boxster vs rain = accident!

[stucatz]

Originally Posted by denverpete

Compared to the previous posts this is going to come off harsh - but after seeing so many similar accidents, I think it needs to be said.

Cars don't "suddenly spin" for no good reason. ABS and TC don't make your car "bullet proof" for the weather! Sounds to me like you hydro-planed which is a good indication of driving too fast for the conditions. I also wouldn't be surprised to find that your tires don't have enough tread left to channel the water.

You sound just like the people in Colorado who blame their their 4-Wheel drive vehicle after sliding into a ditch when it snows. Never mind that there's a foot of snow and they're driving like the roads are dry. It's funny, I've been driving my Boxster (no traction control) in rain and snow and have yet to "suddenly spin" off the road.

As my Dad used to say, "It's a poor mechanic who blames his tools".

Well said, DP

Excellent balance and handling is great but you still need to be mindful of the driving conditions.

[denverpete]

Jim brings up a good point regarding tire width. Any vehicle with wide tires is at a disadvantage when dealing with rain or snow.

Big fat wide tires on SUVs, while cool looking and extremely popular, are actually counter-productive in the snow (not our current topic). Not only is your lb/sq in decreased, but they also have a tendancy to "track" or follow grooves in the snow. If pushing a new path they will also wander as slight variations in direction cause snow to build up on one side of the tire.

I agree that the Porsche is primarily a "fair-weathered" vehicle. But it is most definately capable (and perfectly happy) to take be a nearly all-weather vehicle. As with any vehicle, it should not be driven beyond it's capabilities. With the first snow storm in Denver I took my Boxster into a parking lot to test starting, stopping, and turning abilities. With the stock tires it was horrendous. After switching to snow tires, I again tested it in a snow storm and found it had greatly improved. Note that I said improved - it's still requires careful throttle application, steering, and braking. I also performed the same actions in the rain. With the knowledge gained from that testing I now know what it can and cannot do along with the warning signs and reprecussions of what happens if pushed too far.

[donjuan143]

here are pictures of my accident.
in bahrain it rarely rains, and last night it rained for the first time of this year.
i guess my porsche is not used to such a weather!

[blinkwatt]

Originally Posted by donjuan143

here are pictures of my accident.
in bahrain it rarely rains, and last night it rained for the first time of this year.
i guess my porsche is not used to such a weather!

WHOA looks like you car went through alot.

[denverpete]

Originally Posted by donjuan143

here are pictures of my accident.
in bahrain it rarely rains, and last night it rained for the first time of this year.
i guess my porsche is not used to such a weather!

Right. The Porsche. BAD PORSCHE!

[Jeph]

This may sound weird, but I think it is really cool that you have a picture of yourself at the site of your wreck -with the wrecked car. I can't explain it, but I dig it.

And it looks like you hit pretty hard too. Good to see you're ok bro.

[ephidaboost]

Originally Posted by donjuan143

here are pictures of my accident.
in bahrain it rarely rains, and last night it rained for the first time of this year.
i guess my porsche is not used to such a weather!

Hey man sorry about the accident. It hurts a little to see those pictures.

[porscheguy]

screw the car man! atleast you're okay. Thats what i tell myself when crap like this happens

[donjuan143]

yes im going to the formula 1 race this march.
hoping that my car will be ready by that time.
the fixing will cost me about $2700.

[9000RPMan]

Originally Posted by donjuan143

here are pictures of my accident.
in bahrain it rarely rains, and last night it rained for the first time of this year.
i guess my porsche is not used to such a weather!

I think you must also consider the effect of rain on a road that has built up a lot of dust, rubber and oil from the passing traffic. I once read where the initial part of a rain event is the most dangerous. The oil and water (rain) will not mix, and until the rain has carried away the oil and other material it is like driving on ice.

p.s. donjuan are you going to the Grand Prix on March 12?