Hail damage

[Marky]

Hi everyone, with the current Liberty/Legacy having alluminium bonnet and
hood, will this be more prone to hail damage than previous models without
the alluminium. How strong is alluminium?

 

[Henry Paul]

I don't know if the newer models are any more rugged, but I can dent my '96
Impreza with a very stern look.

 

[P T]

Henry Paul

...Liberty/Legacy having alluminium
bonnet and hood, will this be more prone
to hail ... How strong is alluminium?

How is a bonnet different than a hood?

"Alluminium." Harumph!

 

[Ian Brown]

Repeat after me...

1 hood = 1 bonnet
1 trunk = 1 boot
1 aluminium = 1 aluminum
1 gallon (imperial) = 1.201 gallons (US)
95 octane (ron) = 90 octane ((95ron+85mon)/2)
1 wop wop wop = 1 wop wop wop

Ian. (approx= John)

....whose Forester Turbo just had it's first service this morning, so I can
now take it above 4000rpm, whoohoo

 

[Henry Paul]

Hahahahahaha

--
Henry Paul

Repeat after me...

1 hood = 1 bonnet
1 trunk = 1 boot
1 aluminium = 1 aluminum
1 gallon (imperial) = 1.201 gallons (US)
95 octane (ron) = 90 octane ((95ron+85mon)/2)
1 wop wop wop = 1 wop wop wop

Ian. (approx= John)

...whose Forester Turbo just had it's first service this morning, so I can
now take it above 4000rpm, whoohoo

 

[Marky]

Henry Paul


How is a bonnet different than a hood?

"Alluminium." Harumph!

Oops I meant boot.

 

[ThaDriver]

There are different grades of aluminum just like steel. I doubt that
they're using anything strong, though. So yes it will dent eaiser & cost
more to fix/replace. And...if you turn it in to your insurance co. your
rates will go up. Dontcha' just love getting that extra gas mileage,
though? ;^p
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Giggle Cream - it makes dessert *funny*!

 

[JWilliams]

Unfortunately, from 1st hand experience, I know that on U.S. Forester
models the aluminum hood is more likely to dent than the roof, which
is steel. Fortunately, a paintless dent repair person was able to
smooth out the hood so that I can't see any dents in normal lighting.
This was from pea to marble sized hail.

If you are caught driving in a hail storm, it would be a good
time to find a parking lot with a large tree to get the nose of the
car under.

A new OEM Subaru replacement hood runs about $300 U.S. but
painting more than doubles the price since they have to paint the
underside as well.

If you ever want to inspect a light colored car for minor dings,
look at it under dim to medium bright flourescent lighting indoors.
Bright sunshine hides most flaws. A cloudy day is not as good as
flourescent light but better than bright sun.

 

[ThaDriver]

If you ever want to inspect a light colored car for minor dings, look at
it under dim to medium bright flourescent lighting indoors. Bright
sunshine hides most flaws. A cloudy day is not as good as flourescent
light but better than bright sun.
*******
Good advice. The trick is to get some straight-line objects reflecting off
of the surface & move your head around to see the deflections. The
floresent lights are *the* best way to do this.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Giggle Cream - it makes dessert *funny*!

 

[P T]

Update:
State Farm adjuster estimated the repair at ~$3850, in Minnesota.

My car is the dark green, and I think the dark colors show the damage
worse.
I guessed there were about 3 dozen dings on the hood, but when I
actually tried to do a rough count, I was surprised to find somewhere
around 80 distortions in the surface.

State Farm based the estimate on replacement of the hood and for the
other numerous dings, a "Paintless Dent Repair" method (pushing out the
dents, as opposed to sand, bondo, & paint.)

I'm going to see what the dealer will do for a trade on a new one (mine
is <300 miles!) Failing that, I may only repair the hood (and maybe one
big ding on the fender.) The dents on top are fewer and less noticeable,
perhaps I could live with them. I'm not crazy about the idea of all the
dissembly they would have to do to push out the dents.

We'll see.
Pete

 

[P T]

For anyone who cares to follow my story...

The dealer said they would give me about $15,000 if I traded the car in
for a new one. IF I could find another at ~$20,100 I would have to ante
~5100 + license + sales tax on 5100 or about 5700, less the 3300 that
insurance covers or a net to me of $2400 give or take, to get a new one.

I get a lot of interesting advice from friends: poorer ones say take the
loot and don't fix the car. The ones who can afford a new car advocate
fixing it. I want to get a new hood, which is the worst damaged part,
but I'm loath to let them drop the headliner to pop out the dents on the
roof. They all tell me they can put it back together good as new but I
don't believe it. Also, at the Subaru dealer they said they may not be
able to pop all the roof dents due to interference from structural
members, so we're back to sand- bondo- paint repairs, which I really
don't want. So I'm close to just a hood replacement, and the rest aren't
nearly as noticeable, except for one big dent on the fender right in
front of the driver. It distorts the crease of the fender, and they say
they can't pop it, so it's bondo time, but I don't like the thought of
bondo...
Some suggest I try to find a hood at a junk yard. Probably a good
suggestion compared to the ~$750 price from the dealer.