I have done Orloved. 

"505 - morphine not found" (morphine500) 11/07/2016 at 14:30 • Filed to: Miata

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Thankfully the one person involved (me) isn’t hurt. Neither is the car in too bad shape, if it was my steed, I would have most likely driven away. But anyhow. This is what snap oversteer looks like in a Miata ND (2.0 sport)

Looks as if some giant kid threw it out the window.

The turn.

Needs a good mend of course, a few dents on the right-front and left-back wings, and both bumpers, while the mirrors are broken. No more visible damage though, no broken glass, no broken lights, the roof seems intact and the airbags did not deploy. Didn’t need to, the speed really wasn’t all that much, and the fall got cushioned by mother nature.

The case is as straightforward, as it gets. I entered into a bumpy and slippery left turn with a bit more speed than I should have (in retrospect), and when i pressed the gas on exit, the rear spun around. I gave it opposite lock, as you can see, but the spin was so fast, I ended up in the ditch ass-first anyway. Then the rear must have hit the embankment, and turned the car onto the drivers side. I climbed out through the passenger-side door, with my phone, flat-cap and water bottle, and called for help - that’s all there is to it.

Obligatory selfie, because my wife wanted to know I’m OK:

The worst is that after 12 years of driving other people’s cars, as part of my journalistic work, this is my first eff-up, that ends in a crash. Feels terrible.

Berang > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:35

22

You meant to do that. Easiest way to get a photo of the underside.

Tristan > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:35

1

That’s a perfect combination of good and bad luck. Glad you’re alright!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:35

1

Dear lord. Glad you’re ok.

AkursedX > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:35

1

Ouch! Glad you made it out safe.

$kaycog > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:35

7

So sorry that happened. Thankfully, you weren’t injured.

For Sweden > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:36

0

Was the roof up?

shop-teacher > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:39

1

Yipes! Glad you’re OK.

LongbowMkII > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:39

2

Exocet donor.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:40

0

Good to see you’re alright, was it a Mazda press car? If so, how angry/annoyed were they?

MonkeePuzzle > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:41

0

glad you’re good!

thanks for sharing.

whose steed was this?

Rico > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:45

4

Get RWD they said. It’ll be fun they said.

HOLEE Shit good thing you’re okay!

DanimalHouse > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:49

0

Hold on, that’s not a Reliant Robin!!!!

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:49

0

Is the answer still Miata?

505 - morphine not found > For Sweden 11/07/2016 at 14:52

0

Yes. It’s cold in november, and it was a bit rainy anyway, hence the slippery road. Also the canvas didn’t as much as tear. But this also meant i had to use the passenger door to climb out.

Brian, The Life of > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:54

1

I see you didn’t quite go full Orlove. Good job (also, glad you didn’t get hurt!)

ttyymmnn > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:54

2

I climbed out through the passenger-side door, with my phone, flat-cap and water bottle,

Thank God you saved that awesome hat.

Glad you’re okay. That looks like quite a ride.

505 - morphine not found > Berang 11/07/2016 at 14:56

3

You bet I did - I mean take photos of the underside. The Sport (Revolution in Europe) does come with Bilstein dampers alright. Loved to see all the scaffolding too, keeping the car rigid.

Tekamul > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:56

5

Miata

Is

Always

The

-OH SHIT

Thomas Donohue > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:57

0

Glad there were no injuries.

Sounds like it was fairly low-speed. Not exactly a glowing review for the performance of the Bridgestone Potenza S001 tires in the wet, is it?

TheHondaBro > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 14:59

1

You see, your problem was not asking someone to hold your beer.

(Glad you’re okay)

505 - morphine not found > Thomas Donohue 11/07/2016 at 15:01

1

Actually.... I think the tires aren’t the problem, although you do have to warm them up a bit under 10°C outside temp. But they were warmed all right by this time. The problem, if you ask me, is that the LSD is too aggressive and the suspension too harsh, so breaking traction isn’t gradual, not at all. My colleagues said the car was lively to say the least even in the hot summer, and this isn’t the firs accident on the book of the importer either.

505 - morphine not found > Brian, The Life of 11/07/2016 at 15:04

0

Orlove enough for me, thanks :-)

EL_ULY > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 15:04

1

fuuuuuuuuuuu!

505 - morphine not found > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 11/07/2016 at 15:05

3

It is a Mazda press car and no, they’re not annoyed, they’re happy I’m ok - but I will have to take part in the insurance claim process. Which might involve me paying a part of the repair costs as per insurance policy and the paper I signed when picking up the keys.

Nisman > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 15:07

1

Funny looking wreck. Glad that you’re OK.

