Bye, Bye 2000 Impreza RS

[Tony Hwang]

Hi,
Today in extreme cold weather my son totalled his Subie.
Total write off with serious frontal damage. Wondering how come air bag
did not pop?! Looking for a upgrade to WRX(not STi version). Any
comments/suggesions on couple years old WRX? Can't afford brand new.
We are just glad accident did not involve any other person or property.
He just destroyed his own car losing control side ways, Sigh!

 

[Fred Boer]

How about a bus pass?

 

[Tony Hwang]

How about a bus pass?

Hi,
Well, his office is off the bus route and his job needs a vehicle for
frequent trips to job sites out in the field.(civil engineer)

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Hi,
Today in extreme cold weather my son totalled his Subie.
Total write off with serious frontal damage. Wondering how come air bag
did not pop?! Looking for a upgrade to WRX(not STi version). Any
comments/suggesions on couple years old WRX? Can't afford brand new.
We are just glad accident did not involve any other person or property.
He just destroyed his own car losing control side ways, Sigh!

I hope he is OK?

It is 'slightly' more likely to get a used WRX wagon that hasn't been
reamed out by some teenager than a sedan. I'd be very careful shopping
for ANY inexpensive 'sporty' car. Many have been hammered by a kid.

I like my '06 WRX wagon just fine so far.

good luck


Carl

 

[Tony Hwang]

I hope he is OK?

It is 'slightly' more likely to get a used WRX wagon that hasn't been
reamed out by some teenager than a sedan. I'd be very careful shopping
for ANY inexpensive 'sporty' car. Many have been hammered by a kid.

I like my '06 WRX wagon just fine so far.

good luck


Carl

Hmmm,
I am looking at one on dealer's lot. Has only ~20000 miles. Black in
color. The kid seems OK. Was sitting in a Jacuzzi tub when I came home, LOL.
Car is towed to my house today and donating it to kidney foundtation for
whatever it's worth.
Sorry to see it go which we put in lot of work into.

 

[bigjimpack]

Let me get this right-- kid totals car with only himself to blame and
you want to buy him a HIGH performance car. I hope he's not on your
insurance cuz when he hits ME I'm owning your house!!!!! If it were
me he'd get a bicycle until HE earns the money for another car!!!!
Buy him another car and I guarantee he'll crash it too. Lucky for you
no one else was hurt. Buying kids cars usually leads to crashes!!!

 

[bigjimpack]

I thought he was a teen. It's even worse he's an engineer and expects
dad to buy him another car. Engineers do okay so send him to a hunday
dealer or if you want AWD get a Suzuki SX4 for $18 k fully loaded
with AWD

 

[Fred Boer]

Well, I am glad that nobody was hurt... Sorry, but I have no helpful
information. If it were me, however, I'd avoid a used WRX, since I can't
imagine anyone buying one of those cars and not thrashing it...

I wonder what the difference in cost might be between a new Impreza and a
used WRX - if it weren't too much I fer sure would go for a new car...

 

[KLS]

I thought he was a teen. It's even worse he's an engineer and expects
dad to buy him another car.

Geez, homophobe, stop with the assumptions. NOTHING in his original
post indicated that the son expected the father to buy the replacement
vehicle (the relevant sentence begins with "Can't", with no pronoun
before it).

 

[Roger Buttsnort]

Hi,
Today in extreme cold weather my son totalled his Subie.
Total write off with serious frontal damage. Wondering how come air bag
did not pop?! Looking for a upgrade to WRX(not STi version). Any
comments/suggesions on couple years old WRX? Can't afford brand new.
We are just glad accident did not involve any other person or property.
He just destroyed his own car losing control side ways, Sigh!

Sounds like he was driving like a "COMPLETE ASSHOLE"....
Glad he didnt cream someone elses car or kill another person....
Maybe he might learn something from this? Help him buy a Nissan Sentra....

