I Scraped My First Car

Lsaubao on 07/11/2016 - 10:45
Last edited 09/11/2016 - 13:16 by 1 other user

Hello everyone,

[Edit: My thanks to the Ozbargainers who offered me their valuable opinions, information, advices, insights and experiences. This is my first forum post on this site and I am pleasantly impressed. I seriously consider all your inputs. Please keep the comments coming. Have a nice day!]

Please excuse my bad English, I am from overseas. I will try my best to make it clear and to the point.

I purchased my first car 2 months ago and managed to scraped it twice, the first time was in a public carpark, the second was in my own garage.

First:
Second:

My questions are:

1) How much would it usually cost to have these scrapes fixed?
2) Should I claim insurance?
3) Where should I bring it to have it fixed? Any places you would recommend? I am based in South Sydney.

The car is a white Mitsubishi Mirage.

As you could tell, I am clueless about cars.

I really appreciate your opinions. Thank you very much.

Automotive

Comments

  • jenkemjunkie on 08/11/2016 - 18:07
    +2

    Hey OP, you're a fresh P1 driver, don't sweat the scrapes. That's why I usually tell new drivers to get cheap shitty cars because they're are definitely gonna be scraping their shit all over the place. You're still a learner just without a person next to you, maybe get your car fixed up when you get all the scrapes out your system. Get a few quotes from some body shops and it could be done easy under $1K

    I remember when I just got my P's… my friends were ruthless. They were making me do parallel parks in the city in front of crowded restaurants and cafes and didn't care that it took me like 10 goes. Now that I think about it, I am pretty thankful for that because I am a goddamn gun at parallel parking now. And reverse donuts…and maccas tray drifting….hehe.

    • saubao on 08/11/2016 - 21:44

      Parallel parking is still my bane. Sorry, what are reverse donuts and maccas tray drifting?

      • jenkemjunkie on 08/11/2016 - 22:41

        If you have a front wheel drive, manual car, you can do circle burnouts in reverse. You can also drift if you put a Mcdonalds tray under each back wheel, it makes your car fishtail everywhere. Of course I did this well over 15 years ago as a wreckless youth

      • lyl-Lychee on 08/11/2016 - 23:32
        +1

        Op there is actually specific geometry that ensures parallel parking.

        The best summary is here but written for right side driving countries. Make sure to mirror the instructions to left side drive. And practice a couple of times with someone watching outside to make sure you've interpreted them right. (Don't want to knock the back car from reading the instructions wrong.)
        https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-parallel-parking-tips/an…

        Note: The downside of turning the wheels in stationary every time is it is terrible for your engine in the long run. But I would recommend learning this technique first. Then when you're confident, slowly ease your own judgement back into dynamic (moving) reverse parking.

  • belongsinforums on 08/11/2016 - 19:01
    +1

    OP, I didn't scrape my first car, but it did get totalled (died on the road; hit from behind). My 3rd car, however, came with a body kit, and I've scraped that too many times to mention. Don't listen to anyone who belittles you for making small mistakes, for perhaps they are simply unwilling to own their own mistakes.

    Wear the scratches and keep the car. They are simply cosmetic and may not be worth 'fixing'.

    • saubao on 08/11/2016 - 21:44

      Thanks!

  • Donaldhump on 08/11/2016 - 19:22

    i wouldn't bother, you might do it again in 6 months or if your lucky someone might hit your car (hopefully when stationary). its just aesthetic so i wouldnt bother.

    for the record, you would have to pay the excess twice, as to separate claims i think.. some other may verify this is correct or not

    if it makes you feel any better, i had three accidents in 2008 all my own fault… we all go through bad runs, just gotta laugh and move on

    • saubao on 08/11/2016 - 21:45

      Thanks. I felt much better, thanks to you and other ozbargainers.

  • ponface on 08/11/2016 - 19:54

    If your wife isn't too happy with you attempting a DIY & Buff, then you can always layer clear nail polish over the exposed metal. You'll only need to clean it up and remove the grey marks - no need to sand it down. Hope all goes well bud.

    • saubao on 08/11/2016 - 21:47

      I will try to persuade her, but that's a good idea. Thanks.

  • Plug on 08/11/2016 - 21:54

    To OP - your best bet is to go and get a couple of repair quotes from reputable workshops. Only then will you know exactly what your best options are.

