I'm coming to the forum for some advice and opinions. Maybe help me see the situation in a different light.

A few weeks ago I let my roommate use my 86 Cimarron to drive to work one night. She ended up spinning out and put it into the ditch and banged up the front clip a bit. At the time I wasn't too worried about it since we bought the car for $500 and it already had a dented up front bumper. She doesn't have a lot of money, is working two part-time jobs and paying for her schooling by herself with no help from her parents. I told her that if we can get the headlight/turn signal fixed and the front left quarter panel re-shifted so I can open the driver's door I would be happy. She told me that her boyfriend who has been at Auto Body school for the past 3 years would be able to fix it up. Now my parent's are telling me that more than just that needs to be fixed. And she doesn't have the money to buy replacement parts for everything. So I guess I'm thinking that my dad and I will fix it up the way we want to, and then just have her pay for the parts that it wil take to make it legal again.

Here's a few pictures of the damage:









The tough part is going to be finding a replacement front clip, I haven't seen any of these cars in any junkyards around me. If anybody sees one, please PM me. I have no idea what something like this will cost to fix. So I guess I'm just looking for any advice any of you can give me (besides not letting a female drive ) or any pointers on how to fix the damage. It would be greatly appreciated.

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-Aaron

quote Originally posted by pontiackid86: I could have been an 85 SE V6.. never know

Aaron, as far as finding a front clip, the facia may be exclusive to the Caddy, but I think the hood and fenders are the same as the Cavalier and Sunfire.

Well I will get in here before someone else does and say. There are "other ways" to let her make it up to you without hurting her financially. After all you don't want to make her problems worse do you? So when you really think about it, you would be being a nice guy.

Anybody have a good parts finding site? I keep trying to use a junkyard parts locater to see if I could find the front clip from either the Cimarron, Cavalier, and Sunfire. The only ones that I can find are ones that ask for $$$ just to find the part.

What's the "moral dilemma" of your situation?

It's a $500 car. If repairs (or parts) will cost more than that, why not just sell her the car for $500 and let her fix it herself?

quote Originally posted by 1988holleyformula: Anybody have a good parts finding site? I keep trying to use a junkyard parts locater to see if I could find the front clip from either the Cimarron, Cavalier, and Sunfire. The only ones that I can find are ones that ask for $$$ just to find the part.

http://car-part.com/

[This message has been edited by Formula88 (edited 12-26-2010).]

http://car-part.com

Should have all the info you need for replacement parts.

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I would see if you could find just the side of the clip that is real bad, drivers side. You can glass it onto the rest of the frt. And fix the other damage with more glass.

I did that once on my 77 LTD II, you could not find a good full frt clip for that either. I did a half and just screwed a metal brace between the new one and the old one. It was cheaper than buying a whole new clip.
and after the grill went in you couldn't tell it was repaired.
Steve

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

quote Originally posted by Formula88: What's the "moral dilemma" of your situation? It's a $500 car. If repairs (or parts) will cost more than that, why not just sell her the car for $500 and let her fix it herself? http://car-part.com/

The moral dilemma is whether or not to bankrupt a roommate.

I would like to think that the car is worth a bit more than $500. Its only got 86,000 miles on it and the interior is in excellent condition. Runs great and it was supposed to be my sister's first car when she gets her license this spring. I doubt we can find a car as nice as this for $500 or else that is exactly what I would do.

Thanks for the car-part.com, just double checking, but when searching, I should look for Bumper Assembly Front (includes cover) right?

If so, excellent! Because there's one 53 miles from me! The next closest one is in Nebraska though...

Bumper Assembly Front (includes cover) right?


The cover for the bumper, yes. Not the header panel I believe is what the frt panel is called with the damage.

Steve

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

quote Originally posted by 1988holleyformula: The moral dilemma is whether or not to bankrupt a roommate. I would like to think that the car is worth a bit more than $500. Its only got 86,000 miles on it and the interior is in excellent condition. Runs great and it was supposed to be my sister's first car when she gets her license this spring. I doubt we can find a car as nice as this for $500 or else that is exactly what I would do. Thanks for the car-part.com, just double checking, but when searching, I should look for Bumper Assembly Front (includes cover) right? If so, excellent! Because there's one 53 miles from me! The next closest one is in Nebraska though...

