To fix or sell ... hmmm

[rnovember]

I just crunched the rear quarter panel on my '02 Grand Prix. Turning a sharp corner, I smacked into a concrete column in a parking garage ... sonofa ... yet my fault for driving like a cowboy

Estimates vary to fix, though about $1000 seems to be the cheapest I got so far. After 161,000km (100 000 miles), the car itself has a few dings and scratches and needs some new paint; other than that, it's been well maintained with no rust on the body. I do get a check engine light (code P0128 - coolant temp below thermostat regulating temp) all the time but that's not a big issue right now.

So my dilemma is this: a) get the bodywork done, b) get the bodywork done and the whole car repainted for about $2000, c) live with the damage, maybe try to pull out the dent the best I can myself, or d) trade it in for next to nothing and buy something else.

I just have two more payments left on my GP and I really like her. So having said that I'm leaning towards option b (hey, it would be like brand new), though sometimes option c seems more economical.

Any thoughts would be appreciated ...

[FordMan77]

Hey, we all do stupid sh*t from time to time. It happens. $1000 sounds about right. See if they would be willing to work w/ you on the price if you want them to paint the whole car. Some shops may cut you a break this way.

Personally I would get the damage repaired and have it painted. Like you said, new car. Being rust free and only 2 payments from being yours I wouldn't give up just yet. Cheaper than buying another ride and starting over on the payments.

And the code is most likely due to a bad coolant temp sensor. Located in the LIM near the thermostat neck. I'd change that soon as you are loosing fuel mileage if it's reading cold IIRC.

Just my .02

[rnovember]

Thanks for the input! I think I'm gonna try to pull out the creases myself and bondo the rest. On closer inspection the damage is not as bad as I first thought. I've done some minor bodywork before and I'm not too bad at it. And if the car is still running good at the end of the year I may just get it re-painted professionally.


Bad coolant temp sensor? I think I'll try my hand at replacing that as well. Again, thanks ...