Alrighty, lots of updates!
First off, thanks to everyone who has replied - every response here has been extremely valuable!
Last Thursday, I spoke directly with my insurance - he took a brief statement about the accident. After that was all said and done, he gave me the same gibberish about me having to pay the deductible, and not being able to get a rental, unless it comes out of my pocket.
**At this point, I am being extremely courteous with every party/insurance company; as soon as I am writing checks and/or not receiving money, things will get ugly.. I might not be nice anymore.
Since then, I have visited 4 body shops. The outcomes are as follows:
1) Temecula Ford Dealership (Rancho), 2) Collision Center of Temecula 3) Murrieta Auto Collision, and 4) Caliber Collision in Murrieta (as recommended by a member).
1) Lady that was giving appraisal said she 'guesses' it's 3-5 thousand in damage, but they won't know until the bumper is off. She says it's best to make an appt with state farm so they can give an accurate estimate. Because the bumper has to be off, that will all happen after I allow them to fix the car. So basically, there is no such thing as an 'estimate' unless I choose them as my shop.
**This dealership painted MOST of a 2004 Mustang I owned. It was not a pleasant experience, although after a lot of arguing, the finished product was not horrible.
She did realize that it is a 'nice' car and they would take special care.
I was quite unimpressed by her lack of professionalism.
2) This shop painted an F350 tailgate/mirrors/cowl for me, as well as the GT500 spoiler - very nice place. The manager looked at the car and said they will REPAIR the quarter - as some of you mentioned, REPLACING the quarter is not the best route - it will destroy factory seams/welds, as well as the VIN sticker.
Very thorough estimate, including the right bumper, stripes, etc. = $3605.83
This is not a state farm 'select service' shop.
3) This shop has been around for seven years; they were going to paint my '65 but he was too busy at the time. Their work is excellent, if not too 'good' - see, I want to retain the factory orange peel.
The owner is at SEMA, so his daughter gave an estimate - she says they will REPLACE the panel.
Grand total is $4115.12
It's not a huge shop - cars they are not working on are parked outside during the day - in an open parking lot.
4) Caliber Collision - SUPER nice people! The manager saw my car before I filled anything out and was already looking at the damage. The estimator, who gave the estimate, worked at Tuttle-Click Ford in OC and dealt with Saleen.. (apparently, they painted a lot of parts for Saleen).
The earlier-mentioned manager was able to rent an '08 Hertz convertible for a month because they had a deal with Hertz. Basically, he knows what a Shelby is.
Both guys were extremely sentimental toward the car's value - the fact that it's a Shelby. They said for any other car they would REPLACE the panel, but since this is a Shelby, they will REPAIR it. They both said you don't want to disturb any of the factory seams/welds if you don't have to. He also showed how replacing the quarter is major surgery and is not necessary.
He will be emailed me the itemized repair estimate - over $4000. I felt super comfortable with this business. They are a state farm select service shop so it would be a lot easier to work with them.
They told me they would be using chamois to wash the finished car, and would make sure it goes inside at night.
WITH ALL SHOPS (last three), bumper is from Ford and is $602. Because we are in CA, base coat has to be water-based, although clear coat is solvent-based.
So.. ?? Obviously price is not an issue.. they are all in the same ballpark.. As a lot of you said, it's best to REPAIR the quarter..
CLIFF NOTES:
MY insurance (state farm) still says I will be responsible for deductible and rental.
Probably going with shop #4; see above info.
Quarter will be repaired.
18 hours of work
CA has ridiculous laws that mandate use of water-base paint.
(this is a whole separate debate).