I got hit - fixing updates (long)

[Zsolt]

Those of you who remember, I got t-boned by a half ton a couple of weeks
ago. Sounds like the car is going to be fixed and the insurance is
paying for it.

The original estimate at the bodyshop came to about $6,000 CAN.  The
adjuster had an appraisal done by an independent company which came to
$4,000 CAN. The difference is in the parts. Originally I had them spec
new doors (passenger side front and back) and also a windshield which
cracked upon the impact.

They do not want to replace my front door, claiming it can be repaired
and they quoted a used door for the back. They would also not allow the
windshield, because it had rockchips. (The appraiser's argument was that
if it didn't have any rockchips it wouldn't have cracked. Mine; if I
didn't get hit, it wouldn't have cracked either!) I am also unhappy
about the front door, since I DO NOT want a repaired (ground and filled)
door on my car! I still have to argue with the adjuster about these
issues. I don't mind using used parts. (I found a set of red doors that
are in good shape, and they don't have to be painted inside), but I want
them replaced along with the windshield. It's bad enough that the
quarter panel is going to be repaired.

They also using base and clear coats (the original red did not have
clear) and since they're at it I want to whole car painted too. Also,
since they have to fix the passenger side quarter panel anyway, (above
the wheel) I want to get the wheel well deepened (both sides of course),
so I can put bigger tires on the car. (that I'm kind of happy about).

For the trim, I would like to make all the stainless steel/chrome parts
black, (kind of like this car in the link below)- which can be done later,
http://hometown.aol.com/Quattringo/index.html
but I am concerned if it is just painted it will chip (especially on the
front) and it will look like crap. Any other processes (anodized?) that
somebody can think of or done that you'd recommend? And finally I am
going to replace the front grill with another one (probably make one up)
that will have a black mesh instead of the horizontal grill).

The car already has Euro headlights, V8 tail lights, Koni sport shocks
with H&R springs and a chipped ECU by Scott Mockry. I can't wait to have
it all finished, especially since they gave me a newish Taurus for the
time being. (I can't believe they still make such a lousy car...)

Sorry for the WOB, I just wanted to share the progress. Please let me
know what you think about all of these.

Thanks,
   Zsolt