 

[Edwin Hurwitz]

I thought he was a teen. It's even worse he's an engineer and expects
dad to buy him another car. Engineers do okay so send him to a hunday
dealer or if you want AWD get a Suzuki SX4 for $18 k fully loaded
with AWD

Nowhere does it say that he's not going to pay for it (or that he didn't
pay for the first one). Maybe dad is just helping find the car and it's
something they enjoy doing together.

Edwin

 

[M.J.]

Sounds like he was driving like a "COMPLETE ASSHOLE"....

Yeah, especially the part about the accident happening in extreme
cold weather.

Gosh, I didn't know people were so prejudicial here.

Glad to hear your boy is fine Tony. Just last week I had a driver
skid into my back yard late at night. It got cold and icy, with
some snow, he was breaking for more than 20 yards until finally
came to a stop in my backyard. Damage estimate is several
hundred $ for the wooden fence, plus some more for his fancy
aluminum tire rims one of which completely disintegrated as it
hit the curb, real hard.

M.J.

 

[Brian]

Hi,
Today in extreme cold weather my son totalled his Subie.
Total write off with serious frontal damage. Wondering how come air bag
did not pop?! Looking for a upgrade to WRX(not STi version). Any
comments/suggesions on couple years old WRX? Can't afford brand new.
We are just glad accident did not involve any other person or property.
He just destroyed his own car losing control side ways, Sigh!

Glad your son is okay beyond anything emotional and sorry the Soob is a
gonner.

I hit black ice halfway through a curve which sent me into the bank pretty
hard in mine over a year ago with no air bag deployment either, so I dunno.
Thrust angle, actual impact speed, front end crumpling, etc., dunno all the
factors the system is triggering on, but either the system didn't feet it
warranted, is defective, or is not there (suppose that could be considered
defective). Came from a dealer I really wouldn't trust, so you never even
know sometimes without having the air bag system checked by a competent
service person. The airbag light illuminates as it should during start-up
cycles so I am not too worried.

For the other posters, sometimes our jobs require us to drive in weather we
would otherwise choose not to so some of us accept the risks. I live where
there is a very large number of Soobs per capita and seems many of them
excell in poor driving habits come foul weather. I love how they all try to
out accellerate folks from a light with AWD and drive faster than conditions
would seem to warrant. Oh well. Doesn't mean Tony's son was doing any of
that and we don't have information enough to do more than assume.

Since you're looking at the WRX and I haven't done any checking myself, to
the other fellow readers of the group here, are there different versions of
WRX with and without the locking rear diff.? I thought they dropped it to
offset the cost of the stability control in the newer models, but otherwise,
is that something Tony should be watching out for?

I thought he was a teen. It's even worse he's an engineer and ...

BigJim, I was an engineer at 19, so could be both.


~Brian

 

[Rui Pedro Mendes Salgueiro]

Since you said:

maybe the force of the crash in the longitudinal direction was not
enough to set off the airbags ?

I hope you don't mind the looks Other people here can probably advise
you if they have any known weaknesses. (Someone who works for a Subaru
dealership posted recently that its 1st gear is not strong enough for
its engine, so dragster-type starts are a bad idea.)

In the reviews that I have read about the new model the reviewer was
disappointed. Subaru apparently doesn't intend for the new WRX to be
sporty ("buy the STi instead") which kind of makes it a bit pointless.

 

[suburboturbo]

Hi,
Today in extreme cold weather my son totalled his Subie.
Total write off with serious frontal damage. Wondering how come air bag
did not pop?! Looking for a upgrade to WRX(not STi version). Any
comments/suggesions on couple years old WRX? Can't afford brand new.
We are just glad accident did not involve any other person or property.
He just destroyed his own car losing control side ways, Sigh!

