Crashed my '05 tC, picking up Firestorm FR-S Friday!

[cfusionpm]

Long time Scion owner, but first time joining here thanks to my new FR-S purchase. I've had my tC RS1 for nearly 8 years and had the misfortune of an accident about two weeks ago now. Going around a freeway transition ramp in the rain, I hit a pocket of water that kicked the back end loose. I tried to correct and steer into it, but the tires slid onto the grass. I don't know if anyone has driven on wet grass before, but as soon as you touch it, you're off. It's not the first time I slid on wet grass before, but this was a perfect storm for disaster. Rather than flat ground, the grass embankment was about angled down about 20-30º. When the car started to slow, the wheels dug into the mud and flipped it 180º onto the roof where it slid maybe another 10ft and stopped. The whole process was relatively slow and the speeds were around 40-45mph.

I was mostly calm through the whole endeavor. All I was thinking was I'd have to have a tow truck pull me out of the mud and I'd be late to work. On flat ground, the worst thing that could happen would be hitting a pole, curb, post, guard rail, or just getting stuck in mud. It wasn't until I was about 90º sideways that I realized it was rolling and braced myself. I've been weight lifting on a strict regiment for over two years and instinctively put my body in the most stiff and secure posture, tight core, neck, shoulders, etc. The EMT said that alone could have saved me from a lot of injury. I walked away from this without a scratch on me. I had a small bruise on my right leg and a small scrape on my left hand, but I think the bruise was from climbing out, and the scratch was from sifting through the wreck to get personal items out of the car.

Been driving for more than 12 years and I consider myself a fairly skilled driver, but accidents can happen to anyone. I am really sad that I lost my RS1 though; like I said, I've had that car 8 years and had no intention of giving it up any time soon. I am truly thankful to have come out of that unharmed though, and seeing the condition of the car really solidified my view on Scion and the safety standards of their cars (at least the tC).

I've been a big fan of the FR-S since I first heard about it nearly two years ago. Was on the waiting list to get one since March of 2012, but bought a condo in the middle of last year and a new car wasn't in my finances. I've been in contact with my particular salesman at the local dealer ever since though, and we both knew it was just a matter of time for getting one.

Well this event had made the choice for me! Lucky enough, I got a good claim check from insurance, and combined with my tax return put nearly half the value down for a new FR-S. It's being processed at the docks in Long Beach today, and should be down in San Diego for pickup by tomorrow or Friday. I can't wait!

[mashal]

Damn that sucks , sorry for you loss.
But on the bright side your ok, and have an frs now

[DuMa]

glad to hear you're safe. i had an 05 tc as well and i always wanted the RS1 bits, esp the grill and the red paint. i hated how toyota had to charge up the ass for those parts separately.

also that pic of the tow truck hauling the car upside down. thats a hilarious pic.

[cfusionpm]

Originally Posted by DuMa

glad to hear you're safe. i had an 05 tc as well and i always wanted the RS1 bits, esp the grill and the red paint. i hated how toyota had to charge up the ass for those parts separately.

also that pic of the tow truck hauling the car upside down. thats a hilarious pic.

I loved it. I'd still be driving it if it wasn't upside down! Had the TRD exhasut, intake, short shifter, and lowering springs. 12" JLW3 with Alpine amp. Was a really great little car. Took me traveling to 5 different dealers to find an RS1 (got it in early June). The specialness wasn't that big of a deal, I just love red and have to have red cars. :P

Ironically enough, I probably got more from insurance than I could have selling it private party! Granted, I've never made a claim in my driving career and had a spotless record. REALLY looking forward to the FR-S! Hopefully that TSC and VSC will help me a little more in the wetter conditions.

[GTB/ZR-1]

Originally Posted by DuMa

also that pic of the tow truck hauling the car upside down. thats a hilarious pic.

I LOL'd!

Glad you're okay fusion--enjoy the new ride & welcome.

