I'm pretty sure this is the right area.

Basically, a large tree branch fell onto my car a few days ago, scratching up and denting the hood, left fender, shattering the windshield and putting a big nice dent right above the windshield in the roof.

I took the car over the a body shop today to get an estimate on the windshield replacement (fixing the essentials first as I'm low on cash) and he said that judging by the damage, it might need a new roof in order to repair the windshield, because the area where the molding sits may be bent and the adhesive won't touch the window or some **** like that.

Anyway, I've been scouring Google for answers, but haven't been able to find any companies that make replacement roofs for the 350z (mine is a 2003) with the exception of a $950-1000 CF roof. If it comes down to it, I'll take a $1,000 CF roof over a $2500 factory roof, but I was hoping there was some company that makes aluminum or even fiberglass roofs for the 350z for a tighter budget.

If anybody knows of any, or can suggest some other alternatives, I'd really appreciate it.

I only have to get the roof if the body shop can't smooth out the dent to their liking, and I'd prefer to have some alternatives at the shop if it comes to that.

Thanks everyone!

 

There are no aftermarket roof replacements or this car to my knowledge. Only roof caps - essentially stickers

A factory roof skin is nowhere near $2500 unless that's an installed price.

 

Damn, alright. The mechanic must have been throwing out an arbitrary expensive number when mentioning the possibility of having to replace the roof.

 

I'm sure a reputable body shop will be able to repair. Bring it to a good shop and let insurance handle it.

 

Yeah... we have a $5,000 deductible. Insurance won't do anything except raise my rates :P

Anyway, here's the update -- the puncture in the roof, as they called it, has nearly gone all the way through and in order to smooth it out (they say they can) they need to remove the headliner. After that, they'll paint the roof and put the new windshield back in, for a total cost of $1,707.68. I feel like I'm getting completely ripped off with that deal.

The woman I spoke to said I can have the roof simply primed instead of painted for ~$700 less, but if I go to have it painted later, the windshield has to be removed and there's a chance it would get cracked. Is this true? Does the windshield really have to be removed in order to paint the roof?

What do you guys think I should do here? Should I take my windshieldless car to some other body shops and get more quotes or just pay up the $1,700? Help...

 

not that im educated with paint in any aspects, but I think painters tape was made for a reason.

 

That's what I thought too, but the lady said that the paint actually wraps all the way under the window or some ****, but I don't see what difference that makes. FML

 

X-Out,

$2,500 for a factory roof panel? What was that mechanic on? I know that 350Z roof panels are about $400 at nissanpartszone ($500 at dealerships) for new OEM replacements so if worse comes to worse than you won't have to spend too much cheddar to fix your roof..

Which paint shop were you considering for your repairs man?

 

You shouldn't even be talking to a mechanic, or even an auto body technician. Service writers/advisers are on staff for a reason...

Honestly, $1700 isn't a bad price if your roof needs to be replaced. Post pics of the damage, and an actual breakdown of the estimate.

Always get more than 1 estimate. And yes, removing glass is a risky gig, and there's a chance of it breaking unless the person doing it as a master. Even pros make mistakes. And yes, the glass will need to be removed for paint. The metal needs to be painted to protect it from corrosion, and the only way to do that is to paint the WHOLE thing... Yes, you could just paint what's visible but that's the weak way to do it, and it sounds like this shop doesn't want to do shoddy work.