40mph smash and walked away
Discussion
I had a dreadful experience this morning.
My lovely car was reduced to this:
Driving at the speed limit, a car didn't see me and turned right across my path immediately in front of me. I don't know whether or not I managed to brake but it was hopeless anyway and I hit the other car full on. Her car was shunted right off the road. Mine bounced round 180degrees.
I got out of the car immediately. The driver of the other car (although in extreme shock) was not hurt either.
So, I am writing this post to say two things:
1. To give thanks for the excellent crash engineering of the Elise. I honestly thought my time was up.
2. Someone said on here once that you should "drive your elise like you are on a bike - assume they have not seen you". I have to say that this is really excellent advice. I'm not sure it would have done me much good today, but it is worth repeating.
PS: The car was 10 months old with 6000 on the clock. Would anyone like to guess if it is repairable?
My lovely car was reduced to this:
Driving at the speed limit, a car didn't see me and turned right across my path immediately in front of me. I don't know whether or not I managed to brake but it was hopeless anyway and I hit the other car full on. Her car was shunted right off the road. Mine bounced round 180degrees.
I got out of the car immediately. The driver of the other car (although in extreme shock) was not hurt either.
So, I am writing this post to say two things:
1. To give thanks for the excellent crash engineering of the Elise. I honestly thought my time was up.
2. Someone said on here once that you should "drive your elise like you are on a bike - assume they have not seen you". I have to say that this is really excellent advice. I'm not sure it would have done me much good today, but it is worth repeating.
PS: The car was 10 months old with 6000 on the clock. Would anyone like to guess if it is repairable?
The main thing is you walked away from the accident unharmed ... Cars are replaceable and that is why we all have insurance! Sorry to hear about your Elise though - The clam can easily be replaced, but it depends just how much more damaged has been sustained to the suspension and chassis.
Sorry to hear, but glad you're OK.
It looks pretty repairable to me on first glance, what speed were you doing? As it's a Sports racer it would have to have sustained some hefty damage to be written off given the value of the car.
Hope you get it sorted quickly.
Edit: Just saw the speed in the thread title
It looks pretty repairable to me on first glance, what speed were you doing? As it's a Sports racer it would have to have sustained some hefty damage to be written off given the value of the car.
Hope you get it sorted quickly.
Edit: Just saw the speed in the thread title
Edited by Handbag on Thursday 16th August 19:47
Very glad to hear you're ok! Testimony to the tub that surrounded you I think.
As to whether it's repairable impossible to say from a photo - wait for the experts? Make sure your insurers let you take it to the right people. Not sure where you're based but Panelwise in Weybridge are superb at this sort of stuff, as are Sincs
anniesdad on here may also be worth a call - accident management people - will get you a like for like courtesy car if it's non fault
As to whether it's repairable impossible to say from a photo - wait for the experts? Make sure your insurers let you take it to the right people. Not sure where you're based but Panelwise in Weybridge are superb at this sort of stuff, as are Sincs
anniesdad on here may also be worth a call - accident management people - will get you a like for like courtesy car if it's non fault
Hey,
I had a crash exactly the same as that but at 30mph in my S1. The only damage I had was new front clam, front crash structure and headlight ! I could'nt believe how light the damage was..
I have a book about the elise and its one of the best cars made for 30mph head on crash thats ever been tested. All done to the front crash structure apparently. Good work Lotus !
Glad to see your ok.
I had a crash exactly the same as that but at 30mph in my S1. The only damage I had was new front clam, front crash structure and headlight ! I could'nt believe how light the damage was..
I have a book about the elise and its one of the best cars made for 30mph head on crash thats ever been tested. All done to the front crash structure apparently. Good work Lotus !
Glad to see your ok.
The funny thing is the Elise platform has never been NCAP tested :/ Lotus just did loads of private tests at MIRA and such for their own personal curiosity. If they ever did NCAP test it, it'd probably be off the scales... The compatively "soft" fibreglass body is probably good for pedestrians as well...
Edited by NathanE on Thursday 16th August 20:18
One of the Elise Trophy cars did pretty well in a startline smash at Brands:
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-8287911...
