Totalled Zs: one sign Nissan did it right?!
#1
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Totalled Zs: one sign Nissan did it right?!
After reading so many threads on wrecked 350Zs, I'm struck (no pun intended) at how many posters talk about everything but their injuries. These are not small shunts! Whether it's due to bad weather, bad judgement or circumstances beyond our control, the fact is these type of accidents used to KILL or MAIM drivers and passengers!
Don't get me wrong- there've also been posts of fatalities involving Zs as well. It makes you wonder that just because we jump into these powerful and wonderful cars doesn't mean we become immune to the laws of physics! The fact that many Z drivers have walked away from serious accidents makes me think Nissan did a great job in engineering crumple zones, airbag deployment and other safety systems.
Certainly, it's expensive when it comes to fixing (or replacing) a Z. But consider the costs involved in hospitalization, aftercare, therapy, pain and suffering from an accident- there's not even any comparison! Having a car well-engineered enough to help you survive a serious accident is a quality we take for granted all too easily.
Finally, I'm concerned Nissan may have done this job too well- that some Z pilots will assume the car will help them write checks that their skill level can't cash. And if the $hizbots hit the fan- oh well- the car will always protect them. Let's face it: the 350Z is an affordable, powerful, rear-wheel drive sportscar- in some ways it's a dying breed. Driving skill and good judgement is at a premium in the Z and mistakes remain costly.
Sorry for the rant- I'll try to save it for print!
David Muramoto
Senior Editor
Nissan Sport Magazine
www.nissansportmag.com
Don't get me wrong- there've also been posts of fatalities involving Zs as well. It makes you wonder that just because we jump into these powerful and wonderful cars doesn't mean we become immune to the laws of physics! The fact that many Z drivers have walked away from serious accidents makes me think Nissan did a great job in engineering crumple zones, airbag deployment and other safety systems.
Certainly, it's expensive when it comes to fixing (or replacing) a Z. But consider the costs involved in hospitalization, aftercare, therapy, pain and suffering from an accident- there's not even any comparison! Having a car well-engineered enough to help you survive a serious accident is a quality we take for granted all too easily.
Finally, I'm concerned Nissan may have done this job too well- that some Z pilots will assume the car will help them write checks that their skill level can't cash. And if the $hizbots hit the fan- oh well- the car will always protect them. Let's face it: the 350Z is an affordable, powerful, rear-wheel drive sportscar- in some ways it's a dying breed. Driving skill and good judgement is at a premium in the Z and mistakes remain costly.
Sorry for the rant- I'll try to save it for print!
David Muramoto
Senior Editor
Nissan Sport Magazine
www.nissansportmag.com
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Cars that are structurally stiff/stable are generally good in accidents. It allows the body to crush and absorb the impact without causing the pass. compartment to deform.
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Originally Posted by dkmura
Sorry for the rant- I'll try to save it for print!
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Regardless of a false security pertaining to the crash worthiness of the z or other new cars it remains conclusive evidence that driving while under the influence is a gross misjudgment and should be dealt with very harshly.
I have no thoughts of being invincible while behind the wheel of the Z.
I drive commercially for a living 80,000 lbs gross weight. Even behind the Peterbilt's wheel I know that I can cause as well as put myself in grave danger.
It's about RESPECT and good COMMON sense.
Usually this comes with age and life experience, not always but usually. Some people get it from the beginning. Alot don't and even some never do.
Make penalties more costly for inappropriate behavior.
Case in point is the drunk who hit me just after 2 weeks of having another DUI. 48 yrs old. He doesn't get yet.
Hopefully a long time in State prison will give him time to think.....wonder if it will help though.
I have no thoughts of being invincible while behind the wheel of the Z.
I drive commercially for a living 80,000 lbs gross weight. Even behind the Peterbilt's wheel I know that I can cause as well as put myself in grave danger.
It's about RESPECT and good COMMON sense.
Usually this comes with age and life experience, not always but usually. Some people get it from the beginning. Alot don't and even some never do.
Make penalties more costly for inappropriate behavior.
Case in point is the drunk who hit me just after 2 weeks of having another DUI. 48 yrs old. He doesn't get yet.
Hopefully a long time in State prison will give him time to think.....wonder if it will help though.
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#8
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Originally Posted by EatMyZ
My friend who wrecked the car was completely unhurt.
#9
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Originally Posted by ouch1011
Cars that are structurally stiff/stable are generally good in accidents. It allows the body to crush and absorb the impact without causing the pass. compartment to deform.
On the other hand, a modern monocoque body structure needs sufficient strength/stiffness to keep the cabin intact in the event of an accident.
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Originally Posted by dkmura
After reading so many threads on wrecked 350Zs, I'm struck (no pun intended) at how many posters talk about everything but their injuries. These are not small shunts! Whether it's due to bad weather, bad judgement or circumstances beyond our control, the fact is these type of accidents used to KILL or MAIM drivers and passengers!
Don't get me wrong- there've also been posts of fatalities involving Zs as well. It makes you wonder that just because we jump into these powerful and wonderful cars doesn't mean we become immune to the laws of physics! The fact that many Z drivers have walked away from serious accidents makes me think Nissan did a great job in engineering crumple zones, airbag deployment and other safety systems.
Certainly, it's expensive when it comes to fixing (or replacing) a Z. But consider the costs involved in hospitalization, aftercare, therapy, pain and suffering from an accident- there's not even any comparison! Having a car well-engineered enough to help you survive a serious accident is a quality we take for granted all too easily.
