Don't be me...

[seoross]

Don\'t be me...

Three months ago, I purchased a 2002 FE GTS Coupe. Number 003 of 360. 650 miles on it. When I dream, I don't dream of cars that beautiful.

Then, last week, after putting less than 500 miles on my prize, I wrapped it around a tree. No excuses. I just lost it. Then I really lost it. I've never felt lower in my entire life. I've never felt more helpless in my entire life.

Insurance has come through, and I'm not out any real money. Like I care in the least about the money. But with the insurance check, I could even get another Viper if I wanted one. Just not that one. Just not my dream.

So here I am. The cliche I never wanted to be. The warning sticker I never wanted to be. The ******* I never wanted to be that lit up cold tires, lost it and then sat there telling the people running over to my mangled car that I was okay, even when I was anything--ANYTHING--but okay. Never wanted to be, but am. That guy. The stupid one. The unworthy one. That guy.

And you know what? It's horrible. No, really--it's absolutely horrible. I never--NEVER--thought I'd have one of these marvels, but I really never--REALLY NEVER--thought I'd be sitting in one after driving it through a tree. But there I was. The stereo still on, the deflated airbad in front of me, the road at a sickening angle. There I was. Where I never dreamed--NEVER DREAMED--I'd be.

Don't me wrong. I'm alive and healthy. My back hurts a little, but that's it. No broken bones, no lasting injuries. I'll be fine. I'm lucky, I know. I could be dead. The way my baby looks, I should be dead. So I'm lucky. Very lucky.

Only I'm not lucky. And I know it. I'm stupid. And I know it. I'll never get that dream back. Maybe another car. Hell, maybe even another Viper. But never--NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER--that one. That gorgeous one. That dream. I'll never--NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER--have my dream back. And I know it. F**king hell, I know it.

So please, don't be me. I know, I know, most of you have a lot more driving experience and expertise than I do. You wouldn't do what I did. You wouldn't have to stand there, watching the tow guys struggle to get your twisted piece of metal onto a flatbed truck. You would never--NEVER--be me.

But still, don't be me. Please, please, please--PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE--don't be me.

Because I'll never be me again. And you don't ever want to be me.

 

[viper spray]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Get another one with sticky tires , Kumhos, Pilot sports, something that sticks to the tarmac. I would guess you were on old stock rubber since the car had only 650 miles on it , if so you made a huge mistake and are lucky to be walking............

 

[Camfab]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Ok, I can only say your story has happened many times over. I know because it happened to me. After all who must be Viper owners?, a bunch of old geezers that can't drive right! Ya that's what I always thought when I was buying one. Everyone told me watch out for the ACR's, they are almost always wrecked. I thought come on what a bunch of loosers. Hey, I've never wrecked anything, my other cars from the past make the a stock Viper look like it's going backwards. I stupidly streetraced for more years than I can imagine and got away with stuff, well someone upstairs was watching out for me. My dream was an ACR, well a 2000 Steel Gray one. After a long search, I found my ultimate dream car and promptly purchased it. It was an absolute jewel, I changed all the fluids to factory fresh, I detailed it for weeks, tooth brushed the chassis etc. I was in heaven! Approx. 85 days after I purchased it, it had been rainy for almost two weeks. I got home from work and decided, I would just take it for a quick spin just to charge the battery and well just to drive it. Mind you, I knew the tires were four years old, and they were the next thing to be changed. I drove my usual loop which included a short freeway entrance, as I shifted to third gear the back end suddenly came around and hit the curb (no where to go). That was it, over and done with. Car was totaled. The back tire contact with the curb snapped the hub and did minor damage. Guess what, the car looked almost perfect, but it didn't matter. I had somehow managed to ruin the only car that I felt I would never acquire. I felt like the BIGGGGGEST LOOOOOOSER for months.

I couldn't believe that I had joined the fools club, I was devastated. I knew it was ridiculous to make such a big deal about a car. Thank god no one got hurt and nothing else was damaged. Anyway I felt like I would never find another car exaclty like mine again, only 39 were made. A month goes by and I see am ad for a 2000 Steel Gray ACR in the Autotrader. I called the guy and asked him about his car. It sounded great, so I knew in 2000 that certain ACR's (early ones) came with Koni shocks like my old car. So I ask him to open the door of car and read me the month day year code. This car was not only built on the exact DAY as my old car, but just ONE HOUR later. Long story short I bought the car, so don't feel like you will not find another car like yours. I found mine and you will too. The Viper community is very special, not like any other, just have faith.

