Deer Strike in May - repairs still not complete (mild rant)

[Tw1stedlog1k]

In short, the M2 is a lot of car, more car than needed for public roads. I (briefly) considered the new generation G87 also but after test driving the ITS I decided it wasn't necessary. My F87C was already a lot of car, the new generation would be more of the same (but more numb). The inputs and engagement of the Integra is also leagues above what the BMWs can provide despite their RWD dynamics and overall more potent package.

At the end of the day, I can have a lot of fun with the Type S in day-to-day driving plus having 4 doors and a larger trunk makes it easier to live with (I have 2 kids who love riding in "daddy's fast car"). The M2 requires a little bit of wringing out to be fun, illegal amounts of wringing out lol. It's a total riot when you can unleash it, just that the opportunities to do so are rare. I've thought about getting back into the M2 (either new or old generation) but the ITS has been so good I think I'll be skipping BMW altogether as a fair-weather car. I've been eyeballing the Cayman GT4 for quite some time, it's likely the next addition to the garage.

Sponsored

 

[gregbutler_20]

Body shops are getting tough. Fifteen years ago I had a handful I could trust in my area, now they're all getting rolled up (by Caliber, Classic, and the like) and turning into more earnings focused outfits (mostly owned by private equity). I still have a place that's great for Porsches (thankfully haven't needed it for a while) and another that's great for the other German cars, but they are spendy. When friends ask me about fixing Hondas and other normal cars, I shrug my shoulders, because normal body shops are all the same and they're all bad.

This is 100% it. Shops don't take pride in their work and just try to run up the largest bill that insurance will pay. I was lucky enough to find a 1 or 2 man shop that does everything from PDR to body work and takes pride in it. When my is300 was scaped against the curb, I found a "highly recommended" shop and they told me to go through insurance because it would be north of 4K to repair because the bumper was crushed adn they wanted to replace it. I went to a my smaller shop and they pulled the bumper showed me their was no damage and painted it for 1600. I couldn't tell any had ever happened. Some shops won't even do the work if an insurance company isn't involved. I would be disappointed in myself if I released a car to someone with those kinds of problems, but It's the world we live in today.

 

[Murry101]

I'm not a fan of the supra appearance either. The z4 is prettier.

Sadly there aren't many 4 door and a stick options. The its, m3, and ct4/5v-bw are pretty much the only "nicer options" and only 1 of them is a legit luxury car.

Have you driven the new z? It carries old DNA in the right places (brakes, diff, and trans for example) and newer stuff in others. A bit overpriced today, but dealers are feeling that scrunch and I've seen them drop msrp quite a bit. Hopefully they've dialed in the steering at this point having gone electric assist.

I haven't driven the new Z, I don't think I've seen one in person TBH. I had one of the first 350Zs. Traded in my 2000 Civic Si for it. The Z was a lot faster but, the SI was/is a cooler car. Not only did it sounds great when revved to 8k, but it was playful. It would rotate a bit on exit ramps when you lifted the throttle. I'd rather have a car that's fun to drive at legal speeds than a track focused machine that needs to be driven fast to be fun. Regardless, the new Z holds little appeal for me. I haven't read any glowing reviews either. For my like and needs, the ITS is just about perfect. Pretty sure I'm going to trade it in on another, or keep mine and drive it without concern for what happens to it from this point on...

 

[Brittania]

Perfect time for you to come and join the Darkside......

 

[crepr12]

If only it didn't have that huge wing following you around, red interior and bone jarring ride..Otherwise it would be a great daily driver like my ITS

 

[MargaritavilleNH]

Thanks for all the replies....

Estimate for repairs was $12k, turned out to be $17k (not including the rework they've had to do due to their mistakes), so there was no way State Farm was going to total it.

I spent two weeks looking for a shop that came recommended by someone I trust. I narrowed it down to this place and another small local shop. My neighbor had his FK8 repaired at the place I took the ITS after a Deer ran into the door. His is as particular as I am, so I thought I was safe. And, I just had my wife's minivan fixed at the other shop after she side swiped someone in a parking lot. It came out okay, but you can definitely see waves in the front door. So, as frustrated as I am, I have no idea where else I would have taken it. If anyone knows a good shop in southern NH, let me know.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do. As crazy as it sounds, I'm inclined to get another white/red Type-S IF I decide to trade it in and I can find one and I don't take too much of a bath on the trade-in. I refuse to drive an automatic (at least for now) which greatly limits my choices. Before I bought this ITS, I considered the baby Blackwing, Camaro SS, Golf R, WRX, and Mustang GT. The ITS was the best fit for me: 4-doors, usable back seat, decent performance, manual transmission, sub $65k price. I would consider the Golf R, but my local dealer still wants $5k over MSRP which is a deal breaker for me. The Elantra N is cool (performance per dollar), but seems like a downgrade and it's not a looker IMHO. It's too bad the prices for used 911s is so bonkers. I wouldn't even mind a 996.

I've used Henry's and Prestige in Manchester and thought they were pretty good.

 

[Murry101]

Slight tangent...So, I got my car back about a week ago, just in time to put it away for the winter. While I was connecting the battery tender I noticed that the underside of the hood doesn't have any seam sealant along the rolled edges. I don't remember if it had sealant from the factory. Can someone tell me if their ITS has it or not?

 

[StingertimeNC]

No seam sealant on my hood. I mad too now. LOL.

 

[whtciv2k]

If only it didn't have that huge wing following you around, red interior and bone jarring ride..Otherwise it would be a great daily driver like my ITS

I’ve seen the wing body matched. It looks REALLY good like that, actually

Sponsored