Ahhh...I missed the part about a Valet crashing it, I thought HE wrapped it around a tree. Now that is different. First thing I would do is take it to a Aston Dealership on a Flat Bed and get a dealer estimate of repair, and also trade-in value as it sits towards a new or newer car. And due to the nature of these cars with their glued composites and aluminum, it really should go back to the factory for restoration (they offer that service).

Myself, I'd trade the car in right then and there, and present the Valet Service and their insured with a bill for the difference. There is no way I'd ever want to own that car as it will never be right after a $ 50K hit unless it was repaired at Gaydon, and even then you have that Car Fax Major Accident.

And if the Valet's Insurance Company balked even a little bit, I'd inform them that I'd be lawyer-ing up and suing for fees as well as damages.

 

Really curious as to what sort of "ding" racks up that kind of bill.
What exactly did the vallet do?

 

My experience:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...hed-value.html

 

I thought most valet stands have signs that state they are not responsible for damage. Maybe the airport valet actually has insurance, not to sure about the ones on the streets.

 

Call up Lance at TheAutoAppraiser.com -- he will give you a lot of information for free. He makes money when / if you ever need an official appraiser report. He is up front and honest, will tell you your rights and what to do

 

Always park the car yourself in the very front and keep the keys and tip the valet a $20, this works EVERY time, they get $20 and they don't even have to do any of the work lol. $20 is worth my piece of mind knowing some valet kid isn't joyriding around frying my clutch

 

curious what the "market" tip for this would be (i.e., for the valet to let you park it yourself in the front, not take your keys and keep an eye on it). I would have thought at least $50, but I guess that's just a product of living in an area where too many people make too much money.

 

When I took law years ago, I remember that valet companies can post any signs they want but regardless they are still responsible if you entrust them with your car.

 

This is a classic case of why you tip well to have your car left out front. Keep us posted I hope the OP's friend gets compensated for this!

 

Sadly, at the Burbank airport, there is no "out front". It's just valet airport parking and in my experience, they don't have any "out front" where they put the pretty cars.

The lesson in this case is, if you must park your exotic at an airport, park it yourself and find a place with the greatest chance of it being left alone in a corner.

 

Hey, I actually have some experience with buying a car with previous paint history, and then eventually selling it. If you want shoot me a PM and we can talk numbers of what real issues happen when going to sell a car with paint work.

For the record the Ferrari has a clean history

 

Thanks to everybody. I'll keep you posted. There were some helpful insights here.