Toyota needs serious body work

**tleonwdm** · 11-03-2011, 10:46 PM

Ok, the local Toyota dealer (Des Moines) doesn't have a body shop. Can anyone pass a good reference for front end body work? Not sure I want to rely on the list from my insurance company.

Appreciate the references.

**Clones21** · 11-03-2011, 10:46 PM

Call Tron!

**Scott34** · 11-03-2011, 10:55 PM

I actually know the guy that runs the body shop out there at Wilsons, name is Lonnie Rugg. The guy really knows his stuff and his workers are top notch. I own a Grand Prix but have taken my car out to him to work on it and always happy with the work they did.

**tleonwdm** · 11-03-2011, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by ISUAgronomist

Wilson Toyota of Ames does have a collision center/body shop. I don't own a Toyota but they are a site sponsor so it wouldn't hurt to check it out as an option if you want to use a Toyota dealer.

I am sure they would be excellent, but car is in wdm and barely drivable. Hoping to find something that doesn't involve a 40 mile tow.

**simply1** · 11-03-2011, 11:13 PM

R Jones Collision Repair

On Hickman, they fixed my xterra after a high speed frontal with a dear, did a great job.

**JUKEBOX** · 11-04-2011, 12:01 AM

Tron will bend it back into shape with his bare hands.

**Doc** · 11-04-2011, 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by tleonwdm

Ok, the local Toyota dealer (Des Moines) doesn't have a body shop. Can anyone pass a good reference for front end body work? Not sure I want to rely on the list from my insurance company.

Appreciate the references.

Front end car damage...do we have a woman on CF?

**cycoticfan** · 11-04-2011, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by simply1

R Jones Collision RepairOn Hickman, they fixed my xterra after a high speed frontal with a dear, did a great job.

these guys.

**isu_29** · 11-04-2011, 06:49 AM

karl chevrolet in ankeny. i believe its the best bodyshop in iowa!

**iowa_wildcat** · 11-04-2011, 07:08 AM

Go see Joe Jones at Ramsey Pontiac.

**clonomaniac** · 11-04-2011, 07:13 AM

I know you probably won't get much help from reading this but I had a deer injury to my car ;) and I took it to a Ford dealership in St Louis. They did AN EXCELLENT job. It was two years ago and the car drives like its fresh off the lot. I highly recommend Ford dealers to do Toyota work, especially because Toyota dealers are so few and far between.

**Hasbeen** · 11-04-2011, 07:17 AM

________ Collision center. Can't remember the first part. They are located behind Hopkin's Sporting Goods in Clive.

**ekim121** · 11-04-2011, 08:02 AM

Toyota of Des Moines doesn't have a body shop because they are owned by Gabus and thus rather than having a Toyota of DSM body shop competing with the Gabus Ford shop they do it all in one place. This is the same reason Des Moines Imports doesn't have a shop. That being said, Gabus does excellent work as do many of the other shops being mentioned. If I had to rank shops in Des Moines I'd certainly start with Tony Moro Auto Body with Gabus, Karls, and Howard Martin in the conversation. I would agree that Ames may not be your best option as the insurance company will tow it anywhere in Des Moines, but a tow outside of Des Moines gets prohibitively expensive. If, however you do choose Ames I'd go with Shaffers, they are far and away the best in that area.

Something to consider regarding the skepticism of your insurance company's list are the benefits of choosing a direct repair facility (someone off of their list). In many cases going with a direct repair facility means quicker turnaround as your car jumps to the head of the queue which can be crucial given this is getting into the busy season. Additionally, many times the direct repair program will get you a nationwide guarantee on the work through the insurance company and not just the body shop. While its true every shop offers a guarantee if you go outside of the direct repair you're dealing with the shop directly whereas under direct repair you deal with the insurance company who ultimately brings the hammer down on the shop for messing up your car and making them look bad. This leads to another good point, the insurance company isn't selecting shops for direct repair programs based on the cost of repairs, that I can promise you. The point of the program is customer service and speed of repairs. Back to the guarantee part; this can also be advantageous if you ever move from the area of the shop as the insurance company can still back the work without taking it back to the original shop.