I just wrecked my Porsche

Ted Stringer · 02-04-2002, 06:58 PM

I lost the back end on a entrance ramp. spun around and backed into a tree on the right rear quarter. I don't know if she is going to be totaled or repaired, and can I afford the insurance afterwords if she is repaired. The damage includes a bent rim, lots of sheet metal damage, the body is out about 1/2", the spring plate is bent, I can't tell about other supension damage, the internal oil cooler is cracked, the intake line was torn away from the engine (I got her shut down in time to prevent any damage internally), the rear engine mount is bowed, the oil tank is crunched as best I can tell, the seats are skewed (when you sit in them you are leaning to the right), and who knows what else is damaged.

I am alright, I walked a way with just a little stiffness in my neck. Intectually I know that I am lucky to walk away and that the car can be replaced or repaired, but that dosn't sit well emotionally. I still am in a state of shock and not willing to except that the car is damaged. I know that I will want to get up tomorrow and take off to work in the Porsche. You don't realise how attached you can get to a car until there is the very real posability that the car that you are so attached to may be gone.

No matter what happens I still will be around the board. You have given me to many laughs and a chance to learn and pass that knowledge to others. This isn't goodby, just that I concider the members here to be friends.

If anybody knows about a good body shop in the Sarasota FL area, I would apreciate the recomendation.

Shakenbake · 02-04-2002, 07:07 PM

PARTS FOR SALE????

Sorry, couldn't help it. Glad to hear that youy are OK, Sorry about the accident.

Doug E · 02-04-2002, 07:11 PM

Ouch!

Glad to hear that you are OK.

Doug
'81 SC Coupe

Brian993 · Brian993's Garage

I cant imagine how you feel. I just bought my car and I would be devastated. Especially when some pr!ck asks if parts are for sale. Good thing he's not in arms reach, huh!

tight as a bull's ass · tight as a bull's ass's Garage

Oh man! That sucks... hope the withdrawl symptoms from driving it aren't too bad.

But at least you're ok and not hurt - that's what really matters. Material things can always be replaced.

dtw · 02-04-2002, 07:20 PM

Entrance ramp?????? to a highway?

And what would have been the result if you were still trying to manage the back of the car while catapulting into traffic? How many would you have taken with you? I mean really...

...

...

WTF?????????

By the way, it's totaled.

Ted Stringer · 02-04-2002, 07:28 PM

Gee thanks Shakenbake

It was an entrance ramp to I75

I also was luckey that I was alone on the ramp. There was no cars around me and the ramp has about a 1/4 mile after the turn ramp until the merge lane. Also the traffic is comming of an overpass so they were above me and out of danger.

dtw · 02-04-2002, 07:37 PM

[/guns off]

OK, fair enough. Forgive me- I've seen to many boneheaded stunts in my time (did 6 months on a police rotation as a tow operator).

Seriously though- try to start adjusting to the fact that it is bye-bye time. If your seats aren't pointing the right way...well...dude...if I were there, I'd be buying you beers in rapid succession.

Buying it back from the insurance company is something you will want to do- IF you have the time, space, and skill to part the wreck out. Don't mind Shakenbake- as you've probably seen, and as Big will learn, that's the running joke whenever any of us balls our cars up. It's all in empathetic good fun.

-d

makaio · 02-04-2002, 07:37 PM

Sorry to hear about your accident. That really sucks!

Out of curiosity, had you ever had your car on the track for a DE, or did you ever auto-x your car?

MMARSH · MMARSH's Garage

Sorry to hear about your car, It doesnt sound to good. But The fact is you can buy another car. But you can't be replaced. Glad YOUR ok and nobody else got hurt.

jwetering · jwetering's Garage

Dude...brutal. Could happen to anyone (if they weren't being careful I mean). Way to take one for the team

ifitwereme....

Find a rolling long hood, start building a RS replica. Now's your chance.

Fun911 · Fun911's Garage

Ted,
Glad to hear your fine. Don't worry about the insurance, it's there just for that reason. As for Dave's comments, ignore that. I am sure he has never been a little spirited in his driving from time to time (yea right!). I don't think there has not been any member on this board who hasn't took the Rpm's up and if you havn't go buy a Pinto. Good luck Ted and get back into the saddle again..

island911 · 02-04-2002, 07:52 PM

Ted, that does suck. Hopefully it's repairable.

Dave, not to worry, Ted was the only P-car driver to be hard on throttle on an onramp.

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

I glad you'r ok. And I am so sorry about your Porsche. But I bet you had your eyes on others. Now is the time to capitalize on the leasons you learned from you porsche ownership.

Would you elaborate on what happened for the rest of us. I have an idea, but would like to know.

The SCWDP brotherhood are there for you.

dtw · 02-04-2002, 07:53 PM

Yep, make fun, hell, call me Mom if you want.

Dead bodies smell bad.

carnut169 · carnut169's Garage

Heck... I'll admit it- I did the same thing! Early Saturday AM (about 2 years ago) no traffic, decided to try and hit the beginning of the ramp w/ as much speed as possable b/c I wanted to see what the max speed at the end of the ramp could be....(I know, I know) but came into the corner w/ a little too much speed and did a complete 180. Lucky for me that I did not even hit the curb, just turned basck around and slowly drove away. It can happen to anyone.....

74gokart · 02-04-2002, 08:07 PM

I used to live in Clearwater, and I asked the guys at Eibell Performance ( the guys who did the 3.6 conversion on that all black 914 in Excellence ) for a body shop recomendation...Rick's European Connection in Largo (727)546-5347 was who they said I should see.
Hope this helps.

robertinla · 02-04-2002, 08:27 PM

Sorry about the mishap. Glad you're still alive and have your health. That's the bottom line.

Kevin Stewart · 02-04-2002, 08:27 PM

Hey glad your ok i have had something simular happen to me but most dont realize when the back of a 911 breaks loose letting off the gas can be devastating, i have race cars for a long time when the back of the car broke loose my first reaction was to let off and brake but i caught myself and nailed it, scared the living sh(((t out of me, and i bet some of the people watchin said man that guy can drive but(they wouldnt have said that if they would have seen my wet pants) dont get to upset with yourself at least your ok, many of us have went over board with our car (if this is your case) and all will tell you that a 911 handles way different then a front engine rear drive car, I really wouldnt mind some of the guys colorful comments, its thier way of breaking the ice, as soon as you get your next p-car please post us a picture so we can see, good luck, Kevin, by the way are you sure a cat didnt run in front of you?

MarkY · MarkY's Garage

Sorry to hear about your accident, I'm glad you're OK.

Maybe when you feel up to it, you could post in a little more detail what you were doing and what went wrong. A lot of people (myself included) might be able to learn something from your mishap.

I take it that there was a turn on the ramp and you were travelling at a high rate of speed and maybe braked at the wrong time, etc. Maybe I'm wrong. By posting this information, you might save someone else from repeating what happened to you.

Once again, I'm sorry for your accident and glad you're OK.