Wrecked WRX - It Ain't Over Yet

"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
05/05/2016 at 08:34 • Filed to: None

After driving it for a couple of days, I discovered a few problems. There’s a constant rattle coming from the back seat, there’s a lot of wind noise from the passenger’s side front door, and there’s another rattle coming from the passenger’s side rear door. I spent some time closely inspecting each of the problems, found the sources, and went back to the body shop to discuss the solutions.

The wind noise is coming from the interior of the door. It’s audible because the interior window seal isn’t sealing and that seems to be caused by the door card not lining up properly. The back seat rattle is because the whole back seat is loose. This is probably due to improperly tightened bolts on the hinge. They have to pull the carpet and seat bottom to verify. Finally, the rear door rattle appears to be due to a broken trim piece. The tab that is supposed to hold it in place is broken off.

The shop is ordering a new trim piece and the WRX will be going back to the shop when the part comes in.

Meanwhile, the insurance company sent an appraiser out to do a final inspection before discussing diminished value. It appears her comb is much finer than mine. She found a several scuffs in the paint that I missed, found several areas where the new paint on the leading edge of both of the doors is chipped (a couple so bad that bare metal is exposed), and evidence of misalignment between the side skirt and the body work (probably due to the body work not being straight). She reset the whole process and told me that they will not appraise the vehicle until it has been repaired properly.

Dang.

DISCUSSION (22)

OPPOsaurus WRX > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2016 at 08:37

holy shit dude. I’d lose my mind at this point.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2016 at 08:39

You’re fixing your WReck wrong.

Kinja'd!!!

Ash78, voting early and often > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2016 at 08:39

Damn, well I guess you’re just going to have to turn it into a rally car. Or can the appraiser take a couple extra steps to put the value at $499.99? :D

Stapleface > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2016 at 08:42

Damn. So, when this is eventually does get fixed properly, what's the plan? Drive it until you junk it or get rid of it?

TheRealBicycleBuck > Stapleface
05/05/2016 at 09:02

I’m ready to be rid of it, but I’m holding out for the new WRX hatch. I know it’s coming. Subaru is just being coy about it.

TheRealBicycleBuck > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
05/05/2016 at 09:04

Too many dollars, too few seats. Maybe once the kids have moved out.

DipodomysDeserti > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2016 at 09:06

As someone who has owned many Subarus, I wouldn’t spend money trying to fix these issues. They all do that.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2016 at 09:07

At least your insurance company is being a stickler for quality.

brianbrannon > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2016 at 09:12

I have seen body shops remove the vapor barrier from inside doors

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2016 at 10:54

Just get the Focus RS instead...

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2016 at 10:54

That sucks man, who’s doing the work? Is it a little body shop or straight from a subaru dealer?

TheRealBicycleBuck > DipodomysDeserti
05/05/2016 at 13:31

All of these issues are post-wreck. The only rattle before then was something inside the dash.

TheRealBicycleBuck > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/05/2016 at 13:32

It’s a large local shop. My local Subaru dealer uses them for all their bodywork.

TheRealBicycleBuck > brianbrannon
05/05/2016 at 13:32

That’s one of the things I want to check before I set the next appointment for the other repairs.

TheRealBicycleBuck > jvirgs drives a Subaru
05/05/2016 at 13:33

It gives me significant leverage as well.

Mustafaluigi > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2016 at 13:33

This is why I always say if you’re gonna hit me, total the car. Please. I want them to write me a check and let me figure out what to buy next. No amount of bondo and wrenching will make it like it was.

TheRealBicycleBuck > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
05/05/2016 at 13:34

We drove one before picking the WRX. I found the front seat uncomfortable and my kids didn’t like the amount of space in the back.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2016 at 13:59

Booo

At least you gave it a shot though, I can’t say anything negative then.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2016 at 14:00

Man, they better reconsider that contract....

TTercel > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/05/2016 at 14:39

It’s like they all say once a vehicle is in an accident it is never the same.

DiminishedValue > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/14/2016 at 20:18

They send out aprpaisers to say the car was fixed properly and not pay you for diminished value, to offer you a very low amount or to be ready if you come up with your own diminished value appraisal. Remember the insurance company is not your friend and are in the business to screw you. So if they say $500 it is closer to $2000 and if they say $1000 it is more like $4000 so be careful to trust friendly adjusters. I am licensed as an adjuster, car dealer, appraiser and finance/warranty specialist. Training teaches one thing. Pardon my french (Lube is king). So to be honest don’t trust the insurance company. When you do get a diminished value appraisal, make sure it is USPAP compliant and not an automated, instant report which is illegal against the model act NAIC. If not it won’t be valid in court in 95% of the cases if it gets to it. Not even car quotes or trade in values are legal.

TheRealBicycleBuck > DiminishedValue
05/14/2016 at 22:07

Thanks. The appraiser came out to look at the car. We found several problems that need to be corrected. I went back to the shop. They have to order a couple of parts - one can’t be repaired, the other is just missing. Parts should be in by Monday.

Thanks for the feedback. It's extremely valuable.