  • Ughhh on 08/11/2016 - 22:34
    +1

    Definitely consider improving your driving skills, no offence, but I wasn't even that bad at 16yo on my learners. Following the law doesnt automatically make you a great driver nor does it mean you have skills in driving. I bet majority of the people on the road have no idea where their tyres are, how wide their car is and whether they can fit in a gap or not.

    Like another user said, practice with cones/boxes. Practice at empty parking lots, drive over bumps (slowly) and take a mental note of where and when you feel the bump- that'll help you have an idea where your tyres are and how wide your car is. When you park, get out of the car, see how much space you have left between your car and the line/wall/cone, get back in the car and see what that 1 meter/2 meters etc look like in the drivers seats.

    • saubao on 08/11/2016 - 22:58

      Thanks for the insights.

      • JediJan on 15/11/2016 - 12:11

        Have not seen these in years, but at one time you could buy these (hardly noticeable) little sticks that attached to your bumpers. These were to give you a better chance at parking your car, without much risk involved, as they easily showed the exact lengths of your car. Many driving school vehicles use similar devices … to insert their L plates on … but not all.

        I picked up a new Holden Cruze last week and I find I cannot see well from the drivers seat to judge where the front or rear bumpers extend to, and I cannot see hood or boot either ( I am doing this up to my garage door). Ha, I am continually getting out of the car to check … Although my impression is that the car must be touching I am usually 2 (or more) ruler lengths or more from the door. I am not reverse parallel parking in busy streets at the moment, even though it appears I am being over cautious.

  • btst7000 on 09/11/2016 - 00:12
    +2

    Heaps of Bishi wrecks about - find a couple with intact body panels and get a swap done. Very cheap and doesn't take away from the vehicle's looks or safety if done right.

    • Steptoe on 10/11/2016 - 22:57

      Damage is right rear 1/4 panel. Not as simple as a front guard or bumper.

  • smpantsonfire on 09/11/2016 - 00:44

    I wouldn't even bother about the first one under the bumper. There will be plenty more scrapes to come there.

    The door I would get fixed, but you would be looking at 1k minimum. No offence, but get an Aussie friend to go down with your car to the panel beater. You will get a better deal, as you would probably get taken for a ride.

    As to everyone having a go about him getting lessons, you're all acting like you've never scratched a car. Don't reply pretending like you haven't. Unless you can give me a 4k fly around of your FIRST car I don't care.

    • Ughhh on 09/11/2016 - 06:32
      +1

      Giving advice/"lessons" doesn't mean admitting to never haven scratching a car… it's just means giving advice from one driver to another. Stop mashing stupid assumptions. Though two scratches like this in a short period of time is pretty bad.

      I'm glad op has a better attitude than most

    • saubao on 09/11/2016 - 13:08
      +1

      Good point, I don't have many Aussie friends, perhaps I will try asking my colleagues.

      I made mistakes so it's natural for everyone to tell me to get better (by getting more lessons/practice). In my opinion, whether ones used to make mistakes or not is not relevant, as long as they offer me good advices I am glad to take them.

    • JediJan on 15/11/2016 - 12:54

      I don't think that "everyone" is having a go at the poster by suggesting lessons, etc. There are only a few posting in here that are being out of order, and they are probably just best ignored. The majority in here are attempting to offer good advice and/or make suggestions, for which the poster is considering and also appreciates. The suggestions I make are the same I have and would make to any family member.

      I am partnering an L plater myself at the moment and it is sometimes a bit of a nightmare with other drivers, but not the L platers, behaviour. You expect the L plater to make a few mistakes, but I never expected the arrogant manner of some other drivers who are tempting fate (to say the least).

      We had a manic, screaming driver abuse us because the L plater, whilst indicating a left turn, stopped at a Give away sign to make sure the narrow suburban street was clear enough, Outside one or two houses on the opposite side of the street there are usually several cars (one household appears to have six cars) parked, There is an obvious danger if a car is travelling from the opposite direction as they usually drive down the wrong side of that street, many excessively fast, so the risk of a head on is very real. I always stop there, as brief as I can, myself? This is a school corner also. I requested the Council install 40 kmph school signs years ago, as a lot of passing traffic used this road (rear of school) as a detour during school driving times (8-9:30am and 2:30-4pm weekdays), ignoring the usual 50 kmph. (There was a 3 car accident a few doors down recently, weekend before last; van, fwd and sedan. They all looked like write offs and required tow truck removal. One lady required ambulance care and another driver appeared to be in shock.) It was not so dangerous when I started driving almost 40 years ago; the roads were far less congested although there appeared to be more alcohol affected back then.

