Well, Some Asshat Crashed The ZL1 I Was Getting Tomorrow...

"Andrew T. Maness" (theroadlessdriven)
09/24/2014 at 22:05 • Filed to: Rants, Test Drive, Road Trip, TRLD, The Road Less Driven, Chevrolet, Camaro, Camaro ZL1, Jalopnik, Oppo, FML

Just got off the phone with the GM fleet manager and it's pretty clear that the Camaro is now my Eleanor.

First I was was supposed to have one loaned to me in June and the ignition recalls hit the day it was to be delivered. Scheduling prevented me from getting it until earlier this month when we put the ZL1 on the books. I was beyond excited to take the thing on a 6 day road trip to the Pacific Northwest and back but fate had other ideas.

Obviously the name of the individual who damaged the beautiful silver beast that was to be delivered tomorrow morning was not disclosed to me, nor was the extent of the damage. All I know is that some moron couldn't handle the power pumping from the glorious 6.2L supercharged v8 and probably dinged the car up pretty good.

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It's must be bad because there was an issue with the Stingray I was loaned this past winter and the folks at the fleet company took care of it, managed to get the car to me the same day as planned. Part of me actually hopes it was a significant amount of damage because if it was something minor that would really grind my gears. Even if a loaner vehicle has a dent that most of us wouldn't look twice at, the car can't go out because they must be perfect so we get the best impression of them possible.

I'm incredibly annoyed, disappointed and frankly pissed off at the nameless, faceless person for ruining my plans to go on an epic jaunt before winter hits. Rescheduling the trip is unfortunately not an option as I have a two week shoot here in Los Angeles next month. Following the shoot I do have the 2015 Suburban and 2015 ELR lined up but will be using those for other interesting trips more suited to their "automotive aura".

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I was assured that the ZL1 will be re-scheduled for me, probably for the second week of November, after I'm back from the Jalopnik Film Festival. That seems like a mighty long time from now but I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

Must stay positive on this particularly crappy Wednesday, should probably go drive the 2015 WRX sitting outside my house, might make me feel better but probably not.

DISCUSSION (38)

Tapas > Andrew T. Maness
09/24/2014 at 17:38

That. sucks.

Make their life a hell till they apologize give you the best loaner in the world to make up for that mistake.

Andrew T. Maness > Tapas
09/24/2014 at 17:42

As much as I wish I could, I don't know who crashed the vehicle, only that it happened.

OkCars- 22k Crossroads > Andrew T. Maness
09/24/2014 at 17:49

They shouldn't give a demo ride to an idiot on a car that has already been paid for.
What if the stupid fucker joyrides the car and makes launches and othr stuff to test it, i can assure that was exactly what happened but he lost control.

Tapas > Andrew T. Maness
09/24/2014 at 17:51

I understand. Unfortunately, the deed is done.

Can you expect the leasing company to make the best attempt to calm you down by offering you a great car?

Torque Affair > Andrew T. Maness
09/24/2014 at 21:00

That's so awesome that you get cars to drive!! Super jealous...

Andrew T. Maness > Tapas
09/24/2014 at 21:21

The car was going to be a loan from GM for review.

I'm luckily not some poor bastard who had a person crash their freshly leased vehicle.

Andrew T. Maness > Torque Affair
09/24/2014 at 21:23

Now that I've had some time to calm down and reflect I realize I shouldn't bitch about this happening.

The fact that I get cars to review in the first place is pretty much to coolest thing ever so when I get it, I get it and that's just the way it is.

Besides, they're working on something else to loan me for the same amount of time so all may not be lost.

Andrew T. Maness > OkCars- 22k Crossroads
09/24/2014 at 21:25

I should have better explained that this vehicle was a loan from GM to me for review. I did not lease of purchase it, if I had, I don't think I'd even be able to form sentences let alone write an article about it.

However you are probably correct in assuming that there was an idiot behind the wheel.

Tapas > Andrew T. Maness
09/24/2014 at 21:31

Oohhh I get it now. My bad...

E92M3 > Andrew T. Maness
09/24/2014 at 22:15

That's 2 ZL1's written off in a week. I witnessed a brand new black one get totalled last friday at Atlanta Motorsports Park.

Bad Idea Hat > Andrew T. Maness
09/24/2014 at 22:28

You require an Aventador.

You require that they make this happen.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Andrew T. Maness
09/24/2014 at 22:36

That sucks. Been there. Two years ago I was scheduled to get a Vette for a week, but the previous loanee (an autojourno) wrapped the car up good enough that it was sent back to GM. (... jackass...) I ended up waiting another two months before they got another Vette in the fleet, but it was worth it - fun car.

Conversely, last year I found out the week before I was supposed to get a Challenger that the clutch had gotten smoked by a bunch of knuckleheads at IMPA Test Days. I thought I was just getting an R/T and was pretty stoked about that, but when I found out it was the SRT8 I almost flipped. The car went to a dealer for a new clutch (only 3,000 miles on the old one) and even with a short delay for parts, I had the car for my original date. That was awesome, and so was the car.

Where do you publish your reviews?

Kinja'd!!!

