I'm no expert, but I think painting the replacement trunk lid would be more costly than plugging and painting the holes. They're gonna have to blend the paint with the surrounding area either way. If you get a whole new trunk lid, they'll have to paint part of the rear quarter panels and trunk as well to blend it. With the holes, I'm thinking they can do the blending within the trunk lid itself without painting the other areas. I could be wrong - I'm sure there are others here who know better than I do.

I can say that a reputable body shop will make things match so well you won't be able to tell anything was done. I had my car for only 3 weeks before I smashed in the passenger side rear quarter panel above the tire, including the wheel flare. They had to paint the quarter, as well as part of the door, bumper, and trunk lid to blend it. I was nervous as heck it wouldn't match or ever look the same. I was wrong. It looks like nothing ever happened. The picture I posted in this thread is AFTER the repair.

 

A guy that comes into where I work did the new decklid thing. He said it came to about $700. I wanted the spoiler delete, but shopping from the lot kinda put the kabosh on that idea. I haven't been to a body shop yet to price the removal and painting though.

 

That seems like alot. To repair and paint the damage I mentioned above, I paid $750. I actually got 3 estimates, and the others were a bit lower. So just painting the decklid with no repair work involved for $700 seem a bit steep IMO.

 

I've heard a new decklid can be had for as low as $250. I wouldn't want a blend so I could put the original decklid back on if I wanted to sell the car. Plus that way, I have an extra deck. Or... I could paint some plugs and put them in the holes. Has anyone seen that done right?

 

The $700 maybe included the deck.

 

Well, that is including the new trunk lid, paint, mount, whatever else it takes to replace one trunk lid with another. I belive he went to the dealer for it, but I'm not sure. I'm on vacation so I won't even be at work again till friday, but when I see him again I'll ask.

 

ah, didn't know it included the lid.

 

I love this car! I only have 150 miles on her after 5 days. Looking forward to the weekend. This car is very comfortable and I love the stick. Here are a couple more pics.

 

Great choice in color!