Sad day in Q45 history... DUI killed my Q

[db_autotek]

First things first, everybody is ok! Secondly, I didn't do it!! lol.

I was sitting at a red light, waiting for my green light to turn. As I look down the street I was about to turn onto, I notice a Mazda 3 going about 75mph. Now this is 2 in the morning on the road we call "cop central" so I thought it was crazy this dumb car was going 75 in a 50 zone.

My windows were down, so I could see it all well... This drunk idiot in a bone-stock Mazda three tries to take the corner (onto the street I was on) at about 70. Needless to say, she lost control.

Awe turned to horror and fear as she flipped her vehicle and it was comming right toward my window!!!! IN MID AIR!! I didn't have time to do anything but duck my head down by the gearshift, which probly saved my head from injury.

So then BOOM.. I realize I'm ok, and jump out the passenger door. Her car was on fire, upside down, and partially on top of my car.. I was able to rescue her and her passenger through the fire and broken glass. Much to the praise of the cops who show up quickly.

So that's how it happened.. I'm pretty sure my beloved Q is totalled. The drivers side body is screwed, and the roof is partially folded. The only good news is the engine and all the running gear is in perfect working order, and I rescued my NiCo ECU!!!!

I hope it can be repaired and will ride again... If not, I will be buying another 1994-1996 Q45!!!

Here's the pics: sorry, cell-phone camera.. The damage doesn't show up quiet as well as real life.





Here's the police chart of the intersection depicting the two vehicles:

[Logan76]

Thats for sure totalled, no doubt in my mind. Im just glad everyone mainly you, were okay, I have no remorse for drunk drivers who kill themselves.

[greenwar]

OMG, glad you and the occupants of the other car is ok. Hopefully the car can be fixed or that you find a proper replacement for it.

Imagine what would have happened if you were in the Miata? Makes me worried to go drive the Miata at night.

[db_autotek]

I know.. I'd probly be in bad shape if I was in the miata... It scares the crap outta me to think how the miata would've crushed like a soda can, even with my roll bar. Lol the only thing is that maybe the Miata couldve dodged the whole thing with its small size and nimble accelerator. No way I could've dodged it with the q ship.

[maxnix]

Q45 are cheap life insurance. One low miles 113K 1990 and a 1995 in the paper today in Austin.

Let me know if I can help out.

[elwesso]

Dude that is way too bad! That totally sucks, I would push for as much money as possible. Be sure to add up all of the parts you've replaced at dealer invoice plus dealer labor!!!!

If you have the space, buy the car back from the insurance company, strip it down and then junk the carcass. Im sure having the extra parts in a storage facility would offset the cost of having it.

[db_autotek]

Youre right maxnix.. The pasenger area was barely deformed at all considering the impact speed and type of impact. You should see the Mazda 3. It is so amazingly destroyed..

Automobiles are, pure and simply, designed to get humans from Point A to Point B in a safe manner. Everything else on top of that is just fun and gravy. Now we all know how awesome the Q45 is for its luxury and power, and beauty.

But at the end of the day, it did it's basic job: got me from A to B, and very safely obviously. I'm amazed how safe it is, and how well the inside of the car held up. If anyone ever had doubts about the crash-worthiness of the Q, this is good supporting evidence right here. The other car is in a thousand pieces and the engine was on fire falling out of the engine bay. lol.

I will be buying another one immediately when I get my insurance.

[Florida240sx]

How mny miles were on your car? I want it. I need it for my engine swap. There is a guy selling a 93 q45 for 1k cash in orlando. 386-747-9982 Justin I'm north of you in DeLand I want your car [email protected] your ok

[db_autotek]

buy the car back from the insurance company, strip it down and then junk the carcass. Im sure having the extra parts in a storage facility would offset the cost of having it.

I've thought about it seriously. I'd love to be able to help you guys (and me) out with a perfectly good parts car. This week I will know if they are totalling it or repairing it. I'll keep the topic alive till it's back on the road or till I get another Q!!

[szh]

Ouch!

You are darn lucky it was the Q and not a smaller car that you were in. Glad to hear that you are okay.

Z

[db_autotek]

How mny miles were on your car? I want it. I need it for my engine swap. There is a guy selling a 93 q45 for 1k cash in orlando. 386-747-9982 Justin I'm north of you in DeLand I want your car [email protected] your ok

You definately want the 1994- to 1996 engine if you're just doin a swap. 4.5liters and no timing guide issues. I will keep the topic updated, if they total it, I will make arangements with the insurance company. I have no problems putting it into a storage unit till we can work something out. I will email you too!!

[maxnix]

You definately want the 1994- to 1996 engine if you're just doin a swap. 4.5liters and no timing guide issues.

And no intake advance issues but OBD II issues on the 1996.

Believe me, it's totaled.

[db_autotek]

Believe me, it's totaled.

LOL yeah I think so too.. I'm just in denial still cuz I loved it so much. But, what the insurance company doesn't know is that I only paid $2900 for it a few months ago. So I might get a few bucks out of the whole thing.