Finally, I'm concerned Nissan may have done this job too well- that some Z pilots will assume the car will help them write checks that their skill level can't cash. And if the $hizbots hit the fan- oh well- the car will always protect them. Let's face it: the 350Z is an affordable, powerful, rear-wheel drive sportscar- in some ways it's a dying breed. Driving skill and good judgement is at a premium in the Z and mistakes remain costly.
Sorry for the rant- I'll try to save it for print!
David Muramoto
Senior Editor
Nissan Sport Magazine
www.nissansportmag.com
Don't get me wrong- there've also been posts of fatalities involving Zs as well. It makes you wonder that just because we jump into these powerful and wonderful cars doesn't mean we become immune to the laws of physics! The fact that many Z drivers have walked away from serious accidents makes me think Nissan did a great job in engineering crumple zones, airbag deployment and other safety systems.
Certainly, it's expensive when it comes to fixing (or replacing) a Z. But consider the costs involved in hospitalization, aftercare, therapy, pain and suffering from an accident- there's not even any comparison! Having a car well-engineered enough to help you survive a serious accident is a quality we take for granted all too easily.
Finally, I'm concerned Nissan may have done this job too well- that some Z pilots will assume the car will help them write checks that their skill level can't cash. And if the $hizbots hit the fan- oh well- the car will always protect them. Let's face it: the 350Z is an affordable, powerful, rear-wheel drive sportscar- in some ways it's a dying breed. Driving skill and good judgement is at a premium in the Z and mistakes remain costly.
Sorry for the rant- I'll try to save it for print!
David Muramoto
Senior Editor
Nissan Sport Magazine
www.nissansportmag.com
#11
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Originally Posted by roast
A higher degree of perceived safety also leads to a higher degree of risk taking, thereby neutralizing things in the big picture. No matter how safe cars are made, people will still manage to off themselves.
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Being as i totaled my Z and I came out un-scathed... It amazes me and I am deadset on getting another Z for that very reason. That I could roll my car and biggest injury i have is a cut on my palm from climbing out the window.
#13
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Originally Posted by jdm_Z33
Nice write up there david. How's the weather treating you in CO? My parents are there and last I heard from them was some blizard that hit about a week or 2 ago??
#14
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Anecdotal evidence shows that the 350Z is survivable in a high speed one vehicle accident. We are seeing lots of serious accidents that involve only one vehicle. Poor driver judgment is the cause.
Can a 350Z driver survive a 40 MPH head on collision with another vehicle? I don't care to be the test dummy.
Can a 350Z driver survive a 40 MPH head on collision with another vehicle? I don't care to be the test dummy.
#15
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Originally Posted by boomer gt
Regardless of a false security pertaining to the crash worthiness of the z or other new cars it remains conclusive evidence that driving while under the influence is a gross misjudgment and should be dealt with very harshly.
I have no thoughts of being invincible while behind the wheel of the Z.
I drive commercially for a living 80,000 lbs gross weight. Even behind the Peterbilt's wheel I know that I can cause as well as put myself in grave danger.
It's about RESPECT and good COMMON sense.
Usually this comes with age and life experience, not always but usually. Some people get it from the beginning. Alot don't and even some never do.
Make penalties more costly for inappropriate behavior.
Case in point is the drunk who hit me just after 2 weeks of having another DUI. 48 yrs old. He doesn't get yet.
Hopefully a long time in State prison will give him time to think.....wonder if it will help though.
I have no thoughts of being invincible while behind the wheel of the Z.
I drive commercially for a living 80,000 lbs gross weight. Even behind the Peterbilt's wheel I know that I can cause as well as put myself in grave danger.
It's about RESPECT and good COMMON sense.
Usually this comes with age and life experience, not always but usually. Some people get it from the beginning. Alot don't and even some never do.
Make penalties more costly for inappropriate behavior.
Case in point is the drunk who hit me just after 2 weeks of having another DUI. 48 yrs old. He doesn't get yet.
Hopefully a long time in State prison will give him time to think.....wonder if it will help though.
#16
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Originally Posted by davidv
Anecdotal evidence shows that the 350Z is survivable in a high speed one vehicle accident. We are seeing lots of serious accidents that involve only one vehicle. Poor driver judgment is the cause.
Can a 350Z driver survive a 40 MPH head on collision with another vehicle? I don't care to be the test dummy.
Can a 350Z driver survive a 40 MPH head on collision with another vehicle? I don't care to be the test dummy.
#18
Originally Posted by Lawn Dart
I've been in two demolition derbies, so you could say I've been in a lot of car accidents. I crashed my Z last year and I must say, it crashes well.
well as an F-16?
#19
Originally Posted by arma
the last death i saw was that 'famous' post about the girl in the 100,000+ porsche that collided with the toll booth in cali so how ironic that u posted this!
the worst part about this was the fact that the car kept rolling and ended up hitting the toll booth on the other side of the freeway and the car was a convertible.. you can just imagine what her face looked like after this..
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Originally Posted by dc89kr
that was so sad.. she used to go to my old school.
the worst part about this was the fact that the car kept rolling and ended up hitting the toll booth on the other side of the freeway and the car was a convertible.. you can just imagine what her face looked like after this..
the worst part about this was the fact that the car kept rolling and ended up hitting the toll booth on the other side of the freeway and the car was a convertible.. you can just imagine what her face looked like after this..