Coastr Posted 17December, 2012 Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 I was idling browsing around today and found an old story from a few years back where two guys wrecked a GT2 by running head-on into a truck. They were both killed, so a tragic story. Somewhere on a forum (was it impact bumpers?) I was reading a story about a guy who had his Porsche wrecked by a mechanic who put himself into a coma for 6 months by leaving the highway at 130 mph in the wrong direction. These things made me remember a friend of mine who works in the automotive industry bragging a long time ago about how he took a customer RX7 well over 200 kmh. I'm sure it's quite rife everywhere, where you leave a car for service or repairs and the staff decide to book themselves a joyride under the guise of 'test drive' with sometimes tragic results, but probably more often just treatment to a car you wouldn't dish out yourself. What can you do? How on earth do you ascertain whether someone can be trusted before you leave your car behind? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Posted 17December, 2012 Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 GPS tracker. Its as easy as an old smart phone and a basic app. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastr Posted 17December, 2012 Author Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 GPS tracker. Its as easy as an old smart phone and a basic app. And tell them about it? Ie, I've got a tracker in it, so no test driving. Probably would work OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh Posted 17December, 2012 Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 I would not leave my car with anyone I dont trust...............It can be as simple as a small scratch. I know my mech respects my car, extreme test pilots are not an issue with highly recommended mechs - none would take the risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasserkuhl Posted 17December, 2012 Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 Yeah. I do all my work myself and if I have to leave a car somewhere I stay there and observe. If I need specialist engine and/or gearbox work done I deliver them the engine or gearbox. I once left my Subaru RS Turbo Liberty wagon at a franchised dealer for some work and when I went to collect it the service guy said "Jeez, that thing is a Rocket, handles like its on rails as well..." Errrm, thanks. But WTF are you doing driving it like that? Since then I have done everything myself. Saves alot of cash, helps me learn and keeps me out of the pub/neighbours wifes bed/betting shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airhead Posted 17December, 2012 Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 Got a motorbike serviced at a Yamaha dealer in Qld a few years back. When I picked it up the trailing arms and under the back guard were covered in little rubber balls. I asked them had they been doing burnouts. Of course the answer was "NO" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastr Posted 17December, 2012 Author Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 Got a motorbike serviced at a Yamaha dealer in Qld a few years back. When I picked it up the trailing arms and under the back guard were covered in little rubber balls. I asked them had they been doing burnouts. Of course the answer was "NO" That is very rude. It's one thing to hit the rev limiter a few times, but to actively waste a customers tyre. My theory with all work done with all cars is to make sure the car is squeaky clean before dropping it off. The theory goes that they will be more careful with an obviously clean car, and cleaning it means you will have seen all scratches, bumps, nicks, etc. >Subaru RS Turbo Liberty wagon Ha, I wanted one of those for the longest time. Used to have a little cut-out of one on the fridge. Then one day I just said 'nah'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvs11 Posted 17December, 2012 Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 years ago I had a Monaro GTS at an exhaust shop to have a muffler fitted ( it didnt actually have one -epa thought that was a problem) It was returned to me with a totally knackered transmission. I suspected a few burnouts, circle work out the back. Couldn't prove anything so just had to suck it up. You never know what's done unless you hang around and watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh Posted 17December, 2012 Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 My theory with all work done with all cars is to make sure the car is squeaky clean before dropping it off. The theory goes that they will be more careful with an obviously clean car, and cleaning it means you will have seen all scratches, bumps, nicks, etc. My exact policy as well. You would like to think that if the cars spotless someone will pay more attention to keep it that way, or so you would hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris-p Posted 17December, 2012 Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 Theory doesn't work though with panel beaters, who decide to test drive your car and take all their friends for a ride does it Hugh C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doish13 Posted 17December, 2012 Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 My FJ20 Turbo Datsun 120Y went for a "test drive" after getting its wheel alignment for 20 mins.... I was livid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastr Posted 17December, 2012 Author Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 Sounds like this is as widely spread as I suspected. I think a data logger in the car coupled with a stern warning is the only way to go. Either that or just camp out until the work is done. I know some Corvettes have a 'valet key' where you can lock it onto half-power. I don't know why more cars don't have that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9fan Posted 17December, 2012 Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 A McLaren F1 !!! was crashed a few years ago in Sydney by the Service technician. Car had to be shipped back to the UK for repairs ! $$$$$$$$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Posted 17December, 2012 Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 There is no need to tell them it has a GPS tracker although a sticker on the window might give them the hint.