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?