RE: Doesn't take much.

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Posted by dark_dave56 (A) on April 6, 2021 at 03:08:10

In Reply to: Doesn't take much. posted by ghost of olddude55 on April 5, 2021 at 15:00:58:

Yep--you're absolutely right about airbags. Many a good, solid, even low-mileage, late-model vehicles in the scrap-yards thanks to airbags. Yes--airbags save lives and/or reduce injuries/medical expense claims, but each airbag module runs $1000-1500 to replace, should they deploy.

A fairly late-model car/SUV may have upwards of 8-12 airbags, and when deployed, they ALL deploy at once. You can easily be looking at $10-20K in "damages" before you even start to look at the "scratch" on the front or rear bumper cover.

Modern unibody construction is complex and tricky as well. Every body panel (or under-the-skin panel) is utilized as part of the overall structural integrity of the vehicle, and they are easily "tweaked". Add into that, the intentional "weak spots" that are incorporated as "crumple zones" to absorb impact and protect passengers, and you've got a pretty fragile structure.

A "less than reputable" body-shop could/would have just "skinned" Ron's son's Mazda, and made the outer panels "fit" and look decent--seen it done. However, that rear wheel and suspension would never be aligned correctly. The average person would probably never realize--until it started shredding a tire every 5K miles. You can replace the plastic "bumper covers" on many vehicles without repairing the impact absorption materials/structural elements behind them and make it "look good", but the vehicle is not going to be "safe" in the event of a subsequent impact.

"And today is for sale and it's all you can afford. Buy your own admission. The whole things got you bored. Well the Lord chooses the good ones, and the bad ones use the Lord"--a very dear friend for decades Michael Stanley (Gee)--RIP

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - How a small dent can total a car.... - Rod M 14:52:36 04/05/21 (13)

Let's not (ahem..) bash unibody too much: - tinear 13:39:13 04/06/21 (0)

RE: How a small dent can total a car.... - Inmate51 06:47:06 04/06/21 (0)

That is crazy. - srdavis2000 04:50:17 04/06/21 (1)

RE: That is crazy. - Rod M 12:59:35 04/06/21 (0)

RE: How a small dent can total a car.... - Green Lantern 19:47:46 04/05/21 (0)

RE: How a small dent can total a car.... - pictureguy 17:30:26 04/05/21 (0)

I have the 2020 hatchback - is that a hatch? Man, hope I avoid dents. nt - Rick W 16:37:35 04/05/21 (0)

RE: How a small dent can total a car.... - AbeCollins 15:27:36 04/05/21 (1)

RE: How a small dent can total a car.... - pictureguy 20:13:36 04/05/21 (0)

Yep, it's all about insurance companys and panel shops making a killing! - JDK 15:09:15 04/05/21 (0)

Doesn't take much. - ghost of olddude55 15:00:58 04/05/21 (2)

RE: Doesn't take much. - dark_dave56 03:08:10 04/06/21 (1)

My brother's Infinity. - ghost of olddude55 04:29:51 04/06/21 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: Doesn't take much. - dark_dave56 03:08:10 04/06/21 (1)

My brother's Infinity. - ghost of olddude55 04:29:51 04/06/21 (0)

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