I Think I Finally Understand How People Crash
 

I think I finally understand how people crash this car. Before I bought it, I would see crashed 86's and just be completely dumbfounded as to how someone could total a 200HP car because they "lost traction," until last night. I was out with some people, being stupid and rolling with no traction control on wet roads. Having driven many cars in the past, I knew what I was doing if something was to happen where I would lose control.

And well, I did. While heading down the highway, just doing a pull I hit a pretty decent bump while getting into fourth gear, causing the car to fish tail and go completely sideways down the highway. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE getting sideways, and will kick my car out when I want to. It's when I don't mean to get sideways is when it bugs me. I thought I was going to lose it, but I managed to regain control, no damage done, alls well. Although I can't say the same for my friend who was following behind me, and fell into the same situation. Luckily the only damage done was to her vehicle.

What happened last night really opened my eyes, and could've ended EXTREMELY bad. There were MANY metal poles that I could've wrapped my FRS and myself around, because sliding sideways at 90+MPH into a pole normally doesn't end very well.

I now have a completely newfound "respect" for this car. I just want to post this up as a warning for everyone who currently has one, and was getting curious as to what it feels like with the TCS off in the rain, and for everyone who is planning to buy this car in the future. I'm not here to preach, nor am I here to tell you how to live your life/drive your car. All I'm asking is just please be careful out there with this car. In no way am I as experienced as Sebastien Loeb, but I feel as if I have more experience with RWD cars than the majority of people buying this car (especially you buying this as your first car!) For the sake of your car and your well-being, please keep that TCS button on, and learn in a controlled environment how to regain control if lost.

Again, it's your life and you can do what you want. But the last thing I want to see are more people crashing and people possibly losing lives because of negligence towards this car. (Did I use that word right?)

Stay safe out there guys, I know maybe one or two of you in person, but you're all like family to me.


-636

Most aren't man enough to admit when they have had this type of realization.

well said

Change the alignment, it will help a lot. The zero rear-toe makes for a lively car when its gets upset.

I must be doing something wrong. Unless I am full lock turning in 1st or 2nd or clutch kicking I basically cannot lose grip. I feel ripped off - I want the squirrely version.

Glad your car & you were safe.

& I'll just leave this here for members that haven't seen it yet
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8qggahGNH0"]Toyota GT 86 Traction Control Demonstration [SKIDPAD] - YouTube[/ame]

Car deff likes to get loose in the rain.....So when It pours I go no where near that button :)

Glad you and your friends are ok.

I have "tested" the safety features on my FR-S. I leave them on for street driving.

My ap1 s2000 had no VSC or TCS. My wife spun it off the road in the rain. Luckily she was ok. Car not.

Yikes, that must of been terrifying, relieved to hear that both you and the car made it without a scratch.

Traction control, in the rain, is your best friend.

Man, I totally know what you mean... man, S2k bite your ass hard if you screw around too much. S2k is grip or full lost control... there's no between for amateur driver... I got bitten too, but it was on the track and no damage was done to the car

AP2 was pretty forgiving.

Have driven AP2 in the street, but never on the track... I know my friend was saying they soften up a bit of the limit zone, but I'm not sure "how much".

AP1 sure taught me, what to do when you loose full traction... not meaning of "drifting" loose traction, but literally unexpected traction lost situation.

AP1 was hilarious fun but definitely not good to get dangerous with on the street.

My manual E39 was pretty loose in the rain if you turned off the traction/stability control. With it on, everything seemed fine - nothing to worry about. So naturally turning it off should offer "a little fun". Well, it just caused the car to slide through every intersection.

In the dry, you needed it off to get a good launch, but in the rain, always kept it on.


Now I haven't had the pleasure of driving the BRZ in the rain yet - but even in the dry with those buttons off, that back end can get loose if you throw the car around. I can only imagine how spin crazy it would be in the rain.

(90 mph) in the rain (with the trac control off) on a public highway and you are blaming the car?

I think, he wasn't blaming the car... well, at least that's what I got out of OP

How did we all survive before TCS...

In no way was I blaming the car.

I was just saying, there's no doubt that people are going to do stupid things with this car. I'm just asking people who don't know what they're doing to be as safe as possible if they are going to do it.

In the words of the great Wu-Tang clan...

RWD ain't nothing to fuck with.

Attachment 16732

RWD ain't nothing to fuck with.

Attachment 16733

RWD ain't nothing to fuck with.


This was my pride and joy. Bought by a nice guy, just inexperienced. He died before he got home after buying it.

For real guys, I know you've heard me say it time and time again. Don't be an idiot.

There is zero reason to completely disable traction control on the street. I haven't even used the sport mode yet.

That said, many are reporting that the stock tires are a bit scary in the rain, so extra motivation to keep that traction control on.