Aside from the issue of whether an inexperienced driver (and you don't
mention how old or experienced your son is; for all we know he could
be a 40 year old ice racing champ) who totals a 2.5RS should move up
to a WRX (or STI), let me toss my two cents worth in on the topic
since I have some relevant experience here. I had a 2.5RS, that
replaced an Outback Sport that I felt was underpowered and too softly
sprung. Turning out of a driveway onto a road covered with light snow
(no traffic in sight, with relatively new, original all-season
Bridgestones) I punched the throttle to see how the tail would react.
The rear came out as I had anticipated, but wouldn't come back
regardless of my steering correction and throttle control. The car
eventually struck a high curb that and cracked a wheel. a 2" by 1/2"
chunk of the bead wall came out, but the crack didn't spread; tire
didn't even lose pressure and I made it home (still holds pressure and
I keep it around as an emergency spare).

Now, many of the "performance" cars I've owned (WRX, Z-28, SE-R,
Corvair) have had limited slip differentials which, regardless of the
driven wheels (and you'll note that the 4 I mention are all different
configurations) allow traction to be shifted away fom the driven wheel
that's lost traction. This can enable the driver to apply throttle,
coupled with steering correction, to use the remaining rear driven
wheel to pull the car out of the "drift". I ultimately replaced my RS
with a WRX and since have attempted to duplicate the "accident", at
progressively higher speeds. With the LSD (no I wasn't tripping), the
rear caught and was recoverable, in every instance. I love the WRX,
but would have been happy with the RS if it had been available as a
wagon (which it eventually was) and with a rear LSD (which has never
been offered).

Is the limited-slip differential a cure-all? No. But it's an
inexpensive mechanical solution to a common problem, and should be
more widely available. I hate the idea of the high-tech alternative:
traction control systems that apply braking force to a wheel losing
traction. Defeats the pleasure of studying the limit of adhesion and
learning how to power through that moment.

Your son must have gotten into a serious spin to incur frontal damage
as well. However, as another poster mentions, the reason the airbag
didn't pop was probably that there wasn't enough logitudinal force
generated to trigger them. No idea how the sensors are calibrated for
side bags or if your car was equipped with them.

I'd suggest that if you're going to spring for a WRX , have him attend
a high-performance driving course to learn how to use it.

 

[Tony Hwang]

Aside from the issue of whether an inexperienced driver (and you don't
mention how old or experienced your son is; for all we know he could
be a 40 year old ice racing champ) who totals a 2.5RS should move up
to a WRX (or STI), let me toss my two cents worth in on the topic
since I have some relevant experience here. I had a 2.5RS, that
replaced an Outback Sport that I felt was underpowered and too softly
sprung. Turning out of a driveway onto a road covered with light snow
(no traffic in sight, with relatively new, original all-season
Bridgestones) I punched the throttle to see how the tail would react.
The rear came out as I had anticipated, but wouldn't come back
regardless of my steering correction and throttle control. The car
eventually struck a high curb that and cracked a wheel. a 2" by 1/2"
chunk of the bead wall came out, but the crack didn't spread; tire
didn't even lose pressure and I made it home (still holds pressure and
I keep it around as an emergency spare).

Now, many of the "performance" cars I've owned (WRX, Z-28, SE-R,
Corvair) have had limited slip differentials which, regardless of the
driven wheels (and you'll note that the 4 I mention are all different
configurations) allow traction to be shifted away fom the driven wheel
that's lost traction. This can enable the driver to apply throttle,
coupled with steering correction, to use the remaining rear driven
wheel to pull the car out of the "drift". I ultimately replaced my RS
with a WRX and since have attempted to duplicate the "accident", at
progressively higher speeds. With the LSD (no I wasn't tripping), the
rear caught and was recoverable, in every instance. I love the WRX,
but would have been happy with the RS if it had been available as a
wagon (which it eventually was) and with a rear LSD (which has never
been offered).

