Wrecked Exotics

People get a thrill out of seeing the rich and famous screw up. Why do you think The National Enquirer is so popular? Well, in the car world we have Wrecked Exotics. There’s no better way to start your day than by checking out a smoldering Lambo or two (they seem to explode into flames quite frequently, don’t they?). It’s only a matter of time before Paris Hilton’s McLaren get wrapped around a telephone pole.

Gregg Carlson started Wrecked Exotics back in February of 2002, and the site has become a smashing success (sorry). We got Gregg to send us some of his favorite crash photos and then asked him a few questions.

So how safe are most exotics?

From what I've seen, I'd say that most exotic cars are relatively safe when it comes to protecting the occupants in a crash. There are many examples of terrible crashes where the driver walked away, most notably the recent Enzo crash in Malibu where the driver only had a cut lip after a 200+ mph crash.

What are the safest exotics?

The Ferrari Enzo has proven that it can sustain a 200+ mph crash with the driver walking away. There have been two Enzos that crashed at very high speed recently in which both cars were torn in half. The driver compartment was intact and both drivers lived. The Lamborghini Murcielago and Ferrari 360 Modena are other examples of exotic cars which have crashed many times with very few fatalities. One of the main dangers in exotic car crashes is the likelihood of the engine catching on fire. I've seen several crashes where the driver or passenger survived the crash but couldn't leave the vehicle due to injuries and were killed in the fire.

Which are the worst in a crash?

Porsche is currently facing a lawsuit claiming that the Porsche Carrera GT is an unsafe car which resulted in the death of one of its owners and passenger, but I don't see anything that would suggest that is true. That car has been involved in several high speed crashes with the drivers walking away.

From photos that I've seen, I would feel unsafe in an Audi TT. I know that's not that exotic, but some of the crashes involving that car have been horrendous looking.

If you were going to be in a high speed wreck, which exotic would you want to be driving?

Ferrari Enzo for two reasons. First of all, that car can handle high speed crashes. Secondly, if I was driving an Enzo, that means I'm filthy rich rather than just rich!

Do you think there is a difference between "real world" crashworthiness and the crash test ratings posted by outfits like IIHS?

Definitely. Real world crashes involve all sorts of weird circumstances that manufacturers don't necessarily design for. But I think the IIHS gives a pretty good estimate of a car's crashworthiness. Unfortunately for exotic cars, many of the manufacturers are not required to perform crash tests due to the small number of cars being produced, so consumers don't really have a good way of knowing if the cars are safe or not in an accident. One way is to browse through WreckedExotics and judge for yourself.

We asked Gregg a few follow up questions, but you’ll have to read the blog to find those.

So guess what kind of car Gregg drives? Well, he used to drive a Viper (and no, he never crashed it). But these days he drives an Accord. Go figure.