Piston Pete

Sup guys,

My car was stolen and crashed into a wall. There is frame damage amongst other things messed up. Does anyone know a really good collision repair place near LA, CA? When I say really good, I mean REALLY good. My insurance is going to take care of it and will spare no expense. I would like to find a place that loves working on FD's so as to get the best possible work performed.

Thanks,

Anthony

rynberg

Damn man, that sucks. Didn't you just get your FD recently?

How did they steal it, did the factory alarm not work?

Good luck with your repairs, hope you get it back on the road soon.

RecKleSs

That seriously sucks, good luck with everything.

ttpowerd

RyanREX

I have had the best luck by taking mine to a new Mazda dealer than is part of like 5 dealers in one area. They have a whole building just for collisions. They have been honest and it looks like they have been good to my baby.

ttb

that sucks man, sorry. did they steal it for a joy ride?

Piston Pete

Thanks for the support everyone. Yeah, I got it about 3 months ago Rynberg. Apparently it was only taken for a joy ride. This just happened two nights ago and I got the call from the PD this morning, so I don't know too much about damage and such. The thing is, I wanna find the best most expensive collision place cause it's all gonna be paid for by the insurance. The factory alarm didn't work when I bought it from that idiot, he fouled it with the turbo timer install.

what do you guys think about trying a local dealership for this?

GsrSol

That totally sucks dude, did you leave the keys in it or unlocked?

Most of the time the dealer will do the best work and you will get genuine Mazda parts. Just make sure they have an "in-house" body shop and don't send it off.

c00lduke

i know there are these place with laser frame straighteners around here in the are one in KS and one in MO so i bet there has to be on in CA. But the only thing i know is that is cost a pretty penny and are booked a month ahead of time.

Piston Pete

Nah, the car was locked and in an apartment type garage. Believe me, I'm very careful with this car. The suck-*** thing now is that it's freaking damaged. I don't WANT IT ANYMORE!. My baby wasn't the most perfect running FD out there, but it was a good base to build on. And now it's tainted, raped, butt-rammed. Damnit, oh well, it's only a piece of metal.

Any recommendations for a shop?

DomFD3S

There are a number of high quality places to go to. I'll see if I can dig up a list for you. But, i would do this.

Call up a car dealership that definitely has high standards when it comes to body repair (ex: a Ferrari dealership.) Ask them where do they bring their cars for paint/body work. They should be able to give you a number for the shop(s) they use.

Since you're in LA, call:

Ferrari of Beverly Hills (www.ferrari.com and follow the link)
Symbolic Motors (they're on Wilshire Blvd.)
Newport Autosport in Newport Beach (www.newportautosport.com)
Platinum Motors
310 Motoring (310motoring.com)

Not to say that the body shops they use will be able to properly repair your RX-7, but I would consider them.

Here are some general guidelines.

You may want to also go visit the body shops to see their work and facilities. Most body shops have photos of before and after a car goes under the knife. Ask to see if you can have a look around (if possible). A good body shop will have properly divided (and vented) paint booths which would limit the amount of dust in the air. Good body shops also will have properly cleaned tools (Clean tools ensure proper functioning...makes sense right?). A small note, they should also have an air compressor. The air compressor should be isolated to a small closet so that dust will not be blown back into the room.

Also, word of mouth is the best. Ask around. See if someone knows a good body shop. Look at the work on a car. Examine all of the fine details (like at the edges, where the body panels merge, etc.). Things like overspray or whether they spray too much paint on top can easily be identified.

Ask the classic hot rod guys or classic ferrari owners. Those guys have been around and know who to go to. Their projects frequently take a long time before they get back on the road. See who they recommend.

Piston Pete

Domfd3s,

That's some good information there man, thank you very much.

Sandecker

My suggestion is to turn this into an opportunity to make your car even better, then you'll come out of it with a gain vs. what you had before. This may require working with a body shop with a certain level of flexibility when dealing with the insurance company. For example, you'll get x dollars to buy new mazda parts, front bumper, radiator etc. In most cases, the OEM parts cost more than superior functioning aftermarket components - radiator, intercooler, airbox etc. I'd put a '99 front end on there also instead of the '93 version. Just arrange with the body shop to apply the money to the components you choose vs. the OEM parts the insurance company is reimbursing you for. I did this myself so it is possible! While you're at it, why not go for a color change? You get x dollars to repaint the car/or portions thereof anyway, its probably not that much more to go to a new pearl blue or gunmetal like the new Spirit R.

You'll love your car even more than before!

maxpesce

I would recomend PRESCION Body & Paint in OXNARD but that may be too far for you.

DomFD3S

Hey PistonPete,

Which city are you in specifically? How far are you willing to go (location of the body shop)? I'll see if I can find some shops in your area.

Dom

BrianK

my insurance company (USAA) recommended me to Pasdena Auto Collision in, well... Pasadena. I visited the shop - looked very nice & professional. They were working on a bunch of nice Mercedes and BMW's if that means anything. USAA usually recommends really good shops for repair work.

Symbolic motors has an awesome restoration program, so I'm sure they'd be able to do it, but that may be a bit over the top... I don't know if they do regular collision repair.

good luck! at least you got the car back. ::shrug::

93TTRX7

I recommend you strike a deal with the body shop owner...have him charge a cool grand more, and pocket the money and use it for mods

j/j...don't do that! It'll come back to haunt you...but I can ask around about some body shops

ttb

might as well since you're insurance is going to go up anyways man, i should have never fixed that fuel leaked and just let my car burned

Piston Pete

Thanks again for the help. I'm in the South Bay area. I have a couple of prospects I'll be looking at this weekend and next week. One is Harry's Auto Collision on La Brea, they work on nothing but Bentleys, Aston Martins (supposedly) and what not. Another is a hook-up so to speak through a relative. I guess the hook-up would be the best bet due to the fact that he knows and has done work for my cousin. That and he's supposed to do really good work. I deffinitely want to find more shops and look at 'em before making a decision.

Anthony

Piston Pete

I'm gonna think about that Sandecker.

Thanks again

Piston Pete

Any more recommendations on good collision repair shops?

DomFD3S

There are a number of them on La Brea as well as La Cienaga. Sorry, but I don't know the names of those. Also, try Long Beach and Santa Monica both have excellent repair shops in that area. I think there is even a hot rod customization/repair shop in Torrance. (I didn't get a chance to look it up this weekend).

Also, one last note. Be wary of the shops that have bumpers/body panels airing out to dry in the outside air. You don't want dust or dirt on your paint. (I say this because there is a shop on Sepulveda near Santa Monica Blvd. that happens to be near a reputable shop). Don't be fooled and go to the wrong body shop. That area is HEAVY w/ a Bentley service shop as well as a body shop which regularly works on cars of all sorts (from CHP police cars to Porsches to Audis).

JONSKI

I'm installing a theft retribution device called C-4. If I can't have it, no one can.

Piston Pete

Hey DomFD3S, is your FD red, slightly lowered with chromed stockers? I ask cause I think I've seen you driving around Hermosa. By the way, thanks for the info, this is a suck-*** thing to deal with.

Ant