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasserkuhl Posted 17December, 2012 Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 That is very rude. It's one thing to hit the rev limiter a few times, but to actively waste a customers tyre. My theory with all work done with all cars is to make sure the car is squeaky clean before dropping it off. The theory goes that they will be more careful with an obviously clean car, and cleaning it means you will have seen all scratches, bumps, nicks, etc. >Subaru RS Turbo Liberty wagon Ha, I wanted one of those for the longest time. Used to have a little cut-out of one on the fridge. Then one day I just said 'nah'. Still have it. One owner minter with tasteful enhancements. It is the only car I will keep forever. Its great fun on gravel roads...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Man Posted 17December, 2012 Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 I'm also a big advocate on delivering the car clean when any work has to be done. I do however have an alignment shop that didn't pick up two bent rims because they didn't take the car over 60 in the local area!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9fan Posted 17December, 2012 Report Share Posted 17December, 2012 Maybe we could charge them - for us to do the test drive with them on board, before making payment ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withers Posted 18December, 2012 Report Share Posted 18December, 2012 Dad had his old Customline with a big block in it at the autotrimmers having some upholstery done years back. Got the car back and the bonnet was twisted and a huge dent in the roof. Turns out they took it out (it was a wild machine) for a spin, bonnet wasn't seated properly, flew up over the windscreen smashing into the roof. How they didn't crash it I'll never know. Dad was NOT happy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withers Posted 18December, 2012 Report Share Posted 18December, 2012 Does anyone remember this one? The link is a bit dodgy, loads sometimes other times doesn't. Copied the text below. If the link works there's photos of the GT2 http://aussieexotics...ane-6686.0.html "Dead Porsche testers 'were safe drivers' CHRISTINE KELLETT The two men killed in a dramatic road smash on Brisbane’s southside this morning were Greg Wright, 47, and Jarrod Hamilton, 27. The pair was test-driving a powerful Porsche 911 GT2 for a Brisbane-based motor repairs shop when they lost control on Fairfield Road at Yeronga about 10.30am, slamming head-on into a passing truck near the intersection of Nelson Street. They died at the scene. This afternoon their employer, Fulcrum Suspensions, issued a statement expressing "great shock" at their deaths. "On behalf of the entire Fulcrum Suspensions family we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the loved ones and friends of Greg and Jarrod after today’s terrible tragedy," Managing Director Graham Scudamore-Smith said. The men, research and development engineers, had been assessing the $200,000 luxury sports car for a regular customer ahead of repairs to replace suspension components. Mr Scudamore-Smith said Fairfield Road was one of several approved routes "that Fulcrum Suspensions uses at all times for ride evaluation". The 996 model Porsche being driven by the pair has a top speed of 315 kmh and can accellerate from zero to 100 kmh in just 4 seconds. "It is normal practice for Fulcrum Suspensions engineers to assess the vehicle’s ride before replacing suspension components. "Greg was a member of the Fulcrum family for nine years, while Jarrod had been with us for just over three years. "Both were highly experienced and responsible drivers. Both were professional engineers who made major contributions to the business. No words are enough to express the sadness and shock that we are all experiencing at this time. "We are all still trying to piece together what caused this tragedy and have pledged our full co-operation with all authorities to achieve this. "In order to achieve this, we will not be making any further media or public comment until these investigations have been carried out by the relevant authorities." Police today said wet weather and speed would be examined as part of an investigation into the crash which occurred when the silver Porsche slid off the tarmac and across a median strip, into the path of an oncoming prime mover. The truck was towing an empty trailer and suffered damage to its front end, however the driver was not seriously hurt. Acting Inspector Acting Inspector Shaun Dinon, of the Forensic Crash Investigation Unit, said the scene which confronted rescuers this morning was among the worst imaginable. "This was a really, really bad crash and one that need not have happened," Acting Inspector Dinon told brisbanetimes.com.au. "It is extremely tragic and really demonstrates why people need to pay attention behind the wheel of a motor car because even a momentary decision - be it one to break the speed limit or whatever - can have fatal consequences." Police remained at the scene for most of the day, only reopening Fairfield Road to traffic about 3.30pm. Acting Inspector Dinon said heavy showers would complicate the evidence-gathering process but was confident police would be able to piece together an accurate picture of the tragedy from skid marks and other forensic clues that would point to the speed the Porsche was travelling before impact. A Department of Community Safety spokesman this morning described the scene that met ambulance paramedics. "The car was very entangled. It was a mess," he said. "The two males that were both in the car were deceased at the scene." One witness who saw the collision told Seven News the Porsche "just broke to pieces" on impact." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastr Posted 18December, 2012 Author Report Share Posted 18December, 2012 Await, yes that was the story I was referencing at th start of the thread. Gt2, test drive, wet weather, tragic end. Such an unnecessary waste of life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Man Posted 18December, 2012 Report Share Posted 18December, 2012 That is shocking stuff Amanda, but how fast were these guys going? I dare to guess at about .........very bloody fast!!!!!!!!!!! To create that sort of damage this impact would have been enormous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withers Posted 18December, 2012 Report Share Posted 18December, 2012 I imagine that truck trailer, would almost act like a giant knife... just cutting straight through the 911 on impact. And if the GT2 is doing 80km an hour on that bend and the truck 60, then isn't the impact those figures joined together 140km??? An absolute tragedy. And wouldn't you feel dreadful if that was your car they wrecked... not the loss of the car of course, but the lives of those two men. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastr Posted 18December, 2012 Author Report Share Posted 18December, 2012 I imagine that truck trailer, would almost act like a giant knife... just cutting straight through the 911 on impact. And if the GT2 is doing 80km an hour on that bend and the truck 60, then isn't the impact those figures joined together 140km??? An absolute tragedy. And wouldn't you feel dreadful if that was your car they wrecked... not the loss of the car of course, but the lives of those two men. It's always hard to tell from after pics, because the emergency services cut the cars to pieces to get the occupants out. By the looks of it, it went into the truck bullbar sideways, which is a very unfortunate height for Porsche occupants. The police never speculated on the speed, but they did jump a center island and still hit the truck with some force. It's a common misconception that the impact speed of cars is equal to the sum of the two vehicles speed. It actually isn't. It's to do with physics - while the total forces involved in the crash is increased (truck momentum and car momentum) the crash is shared across two vehicles, so the forces involved are actually about the same as hitting a stationary truck. Mythbusters did a very informative episode on this where they crashed a car into wall at 50mph + 100 mph, then two cars into each other at 50 mph. The damage on the 100 mph hit was immense - the front + back wheels were nearly touching - but the two cars hitting each other at 50mph had exactly the same damage as 50 mph + wall. I feel for the mens families the most. Imagine getting the call that son/father/husband/brother isn't coming home from their seemingly safe job as a suspension fitter. A lot of lives ruined that day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withers Posted 18December, 2012 Report Share Posted 18December, 2012 Most definitely Coastr and also spare a thought for the emergency crews and Police that attended the scene. I know my Father always had trouble getting these types of images out of his head after attending road fatalities. They hit deep for many involved. It is terrible for all involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8t1911 Posted 19December, 2012 Report Share Posted 19December, 2012 Hi Guys I put my SC in to a local panel beater for some fairly high priced touch up work. When I picked it up 10 days later, it had an extra 240k on the clock, and was minus half a tank of fuel. It also had a damaged throttle cable, (the cable was strapped to the outer of the clutch cable with a plastic cable tie, and not allowing the engine to return to idle, and also some bodgy welding was done around it). My mechanic who had serviced the car just prior to the panel shop getting it wrote a letter confirming that there was not any throttle cable damage or welding prior to the panel shop getting the car, but when the letter was shown to the owner of the panel shop he denied any usage of the car, or any mechanical repair work was done to the throttle cable or any other area. Oddly enough, a car show was held that weekend about 100k away. I concluded my SC was driven to the car show,and some mechanical damage was incurred, but of course I have no proof of that. Where does one go from there? Basically, nowhere. Nothing can be proven. But word of mouth can be an equaliser. You can never guarantee, that, if you leave your pride and joy in someone elses hands, that it will not get abused. ( Listen to the screeching tyres when your car gets valet parked !!!) On a humorous note, some years ago I put a new LTD in for service, and it came back two days later with two empty alcoholic drink cans stuffed under the pasenger seat, and four cigarette butts, two with lipstick on them, in the ash tray. If only that car could talk!!!! Cheers Ken . I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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