Well, you paid $500, so it was only worth $500 when you bought it. Of course, I understand that now that it's YOUR car, it's worth more.

I looked up "Front End Assembly (Nose)" and found several, but the cheapest was $500.
You don't really have a dilemma about whether to bankrupt your roommate or not. Unless you plan on taking legal action, the damage is your liability because it's your car. Your insurance would be responsible for any damage she did, so damage to your own car would come out of your collision insurance (if any) after your deductible. (that may vary by state, but I believe that's how it is here)

If she can get you free/cheap labor to repair it, and you and your dad can front the money for the parts and let her pay you back over time, that's probably the best solution for everyone. If you decide to "bankrupt" her, don't expect her to still provide you with cheap labor and she'd probably leave you hanging. She can't pay what she doesn't have, and you still don't get the car fixed without fronting the money.

This is a risk you take anytime you let someone drive your car.

[This message has been edited by Formula88 (edited 12-26-2010).]

Is the car in your name or your parents? I would work it out with her.

One of the risks of loaning out anything is knowing it may not come back in the same condition. I have a Fiero or seven, a couple of them I would consider loaning to the right person, others are not available to anyone regardless of the need. Lots of folks want to borrow my truck and trailer, that's doesn't happen because, I know that if something were to happen, they can not make it right. Some rules of life to follow are, don't loan money to relatives if you really expect to get it back. It seems something almost always gets in the way and you have to understand because, you're family. Never loan money, tools or cars for the same reasons to friends. There are some folks you can trust with your life but, they generally don't borrow but will help you whenever you're in need and rarely ask for help themselves.

But if I borrow something, you can bet your life that it will be returned as good or better than when I borrowed it. I've learned to not expect the same treatment from most folks but, there are those that you know you can trust.

I don't know this lady, you do. Which category of friend does she fit into. Because, when you loan anything, it's you taking the risk.

Ron

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 12-26-2010).]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymot...&hash=item27b7896bae

$600

quote Originally posted by Formula88: Well, you paid $500, so it was only worth $500 when you bought it. Of course, I understand that now that it's YOUR car, it's worth more. ... This is a risk you take anytime you let someone drive your car.

We bought the car from my Uncle that had acquired it from the first and only owner. He runs a towing company, and one of his customers didn't want the car anymore so they gave it to him, he didn't need it so he pretty much gifted it to my sister for $500.

I've found a few leads for parts, about $300. I figure I'll end up paying half, and she can pay for half. My dad and I can provide the labor. Call it a lesson learned for each party. I would never dream of making it a legal issue. We only have liability on it.

Ron, I hope I have learned my lesson. She's a good friend, and I don't want to make both of our lives miserable over something like a Cavilac. haha
are the pictures working? They aren't showing up on my screen...

quote Originally posted by 1988holleyformula: I'll one up ya -> http://www.carsyakaz.com/ad...kayyzeyeeyaraao.html You're from FL right? Any chance I could send some cash your way, you take the parts I need off it, and then sell it for scrap? actually, I have no idea how to contact anyone on that car, what a ridiculous ad... too good to be true.

Thats not something I could help you with, sorry. Perhaps you could reach out to some of the other Fiero owners. Reading your other post good for you, cars can be replaced but friends are hard to find.

quote Originally posted by 1988holleyformula: Ron, I hope I have learned my lesson. She's a good friend, and I don't want to make both of our lives miserable over something like a Cavilac. haha are the pictures working? They aren't showing up on my screen...

That's the important thing.
Is the money worth losing a friendship over?

Good luck with the repairs.

Check out gibsons auto wrecking in neenah wisconsin they have sevral of those cars in the yard w complete front clips on them. they are verry verry good on price id bet u can get whole front clip for under 300 bucks

quote Originally posted by jetsnvettes2000: Check out gibsons auto wrecking in neenah wisconsin they have sevral of those cars in the yard w complete front clips on them. they are verry verry good on price id bet u can get whole front clip for under 300 bucks

Thanks for the heads up! I'll call them tomorrow and see what the prices are/how much to ship to me. Looks like its about 4 and a half hours away, maybe a road trip is in order if they can confirm or send some pictures of the cars they have.

Jake, I was joking, sometimes I forget that meanings are lost in text on the internet. That would probably be pretty cost inefficient. Besides aren't you busy fixing the front end of that Corvette of yours?

quote Originally posted by 1988holleyformula: Thanks for the heads up! I'll call them tomorrow and see what the prices are/how much to ship to me. Looks like its about 4 and a half hours away, maybe a road trip is in order if they can confirm or send some pictures of the cars they have. Jake, I was joking, sometimes I forget that meanings are lost in text on the internet. That would probably be pretty cost inefficient. Besides aren't you busy fixing the front end of that Corvette of yours?

Just waiting for the weather to warm up so I can fix the one I have. Lucky for me it didnt get damaged as bad as the pictures would make you think.

Lesson is NEVER loan out a car. Id just throw some new lights in it and drive it. There not worth much even in mint condition. That was the number one flop for Cadillac, number 2 was the 4-6-8 engine.

If I remember the bumpers are mounted on crushable shocks to the frame. You need the bumper, both the ends, mounts. The grill and lights are mounted in a fiberglass header panel that runs clear across. Its clear to me the whole front is pushed over to the driver side. So you prob also looking at a core support, hood latch. You need a grill and the lights. Probably some front frame damage since its pushed to one side. Does it even drive straight down the road or pull, steering wheel off center ? If not, you also have some steering or suspension damage.

[This message has been edited by rogergarrison (edited 12-27-2010).]

Personally, I would never loan out a car... since you are more at risk loaning out a car than you realize. You can be sued as well for situations that arise through the use of your car.

If I was in this situation, I would fix it up to make it legal, and then have her pay for the cost.

But this becomes subjective if this was a car that you had hoped to fix up / planned to keep for a long time and wanted it to look nice. If it was just a beater to you, then I say make it legal and have her pay you the cost of the parts when the time arises. She should also make it up to you... not making inuendos... but like, she should take you out to dinner or something for your time. Or maybe she has to take the trash out more often, or whatever...

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Todd,
2008 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x2
2002 Ford Explorer Sport 2dr 4x2
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter

Hate to see that this happened to ya, I learned my lesson a few years back and will NEVER loan my cars to anybody unless it's an absolute emergency. A friend of mine put my Blazer in the ditch at a high rate of speed. Luckily she wasn't hurt but she did about $2000 worth of damage to it. I was told that her father would be good for the money so I got it fixed...I'm still waiting for my money.

Heck, I don't feel comfortable letting my wife drive my Fiero

quote Originally posted by 1988holleyformula: Now my parent's are telling me that more than just that needs to be fixed. And she doesn't have the money to buy replacement parts for everything. So I guess I'm thinking that my dad and I will fix it up the way we want to, and then just have her pay for the parts that it wil take to make it legal again.

Your parents decided the car wasn't good enough as it is? Or the car does not function as it is?

Splitting the cost of repairs is very nice of you. In some cases a car this cheap is better being resold as is and buy another $500 car, or even $300 car . Theres always options.

roger - I drove the car all the way home from to Duluth to Rochester and the steering was fine. I'm hoping that all I really need is that header panel with the lights and turn signals. As for frame damage, I'm hoping that it wasn't anything too severe and will be fixable. I think the worst part will be fixing the front left quarter panel so the driver's door can open.

todd - I think the real reason that my parents want it fixed up nice is because its going to be my sister's first car this spring, and they don't want her driving around in something that looks all broken to hell. I mean, I like the car for what it is, but I would have been just fine with new headlights/turn signals and the quarterpanel readjusted.

quote Originally posted by fastblack Heck, I don't feel comfortable letting my wife drive my Fiero

Because you don't like loaning cars in general, or because she's a woman???

2.5 - When she first crashed it, she was freaking out (she's the type that would get emotional over spilt milk). So I downplayed the significance of it to calm her down saying that it really doesn't matter as long as its still driveable. And since we bought it cheap from my uncle, she feels like its only a $500 car, when in reality, I would have a hard time finding something half as nice as this for $500. (How many 1-owner Caddy's from 1986 with less than 90,000 miles on them are around?)

Thanks for the replies folks!

quote Originally posted by 1988holleyformula: Because you don't like loaning cars in general, or because she's a woman???