By the way your a bigger man than I, as I never really spoke about that incident openly till recently. In fact most of my family thinks this car is the same as my old car. I just couldn't talk about it. I've also gotta say that my wife was unbelievably supportive of me during the whole process.

 

[Warfang]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Sorry to read of your loss. Don't feel too bad. You weren't the first, and sadly, you definately won't be the last.

Allow me to do my Fred impersonation: "Go to a performance driving school."

They really do help, and worth every penny.

http://www.panozracingschool.com
http://www.bondurant.com
http://www.skipbarber.com

 

[propsail]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Sounds like an AA confessional thread. Hey, it's just a car. Really it is. You're alive and well. Live and learn. Go get yourself another one.

~Craig

 

[RedEnuf93]

Re: Don\'t be me...

I WAS you in January....


It hurts like hell, even if it is just a stupid plastic car.
I quess it is part of me and who I am and I am emotionally attached to it.
Today I drive with a different respect towards my car.

Best therapy is to get another one!

 

[2MANYTOYS]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Sounds like an AA confessional thread. Hey, it's just a car. Really it is. You're alive and well. Live and learn. Go get yourself another one.

~Craig

I agree ease up!! Go get another one and learn from that mistake. It is only a car albeit a very nice car but there are others and at least your alive to be able to get another and go forward.

 

[Mopar Steve]

Re: Don\'t be me...

I totaled my first one. I have been to school. I have some track time. I too thought, those guys just cannot drive like me. I was right, many of those guys never destroyed their Viper.

Drive with your head, not over it.

 

[Shelby3]

Re: Don\'t be me...

If I knew that I would throw up a thread like this, I would rather that I didn't survive the crash. I know that sounds a bit harsh but please, please, I'm begging you, pleading with you, for the love of all that's good, don't be hating me. Oh gosh, you don't want to be me, never, never, never, ohhhhhhhhh, arghhhhhhhh, eeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!

 

[DAMN YANKEE]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Obviously its not a good thing to wrap your car.
Obviously it makes you recognize and ACCEPT the waste and expense.
Obviously it was your fault and you already get that (many don't)

However, obviously you need to get some things in perspective too.

Its a car, one of many....

Not your Country
Not your People
Not you Mother
Not your Father
Not your Brother
Not your Sister
Not your Wife
Not your Girl
Not your significant other
Not your son
Not your daugher
Not your best friend(s)
Not your health (yes, you come last)
Not your house
Not all of your fortune

Its your car. You lived before your owned it and your livng now.
I'm trying to help here. Take a breath and get to work.

Good luck.

 

[Casey]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Sorry to hear about your accident. But very glad to hear you are OK, and not harmed seriously!

I agree with the others. Ease up a bit on yourself. Honestly, learn from your mistake. Take a deep breath (or two), and start looking for another GTS.
My guess is that this will never happen again!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Vipers get wrecked all the time. A lot of the time, the wrecks involve fatalities. Its sad, but true. So, like others have said, look on the bright side (I know thats really hard to do, I'd be the same way). If you loved your FE, take a few days/weeks to get your mind straight and go out and find you another one!

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

Re: Don\'t be me...

It's just a car. And it seems everytime I buy one of these vipers for myself, they end up being 1 of some small number. BUT, There are SOOOO many to chose from in these "subset" groups, that you'll never run out of cars to want. So let me help you, why dont you now go after an FE ACR !! Now thats a sweet ride. Least you can put a positive spin on it, get the Baddest FE they make, the ACR !! (and no its not really any more difficult to drive, I had an 02 ACR and it was no different then a GTS for driveablily, only dominated them on the track ;-)

You are alive, and no real injury, I'd say you did just fine.

And who here hasnt gotten Snake Bitten? (maybe not as bad, but we have ALL lost control of these cars at one point or another, maybe not as much damage was done, but we still got bit by the snake). If someone hasnt, its because they arent driving their Viper !!


