It was sugested that since I bought ours wrecked, I should post some photos of the repair process. So here goes. Did some partial teardown yesterday to access what I have to get and what I can save. Both radiators are good which will save a bunch. I plan to straighten the rad suport.







Don't think the cheap "fix" will work on the headlight.






I like the miles!

I'll post more to this thread in case anyone is interested in the process. Unfortunately (depending on how you look at it) there are some paying jobs to do first. I'm gathering parts right now.

Interesting. Keep us posted as the repair process unfolds. I'm most interested in what your final cost turns out to be. Sure hope it remains a virtual steal for you. Only 20,000 miles on the car will be your saving grace....

I'm at $4950 right now. I've been doing some shoping and after getting a good look at things, I anticipate about 2 grand in parts. I don't mind sharing costs since this is a keeper. I never would have bought something like this to resell. Used Chevys and Pontiacs move much better.

I found a nice surprise in the trunk. Genuine Jaguar battery replaced March of 2010.

What a great thread!

First of all Great idea to keep others informed and help 'em learn.

It might work for me... if you are interested in selling that Turn bulb holder? Mine was giving me warning sometimes, I opened it, found some spark signs, clean it and put it back.

So far so good, but having it replaced will not be a bad idea.

Please let me know if you are willing to help.

Thanks,
Rizwan

Good photos and yes I'm interested, too.

A few more with the lower fiberglass headlamp pane out of the way.



You can see that the lower main chassis rail wasn't damaged. Slight bend in the bumper mounting flange and a little ding in the alluminum bumper reinforcement.



Radiator support/tiebar took most of the impact.



A lot of things like this ABS module were fortunate not to sustain damage. You can see it is pushed back crooked in its rubber mounts but not damaged. The washer bottle is also near disaster but reusable. Some of the plastic on the wiring loom is broken but I can't see any damaged wires.

I would say another 10mph in impact speed and there would be a LOT more damage. When fixing these total loss vehicles you work to repair things the insurance company would just replace. Fusor Universal Plastic Adhesive is your best friend. Not to say it will be a bad repair, but that you trade labor for throwing money at replacement parts. And where parts must be replaced, used is obviously much cheaper than new.

I also get some sort of weird thrill out of finding deals on some of the used stuff on the internet. I have my eye on a couple bumper covers on ebay right now and Brutal fixed me up with a headlight. BTW Rizwan, I'll let you know once I make sure I don't need that socket.

BTW, here's a shot of the car that was to be Laurie's new one.



She was so looking forward to getting a new car. Then she saw the Jag and completely lost interest in the Malibu!! Well at least she has good taste in cars.

Welcome to the site bodyman! Look forward to following the repair process.

Bodyman:

That looks like an easy fix and a nice car in great shape.

You going to straighten out the rad / core support or just swap it?

I did a Mercedes C Class in my driveway years ago (well everything except for paint) I bought from a friend who I told him to buy it back from the ins co when it was totaled out, he had no interest. I got the car for $1300, put about 2500 into it and sold it for 8k at the time, (and it sold in 4 hours, so I could have gotten more). The title wasn't branded either.

Did this one come out of copart, or a local source.

Take care,

George

I plan on straightening the suport. New is $450 and I doubt getting a used cut off would be very easy. Then you also disturb a lot more of the factory welds changing it. Anyway it's worth a try. Surprisingly the fiberglass bottom reinforcement or headlamp panel is only about 100 bucks new. Must be a Ford thing cause I've worked on Taurus that have the same sort of setup.

This one came from Salvage Direct Pittsburgh West....about 1 1/2hrd from me. They have yards all over with two Pittsburgh locations. The Malibu came from their Hazelton PA location. Hard to get them like you did the Benz these days. If the ins totals them, they are required by law to send the title in and obtain a salvage certificate. So you end up with the branded title. They still sell with the rebuild title if you price em low. Problem is a lot of the banks won't lend on them with the R.

FWIW, I think this may have been a little old church lady car. Who would only put 20 thou on in 8 years?? And..under the drivers seat I found a gaudy looking clip on style ear ring. My mom, Good bless her, used to wear those clip ons. I was also thrilled to see a Jaguar replacement battery dated March 2010. Bet that wasn't cheap!!

Great thread Bodyman,

I'm sure we will all be waiting to see the next instalment.

Bodyman, seems like you will have more than a few of us here following this thread with interest
Looking forward to the next installment

Maibu is also a nice car but S Type should be a better car overall , nice thread .I like such handy threads

Subscribed. Thanks for sharing.

Well yesterday I got confirmation a used hood and fender are on the way. So I decided to go ahead and order the plastic parts from an online dealer. Not going to name names since there are a few.

Today I got an email & call that has me a bit confused. Seems my vin# didn't match up with the part#s the online catalog called for. They said the sight shield and rad supt reinf I ordered were for an R type. The printout I have clearly says W/O supercharger and 3.0litre. Naturaly the correct parts are more money plus they tacked on some additional shipping. They explained that the computer bases the shiping on dollar value and doesn't know what size the parts are. About 50 bucks more on the order.

I suppose this could all be honest mistakes with the computer ordering system. And I wasn't forced to complete the order. But just as a bit of advise, don't count on the accuracy of listed prices online.

I've decided to attempt repairing the frt cover. It's pretty bad but all there. Was looking on ebay at some but they have varying degrees of damage also. On dummy has one listed that looks very nice but the photo clearly shows one for an X Type.

Here's the ebay ad. This is just plain funny. I sent a message that it is obviously not for an S Type. His reply.... Bumper is good

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...item4aa879d842

FYI -

2000-2004 all use the same front bumper cover. Fenders, hood etc.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-02...Q5fAccessories

Will work just fine, if not it will at least broaden your search.

Take care,

George

I look forward to seeing you put Laurie's car together =D

Thanks for the link George. Yeah that one would work but not the one in the link I posted. Most are takeoffs that have either been repaired or need it.

Started messing with mine today and it's coming along pretty good. Infared heat lamp gets it flexable enough to get the creases and dents out. Fusor 143 Extreme Bumper Adhesive works real good on the rips and for filler. Sticks good as long as you use their adhesion promoter. I'll post up some pics when I get it all glued.

Explained to Laurie today that although time is money... I have more time than money.