Service Loaner HIT - Need Part and Dealer Help!!

[2004CTS]

Left my CTS with the local dealer for 1 day to inspect a road noise, turns out my crappy Goodyear GS-A tires are cupped and worn despite me maintaining proper air pressure and rotation schedule.

While I had the service loaner (sweet black/black 2008 CTS), someone f---ing backed into the rear bumper and left NO INFO! There's no way to repair the rear bumper cover, so the cover needs to be replaced.

As with nearly all rentals and loaner cars I'm liable (already discussed with my attorney). Need to minimize the cost as I continue to track down who could have done this while the car was parked (already narrowed it down and have some good leads).

Anyone (i.e. supporting vendors) have a special deal on the rear bumper cover and left side rear bumper reflector lens (recessed in the bumper) for a 2008 CTS?

Can anyone provide a repair estimate for replacing the rear bumper cover and left side reflector lens on a 2008 CTS? I'm obviously getting multiple bids.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, this forum is the BEST!

[xocomaox]

Talk about bad luck.

[suprane1]

Of course you are liable. But if you are driving someone else's car, rental, dealer loaner, or a friends, I don't think you are given the right to chose how or where to repair it. The owner of the vehicle would get to decide that, unless they ask you to take care of it. Your attorney should have told you this. You do not have the right to minimize your costs, nor chose what parts to put on it. Besides, it will take you more than a day to get the parts shipped to you, get them painted, buffed, and installed, are they just going to let you keep the car for as long as you need to do all this? You need to do the right thing and just tell them what happened and go from there.

Don't you have insurance? Your coverage should extend to rental cars as well.

[2004CTS]

Originally Posted by suprane1

Of course you are liable. But if you are driving someone else's car, rental, dealer loaner, or a friends, I don't think you are given the right to chose how or where to repair it. The owner of the vehicle would get to decide that, unless they ask you to take care of it. Your attorney should have told you this. You do not have the right to minimize your costs, nor chose what parts to put on it. Besides, it will take you more than a day to get the parts shipped to you, get them painted, buffed, and installed, are they just going to let you keep the car for as long as you need to do all this? You need to do the right thing and just tell them what happened and go from there.

Don't you have insurance? Your coverage should extend to rental cars as well.

The car was already returned, and I do have certain rights pertaining to the repair since I'm paying for it. Obviously I have insurance, but it will cost me far more in the long run to claim it. And unfortuantely, I don't have un-insured / under-insured motorist coverage (which is ridiculous in principle - everyone should be required to have insurance and appropriate coverage in the first place).

[suprane1]

Originally Posted by 2004CTS

The car was already returned, and I do have certain rights pertaining to the repair since I'm paying for it. Obviously I have insurance, but it will cost me far more in the long run to claim it. And unfortuantely, I don't have un-insured / under-insured motorist coverage (which is ridiculous in principle - everyone should be required to have insurance and appropriate coverage in the first place).

If you already turned it in, and they have not asked you to come up with a way to repair it, then the only right you have is the obligation to pay for whatever they come up with, or to go to court. The owner decides, and if you have ever watched Judge Judy, all they need are two estimates, or just the bill for the actual repair and you owe it.

You have absolutely no right to decide how it will be repaired just because you are paying for it. It is their car, you dont get to control other people's property or make up their minds for them, unless they give that right up to you.

[CTSV_510]

Originally Posted by suprane1

The owner decides, and if you have ever watched Judge Judy, all they need are two estimates, or just the bill for the actual repair and you owe it.

Ouch. I just pay the $18 a day for the rental insurance when I get a loaner. I am always in fear of the "other" drivers out there.

[the cadillac kid]

the loaner was a 2008 model?
you might have better luck in the 2008 section. a moderator should move this for you if you ask.

[2004CTS]

Well, by using an apparently effective balance of diplomacy and other tactics (e.g. I've been demanding proof that the car was not damaged before I picked it up), the dealer is taking care of it. In truth, it could have occurred at the dealer or by a prior service loaner driver because the damage was small and nearly invisible from the eye level of a standing person. CASE CLOSED.

suprane1 - My very knowledgeable attorney disagrees with you and I'm going to leave it at that. Are you an attorney? If not, be careful when rendering legal opinions.

[suprane1]

An attorney is trained to be able to see any side of a situation he wants to see, or is paid to see. I am not giving out legal advice, I am giving out ethical and common sense advice. Clearly you and your attorney are lacking in both of those.......

[2004CTS]

Originally Posted by suprane1

An attorney is trained to be able to see any side of a situation he wants to see, or is paid to see. I am not giving out legal advice, I am giving out ethical and common sense advice. Clearly you and your attorney are lacking in both of those.......

OK, I only pointed out facts or asked questions and didn't slander. Why did you? Appreciate your input, but there will always be someone in the world who is better than you, has more common sense than you, is smarter than you, etc. Let's keep the forum constructive and try to remember that we all share a common passion for our Caddys.