Jon

 

[VPRVENM97]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Like Jon and others have said, it's just a car. Plastic and metal. It can either be fixed or replaced. You, on the other hand, can't be replaced if you're totalled. Be glad that "The Man" was watching out for you. You got a huge Christmas present early this year, your life. Enjoy your present. Get another Viper. Take a high performance driving class (the best mod you can ever buy).

Thanks for sharing your story.

Merry Christmas!

 

[wastntim]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Here's a different spin on your situation, think of it this way, the next viper that you get, and you know you will, will be even more rare and therefore more valuable and unique.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Re: Don\'t be me...

to you for being man enough to fess up to being stupid. Now take half that insurance money and spend it on Viper Days, Panoz Racing School, Skip Barber, etc. then go buy another Viper.

 

[kcobean]

Re: Don\'t be me...

I can say that I've "wimped out" with my Viper so far when it comes to driving aggressively. Despite any remaining tread depth, the tires on this car are shot. They have been since I got it in June, it just took me awhile to figure it out. In a few months, JonB will be getting another call from me for a set of tires (and maybe some new wheels dear? )

I have had a few close calls and I'm probably lucky that I didn't have to make a post like yours as well. Point is seoross, $h!t happens in these cars (especially to new owners.) The truly important point no matter how badly you feel for removing a Viper from the pool, is that you are ok and in a position to obtain another car. Like the other guys, I say get back on the horse (or snake in this case). If you don't buy another Viper, you'll be admitting defeat, saying that the Viper is too much car for you. It's not though. You're a smarter man now from your experiences, and you and your next Viper can have a long happy life together.

 

[big-n-italian]

Re: Don\'t be me...

glad to hear you are ok and sorry to hear about the loss of another FE.

everyone keeps recommending that you take a driving course and driving lessons of some kind. was this the only problem? i keep wondering about the 4/5-year-old tires that only had 650 miles on them.

do you guys think the tires had anything to do with this accident?

 

[Mr Hemi Head]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Get another one with sticky tires , Kumhos, Pilot sports, something that sticks to the tarmac. I would guess you were on old stock rubber since the car had only 650 miles on it , if so you made a huge mistake and are lucky to be walking............

I agree with Viper Spray. After getting a great deal on your next car, regardless of the miles, BUY NEW TIRES. My 2001 GTS handling changed dramaticaly after replacing the 5 year old rubber(4Kmi) with new PS.

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Let me pay it forward here. I lost my first beloved GTS in April thanks to a guy in a 450 crewcab the cut across traffic and left me 20yds to react, I did react and only hit him at about 20mph but still bent all four frame rails and the airbags went off, that equals salvage title.
I was beyond depressed, that night my friend and fellow officer ViperJohn emailed me an EBay auction. My identical twin brother car was 150 miles away for sale. Only 1500 miles on it. I had a deposit on it the next day and owned it within 5 days. Gary Almond had it in my garage within 10 days. It was perfect, better than the one I had. It was not only a Woodhouse car like mine but was built the same hour and had a a Vin ending in 888 while my original was 880. That was to cause much consternation among the idiots at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Admin as I transferred the personalized plates to the new car. They kept threatening to cancel the registration as I had canceled insurance on the first one but they could not get it right that it had been replaced with an identical car one number different.
Anyway, the only way to heal the pain is to replace it quick, we are lucky that there are still great examples of low mileage cars available.

Note the FE ACR with 497 miles, in California no less! A little pricey but make him an offer.
More reasonable is the FE GTS in Pennsylvania with 755 miles. I'm sure I can crank up somebody in either the VA/MD or PA/WV region to check that one out.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresu...mp;keywordsrep=

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Re: Don\'t be me...

do you guys think the tires had anything to do with this accident?

No. Track experience will teach anybody to gradually get the feel of a car regardless of setup or how cold the tires are. You can drive on cold tires if you know you are driving on cold tires. You can drive on 10-year-old tires if you know you are driving on 10-year-old tires.

You get the feel of the car BEFORE you hit the wall.

And usually it takes more than one driving course.

 

[seoross]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Thanks for all of the replies--even the ones essentially accusing me of being a drama queen. I know as well as anyone that the important part of the story is that I walked away and still have the luxury of being able to whine about my misfortune now. So, yeah, I guess I was whining a bit.