Depends on whether the chassis took a hit, otherwise the crash box probably took the brunt, with the bodywork taking a lot of the energy out of it. Fingers crossed it's OK.
Must have been annoying waiting around, I bet loads of people drew conclusions at the sight of a smashed up sports car
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-8287911...
Depends on whether the chassis took a hit, otherwise the crash box probably took the brunt, with the bodywork taking a lot of the energy out of it. Fingers crossed it's OK.
Must have been annoying waiting around, I bet loads of people drew conclusions at the sight of a smashed up sports car
The other driver was too shocked to speak. She wasn't wearing a seatbelt and had been thrown around a fair bit. Her husband turned up and there was soon a big crowd around. I was a bit worried because the Elise looks like its going fast even when it's stationary. However I've got to say that everyone involved, including all three emergency services acted without predudice and with total professionalism. I'm really very grateful for that...as I am for the help and advice given by you guys. Thank you.
sounds like a good excuse for a loud exhaust, decat pipe and induction! if they cant see me then im gonna make sure they can hear me!!
Cant beleive how dopey some drivers are, how the fook could they not see that gorgeous car coming along. Glad to hear your ok. Car can be repaired a lot easier than you can be!
Cant beleive how dopey some drivers are, how the fook could they not see that gorgeous car coming along. Glad to hear your ok. Car can be repaired a lot easier than you can be!
Bad Luck mate, as a fellow SR owner its sad to see one involved in an accident just glad that you are ok.
As has been said before as long as the tub is ok i reckon you could well be ok.
Two recomendations, speak to anniesdad from europa, i am sure someone will post the link, but one to one him from his profile, and also specialized paintwork in Reading for the repair.
As has been said before as long as the tub is ok i reckon you could well be ok.
Two recomendations, speak to anniesdad from europa, i am sure someone will post the link, but one to one him from his profile, and also specialized paintwork in Reading for the repair.
Bad luck with the crash, but glad to see that you are ok.
I'm new to the Elise scene, but as I understand it like other cars made of fibreglass the Elise tends to look worse after a crash than is actually the case. Hope this is true of your car.
Don't know if this is relevant to you, but get back on the horse. I had a crash four years ago, and although it was only a fender bender I was pretty nervous of getting back in a car - no faith in myself etc but my girlfriend (new on the scene at the time) made me go out for a drive on her car that evening and I'm glad she did.
All the best.
I'm new to the Elise scene, but as I understand it like other cars made of fibreglass the Elise tends to look worse after a crash than is actually the case. Hope this is true of your car.
Don't know if this is relevant to you, but get back on the horse. I had a crash four years ago, and although it was only a fender bender I was pretty nervous of getting back in a car - no faith in myself etc but my girlfriend (new on the scene at the time) made me go out for a drive on her car that evening and I'm glad she did.
All the best.
Quinny said:
Jonblue said:
Wow - that does look like a great job. People always say "it is never quite the same again" but what do you reckon?
In all honesty, I really can tell no difference.There were no corners cut during the repair, and I have a fully documented folder of every stage. The car used to belong to the guy that repaired it, and he's a good friend so he made sure I got exactly what I wanted.
If anything it's better than before the crash, as the front end was starting to look a bit tired with stone chips etc.
I also rebuilt the engine while it was off the road. When I drove it home, it looked and felt like a brand new car.
Now 18 months on, it looks just as good and drives just as well and feels just as special. Plus I have the satisfaction of "saving" a Griff.
I suppose a lot depends on your attitude to repaired cars, a lot of people won't touch them with a barge pole. But it just dosen't bother me. I know the history of my car, I've no interest in its value as it ain't for sale.
So long as you're confident in the people doing the repair, go for it
Terrible state of affairs, but pleased to hear you're OK. If you hit it straight on you might get lucky and a good repairer will be able to replace the whole front end.
I heartily recommend Steve Greensmith's services, at Europa Consultants to help expedite your side of the claim. Similar happened to me two years ago and without his help it'd have been a royol pain in the rear to sort out. Steve posts as anniesdad on PH.
I heartily recommend Steve Greensmith's services, at Europa Consultants to help expedite your side of the claim. Similar happened to me two years ago and without his help it'd have been a royol pain in the rear to sort out. Steve posts as anniesdad on PH.
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