Replacing the Veloster N: AAA Sucks. NY Law Sucks.

I was able to find another Veloster N with a 6-speed manual and a factory warranty! Unfortunately it has almost twice the miles and it’s a year older, but there were only two in the country to choose from. I would have taken any color, but it’s red, same as the last one. Insurance almost covered the cost of replacing it, but covered none of the performance or aero parts.

AAA sucks. I documented 14 pages of parts that I’d added, with receipts and links to articles here on this site, but many were DIY things I designed and developed and tested in the wind tunnel, and they didn’t give a hoot about any of it.

They also said the upgraded suspension, FRP hood, Konig wheels, RS4 tires, Pagid brake pads, camber bolts, alignment, and all the other stuff are “preference items” and don’t increase the value of the car. Also, anything over a year old is not insured. They were willing to consider the tow hitch (which is a custom job I had to weld up), but in the end they said the best they’ll give me is permission to drive to the junk yard 90 miles away and remove it. Thanks man, it’s the thought that counts.

If AAA sucks, maybe New York laws suck even more? There’s something called a No Fault law that provides $50k reimbursement for medical, my car, and loss of work. But I can’t go after the person who did this unless I’ve lost a limb or been permanently disfigured.

And because the fire and rescue driver was responding to an emergency, I’d have to prove he was grossly negligent and driving recklessly. Which is really the lawyer’s job, but they aren’t interested because of the No Fault law.

I’m going to be a better person at the end of this, I swear. But right now, I just want to swear.

My wife has had enough of the swearing and moping around and set up a Go Fund Me. I feel sheepish putting this on here, as I feel like these things should be for people truly in need. So please feel no obligation to contribute. [Update: Go Fund Me is now closed.]

One of the things I’ve learned about this car is that it’s more fun on crappy tires. So rather than doing a lot of aero or modifying it for setting a fast lap time, I’m going in the opposite direction: less aero and slower lap times. No more fussing about weight, or power, or sticky tires. In fact, I’ll probably track it on all-season tires most of the time.

[Update #2] Here’s the new car, still waiting on the plates.

Instead of lowering springs I got a Mando ECS10 to make the suspension softer. I’m going to figure out how to lift it. And then maybe I’ll do a rallycross or something? Anyway, a new adventure beginning, and more time will be spent on Falconet for track use.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the Go Fund Me, I will send you out wind tunnel reports and maybe I can run some OptimumLap simulations or do 1:1 aero consultations with you.