Wrecked FR-S Crash Already - Not Mine

[iBalushi]

The most important thing your all-right. Cars come and go.
You are good being a bad example (in a good way!). Reminding us not to do something crazy because it might work.


I have been driving for about 2 years. We didn't have a car for me at home but my uncle had his unused CL600 parked with us. No insurance because it was a car from outside the country. I was allowed to drive however.

So for a year I had a fast, large, expensive, and uninsured car. My driving was pinpoint and extra carefull. Which really turned out to be good as I never sped or tried something crazy ever since. Plus with only 1 year experience I am driving in the streets of Jordan - the law-less driving streets, even my father says I drive better than him here

[blu_]

Originally Posted by nix

All of those will snap way more violently than this car.

IMO you couldn't find a better first RWD.

Just take it as a cautionary tale!

Idk, I have found that this car can snap very fast on bad road surfaces at low speeds. But keep all the nannies on and its totally fine.

[Khalis]

Originally Posted by neutral

Hey everyone.

I'm the idiot that crashed the FR-S. Not really sure where to begin, so I'll start with how it happened.

I was on my way to lunch with a coworker. There's a right turn I've taken a million times over the past 4 years that's very wide and has huge visibility, and I would sometimes get on the gas a little in my B16-swapped CRX through the turn. I never went over the speed limit, and I only did it if there was absolutely no one else around. Being a FWD, the front tires would break free a little and it would make the turn a bit more fun. Well, before leaving work I decided it would be a good idea to turn off the traction control and try something similar in the FR-S. That was my first mistake. I entered the turn at about 20mph, and halfway through it I got on the gas and I honestly can't remember exactly what happened after that. I remember being extremely surprised and then all of a sudden I was careening for a telephone pole, and then bam. I don't even think I hit the brakes. I must've hit the clutch pedal at some point because the car was still running when I stopped. Both airbags deployed. My passenger said he didn't even touch the airbag, I grazed it a little bit and it felt like I got hit in the face with a soft pillow. I must've been going 15-20mph at the impact. I couldn't believe how much the car just crumpled. I just looked at it and sat on the ground. I can't even describe to you the feeling of seeing it like that. I just wanted to cry.

I'm 24 years old, been driving since 16, and this is my first accident/ticket. I was ticketed for "failure to maintain reasonable control", which honestly was extremely generous given the circumstances. I feel like the world's biggest idiot. I feel like I've shamed myself and done a huge disservice to the community. Sorry just doesn't say enough. I swore I wouldn't be one of those guys everyone was saying would do something stupid and wreck the car and drive up the insurance rates. Now I'm not only that guy, but it seems I'm the _first_ guy. Not exactly the best way to make an impression. I want you guys to know that I truly feel awful about the whole thing. I am truly sorry for letting my fellow FR-S owners down, and through making a complete ass out of myself, I feel I've learned a valuable lesson, albeit a hard one. I know some of you (a lot of you) will hate me, call me an idiot, tell me I shouldn't have even tried anything like that on a public road, etc. And I agree with you 100%. I made a stupid, stupid, irresponsible choice, and now I'm paying for it. I don't think any of you can hate me more than I hate myself.

I hope I can stand as an example of what can happen even at relatively low speeds when you're being stupid. Please for the love of god don't be me. Drive safe, keep traction control on on public roads, and don't try to be Ken Block. Unless you are Ken Block, in which case, keep being awesome.

I want to thank you for telling your story. I am 19 years old and I consider myself a good driver. Been driving for almost two years, no moving violations, no accidents but I have spun out once right after the first rain in months. Scared the bejesus out of me. I have learned much from my mistakes but to be honest, I do have that "immortal mentality" that someone mentioned earlier. Hell, if I hadn't read this, I probably would have tried it out myself. I'm glad you walked away from that without a scratch (hopefully) and I want to say good luck to you and your FR-S. Hopefully the insurance won't bite too hard.

[|-Goku-|]

Glad your OK man. Hopefully, you can get it repaired .

Don't beat yourself up, accidents happen, like everyone has been saying. You live, you learn.

[OrbitalEllipses]

As to the guy in the OP: that's what the track's for man...coulda hit some tires, but you went for a pole on the street instead.

Originally Posted by FRSPirate

I curbed my car last week, chunked paint off my bumper and rashed the pass side wheel but it wasn't my fault. Some dumb c*nt in an SUV decided that 2 left turn lanes was one too many and started merging into me as we made our left turns. Either risk structural damage by letting her hit my car and she'd possibly just run over my whole front end or curb the car...so i curbed the car. Literally nothing i could have done other than that. I was already on the brakes laying on the horn and she just kept on coming like if i was in her lane. I forced that stupid c*nt bag to pull over and give me her info but since she didnt make car to car contact so i might be S.O.L. I didnt want her to hit my car either because if they didnt total the car, it would have never driven the same plus an accident record. I called the cops and she took off after giving me the least amount of info possible. Good thing i at least got her policy number and phone number (which was disconnected and changed). The police officer that showed up tried to call her and she basically told him that i was lying and i came from the opposite direction and turned into her. Then she told him that she was busy, going to sleep and not to call her until next week. I might have to tune my baseball swing on her cars...hoping for her sake she parks in her garage.

