Stock tires and gravel roads don't mix
 

Well, crashed the BRZ this afternoon.

Was coming home on some nice twisty back roads, going at a pretty good clip, and didn't see the turn for the main road. Went straight onto a gravel road. Car lost traction and started fishtailing, and went up onto the embankment on the right side. Don't really know what happened next since everything happened so fast, but there were people behind me and they said I hit some rocks on the embankment, the car rolled and at one point hit a phone pole.

Driver's side airbag went off, as well as the seat airbag and the side curtain airbags. What's funny is, the car ended up on the side of the road, pointing straight, as if I'd just pulled off like normal.

Everyone was surprised that I walked away with only a few minor scrapes. Was feeling fine, although I'm sure I'll be sore in the morning.

Could barely get a cell signal since the area was so rural, but was finally able to get the state police out there, as well as the tow company. Most of the people around thought the car would be considered totaled, especially since there was roof damage, and the airbags deployed, but I should be hearing back from the insurance company withing a couple of business days. Luckily, I bought gap insurance when I purchased the car, so other than my deductible, I won't loose any money on the car.

And now for the pictures:

I'm sorry for your loss, glad you're ok though...

I'll say, those are some good quality pictures, makes the damage seem almost surreal.

Hate to break it to you but the stock tires didn't cause or add to the crash, your negligent driving did. Glad you're okay though man, learn from this.

That sucks but glad your ok.
But really, high speed and gravel, doesn't matter if you have race slicks, it always going to send you flying.

Oh, no doubt, it was definitely my fault. I didn't see the turn in the road, and I'm sure there was probably something else I should have done once I hit the gravel.

It is what it is though. Luckily, there was no one else involved, and I seem to be okay.

We'll see what the insurance company has to say once they get a look at it.

Serious bummer dude, but good to see that you're ok. As indicated above, view this as a learning experience.

As for the car, that's some serious damage, but that's a good thing in this case. The car exerted energy away from the driver (you) at its own expense. I used to work for a body shop, and I can tell you that the car is almost certainly totaled. The roof is one thing, but the quarter panel is what will do it. It's all one piece from front to back, and I believe that its seam welded to the chassis. Replacing that panel alone will be cost prohibitive when it comes to repair it. Then again, that's a pretty much new car with minimal depreciation, so there may be hope for you yet...

I'm torn between wanting it totaled out or fixed. On the one hand, I'd miss the car. But a month after I bought it I started working from home, so I rarely even drove it any more and it became mostly a weekend toy.

Plus the fact that I'm not sure if it would ever drive correctly again. Many years ago a lady pulled out of a parking lot into the side of my car and spun me into a guardrail. Was repaired, but it never drove the same after that, and it always felt a little off. Now, that was probably just the shop that did the work, and my car might drive like new if it is repaired correctly, but I'm not sure if I want to take that chance.

there is no way that isnt totaled

You want that car totaled.

...........you want that gap insurance don't you.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNW2yzVqAyo[/ame]

Surely it’s totaled. I would not want the car any more even if they decided to fix it... that’s just too many potential issues in the future with that extent of damage.

Question is, will you be getting another one?. Glad you're alright

sorry for the loss, but glad your're ok.

Glad you're okay. Sad to see the car didn't survive, but it did its job in protecting you. Looks like a total loss. Any ideas on your next car? Another BRZ, perhaps?

Did you have the nannies off?

Not sure. I was talking about this with my wife. She want's me to get another car because she knows how much I enjoy driving. But as I said earlier, since it's become more of a luxury than a necessity, I'm not sure what I want to do.

I don't think I'll get anything this year at any rate. If I went the route I did for this car and place a factory order to get exactly what I wanted, by the time it got here prime driving season would be almost over and it would be almost winter. If anything, I'd wait until late February or early March next year in order to get the car at the beginning of Spring (which is what I did for this one).

Another BRZ would definitely be a possibility, since I didn't have this one long enough to really feel like I got my fill. But we'll see when/if the time comes.