      There appears to be much more anger and aggression now. Years ago, if you had an accident, you usually did not think twice about exchanging your details. Today I suggest you have to be far more careful; you may be better off locking your car doors and ringing the Police then and there, explaining why you are too scared of the other driver to get out of your car.

  • [Deactivated] on 09/11/2016 - 09:21
    +1

    The cost of those repairs - even if it is an incomplete repair, just to apply anti rust, buff down and paint over - it is going to set you back >$500.

    I'd suggest that the money goes into driving lessons. You're fortunate the damage is to your Mirage. Hit an expensive car, knock down a light pole, or hitting a pedestrian isn't going to be $500.

    I'm not being patronizing. I've done copious amounts of driving classes (albeit for sport purposes), but I also enroll my wife in advance drive classes. It's liberating to not be scared sh!tless or at the mercy of ignorance when you're behind the wheel.

    • saubao on 09/11/2016 - 12:58

      Sorry for being clueless, I am not sure where to get the advance classes, I think my instructor only provides one kind of classes. Would you mind elaborating/pointing me to a reputable school? Thanks.

      • [Deactivated] on 09/11/2016 - 15:12

        Instructors teach you the basics and fulfill legal requirement for you to get a license.

        Driving schools like Adrenaline, Driver Dynamics, Evolve… they will take your through a full day course with a few other drivers. You'll be driving in an open area with cones, so you can experiment and truly understand how a car maneuvers. You'll also be doing a series of high speed braking scenarios.

        Cost about ~$500. I'm not affiliated with any of these companies, just appreciated their balls of steel to sit in the car with the likes of me. Google them. :)

        • saubao on 09/11/2016 - 16:23
          +1

          Thanks. That sounds like what I need.

  • orza on 09/11/2016 - 10:33
    +1

    I had a recent repair quote my 04 Euro similar to 2nd pic (just the wheel arch, door was fine but they had to 'blend in' the repair into the door). They quoted $650 cash, no panel beating required. I've since decided to fix it up myself with some spray cans and elbow grease, less than $100 in materials. Won't be perfect but I'm putting the spare cash towards a new graphics card :D

    • saubao on 09/11/2016 - 12:54

      :D Which card are you going for?

      • smpantsonfire on 09/11/2016 - 13:30

        If he is saving 500+ it must be a 1080 :P

        • saubao on 09/11/2016 - 16:28

          :) I guess I would give myself a nice card when I manage to drive for 3 consecutive years without any incidents.

  • cintamami on 10/11/2016 - 10:52
    +1

    Hi Saubao

    As others has pointed out.

    If you managed to get 2 scratches in 2 months, you will probably have some more along the way.

    All you have to do is do a quick math, how much each repairs will cost you and how much will your car worth in 5 years time or more (in a mint or in a half destroyed condition). I reckon it is not worth fixing every scratches when you have them.

    At the end of the day, learn from this car, and on your next car, make sure you go to a dealership that offers a minimal trade in.

    Or just before you sell your car, you can go to a chinese shop who does cash on hand and asked him how much it will cost to fix it all up.

    Cheers

    • saubao on 10/11/2016 - 12:40
      +1

      Thanks.

      I agree with you and others that it's not worth having these scrapes fixed professionally now.

  • Steptoe on 10/11/2016 - 23:05
    +1

    I wouldn't attempt the second repair yourself. Panel has creasing and needs panel work or filling.

    With the first one on the front bar, try some NuFinish polish to see if it comes off. Try progressively more aggressive solutions if that fails (cutting compound, 2000grit paper). Probably 100's of how-to's on YouTube.

    Or you could try http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/Turtle-Wax-Scratch-…

    https://www.turtlewax.com/pro-tips/how-to-remove-a-paint-tra…

    • saubao on 11/11/2016 - 07:34
      +1

      Thank you very much!

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