[BlaineWasHere]

Why the hell didn't the tow truck drive flip the car back over before putting it on the flat bed?!?! Looks SO DANGEROUS!

Glad you're ok and congrats on the FR-S!

[trinitron]

Wow awesome you got out unharmed!

[dem00n]

Good to hear your okay.

But the real question is, is the FRS really safer then the tC?

[shawnperolis]

That's a ridiculous crash, glad you're okay. And glad you're getting an FR-S! =)

[Lonewolf]

If you have issues with the back end coming out on you with FWD...the FRS might only exacerbate the issue

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by cfusionpm

Long time Scion owner, but first time joining here thanks to my new FR-S purchase. I've had my tC RS1 for nearly 8 years and had the misfortune of an accident about two weeks ago now. Going around a freeway transition ramp in the rain, I hit a pocket of water that kicked the back end loose. I tried to correct and steer into it, but the tires slid onto the grass. I don't know if anyone has driven on wet grass before, but as soon as you touch it, you're off. It's not the first time I slid on wet grass before, but this was a perfect storm for disaster. Rather than flat ground, the grass embankment was about angled down about 20-30º. When the car started to slow, the wheels dug into the mud and flipped it 180º onto the roof where it slid maybe another 10ft and stopped. The whole process was relatively slow and the speeds were around 40-45mph.

I was mostly calm through the whole endeavor. All I was thinking was I'd have to have a tow truck pull me out of the mud and I'd be late to work. On flat ground, the worst thing that could happen would be hitting a pole, curb, post, guard rail, or just getting stuck in mud. It wasn't until I was about 90º sideways that I realized it was rolling and braced myself. I've been weight lifting on a strict regiment for over two years and instinctively put my body in the most stiff and secure posture, tight core, neck, shoulders, etc. The EMT said that alone could have saved me from a lot of injury. I walked away from this without a scratch on me. I had a small bruise on my right leg and a small scrape on my left hand, but I think the bruise was from climbing out, and the scratch was from sifting through the wreck to get personal items out of the car.

Been driving for more than 12 years and I consider myself a fairly skilled driver, but accidents can happen to anyone. I am really sad that I lost my RS1 though; like I said, I've had that car 8 years and had no intention of giving it up any time soon. I am truly thankful to have come out of that unharmed though, and seeing the condition of the car really solidified my view on Scion and the safety standards of their cars (at least the tC).

I've been a big fan of the FR-S since I first heard about it nearly two years ago. Was on the waiting list to get one since March of 2012, but bought a condo in the middle of last year and a new car wasn't in my finances. I've been in contact with my particular salesman at the local dealer ever since though, and we both knew it was just a matter of time for getting one.

Well this event had made the choice for me! Lucky enough, I got a good claim check from insurance, and combined with my tax return put nearly half the value down for a new FR-S. It's being processed at the docks in Long Beach today, and should be down in San Diego for pickup by tomorrow or Friday. I can't wait!

how many times have you driven off the road as a fairly skilled driver? on a more serious note, bracing yourself is bad for accidents. that emt was either lying to you or he is an idiot. the additional strain of your body against the forces (that are beyond combatable from the strongest of human beings) would only cause additional damage. its they reason why its always the drunk driver who survives and the innocent party who is injured.

either way, errr, congrats? sorry? i hope your new frs treats you right.

[cfusionpm]

Originally Posted by BlaineWasHere

Why the hell didn't the tow truck drive flip the car back over before putting it on the flat bed?!?! Looks SO DANGEROUS!

Glad you're ok and congrats on the FR-S!

Guy said it was just easier, faster, and safer to do it at the tow yard. We were on the edge of a freeway (that road 3 feet from my back end is the San Diego 53 East). Seeing the flip process afterwards (blocks on wheels, wench from around the side) I could see how it might not have been a good idea there! Plus, figuring it was already totaled anyway, he thought it was simpler to just drag it up as is. Luckily they made me wait in the car and I chose not to turn and look....