Is the limited-slip differential a cure-all? No. But it's an
inexpensive mechanical solution to a common problem, and should be
more widely available. I hate the idea of the high-tech alternative:
traction control systems that apply braking force to a wheel losing
traction. Defeats the pleasure of studying the limit of adhesion and
learning how to power through that moment.

Your son must have gotten into a serious spin to incur frontal damage
as well. However, as another poster mentions, the reason the airbag
didn't pop was probably that there wasn't enough logitudinal force
generated to trigger them. No idea how the sensors are calibrated for
side bags or if your car was equipped with them.

I'd suggest that if you're going to spring for a WRX , have him attend
a high-performance driving course to learn how to use it.

Hi,
He is almost 24 and has been driving for ~8 years not counting learner
licencee days. He got advanced defensive driving course. Accident
happend at entrance to the freeway not far from our house. First time
real accident. Car had Mokian winter tires it is manual shift. Just
happened as he can't explain what really caused it. The road is curved
and sloped down and little bit sideways as well. I am not buying his
replacement. I am just lending him fund so he can repay me by monthly
installment.

 

[Brian]

replacement. I am just lending him fund so he can repay me by monthly
installment.

Same thing my dad did for a brother. Beats paying interest to a bank.

~Brian

 

[Roger Buttsnort]

Hi,
He is almost 24 and has been driving for ~8 years not counting learner
licencee days. He got advanced defensive driving course. Accident happend
at entrance to the freeway not far from our house. First time real
accident. Car had Mokian winter tires it is manual shift. Just happened as
he can't explain what really caused it. The road is curved and sloped down
and little bit sideways as well. I am not buying his replacement. I am
just lending him fund so he can repay me by monthly installment.

Tony....
From a financial point you may want to do the following....
Have the insurance company total it out. See what the buyback is.
Part the car out, I would imagine there are quite a few parts salvagable.
Engine/trans are worth money. Interior,dash, other running gear.
Have your kid do the work, he can think of what a jerk he was driving like
an asshole.
He needs to GROW UP and act with some shread of responsability.He got lucky
as he
didnt send himself or others to a hospital.Wrecking his car is a just
"Reward", hope he actually learns from it.
He needs to drive a "regular" car for a while, a Nissan Sentra, Toyota
Corolla, other econobox for a while.
Will give him time to "cool his jets" for a while. You say he has been
driving for 8 years? This was not a case of
a skid that got out of control.It sounds more like agressive and STUPID
risks taken on his part. HE caused this
on his own. You don't total a car getting on the freeway by simply hitting a
patch of black ice (you dont believe that shit do you)?
This is simply a case of stupidity, where your kid thought AWD would make
him invincable. Next time he might not be so lucky
and will get killed driving like an asshole.
"He can't explain it"??? bullshit! he knows exactly what happened, when it
happened and WHY it happened. He is too chicken-shit to
admit it to you and himself. Until your kid can ADMIT what he did to you and
himself this will happen again and again.Ask yourself these
questions....
Was this the first time getting on the freeway at that location?
Was this action needed to get on the freeway?
How long had he been driving this car. Did he know how it handles?
Driving for 8 years, what was he thinking? is he learning disabled or just
stupid?
Car is TOTALLED, look at this from a physics standpoint.How FAST was he
going on a onramp?
Here is what I see....
Your kid demonstrated he has ZERO common sense, no consideration for anyones
safety including his own.
He is not honest (doesnt know what happened).
Don't be an "Enabler". Let HIM figure this one out on his own. (you want him
to learn don't you) He can buy a CHEAP car to drive for a while until HE
pulls himself up.
If he is 24 he needs to build his own credit score anyways and a car
purchase will do just that.Your helping him with payments really does more
damage than help in the longrun.
Offer good advice, then standback and let HIM figure it all out on his own.
If he can't do it at 24, when will he? Will you still be buying him cars at
age 48?
Your kid got off LUCKY on this one. He needs to assess all of this and
realize where he came out. DO NOT PAMPER HIM. He needs this slap in the
face. It's a wake-up call.
What will sonny-boy do when your dead and gone? This can happen at ANY TIME.
God willing it doesnt, but his success depends on his own actions. Get him
ready for that by
training him to act on his own accord.
The best thing that can happen is he has to go buy a new/used car from a
dealer. If he can afford a new WRX then he will buy one. If he can only
afford a KIA Sephia so be it.
Maybe a $500 bomb would be a good route for him? He won't be "Styling" but
he will get to work in it......

