986 Wrecked - Got a 996 Today!

[thstone]

Spent the afternoon replacing the coil packs and spark plugs - what a job! This job was much, much easier on the Boxster. On the Box, it was 2-3 hours, today it took me over 4 hours. The rear-most coil and plug is almost inaccessible on the 996 because of all of the exhaust plumbing in the way. But I got it done and saved a bundle.

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

Imagine that in Blue with a Tan inside. Woooo !

[ekam]

Blessing in disguise... it's a beautiful color, congrats!

[986_c6]

Surely a great ending. Now u have two Porsches and one that will be a dedicated track car...canT get any better than that.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by 986_c6

Surely a great ending. Now u have two Porsches and one that will be a dedicated track car...canT get any better than that.

Well, to be honest, I tried to make it better but my wife didn't quite get on board with my first suggestion for a track car...

[986_c6]

LOL!!!!!!!!

I would sell my left one for that car!!!

[Dr.Strangepork]

Originally Posted by thstone

The 986 was a total loss. When all is said and done, the insurance company is going to pay me $15K + give me my wrecked car back.

So, I went out and bought a 1999 996 for $10K. Yes, $10K! Car is in very good condition with 110,000 miles. PPI done at EF1 Motorsports in Long Beach. New clutch at 90k. Water pump, AOS, brake pads/rotors all new within the past year. Needs new coil packs, spark plugs, and a few other minor items. First impression is that the additional 100hp of the 996 sure is nice!

This leaves me $5K + my all of the parts from my damaged 986 BSX towards having a Spec Boxster (BSR) built. I'll have to add a bit of my own money to get there but it is within sight!

That's a steal for a 996!

Looks like a happy ending for your story

[thstone]

*** Final Update ***

Today I finally received my check from the insurance closing the claim against the lady who totaled my Silver Boxster. It only took 14 months. I am lucky in that I had the money to buy a new car and build out my race car without any of their money. If I wasn't in that position financially, I'd have been walking everywhere for the past 14 months.

The insurance company (AAA) was a nightmare to deal with every step of the way and tried every trick in the book to minimize their payout - they wouldn't return phone calls, "lost" postal letters, "never received" emails, tried to blame some portion of the fault on me, reneged on what we had agreed on the phone when the paperwork was written up, and generally did everything they could to get me to settle for less money.

That really was their game - to try and wear me down so I'd get fed up with the whole thing and settle for less money than what was fairly due.

And all I got was what I was due - fair market value for the car that was destroyed plus two days rental car. That was all I had ever asked and I was determined not to settle for anything less despite their efforts.

At the end of it all, did I win? No, I don't think so. They kept my money tied up for a year at no interest and I had to pay out for a replacement car out of my own pocket.

Now you understand why I dislike insurance companies so much. They try to take advantage of people who are not at any fault while they are in a precarious financial situation for their own financial benefit. They are borderline evil.

Sorry for the rant. I believe this is my first one in 3,400+ posts, so thank you for letting me get this off my chest.

[BruceH]

Glad that it is over for you. Dealing with that kind of stuff is just not fun in any way shape or form. Seems that is the corporate way today, no integrity and not wanting to hold up their end of the bargain.

[Nine8Six]

Originally Posted by thstone

......They try to take advantage of people who are not at any fault while they are in a precarious financial situation for their own financial benefit. They are borderline evil.

At least the devil takes your soul, and tell you exactly what you can expect in return which is nothing!

In my view.... most insurance companies are "mafia style" organized criminals..... well some are anyway, some are great. They ask for money for protection and when that day comes.... you need to beg them for help lol

2014 and still some Co are playing the same tricks over and over. Hard to digest

Glad to hear you got out of trouble at the end

[BugsFerBrains]

I don't do any track-time, but I love my pair, both '04's. The Box is quick but the 911 is a rocket.

[dghii]

thstone,
How is the $10K 996 holding up? That car looked great and was an absolute steal!

[thstone]

Originally Posted by dghii

thstone,
How is the $10K 996 holding up? That car looked great and was an absolute steal!

The $10K 996 is holding up incredibly well. This is my daily driver and I have put on about 10K miles in the past year (now at 135K miles). The car runs great and everything works fine.

Maintanence/repairs since purchased:

• 2 Oil changes (DIY every 5K miles)
• Brake pads and rotors (DIY)
• New idle control valve (DIY)
• Cam covers re-sealed (local indy)
• New set of Hankook R-S3's

I like the additional interior room, quietness, and power of the 996. Its a great GT for street/highway driving and having the Boxster for the track is the best of all worlds.

[Perfectlap]

How did your AAA rates compare to the big discount names (GEICO, Progressive)?

[JayG]

Originally Posted by thstone

*** Final Update ***

Today I finally received my check from the insurance closing the claim against the lady who totaled my Silver Boxster. It only took 14 months. I am lucky in that I had the money to buy a new car and build out my race car without any of their money. If I wasn't in that position financially, I'd have been walking everywhere for the past 14 months.

The insurance company (AAA) was a nightmare to deal with every step of the way and tried every trick in the book to minimize their payout - they wouldn't return phone calls, "lost" postal letters, "never received" emails, tried to blame some portion of the fault on me, reneged on what we had agreed on the phone when the paperwork was written up, and generally did everything they could to get me to settle for less money.

That really was their game - to try and wear me down so I'd get fed up with the whole thing and settle for less money than what was fairly due.

And all I got was what I was due - fair market value for the car that was destroyed plus two days rental car. That was all I had ever asked and I was determined not to settle for anything less despite their efforts.

At the end of it all, did I win? No, I don't think so. They kept my money tied up for a year at no interest and I had to pay out for a replacement car out of my own pocket.

Now you understand why I dislike insurance companies so much. They try to take advantage of people who are not at any fault while they are in a precarious financial situation for their own financial benefit. They are borderline evil.

Sorry for the rant. I believe this is my first one in 3,400+ posts, so thank you for letting me get this off my chest.

Thanks odd, I have had AAA insurance for years and have found them to be far and away great in resolving claims. I have had a few auto claims including one about a year ago that was a total.

Based on the independent repair estimate and the book and replacement values I thought I would be about $2k upside down and when they did my settlement, I was positive $1500.

I know others that have been very happy with AAA as well. On top of that they have some of the lowest rates available and if you have a new driver, they don't charge you anything and give you full coverage for the new driver from the time they get their learners permit until they are 16 1/2

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

How did your AAA rates compare to the big discount names (GEICO, Progressive)?

The other driver who totalled my car had AAA.

The portion of the settlement that was covered by my insurance (uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage by Mercury insurance) was paid out in about 60 days.

[epapp]

Damn! This is a great outcome for a sad story. Almost makes me think about cashing in for a 996...

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

How did your AAA rates compare to the big discount names (GEICO, Progressive)?

My AAA rates are far lower than GEICO and especially Progressive.

From all I can tell, and I have shopped a bit, at least in So Cal, AAA has the lowest rates. You do have to have a very good driving record, so if you have a bunch of points, they wont cover you. I am told that USAA has low rates comparable to AAA