2004 Saturn Ion side damage and muffler replacement

Tiny
MARLOWEF
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 SATURN ION
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 158 MILES
My 2004 Saturn Ion suffered some severe damage to the driver's side door, mirror, and part of the body around the driver's side window. This was caused by a collision with a concrete pillar. It is not covered under any insurance.

The door is not dented on the outside (the Ion's body is plastic), and I have a buddy who says he is willing and able to fix the deep scratches. The issue is everything else. The door is bent on the inside (I assume at the hinge), preventing it from closing properly, resulting in wind blowing into the cabin at high speeds. Taking it to a collision specialist, they also mentioned something about an inner panel being bent, causing part of the problem. They were not clear about this. The driver's side mirror is completely gone, but the wiring and everything relating to it on the inside is intact, meaning a new mirror can be popped on easily enough. The muffler rattles, due to the welding wearing away. Saturn, in all their genius, decided to weld the muffler, resonator, and pipe together. Under the advice of another mechanic, I was told I should get it cut off and clamped back on, instead of welded, so I wouldn't have to go through the trouble the next time the muffler breaks. A small portion of the car's body was snapped off, but I still have it. It's the part of the roof that sits between the front and side window, going down past the driver's side mirror, to the hood.

The collision specialist I took it to estimated the costs at $1000, for a new mirror, muffler, bending the door, and minor body repair on the roof. I purchased the car for $3000 less than a year ago, and this not a small amount of money for me.

Does this seem like a reasonable cost? Is there anything better I should do/consider when getting my car repaired? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Tuesday, November 25th, 2014 AT 6:22 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Without seeing the damage its hard to say whats going on with all the damage.I dont do body work nor does any on this website. Also even body men need to see the body damage in person to give estimates. My advice to you is get three estimates from three different places then take the one in the middle. Also as far as the muffler rattling did the welds break on the heat shield on top of the muffler so it rattles? I have seen that happen alot.
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Tuesday, November 25th, 2014 AT 6:39 PM

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