Magnetic GT, Advise on freshly crunched 94 Celica Options

[mickst8ler]

Hi,
I am new here... found the site after doing a google for Toyota Headlights. My Fiance owns a 94 Celica GT. Since I have know here... about 4 years... this car has had a yearly trip to the body shop. Of those 4 times, none of them have been her fault. Last Summer while visiting my parents, the girl next door backed into the front left hand side... damage wasn't to bad.... about $800 as I recall. I took it to a friend' body shop who repaired the damage, filled in the couple of door dings and covered the previos "7 different colors" of white with a new pearl paint job... all for about $1500. Not a bad deal since the neighborhood girls dad picked up half the bill. Now the Celica looked new again... until yesterday when our neighbor was backing out of their driveway in their oversized SUV and crunch! Same spot as last year only much worse. 5000lb SUV vs. Celica... not good. Anyway I just got a quote from a body shop that I have worked with before. They are expensive but do excellent work... They wanf $1996 to fix... includes replacing, front bumper cover, both left headlights, left fender, matching and blending the pearl. The damaging party wanted to pay cash, but I am affraid that once they get the quote they will want to turn it in to their insurance, which, in turn may decide to total the car because of it's perceived value... I am guessing. What will probably happen is that I will take the car back to my friend who repaired and painted it last year and have everything fixed for cheaper... of course passing the savings to my neighbors. What I am looking for here are possible recomendations that I should consider replacing the OEM parts with (i.e. projector beam headlights). Any thoughts?
--mick
Fort Worth, TX

[Supersprynt]

4 piece JDM heads will run you roughly 800, just for the headlights.
If ur looking for savings, stick with what u have.

Also, the car should be worth more than $2000, so they shouldnt total it.

This post has been edited by Supersprynt: Aug 31, 2004 - 2:03 PM

[mickst8ler]

My reason for considering the new lights (beams) is that I find the old ones so low on light output the are nearly dangerous. If you have these already, is the a difference in the light output?

[shid]

[Supersprynt]

Well with my setup I have an 8000K HID installed so its like driving in the daytime, but if its visibility just get a nice set of Piaa bulbs. I had a pair and my visibility was great with stock heads. Also you may need to try an adjustment. The bulbs will run you ~$65

This post has been edited by Supersprynt: Aug 31, 2004 - 2:44 PM

[mickst8ler]

[Manta5x]

your neighbors suck

[psyko]

[Coomer]

[madmods]

Welcome to the site. The best *&&%$$#@ site on the 6th gen celica period! This site is loaded with info and alot of people that know their stuff.
My personal opinion is, screw the stock parts. Go to cyberbestbuy.com and buy one of their aftermarket bumper replacements. Why buy a stock one? Price stock headlights, if their close in price to projectors or not too far off, go for the projectors. The bullet and z-3 fenders make nice cheap replacements for stock fenders.

[Digndoug]

I know for me, its 40%of the cars worth, .. you'll be lucky if the total it.. then just buy it back.. for cheap.. then .. repair it your self, then .. yeah its salvaged but oh-well .. you should have have an extra 2-3k to invest in it, or somthing else .. just let the insur comp know you want to buy it back..

[RedSunCelica]

sounds like a decent price for the celica. OEM head lights alone are 350 for low beam and 300 for the high so that alone is 700 bucks ........ so $1900 for the repairs doesnt seem to much when you price it out.

[Rjb23]

Gotta love the non drivers in thier SUV's!

[Supersprynt]

[Supersprynt]