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As some of you know, my '00 met an untimely end. She spun around 180 degrees and slid sideways into a cement Jersey barrier, the kind that line highways. I hit hard on the left side of the car and moved the barrier over about 4". Most of the impact was absorbed in the left rear corner, but the whole side has damage, enough that the insurance company totalled the car. Althought the body work could have been done for about $10k, there was damage to mechanical parts, especially expensive items like the steering rack and differential, putting the repair costs into total territory. Also, every single mount for the engine, transmission and differential broke! That's differential mount fluid dripping down in the suspension shot.
Initial damage to me was sore ribs and a strained shoulder. The ribs have healed, but the shoulder is still annoying me - the recovery slower than I would like, but it's going in the right direction.
I've since replaced the car with a new '03, also in New Formula Red. I think I got the last red '03 in south Florida! It's quite a contrast driving the new car, everything is tight and the smells are so new. Gone are the small rattles and other noises that creep into a car over 53,000 miles. I'm patiently awaiting the completion of break-in to see how the new car realy feels. Most of the comfort and convenience parts have been transferred over, but will be selling off my used performance parts in the near future. Some of them are spoken for, but the Comptech adjustable front bar, and Da'Lan hitch are available. The Miata will be the fun car now.
The owner of the body shop where the car sits in Sanford has bought her and will repair her. So she will live again, hopefully giving someone new good service at a good price. BTW, if anyone in the Orlando area is looking for a good body shop, I highly recommend Samuels Auto Body.
I hadn't heard that. Really glad you're OK. I'm sorry about your car Doc. Glad you found another red one. Suz and I had hoped to see you at buckingham, we're still trying to get up there. I've seen you drive doc you're good with a car I'll bet your skills helped keep from making it worse.
That's too bad about your car. You seem to be doing okay though. The car doesn't really look too bad, but I guess it's the stuff I can't see that is messed up.
I'm curious, you had a choice between the 04 and 03, why didn't you go with the newer one? Did you drive both and not like the 04, or are you just comfortable with the pre 04 cars and how to drive it on the tracks?
Wow - those are some crazy pictures! Just glad you're ok. The car can be repaired from being busted up like that - but humans are a different story. Must've been a crazy experience. What caused the car to spin out?
Congrats on the new car! Good luck with her. Is she Ruby II?
Thanks for all the words of support. One of the reasons I wanted to stay with an S 2000 was because of the great community that we have. Here are some responses to specific posts:
Grant & Susie - Sorry to have missed you at the last Ft. Myers autocross. Hope to see you there next season (I'll be out of town for Thanksgiving weekend, when GCAC has their last event for this season. I like to think that my driving skills helped, but read below for the rest of the story.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by tidalwdave
I'm curious, you had a choice between the 04 and 03, why didn't you go with the newer one?
The car doesn't really look too bad, but I guess it's the stuff I can't see that is messed up.
Glad to hear you're OK, and that you were able to move on to an 03. 
