I suppose the thread name spoils the plot. But, to continue with my trip back from T2TR II, I took the Sisterville ferry en route for 18 in WV. Sprinkles came down as WV greeted me. Naturally, the top went up. In searching for 18 (there were no signs when I got off the ferry), I came on Old 18. Well, Old must lead me to the new, right? The double yellows on Old 18 disappeared. As I continued, I doubted my decision so I turn around and decided to go back into town.
The rain picked up a bit. I have had previous experience when the tire didn't hold the wet pavement; the back came around slightly as a result. It was all fun and games, no harm done. I was careful to keep it steady around 35-40. Then came the right hand bend. The next thing I knew, I was tumbling like inside a washing machine. WHAT THE F*@K!!! ****! **** ****! The car had completed a roll. WOW!!!
I emerged from the wreckage unscathed, but a bit shaken. As I recollected myself, pieces of the tail light plastic cover were scattered on the road. No glass damage, no air bag deployment, even the mirrors were still intact. The front hood and the rest of the body panels all around were banged up. The roof looked compressed but still as one.
I was completely awed by what just happened. Then thought it was pretty cool, especially I came out without a scratch on me. This only happens in Hollywood. The driver side rear tire spun out on the double yellow, then caught grip on the pavement. This translates to the back end came around and when the car got traction, it headed towards the incline side of the mountain. The front passenger wheel launched the car into the air. The car rolled counter clock wise and landed on it's fours again. All this happened in an eye blink. Again, astonishingly not one glass panel shattered; the air bags didn't deploy; the tires didn't flat; and no liquids were lost. Amazing, simply amazing. Now, how am I going to get home? Well, let me see if it still cranks. Yep, the engine sounds good. I put it in reverse and came back into Sistersville. And that's when the fun began.
I found a place to park and decided to immediately report the incident to Progressive. Note to self: when your car is wrecked and still want to do the right thing, do it somewhere out of sight, not on Main St. Five minute on the phone and a Depute showed up. He ran my license and registration and asked me to wait. Ten minutes later a K-9 unit arrived. They searched for drugs. I was asked all kinds of questions. They can’t fathom the fact that a person will drive hours to explore new places. I was given a hard time as to why I was here? Did I know anyone in town? Was I traveling alone? Later the officers told me that they were in pursuit of a Blue Solistice just like mine, thus explaining the 3rd degree. Finally the WV St. Trooper made an appearance. They searched the car again. The ten-minute phone call to Progressive turned into 1:30 of interrogations. Once the officers were convinced that they had nothing on me and I was neither FBI’s most wanted nor a terrorist, I was granted permission to go. With the tail lights busted and all body panels damaged, I drove off.
The next town was St. Mary’s, WV. Two local officers pulled me over. I thought “Oh great, I have to do this all over again.” But on the contrary, they were very nice and sincere. They were concerned with my safety and told me that my rear driver side wheel was untrue. They could not in good conscience let me continue. My AAA was real handy in getting a tow truck. The 100 mile drop was almost a God send. It got me to Charleston. The driver suggested that I call AAA again for another 100 mile tow. It seemed to work. After a 45 min wait the second tow truck showed up. But to my dismay, the driver had been working all day, driving another 200 mile round trip would have put him over the legal limit. So off I went in the badly bruised Sol.
I got home around 11:30pm, safely. The next morning Burglund Pontiac took my car in for a closer examine. Though, Progressive wanted me to take the car to one of their network body shops. I was certain that with this unique vehicle, I wanted someone with intimate knowledge and has been factory trained. Meanwhile, I was secretly hoping that the car would be totaled. Upgrade to the GXP, maybe. But what a shame though; the engine is intact and it still turns on a dime.
Progressive handed me a check for $23,650 the next week; not bad with 25K on it. May this Sol rest in peace. I think it’s going to be auctioned off. Should I buy it back?
That is an incredible story. I am glad you were not hurt. Wow!
Did you have a balance on your car loan? Were you able to pay it off with the insurance payment? Hope you are able to get a new Sol soon.
the car was paid off. burglund has a silver gxp, loaded on the lot since may. i am going to wait till the end of the month and see what they are willing to do. but i really like the blue with the polish wheels. Thanks for your condolences.
Wow, that's quite the day you had-and get yourself into another Sol!!!
To think you managed to get all the way home, in your Sol, in spite of the lengthy delay for interrogations, is a testament to how well built these little tanks are-the nay sayers can cast dispersions against GM and the Solstice all day long, tales like this make the put downs meaningless!!!
Wow! Glad to see yet another rolled Solstice hold up so well and protect its driver.
