Had my car 9 days .... vandalized on the weekend!

[scottyb]

I got home from a night out of town to find that someone had smashed the rear tail light on my 2003 GA SE that I bought 9 days ago... angry does not even describe how I feel now!

How much should I expect to pay to have this fixed (USD$ or CDN$) at a dealer? Should I consider going to a junk yard to try and find the part and install it myself? I'm a newbie when it comes to cars.

[wiccanferret]

I wouldn't assume this was vandalizm. Sounds more like a hit and run to me...someone backed into you and then took off. Just happened to hit the tail light. Unless the car was backed onto a sidewalk or something...then I dunno.

Anyway, it will always be cheaper to do the junkyard then the dealer. I would at least look into it.

[scottyb]

I'm positive it was Vandalism, my driveway is really long and it was parked at the top of it.

[BBT]

Junkyard or parts recycler as they prefer to be called. Way much cheaper than dealer woul be.

[Chain]

I feel for ya dude. I do not know why people think they got to steal stuff or vandalize it if they cant steal it. You buy a alarm to try and keep people from ripping you off. So they drive by and throw a brick at the window because you made it so they cant steal it.

[Riley1123d]

Holy crap, people are such morons, i'd also be pissed if I were u..

[98GrandAm]

Originally posted by Chain
I feel for ya dude. I do not know why people think they got to steal stuff or vandalize it if they cant steal it. You buy a alarm to try and keep people from ripping you off. So they drive by and throw a brick at the window because you made it so they cant steal it. :shoot2: :pissed: :stupid:

[scottyb]

Can anyone give an idea of how much this will cost me?

[2003 GT1 SILVER]

I don't know about the Se tail but I paid $169 a piece for two new tailights I decided to clear my tails and lets just say they turned out horrible:(

[scottyb]

Can anyone tell me if the tail lights are the same for the SE as the GT?

[crazeyGT]

well they are the same they just look different hhehe, well se have lines and gt's dont... well i dont know how to explain it :D

[tenspeed]

You may be able to get some cash from home owners or auto insurance.

Tails lights from the dealer is going to be the most expensive. You might find some SE tails for sale here or on eBay. Many people want GT tails so they can clear them.

There are three aftermarket types sold be various dealers. The least expensive aftermarket is the "Terminator" type with the nuclear symbol chrome application across the main light. Can be found between $225 and $280 a pair.

The newer tails have a different interior and are selling for around $280 a pair.

The third is from AED who also make body kits. These sell in the upper $400 range for a pair.

You may be pissed about someone violating your new car but don't rush out a pay a lot of money to replace the stock unit. You may want to upgrade to some aftermarket tails at this point. They all fit the SE or the GT.

[scottyb]

Cool, I've checked out a few on ebay and may pick one of them up cheap ($50) .... but how hard will this be to install?

[BleakGT]

try this link. I di da search for the driver's side taillight on car-part.com.

If it is a different one, just go back to www.car-part.com and do a search

[scottyb]

After calling a few dealers, I'm confused. When I'm replacing it do I have to replace the whole tail light or just the plastic cover? They are quoting me prices of $260 CDN.

[tenspeed]

You have to replace the whole unit. There's three or four nuts inside the trunk holding the unit in place.

The dealer is the last place to buy the new light. Many people have "like new" used units for sale because they replace them with aftermarket units.

Check out this post from the "for sale" section:

+99 Tails (http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26283)

[scottyb]

Originally posted by tenspeed
You have to replace the whole unit. There's three or four nuts inside the trunk holding the unit in place.

The dealer is the last place to buy the new light. Many people have "like new" used units for sale because they replace them with aftermarket units.

Check out this post from the "for sale" section:

+99 Tails (http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26283)

That link is very much appreciated :)

[scottyb]

Can someone confirm for me that the tail light from a 2000 SE will fit my 2003 SE no prob? I'm 99% sure it will.

[97mintga]

i'm positive they will fit, when companies sell aftermarket taillights they fit the 99-04. So why wouldn't the stock one off of a 99 fit on your car. To my knowledge there is no styling difference.

[Big Joe]

nope there all the same anything from 99 up will fit

[sunrunner_pei]

They're very easy to replace...


open the trunk
pull back the carpeting in the trunk in front of the laillight
remove the 3 plastic wing nuts
gently pull the light away from the body of the car
disconnect the wiring harness from the tail light
reverse the process to re-install

[scottyb]

Hey Shawn,
Thanks a lot! I'll give it a shot when I get the light, bought one from tonmarchelli.
Thanks!

[sunrunner_pei]

Anytime! :)

[Grandam02chick]

I know Im prolly late on this one but I would have called the cops and reported and ur insurance should cover it.good luck

[scottyb]

I did report it to the cops, but my deductible is $500 so it makes no sense to claim it.

[30thAnnGAGT]

Your insurance doesn't cover vandalism with a 0 deductible?? THAT my friend is BS!

[Madman]

i think this might have been a sign to get some after market tails , hu?

[HighwayProwlerz]

That's what I did when my husband dropped and cracked my tails.

[scottyb]

I looked into after market tails, but they were just too much for me at the moment, seeing as I just poured what I could into the down payment. I picked up a cheap stock tail light from ebay, hope it works!

[GrandAmSe93]

sorry I know how you feel someone hit my car when it was parked in front of my house and someone has keyed it on both sides, so i know how ya feel.