Word of Caution

ChrisSlicks · 12-12-2009, 10:12 AM

You really have to be careful on public roads especially in the cold and wet, there are a lot of obstacles out there. We've seen a few Z's seriously damaged now from people turning VDC off when they perhaps should have left it on. I frequently turn mine off but if the conditions aren't suitable it stays on. Also recommend some auto-cross driving so you learn how to properly deal with breakaway in a short wheelbase car.

Cjanik · 12-12-2009, 11:09 AM

wow, thats why I leave my VDC on. I have turned it off on occasion and scared myself so I turned it back on, hehe.

I need to go autocrossing before I have that kind of confidence. Sorry to hear about your car, but glad to hear your ok!

I used to race motorcycles like you (judging by your sig pic), but the cars are a whole 'nother league!

kenchan · 12-12-2009, 11:26 AM

sorry for your accident.

but if you're not a novice driver you'd probably know summer tires dont grip well under 40F...

batman_4 · 12-12-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

sorry for your accident.

but if you're not a novice driver you'd probably know summer tires dont grip well under 40F...

+1

farmosh203 · 12-12-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

You bought a car cheap enough to be had by high school kids and people with less than 5 years driving experience. Add RWD and +300hp equals many of these will be bent. You seriously thought that rates were going to be low? Evos and STIs are in the same boat. If the boy racer wants it, it will be expensive to insure.

*Is guilty of only having 5 years driving experience and owning a 370Z... hides*

Island_370 · 12-13-2009, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmosh203

*Is guilty of only having 5 years driving experience and owning a 370Z... hides*

Just referring to the stats that drive insurance rates. If you don't bend it, no need to hide. BREAK the odds. (and make up for me....when I was that young, I fit right into the statistical prediction. )

frost · 12-12-2009, 11:42 AM

Woof. Sorry dude. I'm at 8k miles and have noticed a big difference in traction from when I first got her.

kannibul · 12-12-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncanz

Not being a novice driver still leaves room for error. 4k miles on the tires cold temps outside "LEAVE the VDC button ON" otherwise this can happen. Really wasn't pushing the car that hard but this occurred post apex on the exit accelerating out. No one was hurt air bags worked great.
As they say "Speed kills drive a Ford and live forever".

These threads make grown men cry.

kannibul · 12-12-2009, 01:36 PM

Yeah, I encourage all of us to hit an empty, clean parking lot with the temps under 40F, turn VDC off, and just gas it for one second going straight, then do the same thing with the steering wheel set slightly off center. It's shocking how fast this car can whip around.

There's many a reason they put VDC in the Z, and that's one of them.

CBRich · 12-12-2009, 02:55 PM

Sucks to see that. Glad to hear it was safe for all the occupants though.

If totaled I call the brakes.

StLRedrider · 12-12-2009, 05:52 PM

ouch, sorry to see that!

G37Sam · 12-13-2009, 07:23 AM

Glad you made it out of there safely.

I find it hard to believe you weren't "pushing the car".. why was your VDC off anyways? Let's hope your insurance company doesn't find out somehow lol (I'd take this thread down

)

Duncanz · 12-13-2009, 10:09 AM

Thanks for everyone's insight and comments. I posted my experience in an effort to give a real life result of the poor choices and lack of knowledge on my part. I take full responsibility for the actions that resulted in this wreck. I have obviously contemplated all the things that I did wrong and have not attempted to blame the car the car manufacturer or the conditions. I do believe that many of you/us consider turning the VDC off to see how the car reacts and so please use this post as the intended word of caution.

If there is any interest I will post the repair process and cost. Or feel free to pm me for any details.

In closing: I have road raced motorcycles since 1994, I have auto crossed, I have attended HPDE in the dry and in the wet. None of which prevented me from making this mistake.

j.arnaldo · 12-13-2009, 10:40 AM

Slowing down a bit wouldn't hurt, either.

NYBladeZ · 12-13-2009, 11:21 AM

sorry man, happy you walked away ok and you have a real grown up attitude towards the incident. I agree with some of you here, looks like Z's all over the place are losing control. Here's to leaving it in the garage and driving the Camry when it's shitty out.

12-12-2009, 05:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
StLRedrider A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St.louis,Mo Posts: 17,755 Drives: O9Sprt/Touring,p-51 Rep Power: 61	ouch, sorry to see that! __________________ Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today J.Dean

12-13-2009, 07:23 AM	#12 (permalink)
G37Sam A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 1,507 Drives: RB'd G37 Rep Power: 21	Glad you made it out of there safely. I find it hard to believe you weren't "pushing the car".. why was your VDC off anyways? Let's hope your insurance company doesn't find out somehow lol (I'd take this thread down ) __________________ '14 Viper GTS '08 RB'd G37S - Sold

12-13-2009, 10:09 AM	#13 (permalink)
Duncanz Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Shelby, NC Posts: 39 Drives: 2015 370z Nismo Tech Rep Power: 16	Wrapping up Thanks for everyone's insight and comments. I posted my experience in an effort to give a real life result of the poor choices and lack of knowledge on my part. I take full responsibility for the actions that resulted in this wreck. I have obviously contemplated all the things that I did wrong and have not attempted to blame the car the car manufacturer or the conditions. I do believe that many of you/us consider turning the VDC off to see how the car reacts and so please use this post as the intended word of caution. If there is any interest I will post the repair process and cost. Or feel free to pm me for any details. In closing: I have road raced motorcycles since 1994, I have auto crossed, I have attended HPDE in the dry and in the wet. None of which prevented me from making this mistake.

12-13-2009, 11:21 AM	#15 (permalink)
NYBladeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 2,158 Drives: Lotus Exige S Rep Power: 21	sorry man, happy you walked away ok and you have a real grown up attitude towards the incident. I agree with some of you here, looks like Z's all over the place are losing control. Here's to leaving it in the garage and driving the Camry when it's shitty out. __________________ 2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold 2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

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12-12-2009, 10:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 654	You really have to be careful on public roads especially in the cold and wet, there are a lot of obstacles out there. We've seen a few Z's seriously damaged now from people turning VDC off when they perhaps should have left it on. I frequently turn mine off but if the conditions aren't suitable it stays on. Also recommend some auto-cross driving so you learn how to properly deal with breakaway in a short wheelbase car.

12-12-2009, 11:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cjanik Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 578 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 18	wow, thats why I leave my VDC on. I have turned it off on occasion and scared myself so I turned it back on, hehe. I need to go autocrossing before I have that kind of confidence. Sorry to hear about your car, but glad to hear your ok! I used to race motorcycles like you (judging by your sig pic), but the cars are a whole 'nother league!

12-12-2009, 11:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	sorry for your accident. but if you're not a novice driver you'd probably know summer tires dont grip well under 40F...

12-12-2009, 11:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	Woof. Sorry dude. I'm at 8k miles and have noticed a big difference in traction from when I first got her.

12-12-2009, 01:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
kannibul A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 2,281 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 268	Yeah, I encourage all of us to hit an empty, clean parking lot with the temps under 40F, turn VDC off, and just gas it for one second going straight, then do the same thing with the steering wheel set slightly off center. It's shocking how fast this car can whip around. There's many a reason they put VDC in the Z, and that's one of them.

12-12-2009, 02:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 545	Sucks to see that. Glad to hear it was safe for all the occupants though. If totaled I call the brakes.

12-13-2009, 10:40 AM	#14 (permalink)
j.arnaldo Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 937 Drives: Nissan 350Z, 2004 Rep Power: 0	Slowing down a bit wouldn't hurt, either.