I lost my Solstice when I flipped it on the Tail of the Dragon a few months ago, you can check out the link in my signature to see the thread with all the details.
Well, I'm glad you're okay, and I hope you find another Sol soon. Go for the GXP - I did!
__________________
GXP, Sly w/ Black Leather Interior, Loaded
Purchased off the lot on 6/30/2007 from dealer stock to replace My Baby, lost on the Tail of the Dragon on 6/25/2007. You can read all about it here, Tail of the Dragon - Accident
Email me if you are interested in joining the Mid-Atlantic Solstice Sky Club (MASSC) for NJ, NY, PA, DE and MDdscheneck@msn.com
I'm so sorry to hear about that roll!! But happy to hear that you are OK!! It's hard to imagine that the beautiful Solstice I spent so much time behind on the run is no longer with us.
Hope the dealer is willing to deal a bit on that GXP! Good luck!
__________________ "If you haven't seen the future, you haven't driven fast enough" #000741, delivered 10/3/05
I suppose the thread name spoils the plot. But, to continue with my trip back from T2TR II, I took the Sisterville ferry en route for 18 in WV. Sprinkles came down as WV greeted me. Naturally, the top went up. In searching for 18 (there were no signs when I got off the ferry), I came on Old 18. Well, Old must lead me to the new, right? The double yellows on Old 18 disappeared. As I continued, I doubted my decision so I turn around and decided to go back into town.
The rain picked up a bit. I have had previous experience when the tire didn't hold the wet pavement; the back came around slightly as a result. It was all fun and games, no harm done. I was careful to keep it steady around 35-40. Then came the right hand bend. The next thing I knew, I was tumbling like inside a washing machine. WHAT THE F*@K!!! ****! **** ****! The car had completed a roll. WOW!!!
IW84U
That's really ashame, but of course, it's really good that you made it out unscathed... without even airbag rash!
That's the one thing with these stock tires / wheel combo. The Solstice is a fairly light car at well under 3,000 pounds... and with huge wide tires like it has, they basically function like 4 huge boogie boards in the rain. Hydroplaning is part of the Pontiac Excitement! when driving a Solstice.... heheh...
I think realstically, the Solstice does come with very decent all weather tires. But without the weight, we really need something that treads water a bit better... something with deeper grooves, and better water channeling.
__________________
Todd,
People for the Ethical Treatment of Automobiles
@ http://www.PETACar.ORG
------------------------------------------- 2006 Pontiac Solstice (#1267)
- GM Cold Air Intake
- Clear Image Hi-Flow Cat
- Clear Image Shorty Header
Needless to say, no T2TR for me or the Tail of the Dragon!
It didn't happen on T2TR - It happened on his way home!
OK, my jaw is on the floor right now! That's crazy Hao!!! Glad you came out of this OK, but sorry you lost your Sol!
I feel for ya. I took a corner a bit too fast on my way to T2TR right after I left home. It was raining and I had some sideways fun. So I played it safe the rest of the way. Or so I thought...I got off I-74 in Indiana to meet up with Crundell and Chicago Skyline. Came to a stop, and as I was making a left turn and accelerating (not being stupid by any means), my back end fishtailed on the wet pavement! So it doesn't take much! My camaro isn't even this bad!!!
This may end very well...you could have a GXP for T2TR ReDeux Nov. 3rd!!!! Just don't roll it on the way back home next time!! Hope you come back for more on the 3rd!
__________________
AKA "Gang Warfare Girl". GWG for short.
And Yak Queen...and Gargoyle...and Twinkie...and...
Team Save the Ta-Tas 2008
Root for Soup!!!
"Cookie" or "Bumble Bee in a Bottle"
VIN 3866 - Delivered 11/30/05
Don't think we got to talk at T2TR, but no I saw you around. Glad to hear you made it out okay. I hate to even drive the solstice in the rain let alone around twisties. There is no way I'd have been with the same group that day if there were rain. Hope to see you again in the future, maybe with a GXP. Good luck!!
Location: buzzard..what buzzard..do you see a buzzard..I didn't see a buzzard...or that little sparrow either
Hao...what can I say......I feel for you man
You drive all the way from Roanoka to be with us....and now this.
We talked about me going off on my own and doing exactly those roads.
I'm not so sure about going solo now...think maybe I need to recruit someone else (9MRW is currently fish-unavailable)...doesn't look like you want to be alone on those roads.
It is a caution to everyone. The cars are safe...that is obvious...but a lot of power and a little wet road and a tight curve ... and you can flip.
But both you and Diane came away unscathed...that is the blessing of this little car.
I'm going to link this thread over to T2TR just in case others miss it.
Hope you get that GXP...and I hope we see you again
