Hit a big rock on the freeway...

Hey guys, gals, got a red 2006 prius (3.5 months, 2600 miles) and I just hit a rather large something while going 70 mph on the freeway (heading north on 101 in Mountain View) last night. It was roughly the size of a bucket, in the middle of the lane, dark grey and probably concrete, rock or some other pretty hard material (although it looked a little paperish in the two or so seconds I saw it).

Anyway the impact was totally below the front license plate, between the fog lights. I've lost the front 'grate' (about 4 inches left on the left, and none on the right), the fog lights appear to be okay, and the bottom part of the fender (that 2 inch thick piece) is in one piece, but with cracks. The bottom front fender cover (from the bottom of the vehicle) is also no longer quite flat (but in one piece).

I'm wondering why I didn't swerve to avoid it (probably the utter surprise, and the first "oh, it's a newspaper" reflex), but it's probably better I took it between the wheels instead of hitting it with the side of the car and the tires (since I don't think I could have totally missed it anyway)... might have lost the tires and lost control of the car...

Since this happened less then an hour ago, I haven't yet been to the dealer or seen the damage in the sunlight. Any idea how much the repair can/will cost me? Should I repair this fully, or just get it patched up to make it presentable. How does this affect the eventual resale value of the car (some 1.5 year from now)? Other comments?

 

Probably a good thing you took it down the center of the car instead of swerving. I would definitely get it to the dealership to examine the car for any mechanical problems under the car, etc. Then I would take it to a qualified body shop and have it repaired correctly and completely. I would wait to see the extent of damage before I contacted your insurance company. For me, if damage is less than $1K Ijust pay for it rather than have my insurance get involved. Good luck.

 

It seems like a rock or something that big would have scraped along the bottom. I'd definitely want the undercarriage looked at, but if you are not hearing the sound of an unmuffled engine, or motor oil or other fluids aren't dripping out anywhere, you are probably ok.

 

I similar incident happened to me a couple of months ago as I was heading east bound on the bay bridge in the tunnel. A pick up truck quite a ways ahead of me hit something then a large black object started barreling it's way toward me very quickly. I think it may have been a tire tread from a semi truck. There was no time to stop in time or move out of the way.

I ended up with replacing the bumper, the grill, one fog light, the A/C condenser, and straightening something under the car (I can't remember what it is). The repair came to ~$2K. The body shop did a fantastic job, very meticulous, and the car looked practically brand new... it was only ~5months old at the time.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(maze @ Dec 6 2006, 02:54 AM) [snapback]358353[/snapback]</div>

When my wife drove into a rock in a parking lot, it mangled the lower part of the bumper, and the lower grill. After determining that the air conditioning was still working, I waited for about a year to get it fixed. I don't know if it affected my gas mileage at higher speeds, but other than that possibility it ran fine all that time.

It cost about $1000 to have the bumper and grill replaced. The fog lights were okay.

If I had gone to the shop recommended by the dealer it would have cost over $2000. I paid for it myself (that's why I waited a year), as I didn't want it to affect my insurance rates (in spite of the $500 deductible).

Dave M.

 

So I've taken a closer look in the light, still haven't been to the dealer yet.

The grill (plastic piece) got pushed into the inside of the car and I actually have it - but it's pretty busted for a piece of plastic (not that it looks very strong to begin with). The black plastic behind the right fog light is also broken (but not badly, looks like the grill hit it?), and the plastic underneath the grill (down between the front plastic grill and cooler) is dented and not flat. As far as I can see the truly main problem really is the busted lower part of the bumber (the part below the grill, underneath the license plate). I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow (hopefully, if I can get out of work...).

Of course, haven't seen the bottom of the car yet. No problems driving though (well I'm running low on fuel, but that's to be expected, in yesterday's excitement I forgot to fill up).

Anyway thinking back over what it could have been. It couldn't have been a rock. The sound was pretty bad, but probably not significantly louder then when you hit a skunk (note: louder, just not by much). The car didn't jump/bump or veer, didn't slow down. It still drives smoothly, no warning lights, don't know about AC. Maybe it was an animal??? Don't know didn't go into reverse on the freeway to try and find the offending object.

Anybody have any good body shop recommendations in the bay area?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(maze @ Dec 7 2006, 12:18 AM) [snapback]358761[/snapback]</div>

While it's quite a distance from Mountain View, I highly recommend Masters Autobody in Daly City. The owner, Eric Steeg, is extremely meticulous and a perfectionist when it comes to doing the job right. It is highly rated in the Bay Area Checkbook, and is part of the AAA Direct Network of repair shops.