I smashed my beautiful 2004 silver 8 today. For the first time in 6 months I decided to turn off my DSC and had become sooooooo used to the awesome control it had. After two turns I lost control in a 90 degree that I thought was going to be a much less angle and smashed into a EMC power box and killed the power to an apartment complex for several hours. How stupid could I be. I'm posting this message just in case I save someone and another 8 from this nightmare. I want know for another day or two how much damage was done. I'm hoping it's not totaled. One interesting note, my airbags did not deploy. I will NEVER turn DSC off again. (Sympathy accepted... for the car)

50:50 weight distribution, rear wheel drive, inexperienced driver(?) = recipe for disaster

I drive with DSC fully off all the time when its dry, but at the slightest drop of rain, I pull over and restart the car so it's back on again.

The 8 is a perfectly balanced rear wheel drive car and demands a bit of finesse to master.

I think I've pretty much got it down pat in the dry, but in the wet, the car becomes a handful if you don't catch it in time.

Sorry to hear about your damage, but trust me when you say you will NEVER turn the DSC off again, that's a lie.

Curiosity will get the better of you and you will try it out again somewhere in the future.

Only on this occassion, pick an empty car park and practice. :)

Yikes!

At least you're alright with a very good lesson learned.

SilverEight,
Sorry about your 8, hope you're alright. I have a couple of questions. What were the road conditions when this terrible event happened? Were you driving aggressively, shifting gears, on the brakes or throttle? Did the car understeer or oversteer, causing you to crash? Also, do you regularly see the DSC light flashing at you when you're taking corners?

I drive with mine on all the time. The only times DSC intervenes is when i'm shifting hard into second gear on a fast corner or taking a turn at an absurdly fast speed when the road conditions are dry. I do regularly utilize DSC in the rain, as it has engaged a few times unexpectedly.

Sorry again about your 8.

So what happens w/o dsc on dry pavement? What are the benefits, etc?

JMD RX-8, I was traveling on a familair road under dry conditions. I took a exit from the limited access hwy onto an unfamiliar turn at which the road took an abrupt 90 degree turn unexpectedly shortly after entering the exit. I really don't know my speed as I thought I was going the limit. My expectation was that it was a gradual turn, BUT NOOOOOO! I did a stupid thing and hit the brakes as an "inexperienced driver" will do. I don't think I turned into the slide as I should have. all I can tell you for shure what happed is that the power unit was coming at me and I couldn't do a thing. I never had a problem before I turned off the DSC and my lack of experience is to blame. I wish I could be more specific but it is really hard to take notes when it happens so fast.

*gasp* At least you're alright

I can understand how something could happen so fast. It sounds like DSC really wouldn't have helped anways.

It looks from your pictures that all the damage is cosmetic, minus the radiator support and possibly the drivers side oil cooler. Hopefully repairs will come quick and get you back to enjoying your 8 soon.

Yep, I'm fine, I'm sore, I'm pissed, I'm embarrassed and I'm wondering why the heck didn't I pay attention to what was going on. The pre-estimate is around $9-$10K. Frankley I think that is low. Can anyone look at my pics and make a judgement call on what they think the damage could be?

Silver huh? Happened to me twice, though not nearly as bad. I've been hit in the back of the car twice.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15070&highlight=curse+sunlight+silver

I bought my 8 wihtout dsc, as long as youre always aware controlling the car is not all that difficult.

THE CURSE OF THE SILVER RX8 STRIKES AGAIN!!

what is it with all these silver 8's getting smashed? :eek:

I always have it on. The only time I turn it off is when I want to have some fun in the snow on the back streets.

