QuestionI drove my 1996 Ford Windstar out of a driveway smack into a car passing by. Front end squashed, bumper & cowl almost torn off. Only leak is from hole punched into rad. I'm wondering if I can repair it well enough to drive/pass inspection for not too much $$. It was running great at 135,000 miles. Can borrow wife's car while repairing or hunt for inexpensive used car.
Is this a whacko idea? Should I just consider it junk and have it towed away? I have 30 years of experience, but just working on my own cars, which isn't all that much, never accident damage.
I'm thinking maybe have a body shop straighten what structural stuff I can't replace, and get parts--like hood, lights--at yard.
I've posted some pictures using Webshots. They are:
full view wi bumper & cowl taken off
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2440379310100868663KwYYDP?vhost=rides
showing & suggesting hardest to repair
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2403074540100868663FCFhuK?vhost=rides
Possibly hard to bend back or replace
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2427061130100868663bKLXIb?vhost=rides
Area of engine compartment most distorted
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2708907080100868663ZxdTZH?vhost=rides
Answer It looks like $300.00 to $500.00 worth of frame straightening labor. The structural welding and the cost of those parts could run up to another grand. It depends on what the van is worth to you and what shop you take it to. Stay away from the dealers and big shops, look form a small shop that has a good reputation, one that may be a little hungry. You can do all the running and assembly work and welding if you know how to run a MiG welder.
