Mazda RX8 vs. Cable Barrier Death Match..... Winner Cable Barriers
Thread Starter
jkskaggs
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Louisville
Mazda RX8 vs. Cable Barrier Death Match..... Winner Cable Barriers
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.
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.
Thread Starter
jkskaggs
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Louisville
For those interested, this is a website with pics of the cable barriers like i hit.
SHKWAV
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 662
Likes: 2
From: Massillon, Ohio
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.
Glad you're ok.
Software Engineer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 1
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
kevin@rotaryresurrection
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 61
From: east of Knoxville, TN
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.
My 8 looks like a Smurf
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,742
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From: Ottawa, ON, Canada
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.
Sorry about your damage, hope you can get it resolved with as little pain as possible.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
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/
Since the OP didnt include his, here are my carnage pics: http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f127/hoss4131/wreck/
Software Engineer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 1
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
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/
Since the OP didnt include his, here are my carnage pics: http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f127/hoss4131/wreck/
Holy **** that makes me cringe
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.
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.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
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
I kept a few parts of the car that got torn off in the accident. I miss that car
SHKWAV
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 662
Likes: 2
From: Massillon, Ohio
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.
