My 97 boxster caught fire - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Jake Raby · 09-15-2009, 10:24 AM

Damn, another form of failure!! We'll refer to this one as "SVC" or spontaneous vehicle combustion"

Thats wild!! Post some pics, I'll help you figure this out!

ChefCarnivore · 09-15-2009, 07:39 PM

I called the insurance company today and made a claim. I am covered under my Comprehensive. I already have a rental car courtesy of GEICO. The adjuster is to get in contact with me by tomorrow.

What I am not clear about is whether the claim depends on me doing something to the car or did the problem occur because of a failure independent of an action by me.

I'll take some pictures tomorrow.

Kirk · 09-16-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChefCarnivore

What I am not clear about is whether the claim depends on me doing something to the car or did the problem occur because of a failure independent of an action by me.

Who knows what started the fire. The key here is that you were not NEGLIGENT in anything you were doing. All you did is pull out the dipstick! Any dipstick can do that right. It's not like you did it wrong or something!!! As long as you were not negligent and doing something stupid, you should be fine.

Let the insurance take care of it. Have their shop fix it like new and INSIST that it is indeed fixed right.

Kirk

ChefCarnivore · 09-17-2009, 06:38 PM

The adjuster gave me two options as follows:

GEICO keeps car and I get $11,4444.

I keep car and GEICO gives me $8,650.

Both of these were in the total loss catigargy.

The $11,444 is more than I paid for the car.

What do you think is best? I am inclined to take the money and find a new car. I am considering a Mazda 3 S in either sedan or hatchback. My wife hated the Boxster so it's not an option anymore.

I did rent a Mazda3 when the clutch was replaced and it seemed like a good handeling car. I test drove a 2.3 L one today and it was great.

sd_boxster · 09-17-2009, 07:33 PM

If you don't want the Boxster any more, take the 11K and run. If you keep the Boxster and do the repairs, you'll be stuck with a car your wife hates. Even if you get the car running with money to spare from the 8K, your resale value is shot. If you can really get out with more $ than you paid for it, that sounds like a win.

If the motor is damaged - and I'm guessing that's a yes since it was... well... on fire - the one big-ticket item you could have sold used is worth less or worthless.

Some folks will probably recommend trying to get it running again or taking the carcass and trying to part it out. It doesn't sound to me like you want to go that route. I wouldn't.

As far as the 3 goes, I rented one in Canada and thought it was truly awful. Granted, it was rental-fleet trim, but after driving that thing I'm not sure I'd even go for a Mazdaspeed 3.

Good luck with whatever route you choose - and keep us posted!

941MXVET · 09-17-2009, 07:44 PM

I'm guilty of tending to view everything in my life as an investment, (some items pay for themselves in fun though)

I'd take the $11,444.00 which is more then you gave for the car, and look into another car, maybe another Boxster, or something else fun.

Sorry to hear about the car though.

Flavor 987S · 09-17-2009, 08:03 PM

Hope this all works out. And you did not get hurt.

Why are you using 10W40?

blueillusion97 · 09-17-2009, 08:11 PM

WOW.....i need to refill my extinguisher since i wasted it on some ****************************s car in AX who didn't even thank me. $100 for refill since its one of those that doesnt do any damage to the car after using it.
Sad to hear about your car thou...sounds freaky...., it does make sense to take the money and give up the car......but personally i would keep it.