My 04 RX Bamboo Pearl got in accident/fender bender and I have never been a car accident all my life so this stuff is new. It will need a new bumper, grill and hood. I am having it done by my Lexus dealer. My worry is that the color will not match because the paint on the replaced parts will look newer. Is it possible for the dealer to make the paint match 100% without repainting the whole car or whatever the dealer does. I just want it so no one knows it was in an accident?

Or would this be a good time to ask for the updated (2008-2009) hood and grill to be put on my car as well as have it repainted Black. Do you think insurance can cover that?

Lastly, right now when I drive it I can feel a vibration from my steering wheel when first coming to a stop or decelerating to a low speed say 5mph. It does not occur when driving. Just when you first come to a stop or around 4 to 6 mph. Can this be fixed? BC if not I rather just dump the whole car. Any ideas?
It reminds of of driving an old Camry and what happens when your at a stop light.
Thanks

 

Make note of anything you feel while driving and mention to Lexus when you bring it in to be repaired. Do not worry you will most likely never know the vehicle was damaged at all. I have had my 2000 RX300 and my 1997 LS400 repaired and you never knew anything was damaged both of these vehicles were black the hardest color to work with. Years back my 1981 Toyota Corona was involved in a four car mess. Vehicle one that I hit before hitting the concrete median left the scene then I got hit square in the right rear quarter panel and he got rear ended by car four who left the scene also. My front end was higher on one side than the other by about two inches. Steering wheel was on an angle for straight ahead passenger side doors were bowed out in the center besides the rear panel was badly damaged. Friends that saw it said fix it never will be the same etc. etc. Had it fixed at Toyota and ran the car another seven or eight years without any trouble at all and the paint always matched.

 

I've had a number of cars undergo repainting and in general the results have been very good. The paint will likely not be the exact same color due to changes that have occurred to your paint over the years. However, the painters "feather" the paint over a pretty wide area at the borders so the change in color may be spread across a few feet. The result is that you can't tell the difference even though there is a difference. If the work is done well, you should end up quite pleased with the results.

 

thanks herbvdh and dave2k thanks for the words of support. I really hope this comes out; I am worried that car will never be the same especially the paint and its driving characterisitcs. Does anyone know about the vibrations I am feeling described in my original post. Is it fixable?

 

can someone answer my vibration question; because if its going to end up being like that it will defeat the reason why I bought a Lexus. I want it to be perfect like before the accident. Please someone with experience? Answer...

Thanks

 

I don't believe anyone here can really answer your vibration question. Reason being it can be a number of different things causing it. Things like warped rotors, sticky calipers, worn suspension bushings and other bushings and mounts. If they can find out what is causing the vibration than surely it is fixable and should be good as new.

 

upgrade to the hybrid front bumper, get thundercloud grill. even though the color wont be 100% same, blending the fenders to the hood is the best way and is the right way to make your rx look untouched.

 

thats a good idea. Do you think insurance will cover a hybrid bumper and grill. I mean right now the bumper, grill and hood need to be replaced. How would I ask? Do I call the dealer or my agent?

Also wont I need new fog lights? Because currently my headlights and fog light work fine expect for a scratch on the lens of one, but I doubt insurance will cover a light replacement for that.

Also what is blending? How does that work?

 

how bad was the accident? you don't make it sound that bad, are you sure the insurance company is paying for a new bumper, and hood? I had my BMW hit by a taxi, and it was pretty bad. Geico was giving the dealer a hard time replacing anything, in terms of new parts. it would say on your insurance accident report exactly what you are getting. Unless otherwise noted in your policy, anything aftermarket done to your car is also not covered like body kits. So I'm pretty sure that are not going to get to pick and choose your parts. BTW if aftermarket parts are available they can use that too, yea you have no say on that.

 

It happen to me too my bamboo pearl both bumpers and rear side fender i didnt fix it yet just becuse of that issue of the paint match

 

Well you cant have insurance pay for repair and at the same time in the future for anybody not to find out it was in an accident. Most likely, a record of an accident will be created in CarFax, which is not the end of the world for a used car. Cosmetically, when having the body repaired at a Lexus dealer, 99% of people on the road won't be able to tell you've had an accident. Bodyshop men use various blending and computerized paint matching techniques, so the difference should very minor, if any. My advice is that when you will be picking up the car from the bodyshop, bring someone with you to get a second opinion on how does the paint match seem to them. Inspect the car upon delivery prior to signing anything. If you don't like how they've matched your paint, demand getting it redone. Putting hoods/bumpers/grills/wheels other that were on the car prior to accident will likely to decrease its value, so sticking to exact same look could be better.

Your other problem sounds like minor, could be just worn brakes, which is normal. Have bodyshop look at it. If its not accident-related, say "thank you" and dont let Lexus dealer do your brakes - they will overcharge you!!! take the car to a reputable shop so it will not cost you as much.

You are one lucky SOB (or DOB) lol for having an RX330 at only 18 years old!

 

Excuse me 19 now!. Jk yeah I'm happy with it. Thanks for the advice I don't think I will do the Hybrid thing, just the 2008 grill instead of an 04 as I read on Wiki it was upgraded.

My MAIN CONCERN (READ BELOW PLEASE) is the vibration at idle, I know its not the brakes because my car is not moving.

Example car is in D at a stop light (not moving), the steering wheel vibrates or in R stopped ready to shift into another gear vibration again. Once you drive and is moving the vibration stops. It feels like a hand held massager on very low that they sell a shaper image. Its not bad that bad but it comparable to a lesser degree.

anyways I haven't seen the car in 4 weeks now its at the Dealer getting fixed.

Anyone know what that issue is?