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

If you have issues with the back end coming out on you with FWD...the FRS might only exacerbate the issue

Was a combination of sweeping turn, wet roads, and tires on the end of their life cycle. I'm usually careful and drive that route every day to work. I don't accelerate or brake through the corner, just coast through after lifting gas maybe 3-400 yds before the curve. I guess I had too much momentum for the conditions that day. Can safely take it twice as fast when it's dry.

[carbonBLUE]

Originally Posted by cfusionpm

Long time Scion owner, but first time joining here thanks to my new FR-S purchase. I've had my tC RS1 for nearly 8 years and had the misfortune of an accident about two weeks ago now. Going around a freeway transition ramp in the rain, I hit a pocket of water that kicked the back end loose. I tried to correct and steer into it, but the tires slid onto the grass. I don't know if anyone has driven on wet grass before, but as soon as you touch it, you're off. It's not the first time I slid on wet grass before, but this was a perfect storm for disaster. Rather than flat ground, the grass embankment was about angled down about 20-30º. When the car started to slow, the wheels dug into the mud and flipped it 180º onto the roof where it slid maybe another 10ft and stopped. The whole process was relatively slow and the speeds were around 40-45mph.

I was mostly calm through the whole endeavor. All I was thinking was I'd have to have a tow truck pull me out of the mud and I'd be late to work. On flat ground, the worst thing that could happen would be hitting a pole, curb, post, guard rail, or just getting stuck in mud. It wasn't until I was about 90º sideways that I realized it was rolling and braced myself. I've been weight lifting on a strict regiment for over two years and instinctively put my body in the most stiff and secure posture, tight core, neck, shoulders, etc. The EMT said that alone could have saved me from a lot of injury. I walked away from this without a scratch on me. I had a small bruise on my right leg and a small scrape on my left hand, but I think the bruise was from climbing out, and the scratch was from sifting through the wreck to get personal items out of the car.

Been driving for more than 12 years and I consider myself a fairly skilled driver, but accidents can happen to anyone. I am really sad that I lost my RS1 though; like I said, I've had that car 8 years and had no intention of giving it up any time soon. I am truly thankful to have come out of that unharmed though, and seeing the condition of the car really solidified my view on Scion and the safety standards of their cars (at least the tC).

I've been a big fan of the FR-S since I first heard about it nearly two years ago. Was on the waiting list to get one since March of 2012, but bought a condo in the middle of last year and a new car wasn't in my finances. I've been in contact with my particular salesman at the local dealer ever since though, and we both knew it was just a matter of time for getting one.

Well this event had made the choice for me! Lucky enough, I got a good claim check from insurance, and combined with my tax return put nearly half the value down for a new FR-S. It's being processed at the docks in Long Beach today, and should be down in San Diego for pickup by tomorrow or Friday. I can't wait!

Originally Posted by fatoni

how many times have you driven off the road as a fairly skilled driver? on a more serious note, bracing yourself is bad for accidents. that emt was either lying to you or he is an idiot. the additional strain of your body against the forces (that are beyond combatable from the strongest of human beings) would only cause additional damage. its they reason why its always the drunk driver who survives and the innocent party who is injured.

either way, errr, congrats? sorry? i hope your new frs treats you right.

yeah and the frs is about 100x more tail happy in the wet especially on stock tires than a Tc


lol

[BlaineWasHere]

Originally Posted by fatoni

how many times have you driven off the road as a fairly skilled driver? on a more serious note, bracing yourself is bad for accidents. that emt was either lying to you or he is an idiot. the additional strain of your body against the forces (that are beyond combatable from the strongest of human beings) would only cause additional damage. its they reason why its always the drunk driver who survives and the innocent party who is injured.

either way, errr, congrats? sorry? i hope your new frs treats you right.

This is true. Watch racecar drivers right before they hit a concrete wall at 180 MPH. They usually close their eyes, exhale, and relax. Tightening your body will only make a FAR worse.