On the issue of tires, yes, that was probably at least somewhat of a factor. I read plenty of things (including lots of posts on this board) insisting on the need for new rubber, and it was firmly on my list of things to get done. Unfortunately, the tree came first. Throw another mark in the "stupid" column.

But it is what it is. And I'm in the market for a new car...

 

[ViperGTS]

Re: Don\'t be me...

5 years old tires are too old. No excuses.

Be happy that you are ALIVE and OK.

I crashed my GTS after 4 years of driving it and several 10000 miles in the rain. Tires were not the best, ice cold and the white lines a little bit too wide and too slippery ...

Get another Viper and learn to respect the car and the power.

 

[kpham]

Re: Don\'t be me...

It is like you've been thru a divorce, and now you're dating again Thanks for making my viper a bit more rare (kidding). Seriously you're lucky to be alive and well. Memories perishes over time but wisdom accumulated (faster if you make more mistakes )

 

[Jay Herbert]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Glad to hear you are OK, it sounds like you are being plenty ******* yourself, introspection can be a good thing..... many are not so lucky as you have been, a clear indication that you need another Viper.

I'm with Lee on this one, you can still own your dream and upgrade to an ACR at the same time

Driving school will help engage your mind before your right foot.... just take one on a course without hard barriers....

Side note, I hydroplaned my first Viper while idleing down the highway at 65 in 6th..... luckily no culverts or posts in the median, so only damage was to my ego. I had 300 more miles driving home to think about the "lesson" that God had given me.

When you do get in your next Viper, here is the take-off checklist:

1) Mental note, my Viper has more torque at idle than my other car has for peak torque.
2) I will not put my foot into it until the tires are warm (Specially during a 1-2 hard accelaration shift).
3) Does pavement have wet or damp spots? If yes: I'll be extra careful and be aware that hydoplaning does happen to big fat tired Vipers before any driver can react.
4) I will not let my best friend, brother, or any others drive my Viper because the first thing they will do is forget takeoff checklist item's #1, #2, and #3

God Speed

 

[RedEnuf93]

Re: Don\'t be me...

More reasonable is the FE GTS in Pennsylvania with 755 miles. I'm sure I can crank up somebody in either the VA/MD or PA/WV region to check that one out.

If you want, I'll check it for you.
Its only an hour from my home!
(less with the Viper!!! )

 

[FinalEd357]

Re: Don\'t be me...

seoross,
Glad you're okay. These cars are beautiful machines, but only machines. I really get a kick out of my 02 FE also, but you'll find another. Life is far too short & precious to beat yourself up. We all know of many people who'll never even sit in one (financially or physically challenged). Take care of the next one and drive safely to protect your own health - not the car... Merry Christmas!

 

[Cobraken]

Re: Don\'t be me...

It could be worse. I smacked a wall & a person was injured, who happened to be an instructor, for Skip Barber,@ VOI 9, totalling a very rare ACR, where the whole Viper nation could shake it's head. Probably never get another driving "lesson" or find a low mileage graphite & silver ACR or be allowed on the track again. Out of all those cars there...how could it have happened... aren't I smarter than that....

Hopefully 1 of these days the questions will quit going thru my head...

 

[Vic]

Re: Don\'t be me...

Seoross,

Sorry to hear of your loss, but glad you are ok. Your feelings will mend, and you will get yourself another cherry Viper, of that I'm sure.

Here is a little experiment you can do, sort of like at driving schools, where they have you abruptly manuever on wet pavement.

If you pump your tires up about 35 psi cold, you can get an indication of what old tires are like, or it can even sort of simulate cold tires. It'll skate all over the place. I usually run 'em about 29 psi, but the difference at 35 psi is huge, you can really feel it get squirelly.

What can we learn from this? You can learn how to carefully feather the throttle and countersteer, and when it comes naturally, your reflexes might save you in an unexpected emergency. You can also see what happens when you are at the limit, get used to where the limit is, learn to think and react when crossing the limit, this will help to reduce any panic reactions, and know what to expect when your tires are cold, or if they are heat cycled, dried out and hard.

Then put 'em back to 29 psi, and drive with the renewed confidence of a ******.

 

[propsail]

Re: Don\'t be me...

QUOTE: "...drive with the renewed confidence of a ******."



~craig