I always wonder whether the typical LA driver's IQ drops by half when there's rain. I got my answer today.

Parked the xFire in Torrance, Crenshaw and PCH. Some idiot decided to scrape my car, and didn't leave a frickin' note. It's pretty obvious. Either way, I'm pretty steamed, considering I got the car in tip-top shape just recently. %$#^!!!

On that note, I could use the name of a good body shop. Still deciding whether I want to save a little money (pulleys don't pay for themselves!) or spend top dollar on the fix, so knowing whether a shop is a good value or a premium shop would be great as well. Thanks in advance, guys.

 

Doesn't that just totally **** you off. L.A. drivers , especially young ones, don't know how to drive because they never had to drive on snow and ice and it doesn't really rain year round here either. Every time it rains,the freeways are all clogged up as these stupid bastards who tailgate learn something about friction and water. They should have learned these things in physics class, but were probably at the beach, jerkin' off instead of going to class.

I'd never recommend any body shop, those guys are as crooked as investment bankers. Damn right I'll condemn "em all. Good luck buddy, I feel for you.

 

Was just there yesterday at the Jag dealer on PCH looking at used Jags, killing time while on vacation. Sorry to read about this. After the repairs, any chance you could buy a beater car for bad weather days, like many do back east. If not going thru your insurance, may want to think about some of the body shops in Huntington Park/South gate area. Quik story, I had to have two bolt holes welded closed on my Harley rear fender and repainted, Went to places in the Downey/Lakewood area, 1 day paintNbody, Earl Schiebs, etc. All charged "by the book hours", estimates between 350-400 bucks to weld shut the two holes and repaint the fender gloss black. Went to a Mom/Pop shop in HP on Florence, body shops like every other block.......70 bucks! And it was perfect.

 

Good advice! The worse the neighborhood the better the prices. Cheap rent, no workers comp, no liability insurance, no advertising, no income taxes (discount for cash)=Good deal.

 

Max, I go to the same area to buy firewood. Firestone, or is it Florence/110 freeway. can't remember now. I go thru this every damn year, never remember which street. A little place that has a tree trimming business. Seperate woodpiles for soft/hard woods. Fill my 1/2 ton GMC bed up even with the top rails........$80 bucks during the summer, little more in winter. In my neighborhood, it would be like 130-150 bucks. Little ol' lady comes out, tells me what pile to pick from, I load up, pay her and I'm gone! Use alot of wood during the summer to burn in the firepits in the backyard during BBQ's/swim parties. How did I get so off topic!

 

Well, we could start a firewood thread lol. The price difference from neighborhood to neighborhood can be pretty extreme, especially when it comes to industrial services. I can go east into Pasadena and get a detail job for $150.00 or I can go west a couple of miles into Eaglerock and get one for $70. Of course now that I have my P.C. 7424 I'll stay home and get it for cost.

The regular programming may now continue

 

DesertFox,

If you haven't yet repaired your car, my father has a body shop in Whittier and they do great work. Yeah, I'm biased but it's a quality shop and the work and your satisfaction are guaranteed. They're quite familiar with Crossfires as well!! Have mine there know being repaired from a hit and run! Yeah, LA drivers suck! Mine happened in a parking garage, no note either. $1000 worth of damage - new fender, door repaired, paint, etc. Miss my baby.

Fix Auto Whittier (Whittier Auto Craft)
12130 E. Washington Blvd.
Whittier, Ca. 90606

Ask for Sam - Tell him you were referred by me (Len)

 

Thanks for the recommendations, guys. I ended up picking a shop that was recommended by a friend, and will be picking my car up next week. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping they did a decent job. Some shops were quoting the damage at $1k... Sad to think how easy it is to do that much damage...

 

Gr8len, Since your dad owns a body shop, you should know that I don't really think those guys are all bad. I was just having some fun with a late night red neck rant and playing a part. Like all occupations, there are good guys, bad guys, and some with whom I just disagree. No disrespect intended toward your father or the other honest men in that industry.