[BigJack75]

Glad everyone is ok but they really need to get their necks and backs checked. It might not be noticeable right away but an impact like that is going to do some damage.

[DgjoX6M2016]

Originally Posted by Livetodrive

The car can be replaced. What's important is that no one was hurt. My crystal ball sees a 1985 Ford Galaxie 500. Lots of metal, and now retro cool! 😎

Ugly old Volvo wagon is the current leading contender!

[scottmoyer]

I'd like to mention that when I was 18, my father asked me to drive his car home from work, as he went to dinner with my mother. On the way home, I went around a gradual turn at about 40mph on a 2 lane road, in a manual drive 1978 Toyota Celica (rear drive). There were cars in front of me and behind me, I was alone, so there was no messing around or distractions and I did a 360* and scared the crap out of myself.

I found out what caused the spin. The road was slightly damp and I shifted gears entering the turn. The gear change caused the wheels to lose traction. I've also had this happen with an automatic, so I would say that the kid could be completely innocent of all accusations due to the road being wet. Unless there's a dash cam for review, I still think I'd trust his story unless you have proof otherwise.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by jmg

A 2019 Kia Optima performed pretty good compared to an E46 in iihs testings.

https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle...oor-sedan/2019
https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle...oor-sedan/2006

Safety technology has improved in the past decade!

That's not even an E46, that's an E90. The E46 is from the 90s. No way it can come close to any modern KIA in a crash test.

[DgjoX6M2016]

Narrowed to 10 XC60 or 07 Merc E350. 8k and 6k respectively. Depreciation in my favor here!

[DgjoX6M2016]

Narrowed to 10 XC60 or 07 Merc E350. 8k and 6k respectively. Depreciation in my favor here!

[AlpineX]

Originally Posted by DgjoX6M2016

Narrowed to 10 XC60 or 07 Merc E350. 8k and 6k respectively. Depreciation in my favor here!

careful on that 07 V6

[agentorange]

Originally Posted by scottmoyer

I found out what caused the spin. The road was slightly damp and I shifted gears entering the turn. The gear change caused the wheels to lose traction. I've also had this happen with an automatic, so I would say that the kid could be completely innocent of all accusations due to the road being wet.

Interesting. When I learned to drive in the UK (late 70s) it was drummed into us that you shift and brake in straight lines. All this modern trail braking and shifting whenever would get you dead in the typical used cars of that era.

[EricD735i]

Originally Posted by AlpineX

careful on that 07 V6

Agreed. Big fan of that body style but there is a potential engine killing issue with a bearing in the timing chain/balance shaft if I remember correctly.

[EDWYER]

Maybe get him driving lessons first.

[DgjoX6M2016]

Originally Posted by ProjectBoost

Maybe get him driving lessons first.

Agree! I'm taking him to Lime Rock Autocross.

And option 3 replacement car is he gets the wife's 13 GL350 diesel.

Slow.
Safe as hell.

[AlpineX]

Originally Posted by EricD735i

Agreed. Big fan of that body style but there is a potential engine killing issue with a bearing in the timing chain/balance shaft if I remember correctly.

Balance shaft issue 2006 through part of 2007.

[hybris]

Originally Posted by agentorange

Interesting. When I learned to drive in the UK (late 70s) it was drummed into us that you shift and brake in straight lines. All this modern trail braking and shifting whenever would get you dead in the typical used cars of that era.

It could even be a case of just lifting off the gas too quickly. Say he realized he was going a bit too quick into the turn, abruptly removes his foot from the throttle, and into the woods he goes.

[quackbury]

Another suggestion for a car.

When my twins turned 18, we got them each an X1. Not the current Mini-based FWD lump, the E90-based first gen. They lasted through 4 years of college and were AMAZINGLY useful for hauling all the junk that goes to and comes home from college every semester. Pretty darn good in the snow as well. Handles like an E91. All the safety features of a modern Bimmer. My daughter's was a 28i, my son's was a 35i. A little pocket rocket.

Why BMW's? Because I am a big believer in Active Safety as well as Passive Safety. Sure a Kia has ABS and airbags to protect you in an accident, but in my mind a BMW gives them a better chance to avoid the accident in the first place.

The twins did Street Survival and learned how to slide a car (more importantly, how to recover from a slide) while they still had their permits. Autocrossed as well. And lots of seat time with Dad in the passenger seat, throwing the car sideways in snowy parking lots. The rule in the family was if they and their friends were going to Sugarloaf, Sunday River, or someplace else that was an hour-plus drive, my kids could only go if they were the ones driving. I had complete confidence in their skills, and in their cars. I was not going to risk putting them into a less-safe car with a less-skilled driver.

And it worked.

[DgjoX6M2016]

Originally Posted by hybris

It could even be a case of just lifting off the gas too quickly. Say he realized he was going a bit too quick into the turn, abruptly removes his foot from the throttle, and into the woods he goes.

I think that was exactly what happened! He was in sport +.

[MacklinUSOB]

Originally Posted by DgjoX6M2016

Agree! I'm taking him to Lime Rock Autocross.

And option 3 replacement car is he gets the wife's 13 GL350 diesel.

Slow.
Safe as hell.

If you can, bring him to one of the Winter AutoX events.

I'll see you two there!

[DgjoX6M2016]

Originally Posted by MacklinUSOB

If you can, bring him to one of the Winter AutoX events.

I'll see you two there!

For sure!! I did my first autocross in my x6m and eeked out a 20.6 after swapping ends the first timed lap.

Question is....do I let him drive the beast?

Hell yes.