Glad your ok. Here in Los Angeles we don't have to deal with rainy conditions on the road very often. How old are you OP?

 

But what do we learn from this.....not to drive a car in the rain? Cuz I don't see how a 350Z is any different in rain from a regular sedan. Is it cause its RWD & the weight of the engine is in the front? But if that's the case driving a truck (like people suggested) would be even worse. And he said he was only driving 55mph.

Someone help me understand...

 

It's a combination of factors: RWD, power, summer performance tires. The tires being the major contributor if driving straight on a highway. Our tires are wide, and the stock ones don't go a good job of channeling the water away from our tires. Hence hydroplaning.

 

glad your ok bro, if it ends up being totalled i could really use the center panel with multi meter. hehe. but seriously hope your able to fix your baby.

 

Thanks for explaining Kona. The tires on my car aren't stock, the previous owner put Michellin Pilot Sports (summer) on the fronts, but Michellin Pilots (all season) on the rear, and the tread is like new. I probably need to get some all seasons for the rears though. I can't imagine what driving in snow or slush is like. That's when I borrow my roommate's sedan lol.

 

Yeah I heard the performance tires don't do too well. I hope it can get fixed...but if it's totaled out, then I will get another one.

I will part out if my insurance says so.

 

Here is why...direct quote from the OP:

"I will admit my rubber on my left tire isn't so good."

If you drive around on marginal tires...especially one marginal, one good tire or mismatched tires even...you can get into this situation quite easily in any car.

 

I didn't mean so much as a learning experience as in "learning how to drive" or even perhaps it could be. Every situation causes a reaction..perhaps a driver could now have a different reaction if it happens again, god forbid? But I meant more of a life learning experience; things happen in life, treasure what you got and be glad that all came out well in the end. Appreciate things a little more...

But at the same time...and not cracking on the OP...but perhaps going 55mph was too much? Obviously it was...he can come out of this learning that in that particular situation that going even just a bit slower could have avoided it? Maybe not...but just saying

 

I have one, make me an offer

 

This happened to me once, I was on route 29 and it was raining pretty good. I went under an overpass and when I came back out the other side the car started to hydroplane, I would say i probably turned about 25°-35° instantly. Then my VDC kicked in and saved the day. The end.

 

Sorry to revive an old thread for my first post, but what trim level was the car that wrecked? I'm just wondering if it was a base model and if any of the features of the upper trim levels might have helped, such as the person who mentioned that VDC saved their butt.

 

It was indeed a base model.