Anybody out there have any comments on the paint chain Maaco?

Good experiences, bad experiences?

Their prices are good, but I'm wary of having the little critter painted there over some rumors I've heard about cheap paint, etc.

Thanks in advance!!

Strip the car completely, prep it yourself (all sanding and priming), and then if you buy the $300-400 paint job from them you'll get a decent job done. It should last 4-5 years outside, more if kept in a garage. I can't stress enough that you need to prep it yourself if you want a good "cheap" paint job. A good paint job is 75% prep, 25% paint. I've had a few cars painted by them (at the shop I worked for), and they a decent job, but every paint job is usually worth exactly what you pay for it.

agreed, the better the prep work, the better the paint job.
also better quality paints cost lots and lots of money.
the shop I work in uses a good quality urathane paint and it cost a minimum of $150 per gallon. that's just the paint, doesn't include the reducer (thinner), hardners, or clear coat.
realisticly the materials alone for a true factory quality paint job will cost some where between $500 and $800.
that does not include body work, or prep work

$150 a gallon?!!

Aye Carumba!!

I need TWO wheelbarrow's full of money!!

Sighhhh.....what if I paint it myself with a brush.....

yes it gets expensive, BUT.........
the thing you need to remember is that you need to reduce (thin) paint before you can spray it. the ratio is usually 1 part paint, 1 part reducer, and then whatever quanity of hardener. usually 1 quart of hardner will do a
gallon.
for a car the size of a 1200, realisticly depending on the number of coats you will only need 1-2 quarts of paint. any more than that will just be wasted or left over.