Car V Bus fixup advice

[michael]

I realise this has nothing to do with bikes but I'm still stuck in this situation and gota sort it out. My girlfriend turned into a bus lane and got hit (by a bus). The bus lane had ended and it turned into two lanes. She turned into the other lane and a bus caught her on her passenger door. She was pretty shaken up and says she cant remember what happened, she just changed lanes and wham! Firstly if anyone can verify whos in the wrong I'd appreciate it.

Now I'm stuck with getting it fixed for her (the fun part of being the boyfriend). I dont even have a car, so not too happy but what can ya do. Any advice on getting it done.......... and yup you guess it, on the cheap to. Ive got 3 quotes and they're all around 2000. Got another from a guy who runs a business out of his garage and he said 1300 if I get all the parts myself (passenger door and rear view mirror).

Any advice on going about getting it done. I want it done properly of cause, but the car is almost 20 years old (1991) so dont want to spend a fortune on it (its valued at 3000).

Photos attached.

[bogan]

doesnt look too bad, rubber mallet, bog, and touch up paint will get it looking a lot better, not good as new though. Thing id be most worried about would be the sill, have to make sure thats still structurally sound id imagine. As for whos in the wrong, it sounds like she turned into a bus so itd be her fault, even if the bus was 'undertaking'

[The Pastor]

bog it.

[PirateJafa]

What's the problem?

[CookMySock]

Just bolt another door on and your're done. Live with the rest, or rattle can it.

She won't do that again.

Steve

[JimO]

does she have insurance, if not why not

[Taz]

Yes her fault for failing to ascertain that the lane was empty before changing.

[Hoon]

I wouldn't bother fixing a $3000 car. Either live with it or buy a new car. Any budget attempts to fix it will probably look worse than the original damage.

[Goblin]

Omg I'm glad I dont ride in Dorkland! First of all, howthefuck do you not see a bus? If she cant see a bloody great big bus then how's she going to see a bike? She shouldn't be driving! Did she get her license from a Kornies packet??

Why should you have to pay for her stupidity? Tell her to pay for her own bloody repairs. If it comes from her purse I bet she wont do it again.

[CookMySock]

What puzzles me, is if it was her fault wouldn't the bus company be after costs? But it's not?

Maybe she should be after them for costs?

Steve

[FROSTY:Me]

How good do you want the car to look? Its 20 years old yasay?
Id be tempted to pull the door inner lining out and see how much of the dent you can massage out from inside. same with the quard. looks to me from the pics if ya haul it off most of the crease might massage out If the quotes are 3 k though Im thinking the door pillar might have had a whack--or they dont wanna work on old stuff.
The sill is DEFINITELY the big worry for the next WOF. It needs to be fixed up correctly.
Parts for those lil Mazda coupe's aren't that expensive nowadays --Might be easier to buy a second hand guard and door skin in red and just bolt em on --then just get the sill fixed by the experts.
If you're out my way swing by with the car and Ill do what I can to help ya out

[crazefox]

you buy the parts get it too me i do it for 900

[Ixion]

That'll buff right out.

[flyingcr250]

its actually worse than it looks in the photos,(sorry), if it was me id just get a 2nd hand door shell, and swap all your internals over, its worth looking around for one thats close to the same color as your car. (easy if you are mildy mechanicly minded), just use a cutting paste to get rid of the black marks on the front guard. (jiff would probably do if nothing is available to you) dont worry bout the dents. the only thing i would be worried about is the damage on the sill as its a structural panel, you could be failed for a warrant if you catch the testing guy on a bad day. i do a few of these ECONO-FIXES for people and thats what id do.

[Max Preload]

My girlfriend turned into a bus lane and got hit (by a bus). The bus lane had ended and it turned into two lanes. She turned into the other lane and a bus caught her on her passenger door.

Where's my soap box? Oh to hell with it. People like her are the reason that, even though entitled to, I would NEVER ride in a bus lane - it's much, much safer to lane split.