 

[bigjimpack]

An engineer in the US makes at least $40-50k. Certainly enough to buy
a kia or hunday. Totalling car on on ramp indicates excessive speed.
Sliding on ice at 20mph would not total the car. Let him get a bank
loan and drive a cheap car. Do other motorists a favor and dont let
him get a hi performance car to drive recklessly in. Don't you expect
him to be responsibile in his job? He should be responsible with cars
and money too.

 

[houndman]

Aside from the issue of whether an inexperienced driver (and you don't
mention how old or experienced your son is; for all we know he could
be a 40 year old ice racing champ) who totals a 2.5RS should move up
to a WRX (or STI), let me toss my two cents worth in on the topic
since I have some relevant experience here. I had a 2.5RS, that
replaced an Outback Sport that I felt was underpowered and too softly
sprung. Turning out of a driveway onto a road covered with light snow
(no traffic in sight, with relatively new, original all-season
Bridgestones) I punched the throttle to see how the tail would react.
The rear came out as I had anticipated, but wouldn't come back
regardless of my steering correction and throttle control. The car
eventually struck a high curb that and cracked a wheel. a 2" by 1/2"
chunk of the bead wall came out, but the crack didn't spread; tire
didn't even lose pressure and I made it home (still holds pressure and
I keep it around as an emergency spare).

Now, many of the "performance" cars I've owned (WRX, Z-28, SE-R,
Corvair) have had limited slip differentials which, regardless of the
driven wheels (and you'll note that the 4 I mention are all different
configurations) allow traction to be shifted away fom the driven wheel
that's lost traction. This can enable the driver to apply throttle,
coupled with steering correction, to use the remaining rear driven
wheel to pull the car out of the "drift". I ultimately replaced my RS
with a WRX and since have attempted to duplicate the "accident", at
progressively higher speeds. With the LSD (no I wasn't tripping), the
rear caught and was recoverable, in every instance. I love the WRX,
but would have been happy with the RS if it had been available as a
wagon (which it eventually was) and with a rear LSD (which has never
been offered).

Is the limited-slip differential a cure-all? No. But it's an
inexpensive mechanical solution to a common problem, and should be
more widely available. I hate the idea of the high-tech alternative:
traction control systems that apply braking force to a wheel losing
traction. Defeats the pleasure of studying the limit of adhesion and
learning how to power through that moment.

Your son must have gotten into a serious spin to incur frontal damage
as well. However, as another poster mentions, the reason the airbag
didn't pop was probably that there wasn't enough logitudinal force
generated to trigger them. No idea how the sensors are calibrated for
side bags or if your car was equipped with them.

I'd suggest that if you're going to spring for a WRX , have him attend
a high-performance driving course to learn how to use it.

did the RS have AWD, and wouldn't the power shift to the front, or did
it happen too fast for it to react?

I had a car with LSD, and it was annoying to drive in the rain on a
road paved with concrete that water puddled where the surface was worn
from tires. It would toggle from side to side as one wheel would loose
traction, and the other would grab, and they would alternate. I had
ordered the LSD as an option for bad weather. I had thought about
getting a WRX but figured the AWD without the LSD would be better in
bad weather driving, having a front/rear shift, opposed to side to
side. Better tire traction always helps, but I never had a problem in
the rear, driving straight in the rain without LSD. Had a problem in
the front in the rain with a set of tires that hydroplaned at too low
a speed.

VF