My 97 boxster caught fire

[ChefCarnivore]

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]

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]

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]

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

Why are you using 10W40?

[blueillusion97]

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.

[mikes_box]

swap out your 3 spoke with the 4 spoke and your oem wheels for the aftermarket wheels and sell them... that should at least take you to 12 or 13k when all said and done.

[jhandy]

Something you need to think about. if you keep the car, will they total it and then you buy it back from them? That is the way that it is usally done, that means you will have a car with a salvage title and 8700$ to repair it. You will never be able to sell it for a great amount. If you are going to keep it and if you can find someone to fix it for 8700 then ok. Otherwise let them total it. Strip it of every aftermarket item that you put on it and sell that seperately. Go buy yourself a new box or use the 11-12K for a good down payment on a lease turn in.

I have gone the total and buy back option with a car before. Usally if they tell you that the car will take 8700 or more to fix, it most likely will and you will spend every penny and more to make it back to pre fire standard. then you have a car that burned up, and salvage title. more or less worthless.

just my .02$.
James

[jhandy]

better yet, use the 12K for a down payment on a 2002-2003 911 turbo coupe. You can pick them up for 50K all day long.