Can I drive it? How to respond...

[SYCO GT]

Rocman - thanks for taking the time to respond - after we all worked through the side issues. Yes, I guess finding the balance is key. If I keep it on too high a pedestal, than no one really enjoys it...

BlackIce - I guess if someone has never driven a 300+ hp car, they figure they probably can just get in and punch it - and in your friends case, 300 is still not 550...

fjpikul - financial approach - short and to the point. Good idea.

Fubar - would the financial responsibility and liability generally shift to the present driver's insurance of an accident (as opposed to the owner's insurance)?

Specracer - no traction control is definitely a huge plus. It was a major annoyance on the M5, far too intrusive.

Bony - great picture - there has got to be an interesting story behind that one.

 

[FlorIdaho Chris]

Bimmer, Bimmer, Bimmer!!! It is Bimmer, NOT Beamer or Beemer.

 

[dbk]

Don't be mad because you have Beamers Chris.

An older lady in a silver Z8 was giving chase on the freeway the other day; pulled up and smiled. It had a hardtop bubble. Pretty rare sight.

 

[Fubar]

Fubar - would the financial responsibility and liability generally shift to the present driver's insurance of an accident (as opposed to the owner's insurance)?

Well no, your insurance would be primarly responsible but I think their insurance would be liable to your insurance company. The more important aspect is the suability (is that a word?) of the person driving. A guy with $150,ooo+ lying around knows he is a moving target for every civil attorney from here is to Kalamazoo. Which means if he wrecked your GT you'd be after him, whoever or whatever he hit would be after him and the bystander with the Camcorder would be after him for emotional damage. The point is, people with something to lose usually consider the risk/reward of foolish acts.

 

[Empty Pockets]

'chris
An' "figger" is actually "figure"... an' "nobuddy" is actually "nobody".
Sooooo? :willy

E.P.

 

[SYCO GT]

SYCO:
1) This is being said by somebody who's new '07, dual turbo, 335i coupe (wife's car actually) just came in and is ready for pickup at the dealership right now.
2) That way, if it gets sideswiped, rear ended, "T"-boned ... or the clutch fries... or a wheel gets "kissed" on a curb because a corner was "rounded" too tightly E.P.

Enjoy that rocket of a car. Twin Turbo's in a Bimmer, a definite first. Should be a lot of fun!

You bring up another good point - what if something happens that is caused by a third party - and your friend isn't even to blame...Not sure that I'd be able to find "my car" again too. And a host of other considerations that you mentioned. So much easier, to just say no, when everything is thought out.

 

[Empty Pockets]

PSYCO:
Yup! Just like Nancy R.!

E.P.

 

[Piccola]

so far only one person has driven my GT, then someone sent me a photo of how she parks and I have been having nightmares ever since.... :biggrin :lol :biggrin

Oh come on Bony, what was I to do? There were no parking spots available? :biggrin

I was thrilled when Bony let me drive his GT, especially since he knows I drive my own car fast & a bit wild. It was an amazing experience!! :banana However, I drove it w/much more respect & much slower than my own car. No way would I punch that car or try a fast turn w/o experience in THAT car, especially if it's not my own. I can't afford to buy him a new GT if something happened to it & he knew that up front. I would recommend letting whoever is driving your car know what not to do & what can happen if they try doing certain things. That should discourage them from being an idiot in it!

My '06 sports car has had damages totaling > $3000 (which is a lot for me) due to letting a couple "good" friends & my sister drive it (w/me in it). :frown I assumed people would be respectful of a new & expensive car, but that's often not the case. Hearing the rim grind as it scrapes a corner while turning, screaming "SLOW DOWN" when there's a dip in the road ahead & then hearing as your car gets torn apart underneath from bottoming out, watching them completely misuse & cause damage to the clutch... None of them even offered to help out w/paying for the damages & only one (my sister) apologized. :bored Needless to say, no one else is driving my car unless I know they can & will pay for any damages they incur.

If/when I get a GT, the only people I would trust enough to let drive it are some of my friends who already have GTs, though I would give out rides freely. :wink

 

[SYCO GT]

My '06 sports car has had damages totaling > $3000 (which is a lot for me) due to letting a couple "good" friends & my sister drive it (w/me in it). :frown I assumed people would be respectful of a new & expensive car, but that's often not the case. Hearing the rim grind as it scrapes a corner while turning, screaming "SLOW DOWN" when there's a dip in the road ahead & then hearing as your car gets torn apart underneath from bottoming out, watching them completely misuse & cause damage to the clutch... None of them even offered to help out w/paying for the damages & only one (my sister) apologized. :bored

Yikes. That was painful to read Piccola. The fact that they didn't even offer to pay shows that they have no clue to the emotional and physical trauma they have caused. I guess things we take for granted, like slowing for a dip, or taking a driveway at an angle, some people don't even register...

