SpeedE55

**EDIT ON THE TITLE-THIS IS AN 09 COUPE, NOT AN 06!**

I thought I would run this by everyone and see what the consensus is here. Monday AM we had some heavy rains here and on the way to work, got stuck in a pretty deep puddle. It didn't look deep judging by the other cars that were going through it, but when I got into the right lane to make a turn, it got REAL deep. First, I heard this clunking sound and the engine shut off. I had the radio and a/c on, and then I heard like this moaning noise coming from behind the dash somewhere. Radio stopped working. As I was calling for help, water started coming in under the door seals and next thing I knew, the water was over the seat bottoms to just below the top of the console. Doors, hatch, etc stopped working, but the cluster still lit up. It sat in the water for about an hour until a tow truck could get there. It was towed to a body shop on Monday where it sat yesterday, and today they're going to strip the interior. My question is, is this car salvagable? The ins adjuster seems like he's talking about fixing the car, and I think it might just be nothing but a headache if it is. Thoughts?

bigterpsfan

Wow! I am not sure how insurance works with flooding, but usually if the damage does not exceed x% on the value of the car they fix it. Good luck!

bolivar

If you hydrolocked the motor, the motor is gone. This means water is pulled into the pistons, it is not compressible, and could result in bent valves, or even worse.

If the water got to the seat bottoms, I would thing the electronic controls behind the front tire, behind passenger kick pad, and under the seats, and possibly he ones behind the dash all took on water. And are probably dead.

I don't know if the water reached the vents for the tranny and rear end, but if so, these also took water. And will probably rust unless totally torn down.

I would hope for good insurance and totaling this car.

C6GS

Having been a service manager for 25 years, if the insurance company does not total the car, you are in for more problems than you can imagine.
We had a Riviera that took on the about the same amount of water. The insurance company did not total it at the time, but wished they had. Problems mounted after the car dryed out. Had to replace all the computers, electronic dash, seat belt retractors, carpeting and padding, etc and this one was not running when the water came up. It was never right. Good Luck

ben dover

I would try for a total. If the water reached this level, it probably got some computers. If it did hydro-lock, they will surely total it.
Good luck man, I feel for you.

c1vettes

Should be a total. This is what you should demand.

Problem is, even if it is totaled these cars have a way of showing
up on some used car lot. Some unsuspecting buyer.. well you know the story.

C6~Missle

Ouch.. sorry to hear this about your baby..
Hopefully you get it worked out to your satisfaction.. Good luck..

Rajd

Wow, fight for the full amount

dvilin

My opinion is it should be totaled, if not and they insist on it being repaired I think you are looking at nothing but problems with it in the future.

SpeedE55

That's what I was thinking before I spoke with the adjuster, and after talking to him, I was wondering if I was the crazy one.....

mike100

The corvette is a low CG car- everything important(mechanical and electrical) is at console level in these cars. you're roof panel and onstar mirror might still be ok- that's about it though.

RICH 28

I can see it now... beautiful 2009 corvette for sale, never seen rain. Come test drive it today.

SpeedE55

Don't forget.... "low miles"...it has 9600 on it

Gearhead Jim

If the insurance company is serious about not totaling it, they don't know what they are doing or are planning to screw you by doing a quick fix on the obvious items, then denying the many thousands of dollars in other stuff that will show up in the next year.

AORoads

total. sorry to say tho, you are going to pay dearly for this one. an '06 coupe even with full compensation is going to take major dollars to get you into an '09 coupe. and you know that.

I'd think in this case it doesn't matter if you had a close to the ground CAI or not if you were submerged up to almost the top of the console.

SpeedE55

My mistake. I got C6 and 09 combined. Duh. I have an 09 coupe, not an 06

VMUZZO

Push for a total. Car then will be sold at auction with a salvage title.

Wayne O

I'm sorry about the damage to your car. It sounds like a total loss to me. Good luck with the insurance company.

Whether its an 06 or an 09 chances are he'll still be out of pocket to some extent. If the car is considered a total loss the insurance company will most certainly pay its actual cash value...its depreciated value. They're not responsible to upgrade the policy holder into a new car. You're also right about the intake. The owner's manual cautions against driving through deep-standing water even with the stock intake. This wasn't driving through a deep puddle...it was a submersion to periscope depth.

LarryMJones

Sorry, you are in for a lot of hassel from your insurance company.

With the air intake so low on the Vette it's almost certain it pulled water into the engine. If it was just at idle maybe it just shut down and didn't damage the engine, but you won't know till they try and start it.

You may need to retain a lawyer to negotiate your claim.
LJ

SpeedE55

If they total it, I should only be out of pocket my $250 deductible. It is a leased car, and I have gap coverage. Otherwise, I'd say you're dead on. Years ago, I bought an '85 Trans Am new, had it 3 weeks, and it got totalled (not my fault). I hadn't made the first payment on it yet, but still lost my $3K down payment. Insurance only covered the loss itself to the bank.