Word of Caution
 

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".

:ohsnap1: Sorry to see this! Glad you're ok. Are those the skid marks in the background on the pavement? Judging by the skid on the grass as well I would say this was the cars final resting place after it happened?

You're right... I have less than 7k miles with my tires. They're good tires compared to the RE040 with the 350Z, but it definitely hates cold weather. It is definitely easy to spin the tires with VDC going crazy.

Hope you get another one :-)

Yes that the skids and the final resting place I think the tree that I clipped is just out of frame. It was a sweeping left turn and when I accelerated out it broke loose and I ran out of talent.

I'm not sure this one is totaled yet so I may be stuck with it. If it is totaled I may go with Platinum this time.

that's why god created something called WINTER tires

Sad, dude. Thank God you're O.K. BTW, I always leave my VDC on, even on dry pavement, even in our scorching summers down here. Safety is número uno, and that's a fact. Greetings.

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.

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!

sorry for your accident. :(

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

Sorry to see your Z in critical condition. As far as Platinum Graphite, I don't think it has any better grip ;).

Even though the situation sucks, this made me laugh. Glad you are OK.

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

So many accidents with these cars. Why? I'm sorry about what happened. Here's to watching my insurance rates go up, and up, and up.

:icon14:

These threads make grown men cry.

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.

Life is the hardest teacher you will ever have, for Life almost always gives the lesson AFTER it gives the test.

For the record.....Approximately 85% of drivers in the US think they are above average drivers. The first mod for any performance car should be a HPDE. Even if you have done them in the past, it is the safest place to learn the limits of the car. Once you know the limits, you can safely stay within them. When you get your car back, sign up for one. They are very fun and very educational.

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

If totaled I call the brakes. ;)

Having now used my Blizzaks in the first snowfall, they're the best investment I made in the past year.

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.

ouch, sorry to see that!

And Nissan the VDC! ;)


No sh*t, my insurance when up with the 370Z, this is like the 3rd recked 370 I see here in the past day.

+1

*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. )

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 :bowrofl:)

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.:tiphat:

Slowing down a bit wouldn't hurt, either.

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.

uh oh...just sold the civic and now this is my DD. Guess ill just have to be extra careful.

I used to always have my fun cars as my DD's and it has always resulted in bad luck accidents, not to say that wouldn't have happened even if I drove it less. Still I waited a long time for a new fun car and I love the Z I'll try to keep her in one piece to the best of my ability and enjoy it as well. Trade off with driving the camry everyday...it has no fun factor.

the Zeds are not losing control. It is the dickheads who drive them who put others at risk due to stupidity. There is a time and place for everything.

Same could be said of the Mustang, which is cheaper, or the Camaro which is cheaper and has more HP...

At least, considering the 38K I paid for my Z. I wouldn't call that cheap by any means. Cobalt SS, sure...

first and foremost you are doing this on public streets, leave it on the track. i had to reread and look at the picture to see if this was on the track or on the street, since you are using lingo more derivative of track usage. i understand we love our cars and we love to go fast, just practice track moves on the track is all i ask of everyone.

The above is a really lame post...I'm sure you don't drive your Z as if you're 90 and can't see past the hood...

Fact is, it's very easy to bust the rear end loose on this car, trying or not. The colder the temps, the easier it is.

With the right tires and VDC on, it's pretty difficult actually.

:iagree:

actually even with vdc off, i can only get the back loose if i really tried hard to do it. why does everyone act as if the z is such a hard car to drive and is so dangerous? with the appropriate tires installed, even with vdc off, the z is such a safe and easy car to drive! its high levels of mechanical grip, powerful brakes, zero lift aerodynamic package, stiff sport suspension, solid steering feel, low ride, and the road feedback transmitted to the driver all combine to make the z much safer to drive than big SUVs and family sedans that handle like the titanic. even in adverse weather conditions like rain or snow.

i've only lost grip and spun out twice in the wet in the last 5 months, and that was in empty intersections when i deliberately tried to drift the turn but overdid the throttle.

almost all cases of 370z losing traction and crashing are the result of idiot drivers making stupid mistakes, something which can cause any car to crash. the op admitted he was trying to pull off a michael schumacher in the rain when he self-admittedly ran out of talent and crashed. the other guy with the crashed nismo said his mom spun out after she "popped the clutch", something which any amateur knows should never be done without rev-matching the engine and transmission first.

no i dont drive it as if i was 90 but i also don't do stupid stuff like taking corners far to fast or try and drift around corners either. cars are meant to be enjoyed no doubt, but to act like an idiot and not only your self in danger but others as well is plain moronic.

anyways to the op I'm glad that your stepping up and realizing that this was an operator error and knowing what you did wrong can only better help you in your future driving experiences

Glad the OP was ok after the wreck. Sorry about the car :(

I've got less than 1000 miles on my Z so far and I'm gradually finding the limits when it's safe to do so. I never use VDC even in the rain and haven't had any problems so far. I've gotten a little sideways but the car is very controllable as long as you're not mashing the gas with the wheel turned. Definitely be careful with the throttle in cold/wet conditions. In the dry, I have to try to make the back end step out.

Sounds like you're being very mature about the situation and have no doubt learned a valuable lesson. Be careful out there guys ;)