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2007 Prius in minor/moderate front Fender Bender/ Repair or Turn-in

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by pc95, Feb 18, 2022.

  1. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    have a 2007 Prius and recently was at fault for a minor-ish fender-bender at about 10mph - hit a truck in front of me trying to stop . My Car has ~ 93000 miles. Truck in front of me had little/no damage and a tow-hitch which punched a smallish hole in my front bender - did not care about insurance/claim, no injuries. The more noticeable damage is the additional large-fist size dent/crumple left from center above the punched hole when facing the car - causing the hood to warp upward about 1.5 in especially on left side when facing. None of the engine components appear to be damaged. Drives fine, headlights working.
    The blue-book value at "fair" condition which with the body damage maybe isn't applicable is $3600. Clear coat is gone in places, and there are small dents in a few places before the accident.

    Wondering how much a hood repair may cost or if even worth it? The hood closes, but there's damage to bracket and material that the hood shuts onto. I figure it's at least $750 or so for the hood alone - fender would be $1000 for a replacement. Is what amounts to cosmetics worth $2000, for a 15 year old car worth $3500 at best? Considering replacing the hood/apparatus as its much more noticeable - however the car was only fair/good shape to being with.

    Few other considerations - 1. the dash readout goes in/out requiring a battery lead cables remove/re-insert 2. I have already spent $2000 on CAT Converter replacement 1 year ago at a dealership.
    3. Bought the car used from family friend for $4200 with 76000 miles in FEB 2018 (good deal at the time). 4. Maintenance Required light just came on solid last week. (was going to check it, but now have different calculus occurring with my blunder.

    Thoughts if worth repairing or just live with the ugly dents/warpage? Or repairing to trade (probably not)? Or just repairing the hood only? Thanks,
     
    #1 pc95, Feb 18, 2022
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The hood is aluminum and it would need to be replaced. Hopefully you can find a used part, with the same color as yours. The fender is steel, it'll be cheaper to get. But if you can find a hood and fender with the same color, that would be best.

    If it still drives and you can accept the damaged look, just take your time and find the correct used part. It'll eventually show up if you look, people part these cars out and the body parts will someday be plentiful
     
    #2 JC91006, Feb 18, 2022
  3. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    Thanks JC, I saw an older toyotaparts site link, but it was not connecting (maybe taken down). Have you seen any newer sites?
    Appreciate it.
     
    #3 pc95, Feb 18, 2022
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you need to replace it with another vehicle, check out pricing and availability before making a decision
     
    #4 bisco, Feb 18, 2022
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Any pictures?
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Feb 18, 2022
  6. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    San Diego? What colour is the car? Maybe able to get the right colour match.
    Hood $100-150
    Fender $75

    If the hood is bent, then the upper rad support is probably tweaked, insurance will definitely write off. Hood latch probably won't line up with new hood, you will have to pull rad support forward to get it to line up.
     

    Attached Files:

    #6 alftoy, Feb 18, 2022
  7. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    Hi Mendel, here are some pictures of my damage. - The hood still latches luckily.
    20220218_125854_compress5.jpg 20220218_125917_compress50.jpg
     
    #7 pc95, Feb 18, 2022
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  8. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    Thanks Alfoy! There a green model, but left side was totaled....can you use different year models? Would think not.
     
    #8 pc95, Feb 18, 2022
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just editorial: where you say fender I think you mean “bumper”, though fairing would be more apt. Fender’s the bodywork at the wheel well.

    it looks eminently fixable, IF you’re not averse to exceeding book value. Consider the current car sale climate: high used-car prices and a dearth of new?
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Feb 18, 2022
  10. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    Yes car-part.com automatically does interchange, they will show what matches 2007 prius.
     
    #10 alftoy, Feb 18, 2022
  11. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    Yeah, thanks I'm looking at the local junk-yard site. Unfortunately the only hood locally with the same color looks to be dinged up some.
     
    #11 pc95, Feb 19, 2022
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  12. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    Is that locally available hood "less dinged up than your hood" enough to put it on and live with it? How much is the cosmetic appearance of your 15 yr old car worth to you?

    Repainting the front of the car is likely going to be the highest cost of this repair.

    Me, I might consider beating most of that dent out of the hood, some bondo, then getting some "custom color match" paint cans from the local auto parts store.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #12 mr_guy_mann, Feb 20, 2022
  13. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    Yeah a less dinged up hood with decent color-match would be worth the $150-$200 for me - probably let the bumper sit. Checked youtube - cant find a prius tutorial on replacing a hood, anyone change out prius hoods, how difficult (arent they just bolted)?How long would it take to replace the hood - looks like need a screwdriver and socket set?....did see on a different type of car. I don't care about the paint much....if I can find something close to match - good enough. Clearcoat is bubbling off all over, and some smaller dings in the front.

    Car has 93000 miles on it....I'm driving it around 5000 miles/yr for work commuter.
     
    #13 pc95, Feb 20, 2022
  14. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    A hood turned up on the junkyard - anyone have a procedure on replacing a hood on Prius 7?....didn't see one on a first look on Youtube.
    Tools needed?

    Thx.
     
    #14 pc95, Apr 8, 2022
  15. prius16

    prius16 Active Member

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    Are you doing it by yourself, or with another person?
    A Prius hood is small and light.

    Regardless, imho, 100% of the time, you always protect the windshield with cardboard.
    I don't care if you have the 10 strongest dudes on the planet doing the hood install, you are not professionals, and in real life, real life people make mistakes. So, some cardboard over the front windshield is quick and cheap insurance, in case(cough, cough when) the hood slips.


    It's only a few bolts holding on the hood.
    Using cardboard to protect the windshield, take off the old bolts. It really helps to have two+ people. If you can't use rope and a tree. If you can't use cardboard and plenty of moving blankets (Home Depot, or Walmart).
    Remove old hood.
    To put on the new hood, do the reverse.


    Btw, this guy shows how to use studs (cut off a bolt head, from a spare bolt), to make it easier to install a hood by yourself.

    Put Your Car Hood On By Yourself! I'll Show You How
    Troy Kane Vtwins to v8s

    Note, there is not a windshield on the car that he did the hood install on.
    Therefore, if he slipped putting the stud in the hole(it was close), the corner of the hood wouldn't crack any windshield.
    Again..., you always protect the windshield with cardboard.


    Good Luck!
     
    #15 prius16, Apr 8, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2022
  16. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    Thanks for the warning on blanket/cardboard - will employ - yes I have a friend assisting. Getting the hood (hopefully) from a junkyard.

     
    #16 pc95, Apr 9, 2022
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