THE CURSE OF THE SILVER RX8 STRIKES AGAIN!!

what is it with all these silver 8's getting smashed? :eek:

I always have it on. The only time I turn it off is when I want to have some fun in the snow on the back streets.

its teh curse- started last year when that idiot in philly lost control, hit something, went airborne and struck another car- killing the driver who was just a guy trying to get home after a baseball game

Silver , sorry that happened to your RX , I can honestly feel your pain from how you write . Was looking at the pics , hard to tell if the frame is tweaked any . Honestly my first thought was : A MazdaSpeed nose and a c/f hood would look great on there ...Best of luck to you ! DrR

Thx for your concern DrRockin99! The reason I joined this site in the first place was to find someone or a group to share my grief with. There seems to be plenty of knowledge shared here. This is a great site. I like the idea of the MazdaSpeed nose & hood. However since insurance is covering it I need to take it back to original right now. I WILL be looking at mods later. The problem is my son will probably call me a jerk and try to steal it from me to take it back to college. I best wait till he goes back for winter quarter. :D

THE CURSE OF THE SILVER RX8 STRIKES AGAIN!!

what is it with all these silver 8's getting smashed? :eek:

I always have it on. The only time I turn it off is when I want to have some fun in the snow on the back streets.

Yikes! I'm getting ready to buy a Silver 04!
I'm getting a pretty good deal, I think. Silver MT with GT package (and no other options, I don't feel it's worth 500 bucks for a 6 disc changer! and I have a Bluetooth GPS receiver for my Palm T3)
I'm paying Invoice, getting the 1500 off for rebate, and getting better than wholesale for my trade.
It has the black/red leather, whcih I didn't like in pictures but I do really think looks great "in person"
Hopefully, I'll be picking it up on Saturday morning.
Any advice, (Other than leave DSC on! ;) ) for a new RX8 owner?

Congratulations!

1. DON'T TURN OFF DSC

2. Learn how to see in the rear view mirrows, some have a problem with a blind spot looking back over your sholders.

3. Don't crank her up, move her 30' and turn her off for a wash job. Always take her up to full temp before shutting down. Sounds stupid but trust me. This is very important. You can read the details in you manual and online here.

4. Learn how to drive without a huge smile on your face, you look really silly.

5. DON'T TURN OFF DSC.

6. Leave the sterio turned off. The two rotars replace the speakers.

7. Get a color coordinated car cover from Mazda, It's too much fun to pull off and see what ya got. It's kind of like getting a huge Christmas present everytime you take it off.

8. Get GAP insurance with your loan.

9. If you insist on turning off the DSC, spend time in a vacant parking lot and learn to understand what the differences and your limitations of this awsome peice of art are.

10. Enjoy!

Congratulations!
6. Leave the sterio turned off. The two rotars replace the speakers.
Actually I wish the volume control on the radio adjusted engine volume :D

man u got off lucky, i was recently in a accident. i have less cosmetic damage then you but i feal my frame and suspension is tweaked. REMEBER at least i can say it wasnt my fault he ran the stop sign. All you can say is Shiut happens lol i just wanted to feal better bout my accident. seriously your car is in better shape then mine so dont worry.
Happy waiting with no car.

its teh curse- started last year when that idiot in philly lost control, hit something, went airborne and struck another car- killing the driver who was just a guy trying to get home after a baseball game

GOSH...poor family, PEOPLE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE...don't do stupid things...for the sake of someone else if not you.

GOD BE WITH ALL DRIVERS OUT THERE!!!

BE CAREFUL PEOPLE!!!

Silver huh? Happened to me twice, though not nearly as bad. I've been hit in the back of the car twice.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15070&highlight=curse+sunlight+silver

BrotherVooDoo, you got one fine looking ride. I love the nose. The red sky shot is awesome.

I absolutely NEVER drive with DSC on. Can't drive around with a computer controlling by driving abilities. If you don't know what your doing, or drive stupid, then leave it on.

I personally drive kinda stupid but have never had a problem with tire spin/sliding unless I want the car to do that.

Learn to drive the car first before you go disabling safety features. Why does it seem that all these people that are having problems and blaming it on DSC usually end up adding at the end ... oh, btw, this is my first rwd car?