Shoulda hit her. If an accident's going to happen...let it happen; the other person WILL stay or they'll be issued a hit and run, whereas with your story it's going to be word against word because there wasn't contact. Insurance will likely find you at fault for messing up your own car instead of getting her insurance to pay, unfortunately.

[ft86-UAE]

i need the engine pls

[mpicher]

Neutral,

Once you get your car fixed, get thee to an Autocross course. You'll have the ability there to learn what your car will do under many circumstances at low speeds and a little bit higher speeds. Most autocrosses don't go over 45 or 50 mph unless you're at an event with huge qtys of pavement.

Not only will you learn things, you'll have a damn good time with like minded people and maybe (just maybe) get some of the messing around out of your system and off the public roads.

[mark]

some people shouldnt have nice things.

[fistpoint]

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...off-scion-fr-s

[Brett]

Originally Posted by fistpoint

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...off-scion-fr-s

I imagine he'll make Jalopnik eventually. This forum seems to be their source of FRS news after all.

Brett

[Max Schnell]

For those that mentioned "I will never take take off the traction control" or "I think I will get AWD" etc. you are not going to prevent this type of accidents by the type of car you drive or just leaving the traction control on. You cannot defy physics and at higher speeds even AWD and traction control will not save a person from stupidity.

I have driven through a few heavy snow storms/icy roads with my only car that had no traction control, open diff and RWD. The only cars that crashed during my trips home were the big Mercedes with their uber traction controls and 4x4s. Learn how to drive your car and don't be stupid and you will be fine.

[roddy]

Neutral, cars can be replaced... you can not. Sh!t happens. It sucks that you had to learn the dynamics of rear wheel drive in this way. As others have said, it took balls to come here and speak up. Hopefully some of the younger/less inexperienced folks will learn something from your example, and use caution until they know what to expect from the car.

If it is any consolation, you are not the first. Back in late April/early May, one of the cars in Scion Canada's test drive fleet was curbed pretty hard in a similar situation. There was no pole involved, so the damage wasn't as bad, but the fact remains...

[zigzagz94]

It's too bad you you couldn't have crashed the rear of the vehicle. At least then some BRZ limited owner could have salvaged your front end for a GT86 type swap.

But in all seriousness, glad you're o.k. and chalk it up to a life lesson learned.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Max Schnell

For those that mentioned "I will never take take off the traction control" or "I think I will get AWD" etc. you are not going to prevent this type of accidents by the type of car you drive or just leaving the traction control on. You cannot defy physics and at higher speeds even AWD and traction control will not save a person from stupidity. ....

I'm sorry, but as one of "those" my opinion is that I don't care if you are (name your favorite car driving expert here) believing that you can turn off traction control on a public road and endanger others is the definition of stupidity, as demonstrated here. I could care less what risks you take for yourself (I have all kinds of risky hobbies, including web forums) but doing something you know puts others in harm's way is wrong. Leaving them on may not help in every situation, but leaving them off CERTAINLY does nothing to protect others.

Just MHO, yours obviously differs, but I humbly suggest you rethink it.

EDIT: Please read Max's response here as well. I misunderstood his intent, but for others, my point still stands.

[RaceR]

Thanks for sharing your story neutral! Takes some balls to admit your mistake..

This should make you feel a little better.. :p

Two Turkeys on Thanksgiving Wrecking their Corvettes in The Woodlands - YouTube

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by DantKR

People bitching about insurance: If you're clean and haven't done anything and you have a insurance company worth anything more than the dirt in my yard you'll be fine. Quit fucking complaining.

This.

Did you folks really expect 0 losses in the first year? You insurance company certainly didn't expect that with this or any car.

Insurance companies expect loses, and is built in. Every single model introduced has losses in its first model year, and every model year. It will, most likely, have an impact on the individual policy holder involved but unless the model experiences unusual losses, its not going to be a blip on their radar for the overall population.

There is nothing unusual about this. My Father-in-Law has sold cars for 30 years. In that time he has had 3 customers total cars within the first 20 miles of ownership, one just pulling out of the dealership (got t-boned at a stoplight)! As others have said, it happens.

[kayhettin]

today is a sad day

[Shagaliscious]

Originally Posted by neutral

Hey everyone.

I'm the idiot that crashed the FR-S. Not really sure where to begin, so I'll start with how it happened.

I was on my way to lunch with a coworker. There's a right turn I've taken a million times over the past 4 years that's very wide and has huge visibility, and I would sometimes get on the gas a little in my B16-swapped CRX through the turn. I never went over the speed limit, and I only did it if there was absolutely no one else around. Being a FWD, the front tires would break free a little and it would make the turn a bit more fun. Well, before leaving work I decided it would be a good idea to turn off the traction control and try something similar in the FR-S. That was my first mistake. I entered the turn at about 20mph, and halfway through it I got on the gas and I honestly can't remember exactly what happened after that. I remember being extremely surprised and then all of a sudden I was careening for a telephone pole, and then bam. I don't even think I hit the brakes. I must've hit the clutch pedal at some point because the car was still running when I stopped. Both airbags deployed. My passenger said he didn't even touch the airbag, I grazed it a little bit and it felt like I got hit in the face with a soft pillow. I must've been going 15-20mph at the impact. I couldn't believe how much the car just crumpled. I just looked at it and sat on the ground. I can't even describe to you the feeling of seeing it like that. I just wanted to cry.

