An idiot hit my 97 Lexus 400 from behind in bad traffic last fall, and she suffered a dent and some peeled off paint in the lower passenger side of the rear bumper...pix shows the damage.

Could someone offer - is this a 'repair' or 'replace' item...what'd it cost either way?

?

Jim

PS feeling pretty zippy cause my last query here was so successful eh!

 

If it is gouged and that depends on the skill of the body shop. For ease a new bumper insures that it will be free of any wavy damage from the hit.

 

i believe most body shops will consider this a repair item since finding AND painting a replacement bumper will be more costly (unless you are will to pay for it). a simple bumper recondition is all that is necessary, but i'm not too familiar on how to fix the dent on polyurethane. like RA40 stated, it all depend on the body shop.

 

if you can get an unblemished bumper for <$200 then go for it, that's about the right amount IIRC to have that one repaired since it's pretty warped.

 

You can probably straighten that plastic out. I got bumped into by some careless lady and was able to use a blow dryer to heat it up and pull it back into shape. Worked just fine.

 

An aftermarket new bumper is about $400'ish less paint costs. There is a range of aftermarket body panels so you would have to inquire with the body shop as to fit and relative cost between them.

On dad's Corolla I asked for the best fitting aftermarket bumper he recommended. Even he said that it won't be perfect and he was right. Where the headlight curves, the part does not hold an even gap so in that regard it was a Since this came out of pocket, the $150 savings was acceptable.

If the rest of the car is pristine/straight the skill of the body guy will be very apparent after it is painted. Make sure that you have a satisfaction guarantee. Many insurance companies have this stipulated if using one of their recommended/approved shops. If this is out of pocket, depends how much wallet you have for the repair.