Yes, I'm doing my best to be a good ambassador of the GT. I have let strangers sit in the car, but have decided against doing that for security reasons, that was in my initial daze from getting the car. But I do continue to give rides to anyone (I know) that asks. I gave nine rides over the Thanksgiving weekend. I could tell that they really enjoyed it too. Before we go, I kind of try to get a sense of how they drive and what speeds and handling they are comfortable with. I don't want to scare or make them uncomfortable. There is the balance of giving a glimpse of what the car is capable of, and scaring the daylights out of someone, and everyone has a different perception of risk. It's a joy to share the car with someone who appreciates it. Many have never seen one up close.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Psyco:
'You found that young kids (10-16) go especially nuts when a GT is around?
As we left a restaurant a few wks back, 2 boys about (8 & 14) came running out as close the GT as they dared considering traffic to watch/listen to the car leave. Both were about to "wet themselves" ... so, I backed the car up next to 'em (out of the way of traffic in/out) shut the car down, got out & let 'em dream a while. (I'd have offered them a ride ... but, I didn't know 'em, and even with their dad right there ... these days........? :frown )
'Darned nice, respectful kids too.
My guess is that was their topic of discussion at school for the next two weeks! And, it didn't cost me a dime. Who knows, mebbe it even created a little "motivation"?? :thumbsup

E.P.

 

[futuregtowner]

All points very well-taken.......

To make a loooooong story short........

Back in the very early 70's, I bought a new motorcycle to get back and forth to college. (I was 19 or 20 at the time). After owning it for about a week, a close buddy of mine asked me if he could take it for a ride. I said sure, no problem.

After waiting around for 3 to 4 hours or so, and no scooter in sight, I walked back to my apt. where another friend told me that my "buddy" had gone to the hospital because he had gotten in an accident on somebody's motorcycle.....mine!!!!

Anyway, the bike was laying off to the side of the road, badly damaged, where he had crashed it, and he was in the hospital with a compound fracture of the left leg. By the time I got to the hospital, his parents were there and they RIPPED ME A NEW ONE!!! Like it was my fault and his Dad said I ought to be lucky he doesn't sue me!?!?!?!

Oh yeah, almost forgot. No one called me to let me know what had happened or EVER offered to repair my new scoot.

Since that happened more than 35 years ago, I have never ever let anyone ride my Harleys, let alone drive one of my vehicles. Just my 2 cents.

 

[SYCO GT]

Hey E.P.,

Been mostly adults and young adults for me. I did drop off my little one at preschool - loves to take rides in the GT. It's awesome that it has LATCH and airbag deactivation. I haven't given any rides to pregnant mom's or young kids, other than my own.

You can really make a person's day, with gestures like that. That is cool that you are doing what you do.

I feel that I am fortunate enough to have this car, so I will try to share it, within time constraints, work, and safety considerations. 5-30 minutes out of my day to make someone else's day is not going to kill me, and is probably therapeutic for me anyway.

It is tougher with this car, since the inquiries are frequent and regular.

The more people we can convert to car guys, the better. Just one person at a time. :wink

 

[B O N Y]

To make a loooooong story short........

Back in the very early 70's, I bought a new motorcycle to get back and forth to college. (I was 19 or 20 at the time). After owning it for about a week, a close buddy of mine asked me if he could take it for a ride. I said sure, no problem.

After waiting around for 3 to 4 hours or so, and no scooter in sight, I walked back to my apt. where another friend told me that my "buddy" had gone to the hospital because he had gotten in an accident on somebody's motorcycle.....mine!!!!

Anyway, the bike was laying off to the side of the road, badly damaged, where he had crashed it, and he was in the hospital with a compound fracture of the left leg. By the time I got to the hospital, his parents were there and they RIPPED ME A NEW ONE!!! Like it was my fault and his Dad said I ought to be lucky he doesn't sue me!?!?!?!

Oh yeah, almost forgot. No one called me to let me know what had happened or EVER offered to repair my new scoot.

