[Later Apex]

Supposedly this happened within the first 10 minutes that the new owner had the car...

 

[khamai]

There's a story that something like 50-60% of new Vipers don't make it from the showroom to their new home. Seems the new owners want to "try" out their new toy without the training and respect that's needed to drive a 500hp rear drive car. Let's just say the trip from the dealer is too often via the body shop.

 

[huggy bear]

Ouch. That's just painful to look at. Looks like the owner backed into some sort of barrier post. Do you know the story?

 

[pinmagic]

There's a story that something like 50-60% of new Vipers don't make it from the showroom to their new home. Seems the new owners want to "try" out their new toy without the training and respect that's needed to drive a 500hp rear drive car. Let's just say the trip from the dealer is too often via the body shop.

A couple of years ago, I was standing on the side of a road, and saw a kid in a Camaro (looked fairly new) pull up behind a stopped school bus. He clearly wanted to impress everyone on the bus, so he gunned the engine, pulled around the bus, and promptly lost control of the vehicle, smashing head-on into a tree. He was unhurt, but I almost felt sorry for him as he got out of the car -- he not only embarrassed himself in front of everyone on the bus, but then he had to pull out his cell phone and call his folks. Ouch.

 

[LotusLust]

looks like a lesson in blind spots

 

[Later Apex]

According to the mechanic report, the guy was stopped at a stoplight and was rear-ended by some sort of truck. Initial estimates on the damage have been as high as 200K because there is damage to the carbon fiber frame.

 

[smoseley]

OMG, I feel sorry for the guy that rear-ends a carrera gt! There should be a limit of liability when someone drives around a car that endures 200k of damage from a fender bender!

 

[LotusLust]

well i hope it was a truck berlonging to a very large company with very good insurance

 

[amcmahon]

OMG I think this is the GT that's by my work. My friend was telling me about it. They had this GT at the Pioneer Centers Porsche dealer off of Mira Mar Rd. I heard the exact same story. The guy that bought it got rear ended by a truck after he left the dealership. I don't care how tough you are if that happened to my GT I'd be crying a river. Either that or I'd be in jail for beating the day lights out of the driver that hit me. That truly is a tragic story. That is to me one of, if not THE sexiest car I've ever seen. I think Porsche should do something cool like take it back from him since it would be tons cheaper for them to repair and give him a brand new one. Especially considering the markup on those things.

 

[Patricko]

I know that the brakes are very good on the GT I wonder if he out braked the truck? Also if it has chassis damage I would think that it will have to go back to Germany to get fixed

 

[shinoo]

I wonder if the truck would have seen the CGT if it was Chrome Orange?!

 

[Feffman]

The Porsche 930 Turbo from the late 1970's saw some ridiculous number like 40% totalled within 30 days. Huge turbo lag then BOOM away it went with no warning.

Mark

 

[Arno]

Many Elises don't make it through the first 2 weeks without significant damage either.

Especially if it happens to rain during this time.. See the fibreglass fly!

Bye, Arno.

 

[shay2nak]

stupid trucks...

 

[MickOpalak]

I'd rather have an Enzo...

 

[_JD_]

Unless the bumper connects to the chassis with some very unforgiving material, that does'nt look to be severe enough to affect the chassis- at least looking at this depiction.

 

[JeffersonRaley]

Horrible to see the Carrera GT damaged like that. If one gets wrecked, it should be at the track. Rumor is it that a couple of people in Austin are getting these. Unfortunately I'd be amazed if they ever make it to the track.

Last week I was talking with my dealer. He mentioned that someone had recently picked up a CO Esprit and wrecked it that night. Mid engine + turbo lag + inexperience + showing off = damage to your new toy. Isn't that why they call it the "breaking in" period...

 

[huggy bear]

Rumor is it that a couple of people in Austin are getting these.

I can confirm this! Not a rumor.

 

[suv_bait]

The story as I heard it:

>Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 5:59 PM
>Subject: so sad
>
>Well, the customer took delivery of his new half million dollar Porsche
>Carrera GT last nite, drove it about 2 miles, with the shop foreman in the
>right seat, and on his way back to the dealership had some guy in a 3/4
>ton plumbers truck(self employed) nail him at a stop light. No one was
>hurt, but not any happy faces there. The car may have to go back to the
>fatherland for repair, depending on how damaged the carbon fiber chassis
>is. And to top it off it appears that the driver of the truck may not have
>his insurance with Geico paid up to date. Not good.

 

[suv_bait]

Before pic: