Car Info: 2004 Mazda RX8 Tourin Edition, 232 HP Stock, 6spd Manual.


So I didnt know exactly where to post this, but I figured this would do.

I hate typing this thread, but I need advice from my fellow Rx8 Gear Heads.

I live in Louisville, KY and our state about a year ago installed highway cable barriers. If you are unaware of what they are, basically they are tiny I beams about every foot and a half into the ground, and there is thick metal cable (approx 4 to 5 strands) running along them. There were to many to think about cross over accidents that ended in fatilitys, so this was the highway departments method for fixing this problem. The problem they create is that they are so close to the highway, Approx 3/4 of a car width. When a car hits them, it literally bounces the car and just tears everything. If anything gets caught on them, consider it gone.

Ok, heres what happened.


I was driving on Gene Snyder Freeway (265) heading to downtown Louisville. This requires me to exit onto Interstate 71South Bound. That interchange (if your not familiar with it yourself) is a basically a big circle.

It was raining moderately, and had been doing so on and off all day. The suggested speed for that exit is 30mph, rainy about 20mph, or so. I have done it at well over 50mph, and my car held it just fine. This day i was inbetween 20 and 30; there were several cars infront of me. when entering 71, you have to make it over 1 lane quickly, otherwise your exiting back onto gene snyder (north bound this time obvisouly). I wish i knew what gear i was in, im assuming 3rd, but maybe even 2nd. When i changed lanes, i felt the rear end of my car start to slide or "let go" (this has happened before) and i simply depressed the clutch, and corrected slightly. When i released the cluth is when all hell broke loose! It sled in the other direction and a combination of brake and clutch later i was in the cable barriers. Contact point was the drivers front fender, then the passenger side causing all side curtain airbags to deploy, then the barriers bounced me back in the road about 90*, and i had stopped. LUCKILY LADIES AND GENTLEMAN I AM HERE ABLE TO WRITE THIS!!!! Not because of the accident because it was at such slow speeds, but because no interstate traffic hit me.


The damage that myself and my body shop friend can see at this point is as follows:


Hood
Right Fender
Left Fender
Front Bumper
Passenger Oil Cooler
Appropriate Oil Lines
Passenger Side View
Door Panel
Sucide Door Panel
Rear Glass
Rear Bumper
Passenger Tail Light and Head Light
Passenger Side Skirt
Windshield - Dunno what hit it, but it looks like a baseball hit in the lower corner on passenger side.

At this time this is all we can see. The car is "totaled". But there is no frame damage.

I guess the reason im writing this is looking for input. For a long time I had been wanting to do more aftermarket things to the car (body kit, Accolade Cspec Fenders, New hood, turbos maybe, new wheels, and paint) so should i do it now, or just scrap the car, buy a new one sometime and start over.

Btw I have a GREDDY Sp2 CatBack exhaust, AEM Cold Air Intake System, and a 2008 Engine with 2009 Program. The dealership did this for me because I dropped compression on my previous engine, and this was covered under warranty.

Sorry this is so long, I just felt the need to explain everything. Looking for advice here such as online part venues with qualitily parts, good customer service, and reliable shipping times; and what you guys think i should do.

Oh, and I am capable of doing these repairs, it will just take me longer.

WOW, nice write up...but im too lazy to read got any pics?

Part out.....

I'm having a hard type picturing the cable barriers. Glad you made it out ok, got pics?

No pics at this time. Dont have the heart to take them.

understood :(

Rain can be a tricky mistress :(

Maybe your tire treads were about done.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fs earch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DCable%2BBarriers%26fr%3Dyfp-t-501%26ei%3Dutf-8%26x%3Dwrt%26y%3DSearch&w=279&h=209&imgurl=www.fhwa.dot.gov%2Fresourcecenter%2Fteams%2 Fsafety%2Fsafe_mrt_cable2.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fhwa.dot.gov%2Fresourcecente r%2Fteams%2Fsafety%2Fsafe_mrt_cable.cfm&size=51.8kB&name=safe_mrt_cable2.jpg&p=Cable+Barriers&type=JPG&oid=2f80f0f80b773074&no=7&tt=350&sigr=126rqgncl&sigi=120ec2fs5&sigb=132o3c1ds

wow,

fail on so many levels..

beers :beer:

yea, cable barriers aren't meant to do anything but destroy cars. their job is to stop semi-trucks and they do it quite effectively. Cars however they crush like styrofoam peanuts.

Glad you're ok.

totalled.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fs earch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DCable%2BBarriers%26fr%3Dyfp-t-501%26ei%3Dutf-8%26x%3Dwrt%26y%3DSearch&w=279&h=209&imgurl=www.fhwa.dot.gov%2Fresourcecenter%2Fteams%2 Fsafety%2Fsafe_mrt_cable2.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fhwa.dot.gov%2Fresourcecente r%2Fteams%2Fsafety%2Fsafe_mrt_cable.cfm&size=51.8kB&name=safe_mrt_cable2.jpg&p=Cable+Barriers&type=JPG&oid=2f80f0f80b773074&no=7&tt=350&sigr=126rqgncl&sigi=120ec2fs5&sigb=132o3c1ds

Wow those look terrible o.o

I actually like driving in states with those. They have them a lot in NC and SC too. Reason being, you can drive fast on the interstate (rural areas) without worry or having to watch for a cop on the oncoming lane or other side of the road median. IN other words instead of focusing on the whole interstate you only have to worry about watching your side of the road for cops running speed, because you know there is no way that one on the other side can get you.

I actually like driving in states with those. They have them a lot in NC and SC too. Reason being, you can drive fast on the interstate (rural areas) without worry or having to watch for a cop on the oncoming lane or other side of the road median. IN other words instead of focusing on the whole interstate you only have to worry about watching your side of the road for cops running speed, because you know there is no way that one on the other side can get you.

... other than picking up a radio and making a call to his buddy to come get you.

Pics or it didnt happen

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fs earch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DCable%2BBarriers%26fr%3Dyfp-t-501%26ei%3Dutf-8%26x%3Dwrt%26y%3DSearch&w=279&h=209&imgurl=www.fhwa.dot.gov%2Fresourcecenter%2Fteams%2 Fsafety%2Fsafe_mrt_cable2.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fhwa.dot.gov%2Fresourcecente r%2Fteams%2Fsafety%2Fsafe_mrt_cable.cfm&size=51.8kB&name=safe_mrt_cable2.jpg&p=Cable+Barriers&type=JPG&oid=2f80f0f80b773074&no=7&tt=350&sigr=126rqgncl&sigi=120ec2fs5&sigb=132o3c1dsoh we have those here... whenever it rains, the median on 485 is full of cars trapped in them like dolphins in fish nets :icon_no2:

Sorry about your damage, hope you can get it resolved with as little pain as possible.

jesus i dont see how those can be safe or "help" the problem...

either ist gonna act like a freaking spider web and wrap people up in it or sling shot people....

I feel your pain, I had a run in with those about a year ago... The results from my wreck were that the car was totalled... The only part of the car that wasnt damaged was the passenger door, there was damage everywhere else, even the roof (I went under the cables, twice...)

Since the OP didnt include his, here are my carnage pics: http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f127/hoss4131/wreck/

I feel your pain, I had a run in with those about a year ago... The results from my wreck were that the car was totalled... The only part of the car that wasnt damaged was the passenger door, there was damage everywhere else, even the roof (I went under the cables, twice...)

Since the OP didnt include his, here are my carnage pics: http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f127/hoss4131/wreck/


Holy shit that makes me cringe :eyetwitch

Like you said, if the frame seems fine and if you are serious about modding your car- time for those CF doors, hood, bumpers..you name it.
Other than replaceable body parts (and glass), i'd be more concerned about the oil cooler and the lines you mentioned.

I actually like driving in states with those. They have them a lot in NC and SC too. Reason being, you can drive fast on the interstate (rural areas) without worry or having to watch for a cop on the oncoming lane or other side of the road median. IN other words instead of focusing on the whole interstate you only have to worry about watching your side of the road for cops running speed, because you know there is no way that one on the other side can get you.

exactly

Holy shit that makes me cringe :eyetwitch
Yeah, it made me sad. After it happened I had the only logical reaction to the circumstance... I pounded my fist on the roof repeatedly while screaming the F word at the top of my lungs...

I kept a few parts of the car that got torn off in the accident. I miss that car :(

jesus i dont see how those can be safe or "help" the problem...

either ist gonna act like a freaking spider web and wrap people up in it or sling shot people....

someone didnt read what i responded with...

Those cables are to stop SEMI-TRUCKS from crossing the median. And trust me when i say this, They do indeed work quite effectively at doing just that.

As for cars that tangle with them (ya pun intended but no offense to those fallen victim), they will be destroyed. Something made to halt several tons of inertia is going to utterly demolish anything smaller.

Sorry to hear. Glad you're okay. What kind of tires were you on? Worn down?

Glad you're ok.

However:

wow,

fail on so many levels..

Indeed.

Those same cables you hate probably saved your life. If you sling shot across the highway into the cable barrier, then back into traffic, be glad they were there, or you would have been facing on coming traffic. I've seen the aftermath of a cross over accident on highway 70 here in Missouri a couple years ago, lets just say they had the tarps out, and some people didn't make it. There are put there for a reason.

... other than picking up a radio and making a call to his buddy to come get you.

Silly Canadian, I didn't say that I did an unreasonable rate of speed, or was trying to outrun any police. I mean that I can do 80 in a 70 more securely with the barriers than without. That's not exactly an unsafe speed for someone with a modern and mechanically sound vehicle who is a reasonably good driver alert and paying attention to the road, on a 4 lane divided interstate meant for high speed driving.

Sorry to hear about that :(

They should remove those medians and put a shitload of tires as a barrier :)

Everybody wins right?

Oh was it a Sunlight Silver?

They have a curse you know...

if i were you, i'd go for the new car, or slightly used and turbo and kit and whatever else that thing up. sorry about what happened, you let the clutch in too abrupt/too soon...btw do you have dsc and was it on or off?

i've had dsc not save me, but i was just testing, driving in a circle did a turn with a clutch dip added with revs, jerked one way, the other, then a spin out. tried to save, didn't i would've been better off on my own.

Those same cables you hate probably saved your life. If you sling shot across the highway into the cable barrier, then back into traffic, be glad they were there, or you would have been facing on coming traffic. I've seen the aftermath of a cross over accident on highway 70 here in Missouri a couple years ago, lets just say they had the tarps out, and some people didn't make it. There are put there for a reason.
I think the main point of the discontent for the cable barriers is the method in which they work... They work by destroying what hits them.

There are other barriers that work as effectively and have a less detrimental effect to the vehicle. If I had hit a solid barrier in my car I would have damaged MUCH less of my car than I did by hitting the cable barriers...

Oh, and not to mention, I went under the cables and came within 5 feet of being a statistic of a cross over accident... This also would not have happened with a solid barrier...

Wow.

Don't take offense, y'all, but cable barriers are NOT there to stop semi's, stop cars, etc. They are there to PREVENT a head-on collision when 1 car crosses a median, then plows into another car coming the opposite direction. They aren't there to stop a vehicle; they're only there to prevent a wrecked car from killing someone.

In Kentucky (like a lot of places), they started putting these up as a knee-jerk reaction to some high school kids getting killed when they crossed over and slammed into a car head-on. Unfortunately, 3 or 4 of them died (I can't remember for certain). I don't particular care for the cable barriers, but they are THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD for preventing cross-overs.

This also would not have happened with a solid barrier...

Not true. There are holes all through the concrete barrier walls along the interstate in downtown Louisville (as well as every other major city). A car/truck hits it nice and hard, and they either poke a hole, going through and/or sending concrete crashing into a car coming from the other direction, or they get redirected immediately back into traffic & cause a huge backup. Statistically, they are much, much worse than cable barriers.

Either way, if your car hits a cable barrier, it's probably toast. Then again, you're alive, so quit your bitchin'.... Don't want to shred your car through a cheese grater? Don't go off the side of the road... It's shockingly easy to prevent...!!

OP: get rid of that car. Even if you fix it, it will NEVER be the same. That's too much damage to repair it properly. Cut your losses and buy another one. '04 -8s are dirt cheap right now, and '05 and '06's are pretty close.

Wow.

Don't take offense, y'all, but cable barriers are NOT there to stop semi's, stop cars, etc. They are there to PREVENT a head-on collision when 1 car crosses a median, then plows into another car coming the opposite direction. They aren't there to stop a vehicle; they're only there to prevent a wrecked car from killing someone.

In Kentucky (like a lot of places), they started putting these up as a knee-jerk reaction to some high school kids getting killed when they crossed over and slammed into a car head-on. Unfortunately, 3 or 4 of them died (I can't remember for certain). I don't particular care for the cable barriers, but they are THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD for preventing cross-overs.



Not true. There are holes all through the concrete barrier walls along the interstate in downtown Louisville (as well as every other major city). A car/truck hits it nice and hard, and they either poke a hole, going through and/or sending concrete crashing into a car coming from the other direction, or they get redirected immediately back into traffic & cause a huge backup. Statistically, they are much, much worse than cable barriers.

Either way, if your car hits a cable barrier, it's probably toast. Then again, you're alive, so quit your bitchin'.... Don't want to shred your car through a cheese grater? Don't go off the side of the road... It's shockingly easy to prevent...!!

OP: get rid of that car. Even if you fix it, it will NEVER be the same. That's too much damage to repair it properly. Cut your losses and buy another one. '04 -8s are dirt cheap right now, and '05 and '06's are pretty close.
Not when you go hydroplanning across the freeway dumbass... They are called accidents, not "on purposes".

The concrete barriers do not all have holes in them, I have actually never seen a concrete barrier with a hole in it. I have seen semi's hit them and have never seen one punch a hole through them, the bottoms of them are angled so that the tires ride up on them and redirect the energy of an impact.

