Fast forward to now, the Q had been resting for a while. I have another car that was newer and more easy on gas that I have been driving around. Since the Q has been resting, I decided to fire her up and take her on a 50 mile trip to a local mountains for a hiking trip in an effort to get the fluids running and all. She purred her way up the mountain with no problems.
Coming down the mountain, on a steep turn the tire blew up (by now I understand that you shouldn't stress tires that have been sitting in SoCal heat for months) and I lost control. My car fishtailed and in the moments' panic, I over steered back and the tail of the car slammed into the mountain and sent us spinning and crashing again. The impact was so strong it knocked everything out of my trunk and my poor dog was in my lap asking for explanation of what just happened.
Thankfully, everybody made it out of the car. By now my shoulder's hurting from the impact and I have a major headache, but I am alive. I quickly inspect the car and realize that it's gone. It's bent in every possible way and my bumper's resting in the middle of the road. We quickly change the blown tire and realize that even the spare is flat!. Drove it down the mountain and waited for backup (Cops and EMT).
Adjuster came and declared it a total loss. My car on KBB is worth $3700 but they offered me $5k minus the deductible, so I accepted the deal today and they are coming to take it. BUT, they offered me to buy it back for $500. I am kind of thinking about keeping it and parting it out over time. I am sure I can make more than the $500 but I am not sure if I want to deal with the headache and loss of parking spot in my driveway. If anybody has dealt with this and also the insurance in a similar case, please advise what would be the best way to handle this. Do you think it's worth keeping it and parting it out? Do you think I can sell it to a junkyard for more than $500?
I am very sad that she is finally gone. I spent a lot of time and money keeping her running. For those of you that helped me change the KS the right way know how much time I put in it to do it right. I also had rebuilt the transmission in it. I learned how to drive with this car. I think it was an awesome car for a young guy growing up. My dad made an excellent choice of buying a strong and luxurious car for a new young driver. As I said again, this is the second time it has saved my life (and my passangers) that a lot of other cars would have simply collapsed like an accordion. The Q has unbelievable strength.
WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES OF A Q45 AHEAD
And this is the aftermath...
I would like to thank this forum and the knowledge you provided me with. Without you guys I would have spent 1000's more paying mechanics to do what I could do myself. The knowledge and the willingness to help is appreciated. Unfortunately my story is done. I do now know if I will buy another one. I will still be lurking around and offering my knowledge to the people that will ask questions.
Thank you Nico.
