Well, …today has not been a good day.
But...it could have been much worse.
Kathy and I were on our way to Peoria IL for the national 35th Anniversary of the Pontiac Fiero where several hundred cars were expected. I own five of them from 84-88. Including an 86 GT fastback that I bought new with 13K original miles on it now. We planned to spend four days enjoying a little much deserved R&R and listen to several keynote speakers of individuals instrumental in the design and production of the Fiero.
We left Bonne Terre this morning after breakfast at 9:45 and had traveled about a mile North on northbound 67 when we ran into a severe thunderstorm that dumped enough rain that we now have a flash flood warning for all St. Francois County.
I was driving and had just passed a slower moving pickup when I hit standing water on the pavement and the car aquaplaned. After correcting twice, I thought I had it under control…then hit more standing water and did an unexpected 360 sliding rear end first into the guardrail….HARD. After contact with the guardrail we spun an additional 360 ending up with the rear end in the ditch and the front wheels on the shoulder and the undercarriage resting on the edge of the pavement.
Neither of us was initially hurt…although we both have noted sore backs in the last hour.
The first person to stop was a military man of unknown rank in Camo who was able to provide a GPS location to the 911 operator. He checked to see if we were OK and then left. I have no idea who he was but I suspect he might have been a recruiter as he had government plates on his truck and he looked like career enlisted. A lady also stopped to see if we were OK and to suggest her brother who owned a tow service…!!
Mo Highway Patrol and St. Francois County Sheriff’s Deputy finally arrived and filled out an accident report. I was not ticketed, and had been driving the speed limit…although the trooper did “suggest” that I was driving too fast for conditions.
Fortunately, my cousin was home in Park Hills and was able to come to pick us up at the tow company lot where we removed all the contents of the car in the rain and returned home.
I have contacted my agent and insurance company and am waiting now for an adjuster.
I will be surprised if they do not total the car as the RSX was only made for five years and has not been produced for 11 years. Parts are both hard to find and expensive through Acura. Given the cars age of 15 years and its mileage of 168K+ I can’t see how it will be cost effective to repair it.
So….the days of leading Cobra Club Cruises in the RSX…is likely over.
But...it could have been much worse.
Kathy and I were on our way to Peoria IL for the national 35th Anniversary of the Pontiac Fiero where several hundred cars were expected. I own five of them from 84-88. Including an 86 GT fastback that I bought new with 13K original miles on it now. We planned to spend four days enjoying a little much deserved R&R and listen to several keynote speakers of individuals instrumental in the design and production of the Fiero.
We left Bonne Terre this morning after breakfast at 9:45 and had traveled about a mile North on northbound 67 when we ran into a severe thunderstorm that dumped enough rain that we now have a flash flood warning for all St. Francois County.
I was driving and had just passed a slower moving pickup when I hit standing water on the pavement and the car aquaplaned. After correcting twice, I thought I had it under control…then hit more standing water and did an unexpected 360 sliding rear end first into the guardrail….HARD. After contact with the guardrail we spun an additional 360 ending up with the rear end in the ditch and the front wheels on the shoulder and the undercarriage resting on the edge of the pavement.
Neither of us was initially hurt…although we both have noted sore backs in the last hour.
The first person to stop was a military man of unknown rank in Camo who was able to provide a GPS location to the 911 operator. He checked to see if we were OK and then left. I have no idea who he was but I suspect he might have been a recruiter as he had government plates on his truck and he looked like career enlisted. A lady also stopped to see if we were OK and to suggest her brother who owned a tow service…!!
Mo Highway Patrol and St. Francois County Sheriff’s Deputy finally arrived and filled out an accident report. I was not ticketed, and had been driving the speed limit…although the trooper did “suggest” that I was driving too fast for conditions.
Fortunately, my cousin was home in Park Hills and was able to come to pick us up at the tow company lot where we removed all the contents of the car in the rain and returned home.
I have contacted my agent and insurance company and am waiting now for an adjuster.
I will be surprised if they do not total the car as the RSX was only made for five years and has not been produced for 11 years. Parts are both hard to find and expensive through Acura. Given the cars age of 15 years and its mileage of 168K+ I can’t see how it will be cost effective to repair it.
So….the days of leading Cobra Club Cruises in the RSX…is likely over.