Lol, little bit of both really She's a good driver and all, just doesn't pay attention to things around her sometimes (especially when backing up).

quote Originally posted by 1988holleyformula: 2.5 - When she first crashed it, she was freaking out (she's the type that would get emotional over spilt milk). So I downplayed the significance of it to calm her down saying that it really doesn't matter as long as its still driveable. And since we bought it cheap from my uncle, she feels like its only a $500 car, when in reality, I would have a hard time finding something half as nice as this for $500. (How many 1-owner Caddy's from 1986 with less than 90,000 miles on them are around?) Thanks for the replies folks!

First off, its not a "caddy".. its a sunbird with a leather interior. Lucky for you, it is probably worth about as much banged up as it is not banged up, give or take a few hundred bucks.

My suggestion to you would be to sell the car, and buy something else, or just drive it as is. Its probably not worth fixing correctly, as it would have a minimum of $1500 parts and labor at any body shop, and even a shadetree would probably struggle doing a 100% fix for less than $300 in materials.

Like it or not, she caused a whole ton of damage, but luckily enough it was not severe enough to take the car out of commission.

quote Originally posted by darkhorizon: First off, its not a "caddy".. its a sunbird with a leather interior. Lucky for you, it is probably worth about as much banged up as it is not banged up, give or take a few hundred bucks. My suggestion to you would be to sell the car, and buy something else, or just drive it as is. Its probably not worth fixing correctly, as it would have a minimum of $1500 parts and labor at any body shop, and even a shadetree would probably struggle doing a 100% fix for less than $300 in materials. Like it or not, she caused a whole ton of damage, but luckily enough it was not severe enough to take the car out of commission.

Well I don't have to worry about any labor costs, seeing as how my dad and I will be fixing it in our own garage. I would drive it as is, but the headlights are pointed up into the sky and it gets really hard to see where you are going at night, plus its a pain to get in from the passenger side. I've been looking around for other cars in the $500-$1000 price range, but they're all rusted, or sh!tty interiors or have been beat on. This car was only driven by an older couple that bought the car new, and then my uncle (that owns a towing and auto shop) went over it and and made sure everything was in working order before selling it to us.

And like the tow-truck operator said as he was pulling it out of the ditch; "A Cimarron? Usually you only see these in junkyards rusted halfway up the body panels. I haven't seen one like this since the 80's!"

I like driving around in something that you don't see everyday.

quote Originally posted by 1988holleyformula: I like driving around in something that you don't see everyday.

You could try finding one of those old Pontiac Fieros. I drive one and I almost never see any around me. Often times you can find them pretty cheap, a lot of people think they are deathtraps. Also, there is a pretty big community of great Fiero enthusiasts on the internet. Check out Fiero.nl They have lots of great info there.

quote Originally posted by TommyRocker: You could try finding one of those old Pontiac Fieros. I drive one and I almost never see any around me. Often times you can find them pretty cheap, a lot of people think they are deathtraps. Also, there is a pretty big community of great Fiero enthusiasts on the internet. Check out Fiero.nl They have lots of great info there.

You are a wealth of knowledge!

quote Originally posted by TommyRocker: You could try finding one of those old Pontiac Fieros. I drive one and I almost never see any around me. Often times you can find them pretty cheap, a lot of people think they are deathtraps. Also, there is a pretty big community of great Fiero enthusiasts on the internet. Check out Fiero.nl They have lots of great info there.

What's a Pontiac?

The doors being jammed is a good sign of frame damage. If it does still drive straight, You might be able to slot out the fender and hood mounting holes to even it up some. If I remember, the hood doesnt even have any adjustment...it just bolts on. You would have to slot the holes to adjust it to meet the fenders close to right. The headlite mounts and adjusters go right into the header panel, so if you cant adjust the lights to drive as is, you have to replace the header. Even though I think fenders are same as Cavalier/ Phoenix/Skylark, the bumper and header is unique to only Cadillac.

So we got this:



for $350 shipped from Green Bay.

My Dad spent last night fitting it on. I guess there's a few bolts that wouldn't line up exactly, but driveable.



Edit: We ended up paying $175, Lacey paid $175.
Extra edit, that was supposed to be a droid posting...

[This message has been edited by 1988holleyformula (edited 02-10-2011).]