This is all assuming the car gets totaled out by the insurance company (which by all accounts it should be).


Nope, all the nannies were on full. I'd never actually gotten around to trying out the car with any of the nannies disabled.

Thanks for your honesty.

I was not expecting this level of damage when I read the title.

Glad you're okay dude. What color will the next one be?

Remember that some times you can justify owning a toy or luxury by the level of happiness it brings you. I own some things that I can only justify by saying "they make me happy". Truthfully, that reasoning is enough for me. Good for the ole mental health. :thumbsup:

Hurts to see another WRB like that, glad you're ok though and lesson (hopefully) learned.

This is sobering to see because I have the same model, color and setup. So it's sorta like seeing this is how MY car can end up if I am not careful. And I would be prone to this sort of things too as I also occasionally drive in a way that justifies our higher insurance premium. Still, I make conscious effort to dial back when I am having "too much" fun.


Glad to know our cars are that safe and kept you unharmed.

Well, I guess this goes to show that WRB doesn't add that 10% extra grip on gravel.

Bad jokes aside, sorry about the car. These cars sometimes give a little too much confidence, and it hurts when we get bit in the butt for driving beyond our limit. I was practically in tears when I clipped my rear wheel on a tight canyon road, can't imagine how I would feel if this happened. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do!

I was shocked to see those pictures, glad you are okay. I think car needs to be totaled. People complain about power, what if it had 500+hp? With just 205hp it can do so much damage it's unthinkable. Anyway, dude good luck! I have been driving since 3 weeks and only today I was able to drive smoothly, but then again I am 58 and driving slow on streets, freeways up to 85mph @ 3500 RPM. After looking at these pictures, I think I should slow down on freeways.

Just a quick update:

Heard back from the insurance adjuster a little bit ago. As was expected, the car will be considered a total loss. It was too late in the day to send the info through to the total loss department, so he'll be doing that tomorrow. That means, however, that I don't know how much they're going to pay out. He did say that he's going to value the car in excellent condition (considering it only had somewhere around 2500 - 2700 miles on it), and we've been paying a little extra each month towards the principal, as well as having put down a bit of money when we purchased the vehicle. So hopefully that means I'll get a decent amount back. But even if it doesn't cover the full amount, I do have the Gap Insurance that I purchased when I bought the car, so that means I don't have to worry about paying out of pocket.

Sad to see it go, but as others have said, I wouldn't have wanted to have them attempt to fix this anyway, considering the level of damage.

Please, take it to the track where performance driving belongs.

Your appreciation for the car will only grow as you're able to safely explore the limits and eventually explore them with the nannies off!

Tough luck. Glad to know the BRZ is safe.

Get back on the horse!

Good job, nicely done.


Now start shopping for a nice beater for awesome snow driving this winter. Something with auto transmission, not a lot of power, rear wheel drive. If you have the time buy something from down south. If you don't have the time, something maybe four years old max. Cars closer to ten years old have too many salt related mechanical problems...things underneath the body go bad.

Best car I ever had for snow driving...2005 Ford Mustang coupe. Auto trans, traction control antilock brakes (an option at that time) and four Michelin Xice snows. Totally fun winter car despite it had no limited slip diff.

Don't know what car would be comparable now.

For tires now, to be used in Pa, NY I'd go for a set (4) of these:

https://www.nokiantires.com/studded-...kkapeliitta-9/


Personal note: I'm 71 now. Formerly lived in Western NYS. Winters absolutely suck there. Having a fun winter car makes all the difference in one's winter mood. To be able to go out on short road trips any desired weekend in the snow is fantastic. I've done it in nice cars and beaters. Beaters rule, and with 4 snows even better.

Perfect opportunity to work on some sort of project car if you were ever inclined to do so. Though those generally aren't as safe.

Can't beat a 2013 FRS or BRZ for winter driving. Especially now that they are dropping near $10k.

i drove on some gravel yesterday but thanks to my flex fuel kit, i had no issue