2004 GX fire damage (1 Viewer)

[picidae]

Long time lurker here - infrequent poster

My 2004 GX 280k miles had the serious misfortune of being parked too near a motorhome that decided to catch fire this past week. Seems the gentleman who owns the motorhome thought it would be wise to leave his space heaters unattended.

My GX experienced melting of everything plastic on the driver’s side from front to back, and even around the back a little. The rear view mirror motor doesn’t work anymore, and the taillight is seriously melted. Most difficult to repair is the paint. It blistered and browned where the heat was greatest.

Insurance wants to total it rather than repair it, and I’m really disappointed, even though I understand that repairing a 21 year old car isn’t exactly logical. I had been looking forward to making some fun modifications to it and it was looking like this summer would finally be the time.

Anyone have any experience with this kind of damage? Is it worth keeping it as a salvage and repairing the plastic (minus the step - that could be replaced with sliders)? I had the local Lexus dealer do a safety inspection and they said all the damage is superficial, and I’ve driven it about 600 miles since then without any issues.

Thoughts?

 

[picidae]

I’d also replace the rear bumper with a metal one such as the Victory 4x4 bumper.

 

[Poop Bubbles]

Not worth the hassle, but you can take it as a "total loss" and still keep the vehicle, insurance will just deduct the salvage value which isn't much. Personally, I'd just find another one, then you can get VVTi model and an extra 40 HP. I had an 04 "totalled" a few years back, not nearly as bad damage as yours, insurance paid out about $11k, $8k with me keeping it.

 

[Gxunit201]

Long time lurker here - infrequent poster

My 2004 GX 280k miles had the serious misfortune of being parked too near a motorhome that decided to catch fire this past week. Seems the gentleman who owns the motorhome thought it would be wise to leave his space heaters unattended.

My GX experienced melting of everything plastic on the driver’s side from front to back, and even around the back a little. The rear view mirror motor doesn’t work anymore, and the taillight is seriously melted. Most difficult to repair is the paint. It blistered and browned where the heat was greatest.

Insurance wants to total it rather than repair it, and I’m really disappointed, even though I understand that repairing a 21 year old car isn’t exactly logical. I had been looking forward to making some fun modifications to it and it was looking like this summer would finally be the time.

Anyone have any experience with this kind of damage? Is it worth keeping it as a salvage and repairing the plastic (minus the step - that could be replaced with sliders)? I had the local Lexus dealer do a safety inspection and they said all the damage is superficial, and I’ve driven it about 600 miles since then without any issues.

Thoughts? View attachment 3834962

View attachment 3834963

I also think you should just take the cash and buy a VVTi version from a non rust belt area. New to you is less hassle and there are so many GXs in great shape.

 

[Rednexus]

Agreed, take the buyout. See if you can get more $$$ out of it. Otherwise, insurance may not treat it much differently in payout than a 2004 Trailblazer, while we all know the GX is a lot more special than that.

Your GX will end up in a salvage yard somewhere and provide valuable parts to keep other GXs on the road. Like organ donation upon death. It won't go to waste and will live on in others.