Fender Bender!

[surfseeker7]

Last week I ran into an SUV in front of me while going about 4 miles per hour. Their tail gate had some red paint on it, but no damage. My hood is now bent, but I'm reluctant to report the damage to my insurer for fear of them raising my rates.

How much does it cost to get a replacement hood for my insight? Is the installation something I can do myself? I'd like to save money if possible. There is no other damage to my car, other than a very small amount of paint scratched on the bumper, which I can touch up.

The hood closes fine, but it doesn't look good.

[HafNHaf]

the hood is about 300 bux, online. shop around for the best price. its a bolt-on swap, no problem.

andy g.

[Dougie]

Perfect opportunity to get a carbon fiber hood made! Ask around at a couple of speed shops to see if you can find somebody...

now you are talking.

I had a prepreg carbon fibre tailgate for my race car made, cost £550 including tooling, bargain when you consider the cost of buying & spraying an aluminium Insight bonnet. Plus the added cool factor when you don't get it painted!!!

[surfseeker7]

Any urls you all can provide would be most appreciated! I'm having a hard time finding anything other than general sites that offer things like hood bras and custom rims....

[Dougie]

Here's a possibility: http://www.fiberimages.com
They don't list hoods for Insights (naturally) but maybe they would be interested in doing a custom...

[littleshop]

A custom carbon fiber hood for the insight would be $1000 or more. The standard one is aluminum and apparently the cardboard BOX it comes in weighs more then the hood itself. You might save a few lbs but it would not be worth it.

[Dougie]

Yeah, but it would be cool!

[ColoCruiserJeff]

Well, its taken a while...and finally someone besides me likes the carbon fiber hood!! I've been working on it for a while, and I finally found a new source for my Carbon and Kevlar/Carbon in bulk.

I've got an idea for all you Insighters who want carbon firber bits for your car. Here goes.....

Ship me your part, either via fedex or whomever, and I'll prep it, and cover it with Carbon or Kevlar, (or both if you like the bumble-bee yellow/black look) Clear coat it with PPG clear coats and ship it back to you....how's that sound?

Carbon takes some time to work with without fraying it and spreading the fibers, but it is definately worth the people-hours. (PC) The look is great, and since its a coating (not just a carbon overlay sticker) its a permanent thing!

So, let me know...hoods are spendy! Both to ship, and to Carbon Cover! Dash's are a TON of work too because of all of the bends and such, so I'll see if you theres a demand for dash boards. Anything can be covered, so the options are endless.

I've got a 2000 5spd Insight, so I won't look at you funny if you ask me to "carbonize" your wheel skirts.......okay....maybe a slight laugh....but I'll still do it for you if you want.

I've got as much carbon to 'carbonize' the whole car, so let me know if thats something you'd like me to do.

Jeff Van Wyk
Colorado Springs, CO
JeffVanWyk@yahoo.com
719-244-3025

[HafNHaf]

i have a new, primered hood that would look great in carbon fiber! been thinking of covering it myself. probably just go with gloss black for now.

andy g.