How do we value our cars?

mcnoople said
To the OP

I would like to hear a description of what happened you can leave out who was at fault if you would like. Just a description like "frame damage left front" or "crushed right door." Body shop estimate can be unbelievable. It was $900 to repaint the door on my wifes taurus for a door ding.

but what most people see is the end bill, they don't realize that not just the door would be repainted, that a pint of paint is about $120 and a quart of clear is about the same

and also that they probably blended the fender, painted the door and blended the back door, and cleared everything you got a fair deal