"Oh what a feeling!" (2o6's Yaris)

[2o6]

Am I remembering correctly that your front bumper had been a replacement part? Do you know if it's OEM or a replica?

I THINK it's an OEM, but it may be a replica. I think it may be a cheaply done replica, but judging from the lack of paint on my brother's 2002 all-original Corolla, I'm not sure.

[2o6]

OK, so hear me out on this.



I've been thinking and talking to my parents, and I'm considering fixing the couple issues (airbag clockspring and the bumper paint) and possibly selling the Yaris within 6months to a year.



Before you jump to the conclusion of OMG WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS Consider


- This car has appreciated in value ~1000 dollars since I've purchased it in march.

- I can get a car from my job for cheap (can't say exactly how much, but obviously less, typically considerably less than retail); Example - we have a 2011 Cruze 6MT on our lot for 13K; my price would be cheaper. I would be getting a two-year old car in warranty for cheap with far fewer miles.


My car is worth about 8K. I figure if I sell it for that much, plus a little savings I could be playing with about 10-11K. I have around 5K left on my loan. That's a nice little chunk left over on the sale, plus savings. Granted, I would be starting back where I was six months ago in terms of the loan, but I would be doing so with a newer car possibly in warranty.



It's just a thought, and I could go either way.

[Soup DeVille]

OK, but does anybody EVER pay the price on the car anyways?

Be wary of just how much of a deal the dealership is going to cut you "because you're an employee."

But, if you actually can sell the car for a profit, and if its somethign you relly want to do: go ahead and do it.

[2o6]

OK, but does anybody EVER pay the price on the car anyways?

Yes, yes they do. We're a "no haggle" dealer. We don't come down much at all.

Be wary of just how much of a deal the dealership is going to cut you "because you're an employee."

That's true, but the prices are pretty set. We're a "no haggle" dealer.

But, if you actually can sell the car for a profit, and if its somethign you relly want to do: go ahead and do it.

[TurboDan]

A dealership that advertises "no haggling" conjures up the same images as a dealership that the word "honest" somewhere in the name. 

[2o6]

12K check in


My commute has changed, plus the introduction of winter gas means my MPG has gone from 34MPG mixed, to about 31-32.

I love the ride; this car has a smooth and soft ride that makes it a peach to drive all day on the freeway. I think that's why I hate the current gen Fit; after 45 minutes, the car was so taxing I just couldn't stand to be in it any longer. It's loud, and it made my back hurt.

Yet again, no real complaints except this:



It used to look like this




Whoever did the accident repair needs to be beaten with a ballpeen hammer; I had a shop guy look at it today. The guy took some seriously bad shortcuts to fix the car.


However, everything behind the bumper cover is 100%; frame rails are straight, the car tracks straight as an arrow so I'm not really upset at all....and I still like the vehicle so 

[MrH]

"this car has a smooth and soft ride that makes it a peach to drive all day on the freeway."

You're a strange guy

[2o6]

"this car has a smooth and soft ride that makes it a peach to drive all day on the freeway."

You're a strange guy

I do a lot of freeway cruising (somewhat) and I want my car to be comfortable at 70MPH. The Fit made my back hurt. 

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

12K check in


My commute has changed, plus the introduction of winter gas means my MPG has gone from 34MPG mixed, to about 31-32.

I love the ride; this car has a smooth and soft ride that makes it a peach to drive all day on the freeway. I think that's why I hate the current gen Fit; after 45 minutes, the car was so taxing I just couldn't stand to be in it any longer. It's loud, and it made my back hurt.

Yet again, no real complaints except this:



It used to look like this




Whoever did the accident repair needs to be beaten with a ballpeen hammer; I had a shop guy look at it today. The guy took some seriously bad shortcuts to fix the car.


However, everything behind the bumper cover is 100%; frame rails are straight, the car tracks straight as an arrow so I'm not really upset at all....and I still like the vehicle so 

You sure you didn't hit something?

[280Z Turbo]

Improper prep. You're not supposed to just throw paint on a plastic bumper cover.

[AutobahnSHO]

just peel it all off and pretend it's supposed to be black.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Yaris wants to be black.

[2o6]

just peel it all off and pretend it's supposed to be black.

I've gotten a lot of it off already. It's only $300 for a body guy to repaint it.

Improper prep. You're not supposed to just throw paint on a plastic bumper cover.

The matched the color well enough, though. I'm probably going to buy the front lip for the S bodykit, too.



First things first: Tires.

[Madman]

Problem solved......

[MrH]

Improper prep. You're not supposed to just throw paint on a plastic bumper cover.

+1

The vast majority of car bumpers are thermoplastic polyolefins. Jack shit sticks to it unless you treat it. Adhesive, paint, nothing. Gotta flame or plasma treat it.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Herculiner

[2o6]

$220 for a new set of tires. Going to flip a car, then use the proceeds to pay for paintwork and maybe airbag clockspring.



Might drive the car for a little while to keep miles off of the Yaris.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Get something cool, like a Ranger Rover. I hear those are easy to flip.

[AutobahnSHO]

Might drive the car for a little while to keep miles off of the Yaris.

You're supposed to drive and flip crappy cars while keeping the miles off a GOOD car. 

[2o6]

??? What are you talking about?

[Cookie Monster]

??? What are you talking about?

I don't think he understands that the Yaris is the good car and that you want to put miles on the crappy flippy car.

[2o6]

20 minutes + a garden hose



Maybe labor for the bumper might go down since so little paint is left. These guys are hacks whoever did it. I found dirt and gravel underneath the paint, and the majority of the bumper is gloss smooth.

[2o6]

It should look like this


Minus fog lights and spoiler

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Maaco is running their $99 bumper special! That'll save you $200!!

[hotrodalex]

Maaco is running their $99 bumper special! That'll save you $200!!

Until the same thing happens again in 6 months.

[TurboDan]

Until the same thing happens again in 6 months.

Yeah, but by then they'll be running another $99 bumper special...

[2o6]

Purchased!



Took a little bit, dealer ordered the wrong part the first time, but now it's OK.




Sadly, the instructions are in Japanese. However, the illustrations are pretty straightforward. Looks like the tard who actually "fixed" the car, cut off the edges of the S lip and left these two awkward patches that I thought were mud guards on the front of the car. There are some really crapola hacks out there.

[2o6]

Fixed!



$190 for lip

$250 for paint

[Eye of the Tiger]

Holy paint job.
Race car?

[2o6]

Holy paint job.
Race car?

Yeah, the guy did a pretty good job, considering the price. He does all the new car scratch/dent/minor paint repair on our new cars (and some customer vehicles). He cut me a deal (actually, it was a side job in his company's warehouse/spray booth) and he had my car about a day....and new paint!



The lip was originally $260, but because the parts guy ordered the wrong part, he took some $$$ off for convenience.