This isn't like the civic you used to have.

dry roads i turn it off ,when the raods are damp/wet leave it on .it's so much more fun to drive with it off . you get to feel the 8 as it was supposed to be felt.

I absolutely NEVER drive with DSC on. Can't drive around with a computer controlling by driving abilities. If you don't know what your doing, or drive stupid, then leave it on.

I personally drive kinda stupid but have never had a problem with tire spin/sliding unless I want the car to do that.

Learn to drive the car first before you go disabling safety features. Why does it seem that all these people that are having problems and blaming it on DSC usually end up adding at the end ... oh, btw, this is my first rwd car?

This isn't like the civic you used to have.I can appreciate where you are coming from and I wish I could drive with or without my DSC on with experience. However, this is new for me. I haven't driven a MT or RWD for 20 years and it's like learning all over again. I never owned a CIVIC and I never owned a awesome car like the 8. I've been a safe driver with my 8 and never went into or out of a turn I did not have complete control of. I've never had an accident like this in my 38 years of driving.

So in defense (if I can do such a thing after having an accident) I would like to say that you are correct but at what time do you say you are experienced. If you never turn the DSC off, how the f**k are you ever going to learn how to drive with it off? As I stated in my original post on this thread, "I'm posting this message just in case I save someone and another 8 from this nightmare."

“Learn to drive the car first before you go disabling safety features. “
I would love to have a place to learn how to push my car on a track but I'm not going to be racing. I'd love to get in a parking lot but it's amazing how pissed off people get when your raising hell in their parking lot. So where do I learn how to drive without causing any harm to anyone, myself, or my car? In this particular case I turned the DSC off and made a slow left hand turn from a red light and what I thought normally to be a right hand turn off of a main road into a power box. That's not enough time to call myself experienced. Where do you find it appropriate to learn how to drive? Where would a law officer tell me to learn, I'm sure there is one on this site that can make a suggestion.

But don't give me that down your nose bull sh*t because I'm not an experienced driver! I guess this should be followed by, why the hell do you even drive an 8?

All said, this is still a good thread for a novice as myself to read because they will learn from my mistake and positive responses from the members of this experienced forum.

umm, I never drive with it on .. meaning i turn it off every single time i get in the car.

Driven RWD for the most part all my driving career. 10 years of driving experience but never a wreck, and have never been out of control in my 8 either.

I'm not a guru of driving, i dont claim to know ewverything. But you asked so here it is.
Learn to drive the car first with the DSC on, try going through a corner a little to0 fast and the little light will flash and correct it (at least im sure this is how this works). Find the limits of the car/yourself this way first. Then once your comfortable with it, maybe try driving with it off.
Sorry to hear this experience happened with car damage being the end result. Hope its just cosmetic damage or you ge ta new one.

The civic comment, my attempt at humor, sorry it got missed. Will refrain in the future.

By the way, I love the car. Installed a set of tein springs myself, custom emblems, changed interior lights, and the list goes on and on. My mustang is jealous at the attention my 8's been gettin, but im commited again to building a motor for it and no more major upgrades for the 8 anytime so0n.

umm, I never drive with it on .. meaning i turn it off every single time i get in the car.

Learn to drive the car first with the DSC on.... Then once your comfortable with it, maybe try driving with it off.Thanks, I will try to find somewhere to do this without having to worry about other cars, people or inanimate objects. I live 15 miles from Road Atlanta so maybe they have a course that I can take to learn to drive my own car. I don't want to race, just want to know the limits of my car and how to handel it.

...Hope its just cosmetic damage or you ge ta new one.$16K plus and 3 plus months, Looks like February.

I don't suggest driving with the DCS off in the rain. I found out the hard way Saturday night just how worth while it is to have it on. I hit a pretty good puddle of water that caused me to spin out across 4 lanes of traffic and get hit in the rear by another car. luckly no one was seriously injured.

