My First Accident: Before, After, and Now

[SinginHawk]

I bought my dream car this June, a new 2015 2LT for my DD (couldn't justify the cost for the RS upgrades, and I don't need a V8).



In September I got into an accident with no injuries, and no other vehicles involved. I took it to a family mechanic to see if he could do me a favor or two.



He did! He allowed me to offset the cost of aftermarket parts compared to what insurance paid, many of which I planned on getting eventually anyways.



Here are the upgrades, prices, and what I ended up paying:

1. Gen5DIY RS-SS Front Bumper Conversion

http://www.gen5diy.com/Chevrolet/Cam...umper-Upgrade/

List price: (~$1,400) 750 for Bumper, 350 for RS/foglight materials, and ~300 for installation.

In hindsight, the only reason that you'll need a conversion kit instead of OEM SS bumper is because the hood accents won't line up with the lines on the fascia unless you also get an SS hood, which I did.

2. Phastek U-Shaped Halo Projector Headlights, + HID Bulbs

http://www.phastekperformance.com/20...m649-b1wu0.htm

List price: (~$700) 350 for headlights, 150 for HID Bulbs, and ~200 for installation.

3. CarID Amerihood Carbon Fiber Hood

http://www.carid.com/2015-chevy-cama...-72233724.html

List price: (~900) 800 for hood, and ~100 for installation

There were some minor fitment issues. The hood was slightly warped, so that the passenger side mount was about a quarter inch too high. This was rectified with some washers. Also, the hood was too short by about a quarter inch, leaving a small gap wide enough to see the edges of the front fascia bolts. I bought a generic weatherstrip from an auto parts store for 30$, placed it beneath the gap, and you can no longer tell the difference.

4. T-Rex Grill

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A12261T69BNVXO

List Price: (~460) 360 for grill, and ~100 for installation

I painted the Chevy bowtie behind the grill. It fits great, and I like the debadged look so far.


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Grand total came out to $1,608, for about $3,500 worth of dedicated parts and labor.


I paid $808 (my $500 deductible + the difference in cost for the parts vs. OEM), with a $800 rise on my 6 month insurance premium.


What do you guys think? I have a laundry list of things left to do to the car, but I think that getting the front end done ahead of schedule is a good start.

[Irace16]

Looks nice, glad it worked out

[Ruebernard]

If you're happy with it, that's all that matters.

[Hilflos]

I agree, looks good. More importantly, you seem to be happy wit it yourself. That's the important bit.

[norf]

Cool lights. Might want to powder coat the wheels

[ELIC1]

car looks great love the hood....

[SinginHawk]

Originally Posted by norf

Cool lights. Might want to powder coat the wheels

Eventually!

[MikosV6]

You were able to pocket the rest from the insurance minus the $3500 it cost for the parts/labor? If so, that's a good deal. $6500 can buy a lot mods.

[Homeless Man]

So how did that accident happen?

[PalmerGA]

Originally Posted by Homeless Man

So how did that accident happen?

That's what I'm wondering... what the hell did you hit? Looks like you rear-ended a large truck of some type, yet you say no other vehicles were involved. Come on, Hawk... out with the rest of the story.

Car came out great, by the way. And glad you're unhurt.

[SinginHawk]

Originally Posted by MikosV6

You were able to pocket the rest from the insurance minus the $3500 it cost for the parts/labor? If so, that's a good deal. $6500 can buy a lot mods.

The quoted cost of $3,500 is an estimate of the parts + labor for the change from stock to my current car, if I never got into an accident. Insurance still paid for the rest of the car parts that I didn't modify.

Originally Posted by PalmerGA

That's what I'm wondering... what the hell did you hit? Looks like you rear-ended a large truck of some type, yet you say no other vehicles were involved. Come on, Hawk... out with the rest of the story.

Car came out great, by the way. And glad you're unhurt.

Eh, it's an embarrassing story. I was just coming down with a flu, and was in a bad mood after work as a result. I saw a few of my coworkers in the parking garage as I backed out of my parking spot, and revved my engine at them. A Mustang conveniently turned into my lane at that moment, and I think he assumed I was revving my engine at him so he did a burnout and took off. I turned off my traction control, did a burnout, and followed for kicks.

At the end of the parking lot you have to make a u-turn, and since my traction control was off my tires locked up at the end of the straight away and I slid into a corner of the wall.

Very dumb, very petty, and very humbling. The worst part was not driving my car for the next 3 weeks while it was in the shop.

[Welker2]

Looks great

[PalmerGA]

Originally Posted by SinginHawk

Eh, it's an embarrassing story. I was just coming down with a flu, and was in a bad mood after work as a result. I saw a few of my coworkers in the parking garage as I backed out of my parking spot, and revved my engine at them. A Mustang conveniently turned into my lane at that moment, and I think he assumed I was revving my engine at him so he did a burnout and took off. I turned off my traction control, did a burnout, and followed for kicks.

At the end of the parking lot you have to make a u-turn, and since my traction control was off my tires locked up at the end of the straight away and I slid into a corner of the wall.

Very dumb, very petty, and very humbling. The worst part was not driving my car for the next 3 weeks while it was in the shop.

There's a time and a place to play. Use your head and you'll enjoy that beautiful Camaro for a long time. Play at the wrong place/time, and your life (or someone else's) can be over in an instant. This isn't a movie... it's real, and bad things happen. I think you understand that now.

Sorry for the mini-lecture, but I just hate seeing young folks doing really stupid stuff. We've all done it. The key is learning from the experience. You are very fortunate to have gotten out of this in one piece. Please - be sensible.

[USCAMARO14]

Looks great!