Since that happened more than 35 years ago, I have never ever let anyone ride my Harleys, let alone drive one of my vehicles. Just my 2 cents.

your buddy is lucky it was not my scoot, he would have had two broken legs
and his old man would have dentures to remove...

 

[B O N Y]

Don't be mad because you have Beamers Chris.

An older lady in a silver Z8 was giving chase on the freeway the other day; pulled up and smiled. It had a hardtop bubble. Pretty rare sight.

go on.... spit out the rest of the story... :biggrin
happy ending? :banana

 

[B O N Y]

Oh come on Bony, what was I to do? There were no parking spots available? :biggrin

I was thrilled when Bony let me drive his GT, especially since he knows I drive my own car fast & a bit wild. It was an amazing experience!! :banana However, I drove it w/much more respect & much slower than my own car. No way would I punch that car or try a fast turn w/o experience in THAT car, especially if it's not my own. I can't afford to buy him a new GT if something happened to it & he knew that up front. I would recommend letting whoever is driving your car know what not to do & what can happen if they try doing certain things. That should discourage them from being an idiot in it!

My '06 sports car has had damages totaling > $3000 (which is a lot for me) due to letting a couple "good" friends & my sister drive it (w/me in it). :frown I assumed people would be respectful of a new & expensive car, but that's often not the case. Hearing the rim grind as it scrapes a corner while turning, screaming "SLOW DOWN" when there's a dip in the road ahead & then hearing as your car gets torn apart underneath from bottoming out, watching them completely misuse & cause damage to the clutch... None of them even offered to help out w/paying for the damages & only one (my sister) apologized. :bored Needless to say, no one else is driving my car unless I know they can & will pay for any damages they incur.

If/when I get a GT, the only people I would trust enough to let drive it are some of my friends who already have GTs, though I would give out rides freely. :wink

glad to see you posting again.. I was wondering what it would take...
gotscha :banana :thumbsup :banana

 

[mardyn]

I let my girlfriend drive my GT when I first got it, then I let the guy (with some track time in SCCA mazdas) that works for me drive it for a few miles.. no problems so far.

I think that's enough though. I'm just too nervous when anyone else is at the wheel other than me.

mardyn

btw.. I wrecked my buddies KZ400 motorcycle way back when (1975?) but I paid his deductible to have it fixed. Hope he doesn't want to drive my GT.

 

[THamonGT]

Others Driving My GT

I have given many rides to friends and young kids primarily because in my area there are very few GT's around. Most are very appreciative to have their picture taken with my GT. (probabily 200 Kids) Most friends know how expensive it is and that it took me 39 years to have one and are very understanding as to driving it. Most won't ask.The reason I show and display it often in this area is because not too many around here (south of Houston). Tomy Hamon PS. I love to make young people grin and dream. My wife can't drive the GT as she can't reach the clutch even with the seat pulled up and can't drive my AC Cobra for the same reason.

 

[SYCO GT]

btw.. I wrecked my buddies KZ400 motorcycle way back when (1975?) but I paid his deductible to have it fixed. Hope he doesn't want to drive my GT.

Yeah, my best friend in high school wiped my '86 250R Ninja that I had bought new after working almost 2 years in a drugstore. He paid my deductible. But he has never ridden any of the 11 other motorcycles I had in the past two decades. He's never asked.

Most recent powerful bike I rode was test riding the K1200S for BMW at the Nurburgring for 44 laps. 155 MPH+ on a bike feels plenty fast to me.

In fact, I only let a few qualified individuals ride my motorcycles. No real reason the GT should be any different.

Danger is high, and the potential financial consequences could be catastrophic. Thanks for all the input. I can justifiably and confidently rule out any future "test" drives, except in very rare and limited circumstances, where appropriate and comfortable.

 

[Fubar]

Most recent powerful bike I rode was test riding the K1200S for BMW at the Nurburgring for 44 laps. 155 MPH+ on a bike feels plenty fast to me.

I just test rode one of those also. I was really impressive. I had to go buy a bike afterwards. I am getting to old to lean over the fast bikes these days so I got a Ducati Monster. Ducati's sound so cool with a set of pipes.

 

[FLY GT40]

just say no

After going through a wrecked Porsche with my brother in law driving. We found out that my insurance did not cover other drivers but charged me with the accident. fortunately he did pay to fix the porsche even thou it was not covered by either of our insurances.

With the GT I just say no. Been ther done that. :thumbsdow :frown