I got a gash in my rear driver's side door last year when I grazed a snowbank. Didn't claim it, it has rusted, and now I want to fix it as cheaply as possible. I had it quoted shortly after it happened, and they claimed that the entire door will need to be replaced, which will be over $2000. Does anyone know how I might be able to find a cheaper door replacement, possibly from another used Prius? And if so, how I might get it installed? Any help would be much appreciated.
The only thing that comes to mind would be to pull out the yellow pages and then call all of the junkyards listed and also try Craigslist. The other thing that comes to mind would be to grind all of the rust out of the gash and then fill it with bondo - it is sort of like filling a hole in a wall with spackle. If you go this route make sure to get every bit of rust - grind away until all of the visible rust is gone and then grind away a bunch more - after you grind it do not let the metal stay exposed to the elements - prime it with a metal paint (like rust-olium). If you are thinking of getting the door replaced you could give it a try - the worst is that you will make a mess of it and need to replace the door after all.
car-part.com. Also, autobeyours.com. Note that you will usually get only a "skin" rather than a complete door, and have to transfer all other parts like the interior panel and glass.
The driver's door on my 2004 received a new exterior "skin" after another vehicle hit that side of the car.
Depending on how bad it is and how nice you want it to look, an auto detailing shop may be able to clean up the rust and do a paint touch up. You'd still have the dent but the rust would be sorted and not look so bad. Most likely a lot cheaper than what a body shop would ask. - D
Drive your car down to Indianapolis and have Steve at Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle PHEV fix your door for you. (call him to get a price and make an appointment). JeffD