FireSpittingV12 > Andrew T. Maness
09/24/2014 at 22:45

Man....asshats are the worst. They really grind my 8 gears.

Crest > Andrew T. Maness
09/24/2014 at 22:48

kay so how can i get in this business of getting free loaner cars to review. I don't mind waiting a couple of weeks for a dinged up one, as long as i get to drive a new model and the rotation continues, i'm fine

ihm96 > Bad Idea Hat
09/24/2014 at 22:57

^ Best course of action, right here

doodon2whls > Andrew T. Maness
09/24/2014 at 23:06

It's important to put things in perspective every once in a while... Things could be a whole lot worse...

Torque Affair > Andrew T. Maness
09/24/2014 at 23:06

That's pretty cool - would love to hear more about your story.

Andrew T. Maness > doodon2whls
09/24/2014 at 23:42

Exactly, I certainly don't want to come off as a spoiled asshole who's crying about not getting to play with a shiny new toy.

I've worked my ass off to get myself to a position where I have loaner cars coming my way and I'm a one man show. No sponsors providing a production budget, rarely have a second camera guy to shoot action footage and I edit all of my own content.

The reality is that I had a really cool trip planned that I was looking forward to sharing with the Jalop community and now that's not going to happen.

Luckily I have some pretty great edits dropping next week.

Stay tuned, pardon my rant!

Andrew T. Maness > Bad Idea Hat
09/24/2014 at 23:43

I'm looking for a way in the door with Lamborghini. Any and all help is appreciated.

Andrew T. Maness > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
09/24/2014 at 23:47

Was that by chance in LA? My GM told me about an incident with a Vette a couple years back that got that particular journalist on the "B Car" list for awhile.

I publish my stories right here on my blog and videos on Vimeo/YouTube.

You?

Andrew T. Maness > Crest
09/24/2014 at 23:48

Writ wurds good and be clevur.

Andrew T. Maness > E92M3
09/24/2014 at 23:50

It seems to be a vehicle that may have a learning curve, imagine that.

Bad Idea Hat > Andrew T. Maness
09/25/2014 at 06:26

I'm thinking hypnotism and/or positive thinking.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Andrew T. Maness
09/25/2014 at 08:50

I'm in CT so it happened to GM's NJ fleet this time two years ago.

Started with Examiner now publish on Oppo and looking for a 2nd outlet.

Andrew T. Maness > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
09/25/2014 at 11:43

Very cool, I'm a Vermonter born & raised, been in Los Angeles 6 years now.

Looking for that elusive 2nd outlet as well.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Andrew T. Maness
09/25/2014 at 11:44

Wow.. *there's* a change of scenery... Where Ben & Jerry has a whole other meaning.

Andrew T. Maness > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
09/25/2014 at 11:54

Ben Stiller & Governor Jerry Brown?

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Andrew T. Maness
09/25/2014 at 12:11

Uh, no... Two guys named Ben & Jerry get together but they don't make ice cream..

Ok, that made a lot more sense in my head.

E92M3 > Andrew T. Maness
09/25/2014 at 15:15

Probably best to leave traction control ON your first session of the day?

Andrew T. Maness > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
09/25/2014 at 15:37

uh huh, I bet it did.

Andrew T. Maness > E92M3
09/25/2014 at 15:37

Yeah, guess they learned the hard way.

Michael Karesh > Andrew T. Maness
09/25/2014 at 16:05

Same happened with me this past summer. I was scheduled to spend a week with an E63 in western NC. (Decent roads there, in case you haven't heard.) Two days before it met up with a pole in downtown Atlanta. So I spent the week with a Sonata instead.

Cyrus > Andrew T. Maness
09/26/2014 at 16:22

"Should probably go drive the 2015 WRX sitting outside my house, might make me feel better but probably not"

I found this inexplicably hilarious

MFEJAL grey because who knows... > Andrew T. Maness
09/28/2014 at 16:34

You are spitting to the sky. Saying the one that crashed the car couldn't handle the power, shows your silly reasoning. I hope you never crash a press vehicle, or have an accident with one.

Andrew T. Maness > MFEJAL grey because who knows...
09/28/2014 at 22:34

I hope I don't either, it'd be really embarrassing.

MFEJAL grey because who knows... > Andrew T. Maness
09/28/2014 at 23:46

When I was young, I was like you. All other journos were dumbasses, and I was at same level as Senna in the rain.

Then I orloved a press vehicle 8 times at a racetrack. Lesson learned: I'm human, can make mistakes.

Andrew T. Maness > MFEJAL grey because who knows...
09/29/2014 at 12:54

Orloving a vehicle once is gnarly, I can only imagine 8 times.

There are so many journos out there who are far better drivers than I am and probably ever will be. I have no formal track experience, my heel/toe skills leave a lot to be desired and 4 of the 8 vehicles I've owned have been automatics. I've had my fair share of stupid moments, left a car in neutral and let it roll into my parking gate being the worst of them.

But never have I ever gotten into car and disrespected it's power. I'm assuming that's what happened with the Camaro given the information I got and that's all I'll say about it.

thebigbossyboss > Andrew T. Maness
10/27/2014 at 07:19

That sucks.