MonkeePuzzle > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 15:07

15

505 - morphine not found > ttyymmnn 11/07/2016 at 15:08

2

cheers for that, bought that cap in the sunny state of California, back when I was there for a trip. No way I’m going to drive an old-school roadster without that.

505 - morphine not found > MonkeePuzzle 11/07/2016 at 15:08

0

looool

Thomas Donohue > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 15:08

0

Good info. I had Pole Positions on my NB Miata a while back, and I wasn’t thrilled with anything under 50 degrees F / 10 C, especially in the wet. I swapped them out much earlier in the fall season than other summer tires I had afterwards.

Again, glad you’re OK. Seeing a roadster in that position is usually a very bad thing.

505 - morphine not found > EL_ULY 11/07/2016 at 15:10

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My exact words.

505 - morphine not found > Tekamul 11/07/2016 at 15:12

1

To be fair, I have driven loads of miatas, and this is the first one that was this snappy. The ND with the 1.5 for example is a peach, as I found out in the summer. http://oppositelock.kinja.com/the-miata-1-5-is-the-best-mg-b-you-can-buy-1782737884

505 - morphine not found > Thomas Donohue 11/07/2016 at 15:13

0

In reality the crash was quite soft and slow - there wasn’t any crunching at all for example. I didn’t hit anything hard. It’s just the end position that makes it wild.

Die-Trying > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 15:14

0

did you shove it back over and drive off afterwards?........

505 - morphine not found > Die-Trying 11/07/2016 at 15:16

2

If it was mine, I would have, and could have. This is exactly what the Mazda assistance guy did: shove it over, pull it out of the gully, start it up and drive it onto the trailer - save for no wing mirrors, the car was perfectly driveable. I might be mistaken of course but my visual inspection says the damage is purely cosmetic.

duurtlang > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 15:16

1

So, your conviction to get the 1.5 and not the 2.0 has gotten stronger?

Raphael Orlove > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 15:25

9

At least you’re ok! Cars are at least replaceable.

Stef Schrader > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 15:27

1

Crap, dude. Glad you’re okay!

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 15:32

1

Reviews here in america (we only get the 2.0) have been reporting that when you drive hard you end up on the bump stops basically all the time which induces oversteer.

505 - morphine not found > duurtlang 11/07/2016 at 15:36

0

Even before the crash I thought that’s the better of the two. Although I think the engine isn’t the culprit, but the sports package (bilstein dampers, LSD), which make the car snappy. This accident happened comfortably under the posted speed limit of 90 km/h, so it could have absolutely happened with the 1.5 - but that’s much softer sprung, and therefore friendlier.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 15:37

1

I did something similar in my 240z once, when it went sideways I took out a row of mail boxes along the road. Thankfully the hood (bonnet) was low enough that I sat there and watched 6 mail boxes whoosh over my hood. It went backwards into the ditch and luckily did not flip over. I had to get towed out because of the snow.

I’m very glad you are okay!

505 - morphine not found > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 11/07/2016 at 15:43

0

Yes, but not this one. http://oppositelock.kinja.com/the-miata-1-5-is-the-best-mg-b-you-can-buy-1782737884

505 - morphine not found > MonkeePuzzle 11/07/2016 at 15:44

0

Press car. I was the last driver before winter storage..... figures.

505 - morphine not found > Tristan 11/07/2016 at 15:45

3

Yes. My father always said lucky accidents are there to serve as lightning rods, so that really bad ones don’t happen. This one I count as lucky.

505 - morphine not found > Rico 11/07/2016 at 15:46

3

RWD is fun, no two ways about that.... but there are bad days too.

505 - morphine not found > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 11/07/2016 at 15:48

1

Oh yeah, I too have spined in the snow a couple of times before - but that happened at so low speeds, I had time to stop the car before hitting anything. Not this time....

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 16:04

1

I hope the costs aren’t too high in that case!

Chasaboo > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 16:22

1

Neat trick, how do you do that?

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 16:35

0

Oil changes do not look like fun.

Sam > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 16:37

1

These new cars are crazy strong.

505 - morphine not found > Chasaboo 11/07/2016 at 17:34

0

1. off the esp

2. get a sweeping left turn

3. add cold tarmac & rainwater

4......

5. PROFIT!!! Or, in this case: snap oversteer.

Birddog > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 17:44

1

That is a heart sinking feeling for sure.

You’re ok and that’s what counts. Egos heal and machines can be fixed/replaced.

