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Bay Area (south bay) body shop recommendations?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by cwerdna, Jun 18, 2006.

  1. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    2006 Prius
    Ok, to make a long story short, I was leaving a parking lot today and someone backed into my Prius as I was driving by. :( They either didn't look or didn't see me. It looks like I'm going to need a new rear bumper cover (it's torn and dragging) and it'll of course need to be painted. Not sure what else (yet).

    Anyone have any body shops to recommend/disrecommend? I live in south San Jose and work in Mountain View, so anything close to either or in between would work.

    I had my Z taken to a body shop >1 year ago in south SJ for some minor damage a car shipping company did during a move but I'm not totally happy w/their work (had some bubbles in the paint) so I'm not sure I'd go back to them.
     
  2. mcbrunnhilde

    mcbrunnhilde Opera singin' Prius nut!

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    Call several Toyota dealerships and see whom they recommend for body work. I've heard of some independent body shops who don't want to work on hybrids because of the high voltage. Also go to aaa.com and see what they recommend (you'll have to put in your zip code).

    You might want to check out this place. It looks like they have been active in reaching out to the hybrid market.
    http://artsautomotive.com/
    (Edited to add that they might not do body work, but perhaps they could recommend someone.)

    Best of luck!!!
     
  3. rustyj

    rustyj New Member

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    Try Fremont Collision Care Center (near 880 and automall parkway, fremont). Just got my car back on friday, after a similar accident, 16yr old new driver, didn't see me, and backed into the front passenger door. Took the car in on Monday, out on Friday, total $1900, and a great job on the paint match (tideland pearl). Very satisfied with the work done.

    rusty

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rustyj @ Jun 19 2006, 07:14 PM) [snapback]273659[/snapback]</div>
    They were recommended by Fremont Toyota, who sends all their prius there.
     
  4. TiogaJenny

    TiogaJenny New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cwerdna @ Jun 18 2006, 07:15 PM) [snapback]273249[/snapback]</div>
    I live in Mountain View and have used Active Auto Body, (also in Mt. View), twice and I love them! I used them for my Toyota truck, and just recently for my Prius, which was keyed the first month I got it. They do excellent work and are extremely nice. It is a small, family-run shop that has been in business for a long time. Shawn is the owner and very nice. Their prices are competitive as well.

    Shawn also informed me that it is important to go to a body shop that is up on the hybrid body work specifics, which includes not "baking" the Prius in the paint booth at full temps because it can damage the battery pack. His method is to put the Prius in the paint booth at the end of the day at lower temps and let it "slow roast" overnight. He has been to several seminars about bodywork for hybrids.

    Active Auto Body is on Pioneer Way in Mt. View and their phone # is 650-254-8933. Tell him Shelby sent you!
     
  5. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Thanks for the recommendations everyone. It's already too late. I went w/who Progressive (insurer of the driver who hit me) and Toyota Sunnyvale recommended: Da-Les in Sunnyvale.

    The estimate came out to ~$1300! The parts are on the way and they expect to be done Friday or Saturday.
     
  6. powrfuel

    powrfuel New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cwerdna @ Jun 22 2006, 12:04 AM) [snapback]275140[/snapback]</div>

    Same problem here. Are the doors panels aluminimum and can theyt get repaired and painted, or do they have to get a new door?