Hey guys, I'm new here. My name is Jon. I have a 2008 Mazda 3 4 door. Just wanted to introduce myself before my first post.

To make a long story short, some punk kid threw a huge rock (more like a small boulder) at my door and nailed it by the handle. There is a dent now about a foot in diameter.

My question is, would it be cheaper to purchase a new door? (perhaps from a junk yard)

or

Have it fixed?

My 08 Mazda 3 is factory black, it would have to be painted of course.


I can get pictures if necessary

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

- Jon

 

Is the paint scratched, or is the door panel just dented? If it's just the dent I'd look into paintless dent removal in your area and see what they'd charge. Regardless I'd get quotes from a couple of body shops before just buying a new door.

 

Contact your Insurance Company and see what they say. Typically in my experience vandalism is covered. You would have to pay the Comprehensive deductible and the Insurance Company would pick up the rest.

 

Thanks for the help. An auto body shop estimated $300, but the guy didn't say if that included paint or not. Either way this may be the more realistic option, most people have told me a new door would cost much more.


I was looking forward to getting my windows tinted... suppose it will have to wait

=(

 

FYI You might be interested in knowing that it probably wasn't vandalism but an attempted theft.

Mazda 3's built before January 2007 in Japan were susceptible to a door looking problem above the handle. check out http://www.mazda3problem.com/suki.php for a picture view of the dent left and other links. Since you have an '08 you have a countermeasure to avoid this unlocking your door--but you still have the damage to fix.

You might be interested in the following:

"Greg Young, Director of Corporate Public Relations for Mazda spoke with me this morning. He acknowledges that Mazda has been aware of this issue since October 2006, they have been working on the situation with some degree of considerable effort and expertise. Mazda is studying it, and they have made a countermeasure in components from Cars that have been built in January 2007 in Japan. This countermeasure is to prevent this specific type of break-in. There is no defect in the product; the countermeasure produced will make it more difficult or not possible to break-in to the vehicle in this specific way. However, as any vehicle is susceptible to a break-in, normal precautions should be taken.

Mazda has not determined whether they will upgrade vehicles that have not been broken into.

If you are concerned with your vehicle, a supplemental aftermarket alarm system may be a solution, and obviously do not leave any valuables in clear view and plain site."