OMG! Yet another Silver RX8 and again no one seriously injured. I'm glad to here you are OK. Seeing the pics of the car makes me cringe. What has the insurance company and body shop said about it? Looks like a KO to me... but so did mine.

I see you are new member to the site. My first post on this site was to start this thread. I was really bummed out big time and this site has been the best therapy for me. It's given me the opportunity to discuss things about my car when no one else cared and laugh till 3:00 AM reading some of the threads. I wish you the best of luck. :)

Glad you're okay :cool:. Is that a Hall sticker I see on the back (Tidewater, VA area)? The car looks Titanium vs Silver - which is it?

it was raining hard one night, so the thought of turning off the dsc came into my mind. i turned the steering full lock and just floored it to see what would happen. after the complete 360 (and i let go of the accelerator at about 180) i shit myself so much that i will never try this again. its there for a good reason the car is just uncontrollable even if your quick to adjust the steering which i was, the car had no response but to do what is was going to do anyway. i was lucky infact dam lucky that i missed all the parked cars!

sorry to hear about the others that weren't. :(

Ok, two quick questions.

1. Have any other colors had any accidents? Because just like all of you, every single one that I have seen is silver or grey.

2. Does the DSC light come on every time it is actually used? If this is so, I have only seen it come on a couple of times in my car and both were on dry streets. Yes, I am a girl...but I am by no means a conservative driver. I just owned a small truck that was rear-wheel drive that slid all over the place, so it just seemed natural for me to be able to drive this car with very few slips of the wheels (the 50:50 weight distribution is very helpful...sucks when the back end is lighter than the front). I have just wondered about the DSC. Is it always helping, or only when you see the light come on?

not wanting to jinx myself so i won't but mine is silver.

i have found that it has worked on a number of occassions and the light hasn't come on, maybe because the adjustment was so light. im just glad its there

ok...thanks.

i believe teh light only comes on when you lose traction....but ti is always making lill adjustments....don't quote me though it late and i am probable making things up:p

Sorry to hear about all those in accedents but at least none of you were hurt and yes i own a SILVER rx-8 ...accedents are no fun, last one i was in wasn't fun..but at least i don't remember it having been rendered unconscience for 8 hours of the ordeal (no seriouse injury just a concussion); oh and i was rather scared waking up in the hospital straped to a backboard not able to move...lol. Good luck to everyone on gettign their babies back up and running.


p.s. sorry for crappy spelling/typing it's late:D

Glad you're okay :cool:. Is that a Hall sticker I see on the back (Tidewater, VA area)? The car looks Titanium vs Silver - which is it?


yeah it's a hall sticker. va beach area. it was titanium. now it more like rust colored :) . good news is, i picked up my new 8 today. out with the old in with the new. actually i got a better car for less money than i paid for the original.

OMG! Yet another Silver RX8 and again no one seriously injured. I'm glad to here you are OK. Seeing the pics of the car makes me cringe. What has the insurance company and body shop said about it? Looks like a KO to me... but so did mine.

I see you are new member to the site. My first post on this site was to start this thread. I was really bummed out big time and this site has been the best therapy for me. It's given me the opportunity to discuss things about my car when no one else cared and laugh till 3:00 AM reading some of the threads. I wish you the best of luck. :)


usaa said that it was definatly a KO. the only thing left good on it is the passager seat and the engine. both axles are boken and the rest of the interior is soaked from the rain. there isn't an inch left on the car that wasn't wrinkled atleast a little.

yeah it's a hall sticker. va beach area. it was titanium. now it more like rust colored :) . good news is, i picked up my new 8 today. out with the old in with the new. actually i got a better car for less money than i paid for the original.

New car :cool: ! Did you get a different color or different options this time? Drive safe and enjoy your new RX-8.

New car :cool: ! Did you get a different color or different options this time? Drive safe and enjoy your new RX-8.


Decide to go with the yellow this time. Atleast this time they'll see me coming if i spin out :) . This one has the nav system and the full appearance package. last one didn't.