so i can't help you there... however, for body work you should probably talk to your dealer first. There are precautions that need to be taken to ensure the computers and batteries aren't damaged during the body work (welding produces a lot of heat that can funnel in an burn things out), and a random shop may not know of them, and inadvertantly cause you more problems. Good luck, it's always sad to hear about a hurt Prius, but at least you weren't in the car or hurt too. __________________

09-28-2006, 03:40 PM	#3
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	BAD LUCK... Creeps NEVER leave notes. I believe you will find that the damaged part is the "bumper cover" made of a "styrofoam-like" material with a smooth, painted surface. These are designed to absorb the impact to a point. If you remove the "towing-eye" cover (small round plug on the driver's side), you can see the inner construction. Most likely it will need to be replaced and repainted - and will look like new with a good paint job. The advice above to go to the Dealer for his recommendation and work is the best way to go. __________________ Charles Suitt Dallas Texas 2007 Touring Edition (Former Prius: 2004)

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09-28-2006, 02:22 PM	#1
baxi137 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi all, The front bumper of my 2 week old prius was smashed into while parked in a parking lot. And of course the evildoer left no note. Does anyone know of a good body shop in Los Angeles, or the LA area? A place that would be reasonable in price, yet not shoddy work. Thanks in advance!

10-19-2006, 06:43 PM	#5
Pinto Girl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,371 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Bistagne Brothers in Glendale did some excellent work on my Miata about ten years ago, but I haven't lived in SoCal for years, so things might have changed. I can tell you that Bistagne Bros. is an LA institution, and has been family operated for I think two or three generations now. Location was near the 134 freeway, if memory serves correctly.