Nathan

lol ya...

My first car was a '59 Triumph TR3...rear wheel drive (solid axle w/ leaf springs), bias ply tires and 4 wheel drum brakes.

Only those who have ever driven a car with that kind of set up knows what it is like to drive fast in them!!

I call it "smart ones lived, idiots died"
If you don't act stupid, you'll live another day. Technology help us... BUT at the same time, it kill us faster than when we didn't have those technology... but that's all different debate/topic

What happened to your friend, and what car was it?

Wowwww, :eyebulge: any idea what this guy was doing before hit?

What would you recommend for settings on a 1 inch drop on 17 x 8 with 245/40r-17 I might go to Napa in ABQ once in awhile. I don't compete, I just try to keep my skills sharp.

Spring has sprung and grass has rizz
Where last year's reckless driver is

I'll PM you so we don't take this thread too far off course.

I was going today in a corner accelerating and got over a patch of wet pavement and the back started to slide, not much but very noticeable. I figured this car could be quite dangerous in rain. I had all controls on and the speed was about 20mph and acceleration was normal.

Wow glad you lucked out.

Yes, this car sees more accidents because people switch off all the nannies and it is RWD but those are also the things that make it a fun car to drive. These are all instances of the car teaching a new generation of enthusiasts how to drive. But like you said, it's best to keep those lessons off public roads and in a controlled environment.

Here is a spectacular example of when something unexpected happens on a public road:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNOJ0R6C88Q"]Nissan GT-R gets AIRBORNE then crashes on Backroad !!!!ORIGINAL!!!!! - YouTube[/ame]

She just also lost control over the same bump, she was in a '92/'93 300ZX. She just didn't regain it and slid into a sign taking some posts out. Car could still drive but was rubbing the wheel well on the driver side. She also stopped an inch before nailing a MASSIVE metal support, which had she lost control 10/20 feet later, would've split her in two.

She was perfectly fine thankfully.

No clue, all I know is that it was raining, and he had a car with no nannies and 450HP. He wasn't a hooligan either, just a regular family man in his mid 30s. I don't know if it was recklessness or just poor judgement, but whatever it was took his life...

I think I can relate to what you speak of.

http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/...Shit/large.jpgI have said this of this car before and it bears repeating; holding down the traction control button for the five seconds is like taking your hot girlfriend out dancing knowing she left her undies in the drawer...You KNOW that mis-behaving is going to happen.:burnrubber:

Pickup trucks are good practice in overstear. Lots of torque and very front heavy. Any car can bite though when mishandled. Damn shame 'bout the buyer of that supra.

"no reason to ever turn off traction control on the street"

Well, I've got one: there's a 50mph road I turn right onto every day. People are usually doing 50-60mph. Busy road. On one occasion I stepped out (turned) and this car started approaching REAL fast. (2 lanes each direction - he was in the left lane but must have pulled out into right lane at 70mph to pass). I saw this as I already started to turn and nailed the gas - only to get a SLOWER response and see that yellow light on my dash flashing. Ugh! Luckily still avoided an accident. Wouldn't have been as close had I put it in sport mode.

Yes, it's a 90 degree turn with my foot on the floor. Yes I've done this a million times in RWD vehicles without any nannies. I was fully prepared for the rear to step out a bit - it didn't. Since that day, when I make that turn, I put it in sport mode. There's some wheel slippage and the back rotates through the turn a little, but easily controlled and I can turn onto that busy street without getting hit.

For the average driver, yes, leave the nannies full on.

OMFG! that is just not okay!

"but it was so easy in GT5" :lol:

Anyone else hear Napolean Dynamite at 00:24?

I have a favorite turn every day that has a nasty bump to it, it just makes the rear suspension unload and feels very wierd me, and i know it has claimed many victims over the years...


Guys its simple, just respect your car, there is no reset button in real life, i do very very stupid things in all of my cars but i am by myself away from any other people so i am the only one who will be affected if i crash.

The gtr in that video, what a dumbass, what if a family was coming around that corner and he hit them at 100 mph plus.....:thumbdown:

This forum is going to get real ugly here in a few months.

Glad you're safe, OP.

I'll also admit that I used to be an individual who would turn off traction control on public roads a few years back, and I'll also admit that I've totaled my share of vehicles due to my own fault and immaturity.

Since then, I've become a much better driver (and person) by educating myself through several HPDE events... And I've come to the habit of only turning off the traction control when I'm at the track, and I always turn it off there because it's a much safer and controlled environment / location.

Better to play it safe than sorry, no matter how good of a driver one is. :)

You don't know where the car came from that almost hit you and you were surprised by a turn you've taken "a million times"? Yeah...you're awesome. If there was a "who's gonna crash their shit next" pool, you'd be a strong contender.