I'm 24 years old, been driving since 16, and this is my first accident/ticket. I was ticketed for "failure to maintain reasonable control", which honestly was extremely generous given the circumstances. I feel like the world's biggest idiot. I feel like I've shamed myself and done a huge disservice to the community. Sorry just doesn't say enough. I swore I wouldn't be one of those guys everyone was saying would do something stupid and wreck the car and drive up the insurance rates. Now I'm not only that guy, but it seems I'm the _first_ guy. Not exactly the best way to make an impression. I want you guys to know that I truly feel awful about the whole thing. I am truly sorry for letting my fellow FR-S owners down, and through making a complete ass out of myself, I feel I've learned a valuable lesson, albeit a hard one. I know some of you (a lot of you) will hate me, call me an idiot, tell me I shouldn't have even tried anything like that on a public road, etc. And I agree with you 100%. I made a stupid, stupid, irresponsible choice, and now I'm paying for it. I don't think any of you can hate me more than I hate myself.

I hope I can stand as an example of what can happen even at relatively low speeds when you're being stupid. Please for the love of god don't be me. Drive safe, keep traction control on on public roads, and don't try to be Ken Block. Unless you are Ken Block, in which case, keep being awesome.

None of us are perfect, we are all human beings. The simple fact that you admitted it, and told us what happened, that says a lot about what kind of person you are. It's also good to know that with TC off, even 20mph can still be an accident waiting to happen.

[DaKytchen]

You must learn how to drive first before you start showboating around... dam fWDriver .. wow

[moniz]

And this is why you should practice with traction control off, in and empty, pole free parking lot, so you know how this car will behave, not on a public street!

Kudos though for fessing up. Pretty sure you've learned your lesson.

[Celicadude]

Damn that sucks, but at least everyone could walk away. Don't beat yourself up over it, we've all done stupid things like this at some point while driving. Just let this serve as a lesson to keep the spirited driving at the track and off the streets. You'd be surprised how much fun something as simple as autocross or even signing up for proper track instruction can be.

Originally Posted by neutral

Hey everyone.

I'm the idiot that crashed the FR-S. Not really sure where to begin, so I'll start with how it happened.

I was on my way to lunch with a coworker. There's a right turn I've taken a million times over the past 4 years that's very wide and has huge visibility, and I would sometimes get on the gas a little in my B16-swapped CRX through the turn. I never went over the speed limit, and I only did it if there was absolutely no one else around. Being a FWD, the front tires would break free a little and it would make the turn a bit more fun. Well, before leaving work I decided it would be a good idea to turn off the traction control and try something similar in the FR-S. That was my first mistake. I entered the turn at about 20mph, and halfway through it I got on the gas and I honestly can't remember exactly what happened after that. I remember being extremely surprised and then all of a sudden I was careening for a telephone pole, and then bam. I don't even think I hit the brakes. I must've hit the clutch pedal at some point because the car was still running when I stopped. Both airbags deployed. My passenger said he didn't even touch the airbag, I grazed it a little bit and it felt like I got hit in the face with a soft pillow. I must've been going 15-20mph at the impact. I couldn't believe how much the car just crumpled. I just looked at it and sat on the ground. I can't even describe to you the feeling of seeing it like that. I just wanted to cry.

I'm 24 years old, been driving since 16, and this is my first accident/ticket. I was ticketed for "failure to maintain reasonable control", which honestly was extremely generous given the circumstances. I feel like the world's biggest idiot. I feel like I've shamed myself and done a huge disservice to the community. Sorry just doesn't say enough. I swore I wouldn't be one of those guys everyone was saying would do something stupid and wreck the car and drive up the insurance rates. Now I'm not only that guy, but it seems I'm the _first_ guy. Not exactly the best way to make an impression. I want you guys to know that I truly feel awful about the whole thing. I am truly sorry for letting my fellow FR-S owners down, and through making a complete ass out of myself, I feel I've learned a valuable lesson, albeit a hard one. I know some of you (a lot of you) will hate me, call me an idiot, tell me I shouldn't have even tried anything like that on a public road, etc. And I agree with you 100%. I made a stupid, stupid, irresponsible choice, and now I'm paying for it. I don't think any of you can hate me more than I hate myself.

I hope I can stand as an example of what can happen even at relatively low speeds when you're being stupid. Please for the love of god don't be me. Drive safe, keep traction control on on public roads, and don't try to be Ken Block. Unless you are Ken Block, in which case, keep being awesome.

[Sambo]

Neutral, thanks first for your honesty and second relaying the lesson.

Accidents happen, even with "good" drivers!