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Good Body Shops in LA area?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by mrandr, Oct 5, 2010.

  1. mrandr

    mrandr New Member

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    2010 Prius
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    III
    Hello fellow Prius drivers,

    Yesterday it was raining in LA, so of course I got rear-ended by someone who was probably illegally texting (I was at a full stop). My almost-6-month-old 2010 Prius now needs to be taken to the shop (paint/scratches, and potential loosened piece below the rear bumper). :/

    Unfortunately, I work rather far from home, from about 10am to 8pm every night. So I'm looking for a reliable body shop that does good work and can turn my car around quickly. (I know--aren't we all.)

    Anyone have any suggestions?

    Thanks!
     
    #1 mrandr, Oct 5, 2010
  2. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    Well since you got rear ended, their insurance pays.....
    You are entitled to a loaner car for as it takes to repair your car.
    You really do not want a quick reair job, you want a proper repair job!
    If you live in the Burbank, Hollywood area, I recomend Classic Collision on Riverside drive.
     
    #2 KK6PD, Oct 5, 2010
  3. Sassan

    Sassan New Member

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    Same thing happened to me Monday! Only had the car for 2 months! To make matters worse, the guy says he's unemployed and just got out of jail a month ago, and has $400 to his name. He wants to pay the repair out of pocket to keep his insurance low, but the two quotes I got were $600 and $800, both with a 2 day turnaround (they will have to remove the bumper to repaint which means removing and replacing all the clips that keep it on, plus replace the applique I have).

    The damage is minimal, I could probably not get it repaired and no one really notice anything, but it still bugs me that i had my lease for 3 years without incident and this happens so soon.
     
    #3 Sassan, Oct 5, 2010
  4. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    File a claim with your own insurance company and they'll provide you with a loaner and pursue the other party for damages (and get your deductible back).
     
    #4 32kcolors, Oct 5, 2010
  5. andino

    andino Senior Member

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    ^^ Ditto. I'm in the same situation right now. Just have to find some downtime to drop off my car.
     
    #5 andino, Oct 5, 2010
  6. subarutoo

    subarutoo New Member

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    I have used GTA Autobody in Northridge several times, twice for my Prius. They replaced the front bumper, fog light and lower grill due to freeway debris (tiretread), which also involved repainting the front right door. Later I had the windshield replaced, and front bumper and hood repainted due to gravel truck damage. Recently, I has a side window "shot out" or otherwise broken while on the same freeway, and I called them. They referred me to a glass shop they use (Cosmo Glass in Canoga Park), and said the price would be less than having them do it. I thought that was pretty fair of them. Give GTA a call if you are near the valley - 818-349-4920.

    I wish I could find some way to remove the huge TARGET from my car so I could quit visiting body shops!
     
    #6 subarutoo, Oct 6, 2010
  7. HAWAIIANBUILT

    HAWAIIANBUILT Senior Member

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    HEY THERE MRANDR !!!

    :):):):)

    I'm real sorry to hear about your incident. As far as body shops are concerned, I'd like to suggest Imperial Body Shop in the city of La Habra. They do amazing work. They handle most insurance claims, and have Enterprise Rental Car on site so that you can drop off your car, and rent a car all in one stop !!!

    I'm particular about my car, and when I was suggested this place I've always been satisfied with their work !!!

    Here is the 411

    Imperial Body Shop
    121 Industry Avenue
    La Habra, CA 90631-6815
    (714) 879-9092

    To all ... Speak to the owner Grigor and tell him I referred ya over there !!!

    Glad you are safe and good luck !!!

    :):):):)

    Rodney
     
    #7 HAWAIIANBUILT, Oct 7, 2010
  8. pri2b

    pri2b Junior Member

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    I've used Western Collision on Western north of Melrose a few times. They've done good work and have an Enterprise rent-a-car on site.
     
    #8 pri2b, Oct 7, 2010
  9. theotherone

    theotherone Junior Member

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    Generally I would take it to a good Toyota Certified Body Shop. Mostly likely you'll get genuine toyota parts (not cheap off market parts) and a lifetime warranty on the repairs.

    North Hollywood Toyota (Gold Class Certified Body Shop)
    4606 Lankershim Blvd.
    North Hollywood, CA. 91602
    (800) 442-1385
     
    #9 theotherone, Oct 7, 2010
  10. krg03

    krg03 Not expert, just experienced

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    Insurance gives lifetime warranty on the repair even if the body shop goes out of business.
    First hand experience with this. The shop I used was Toyota Certified. Whats important is not Toyota Certified but Insurance company certified.
     
    #10 krg03, Oct 8, 2010
  11. mrandr

    mrandr New Member

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    III
    Thanks, everyone, for the responses. Update:

    I ended up going to Silver Lake Collision Center (they work with Progressive, my insurer), and I have to say I am very happy with the results. I dropped off the car yesterday morning, and had the on-site insurance adjuster look at it right away so they could get started on the repairs. There is an Enterprise not too far from SLCC, so they handled my rental.

    The shop told me to expect the car to be done in 2-3 days, depending on whether the damage was cosmetic or worse. I got a message THIS MORNING saying it was ready! So I went in. I had to wait 10 minutes or so because even though the repair was done, they wanted to finish washing everything. When they brought the car out, I looked at it with the shop owner and the rear bumper was perfect (and the whole car shiny and clean). I'm very picky and detail-oriented, and I am so happy with how it looks.

    Thank goodness. That rental was pretty crappy, and made me realize how awesome my Prius is. :) I'm so glad I'll have it for the weekend...

    Thanks again!
     
    #11 mrandr, Oct 8, 2010
  12. HAWAIIANBUILT

    HAWAIIANBUILT Senior Member

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    HI MRANDR !!!

    :):):):)

    I'm very happy to hear that everything turned out awesome with your repairs !!!

    Nothings better than seeing your Prius all back in good health and looking great once again !!!

    Congrats, I will keep them on my list of great places to have work done as well !!!

    Thank you for the update !!!

    :):):):)

    Rodney
     
    #12 HAWAIIANBUILT, Oct 8, 2010
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