I strongly disagree with the cable barriers, they are cheap alternatives. Yes, they work as far as stopping a car goes, but they destroy it. Even the highway patrol, fire truck operaters, local PD that stopped for my accident commented on how much they hate the cable barriers. They said that they wished the city had spent the extra money to put up a proper barrier because the cables destroy too many cars and cost more in repairs since any accident tears them down...

Either way, if your car hits a cable barrier, it's probably toast. Then again, you're alive, so quit your bitchin'.... Don't want to shred your car through a cheese grater? Don't go off the side of the road... It's shockingly easy to prevent...!!



There are many a crash where some of the people/vehicles involved had no other involvement in the event other than just driving and being smashed into out of the blue.

i.e a truck suddenly plowing into you and with it's momentum sends you flying into the divider, can you honestly say that after being hit by a truck out of nowhere, you would be able to safely stop your car from slamming into a dividing cable/concrete wall?

They are called accidents, not "on purposes"


No. They're called "crashes". There is no such thing as an "accident". Something happened to cause it. Whether it was your fault or not does not mean there wasn't a cause. Ask a highway engineer...

I have actually never seen a concrete barrier with a hole in it.

Oh, well thank god!! They must not exist, since you haven't seen one before... Here's a concrete jersey barrier that's been concrete median that's been patched. (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.242128,-85.752711&spn=0,359.997597&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=38.242212,-85.752699&panoid=dSVqLLbx97K65oria4vj_w&cbp=12,279.9195970933726,,0,5)

Oh, and here's another one. (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.248911,-85.752073&spn=0,359.997597&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=38.24882,-85.752088&panoid=nipZLSVHvy0SWYrVl3jUJA&cbp=12,312.0656781468156,,0,5a)

and another... (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.249655,-85.751778&spn=0,359.997597&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=38.249733,-85.751726&panoid=uIJq4RMhEkNnX1bFHy-5Gw&cbp=12,312.0656781468156,,0,5)

WOW!!! Holy Crap!! It's a HOLE!!! (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.205771,-85.743635&spn=0.0029,0.009613&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=38.20577,-85.743639&panoid=PO0cFda4_N7Gitbaad8bYg&cbp=11,85.64603627031826,,0,4.999999999999999)

Yes, they work as far as stopping a car goes, but they destroy it.

Yeah... Least you're alive to wreck another car another day... That, and how much damage would the Head-On collision have caused...?

Sorry to be a smartass, but hey, jersey barriers do a fairly good job; they aren't indestructible. And, they're very, VERY expensive. That's why cable barriers are becoming mainstream. They're fairly cheap, and they do an effective job of keeping people alive. Keeping vehicles undamaged is NOT the point of ANY safety device on the road... Once things have gone bad enough that you're hitting a barrier of any type, the ONLY thing those are designed for is to minimze DEATH, not damage to the vehicle. Period. Do you really think highway engineers give one rats arse about vehicle damage if the life of the driver/passenger is saved? I think not...

For the record: I HATE cable barriers in principle. I'm a motorcycle rider, and the thought of having my body fly through a cheese grater at 60 mph isn't my idea of fun. BUT, in practice, they DO save a lot of lives, and they DO prevent head-on collisions, as they are intended. So I'm learning to live with them.

ouch, the pics of the Z were painful to look at.

Hoss,

You are completely missing the point of the barrier and its function. It kept you from crossing the highway into oncoming traffic and possibly getting killed. I'm sorry, but I'd much rather have my car completely destroyed by a barrier and walk away rather than just holding on, sliding across the median and hoping for the best.

with the present blue book value and the aluminum panels on the 8 most likely any colllision over 15mph with something solid will cause ins to total it, in most cases if the damage estimate for parts and labor exceeds 75% of blue book value they total it. Your option is to keep the car and take the 75% check and get it fixed with the money but you will get a rebuilt title and good luck selling it with that.

take the $ and run dealers will screw you with an R title if you wanted to trade it in as well, most wont even take it as trade-in towards a new car.

WOW there is a lot of replies! Its gonna take me awhile to read them all.

I did see where someone said pics, or it didnt happen. Its been raining a lot here in KY, so I will get some taken soon. Other pics are painful to look at, so I can assume you guys have an idea as to how painful it will be to take them, and then post them!!!!!

Ok, so we can all agree, cable barriers, have pros and cons; the cons being they just tear cars apart like a pitbull on a piece of meat. A friend and I are thinking we are going to make this a project car. Any ideas on where to buy my parts. I know i am going with Accolade Body Kit and CSPEC Fenders. They are sick!

As far as interior, due to all the side impact bags deploying, we are going to put a 4 or 5 point roll cage, and just get rid of all the interior, and Corbeau seats are coming! :)

If you have any suggestions on where to buy parts, or what to do, feel free to email me or just post on here.

jkskaggs@gmail.com

Peace!