A&Q about Lotus
Q:
I talked to Steve today, who obviously takes customer satisfaction very seriously. I dig his accent too. He says that divet would probably run another $800 to polish out (they'd have to blend the paint through the door to the rear clam). Otherwise, as an isolated job, it would run closer to $1500.
Anyway, they are hooking me up in more ways than one. So far, best body shop experience I ever had. I anticipate seeing the results.
Newport European's stance is that they will certainly fix anything they broke, of course, but they did not see this divet and they will not approve a repair over the phone like that, especially on something they have not seen... they want to see the car at my next convenience and address it then. Fair enough, though it looks like it may end up costing them more in the long run if they source it out. They may also want to do it at the shop and use their own resources, though I really don't know what their body shop capabilities are... In any case, it sounds like it will be costing ME a week without my Elise again some time in the future... did I mention this is my daily driver?
I leave the mountains in like 36 hours. Can't wait to get back to civilization. I miss Starbucks.
luke
A:
Originally Posted by codymac
Love that shot of the Littman and the rifle!
Thanks! I was carrying my gear like that for months before one of my Corpsmen decided to take a picture of it. That image will actually become a part of a book cover. Look for it at your local Barnes and Noble next year!
How 'bout that Iraqi Army, eh? Pretty motivated buncha guys, no? Let's hope they get their $#!+ together soon. At the time of those pics they were still in kindergarden.
A:
Originally Posted by swistun
I talked to Steve today, who obviously takes customer satisfaction very seriously. I dig his accent too. He says that divet would probably run another $800 to polish out (they'd have to blend the paint through the door to the rear clam). Otherwise, as an isolated job, it would run closer to $1500.
Anyway, they are hooking me up in more ways than one. So far, best body shop experience I ever had. I anticipate seeing the results.
Newport European's stance is that they will certainly fix anything they broke, of course, but they did not see this divet and they will not approve a repair over the phone like that, especially on something they have not seen... they want to see the car at my next convenience and address it then. Fair enough, though it looks like it may end up costing them more in the long run if they source it out. They may also want to do it at the shop and use their own resources, though I really don't know what their body shop capabilities are... In any case, it sounds like it will be costing ME a week without my Elise again some time in the future... did I mention this is my daily driver?
I leave the mountains in like 36 hours. Can't wait to get back to civilization. I miss Starbucks.
luke
Glad to hear your experience with SCC is going so well. Shame about the divet, though. Although I've not had any first hand experience with NE's bodyshop, I hear they do excellent work, and they certainly take their time. It is rather unfortunate, though, to get your car back only to give it up for another week. I see a gratis leather covered consol in your future! Believe it or not, she's my daily driver as well, so I feel your pain!
Look forward to having you back - first cup o' joe's on me!!!
Alan
A:
... but the next fifty are on me! I don't know how much I owe you Alan, you've kept my mind at ease here, that's priceless.
A:
Originally Posted by swistun
... but the next fifty are on me! I don't know how much I owe you Alan, you've kept my mind at ease here, that's priceless.
Said it before, say it again - it's the least I can do. Totally appreciate what you guys are sacrificing for us.
A:
So... back in San Diego...! You people don't know how good you have it! You know who you are!
The clam came in yesterday and SCC will probably keep the car through next week to get it pained, installed and StarShielded, or should I say, StickerCiti'ed.
Newport European is not budging, they want to take care of the rear clam on their own. I wonder if they'll pony up a substitute Elise for the time my car spends in their shop...? I'll take mine in Lava Orange, I'd love to drive that around for a couple of days...
I planned to come out to LA to look at the progress first hand tomorrow morning, but they said they may not even come in... I'll get a call from them later to confirm. Alan, how would you like to cash in on all those beers and coffee I owe you?
Speaking of, real coffee tastes gooooooood...
luke
PS: My wife is alive and well. Also, I found that there was a LOT more in her plan of "redeeming herself" than she was willing to post on this thread...
A:
... cool place. Cosy, but cool. Definitely friendly. My Elise is moving along, estimated time of finishing the job: this Friday. Total cost... get ready: $20,600 .
I'm curious to see the itemized bill, as aside from the clam and crash structure, I only had the driving lamps as an additional replaced item... and you guys' estimates were closer to $7-9K for front clam alone, and $14-15K with the crash structure added... I'm curious where the other $5-6 came from. Either way, that's what insurance is for, and I have no reason to think I'll be unhappy with the experience.
Here's the old clam and the new clam...
A:
here's the crash structure. The fracture seemed pretty big. I'm beginning to suspect that the pedals she may have confused were the brake and the GAS...
A:
... and the car right now. Just needs its skin back, that's all...
A:
One small concern I voiced is that it seems to be impossible to take the front clam off without touching the delicate ribs of the radiator. I recall they were perfect last time I saw them through the plastic outlets (over a month ago, when I was waxing the car before going away for a month to protect it from the elements ). Now there are small dimples everywhere. This was the case for all the cars in the shop. I asked SCC to put a piece of cardboard over the radiator for the time being so I don't get any more accidental ones... they said they'll try to even out what they can before they place the clam back on.
All in all, a negligible price to pay, and certainly purely cosmetic. I won't loose any sleep over this.
A:
Luke -
It was really nice meeting you all! Went by today and your clam was being color sanded. Only a matter of time now...
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It was awesome to meet you too! Thanx for showing me around LA. Chicken was good!
I assume Sticker City will only need one solid day with the clam... Friday it is, I hope. Will you be there in the afternoon?
A:
Originally Posted by swistun
It was awesome to meet you too! Thanx for showing me around LA. Chicken was good!
I assume Sticker City will only need one solid day with the clam... Friday it is, I hope. Will you be there in the afternoon?
Let me know what time you're coming by. I'll see you there!
A:
Hope you get your car in time for this weekend Luke.
Alan,
Let me know if they have a reflector lying around. TIA.
- J
A:
For the sake of continuity, please be advised that this post continues in context under this link:
Thanx for all the input, everyone! She feels better than ever.
Yes, my wife and I are still together. She knows she owes me for this, and I'm cashing in (while Sector 111 flourishes).
luke
A:
Originally Posted by Serebo1
Glad to hear your experience with SCC is going so well. Shame about the divet, though. Although I've not had any first hand experience with NE's bodyshop, I hear they do excellent work, and they certainly take their time. It is rather unfortunate, though, to get your car back only to give it up for another week. I see a gratis leather covered consol in your future! Believe it or not, she's my daily driver as well, so I feel your pain!
Look forward to having you back - first cup o' joe's on me!!!
Alan
As for revisiting the divet... Don G, one of the mechanics of Newport European, did some tricktacular magic on it the other day with some heat and 2 hours of playtime. He essentially reversed the process and "put the molecules back into place", as he described it. The spot looks flawless now, the divet is completely gone. Don does have a master's in "composites" from what I understand, so it's a talent exclusive to him (in addition to many other car trick-out talents exclusive to him, as some of his personal projects will soon prove).
Anyhow, thanx Don!!