Three weeks ago I was in a similar situation in an ATV wreck. Flew off a levee wall sideways at about 40mph. I landed upside down in a creek with a 350lb machine on top of me and a 1“ long gash a quarter inch deep in my neck. I was either overriding my machine or overestimating my abilities. Most likely both. It happens. Hopefully not twice.

Nice cap btw! Have a couple of them myself.

pip bip - choose Corrour > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 18:40

1

fuck!

glad you’re ok

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 19:11

1

Ouch man! So glad you’re OK! Hope the car makes it out as well!

daender > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 19:26

0

Did the rollover protection bars behind the seats do anything for your safety in this event? By the looks of it, that tree really saved you and the Miata from going all the way over.

bhtooefr > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 11/07/2016 at 20:00

0

Eh, a lot of cars nowadays require removing an underbody panel to get at everything. https://www.miataspeed.net/blogs/news/101274881-how-to-oil-change-on-2016-mx-5-miata

bhtooefr > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 20:08

1

Mind you, in the US, we actually have a non-sports package with the 2.0, in base (Sport) and fully loaded (Grand Touring) trim. (The sports package is Club, and is the middle trim.)

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 20:34

2

good to hear you’re safe

Justino6969 > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 21:15

2

I know it’s a Miata, but man do those tires look pathetically small in that lead pic.

Glad you’re alright! And have awesome pictures, to boot!

OPPOsaurus WRX > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 21:42

21

synchronized Orloving

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 22:09

1

I got snap oversteer a few days ago. Rain slicked roads apparently made my 115hp 3-speed automatic just too much for me to handle. I very nearly ate a brick mailbox.

ptak appreciates old racecars > 505 - morphine not found 11/07/2016 at 23:37

1

10/10

505 - morphine not found > Birddog 11/08/2016 at 03:46

1

Man, that sounds way worse than this was, I hope you’re feeling better now! And yes, my ego will take some time to heel, even though there are mitigating circumstances. I took great pride in never breaking a car because of my losing control, well, not anymore.

505 - morphine not found > daender 11/08/2016 at 03:51

0

I think it was more the windscreen frame. The car didn’t roll onto the top, but came to rest on the side, and thus that frame was maybe the top “jacking point”, resting on the upper edge of the gully. But as I said, this was a fairly low speed accident, by the looks of it not even the soft top needs replacing, so I hope the frame survived too.

505 - morphine not found > ptak appreciates old racecars 11/08/2016 at 03:55

1

Glad you see the funny side. In all honesty, I do too, it’s just that I’m way too angry with myself for this. But that’ll subside, won’t it....

Birddog > 505 - morphine not found 11/08/2016 at 04:14

0

I was back on the dirt the following week on a different machine. In my eyes it wasn’t that bad. Everyone else? Not so much. We recovered and regrouped though.

As long as you’re willing and able to get back out there you’re golden.

A rare pic here. A bloody selfie even.

505 - morphine not found > Birddog 11/08/2016 at 04:29

0

cheers

Ready for an adventure! > ptak appreciates old racecars 11/08/2016 at 06:55

0

a perfect 5/7

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > 505 - morphine not found 11/08/2016 at 07:09

0

Pfft, the weather being “cold” is not an excuse for the roof being up! Especially since you said 10C, that is like 50 in Freedom Units. That is downright warm and perfect top down weather. Haha, I say this in jest though. I am glad you are okay and the car is hopefully not totalled. And hopefully they arent afraid to give you another car in the future!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Justino6969 11/08/2016 at 07:13

0

Stock/OEM wheels and tires for Miatas are always quite narrow and un-aggressive. You just generally end up seeing a lot of 10 inch wide wheels with 200TW tires on a ton of Miatas because people go nuts with upgrades. I would imagine the suspension was the limiting factor in this off road excursion.

Dave the car guy , still here > 505 - morphine not found 11/08/2016 at 08:28

1

In summary: Oops!

Illegitimus Prime > OPPOsaurus WRX 11/08/2016 at 08:30

0

I’d watch it.

bob and john > 505 - morphine not found 11/08/2016 at 08:30

0

awwww, it wants belly scratches 

PS9 > 505 - morphine not found 11/08/2016 at 09:08

1

Wow, you really did do an Orlove.

Man, this better not become the new planking...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > 505 - morphine not found 11/08/2016 at 15:43

0

Damn - glad you’re okay.

You really should’ve taken the opportunity to get the true Orloved photo! Maybe with crop and rotate you could get close with one of these...

ptak appreciates old racecars > 505 - morphine not found 11/08/2016 at 20:27

0

Yeah that 10/10 was more of a non-ironic “NICE!” than a “hahaha”, sorry! Don’t worry about it though, it happens to everyone sooner or later.