I know I won't be able to find another 94-95 in perfect shape for $2900 though..

[ScottJackson]

depending on how much $$$ insurance pays, you may be able to afford a BMW 540i. *chanting* One of us, one of us, one of us...

[db_autotek]

I do love the 540's but I understand it's a maintenance nightmare. True or false? Either way, I found a '95 black on black Q45 for $3500 and only a hundred miles away. I want it!!

Anyone notice that there are not all that many q45's for sale?? To me thats a good sign, hopefully most people are enjoying their Q's and are keeping them.

[ScottJackson]

They're only a maint. nightmare until you replace some key components. The radiator and heater core like to go out right at the 10 year mark. The thermostat housing is plastic and aluminum ones that don't crack are available for $30. Other than that, new upper and lower control arms, tie rod ends, subframe bushings, and shortening the cables that move the power seats. Once that's all done, it's like any other low maint. car. The automatic transmissions in the 540 has a few nylon balls that like to wear over time and when it gets small enough to go through the seperator plate, the trans is junk (needs complete rebuild) so if you get an auto you should change the fluid and get the valve body kit with steel balls that forever fixes that issue. The E38 was more of a maintenance headache than the E34 or E39.

[lino]

Glad that you came out ok after that horrible tragedy. The DUI girl and her friend are fortunate that you pulled them out of their car. Start looking for a new car and like Wes said try to buy the car back from the insurance for parts only (not to rebuild).

Btw, did your driver's door handle lose a chunk? Thta's what it looks like and that would be the first time I've see that happen.

Good Luck.

[Jeff Williams]

Wow! That thing is totaled.

I would definitely try to get it back, if you know someone who can store it for you inside.

You might find a clean body Q, that needs a lot of maintenance & be able to use all teh new parts off of this one.

I know Alabama Dan would buy one of your hubcaps and the wrench for his car. I would buy some of the LAN modules from you for mine.

...and the vultures start in...

[3Q Jay]

damn sorry to hear it. i know you've been really working it and just got it up to par.silver on gray just like my 94.i don't know how you managed to go rescue the person that just inflicted so much grief into your life. maybe just a reaction without thinking. not sure i coulda done that. ok maybe i would--just to go beat the snot out of them.be patient, the right replacement Q will present itself.

[jamesmost]

sickest flying cars - what a challange. Glad u r ok. car way totaled.

[goody90q45]

Glad you came out unscathed and sorry your Q got wrecked. You're fortunate to have walked away from the wreck.

You should make out pretty good on the insurance settlement especially if you can buy the car back and part it out. There's at least $1500 in parts for resale on a Q. Are you sure you weren't hurt just a little bit? Glass shards under your shirt? Singed hair? A little blood you didn't notice until you got home? Your pain and suffering could be worth an extra few thousand $$$ to an insurance company thay may be anxious to settle the claim, especially if you're injured.

Good luck finding your next Q. Be patient and a nice one will come along.

[Q451990]

Wow... I'm glad to hear that you're OK - and you are a definitely a hero for pulling those girls out of their burning mess. I hope they appreciate your efforts.

As far as your Q - it's toast. I don't know if would even want someone to try to fix that. Getting the roof perfect again would be a serious undertaking. At this point the best you can do is get the best settlement possible out of her insurance company. I stated at NADA retail on my 90Q and worked up with dealer estimates on everything that I had done for maintenence on my Q that wouldn't be typical on another one. Sent them an invoice for about $8700 on a 90Q with 200K on the odometer. They said that value wasn't "reflected in the market" and my response was always that "the car wasn't for sale when your client ran a red light and hit me" - after a few weeks of negotiations, and my driving their rental car, with the storage fees adding up, we settled for about $5500. Here's the thread...

zerothread?id=153122

Good luck!

Heath

[AZhitman]

WOW!

First off, a salute to another Q who gave her life to protect her owner - Rest in Peace, big girl!

Second, HUGE props to you for being a hero and helping the occupants of the Mazda. They should have burned to a crisp. Period. Drunk drivers deserve no less. I hope you have an opportunity to confront her in person when she's sober.

Third - Do a nationwide search on AutoTrader for a Q (same year range and miles). Select the 3 most expensive, and be armed with that info. That's the MINIMUM you'll accept for your car, because you have to be able to replace it with a "like" car. As Wes said, add all your goodies to that. Gouge her insurance company, they won't be playing nice.

Lastly, I'm glad you're OK. Thanks for sharing the pics and story... Cheap life insurance indeed.

[airman]

Hey, glad you're all right!

And q45 did such a great job protecting a driver. That's also a good proof we made right choice as our family car.

Best regards,Paul

[paranoidjack]

WOW!

First off, a salute to another Q who gave her life to protect her owner - Rest in Peace, big girl!

Second, HUGE props to you for being a hero and helping the occupants of the Mazda. They should have burned to a crisp. Period. Drunk drivers deserve no less. I hope you have an opportunity to confront her in person when she's sober.

Third - Do a nationwide search on AutoTrader for a Q (same year range and miles). Select the 3 most expensive, and be armed with that info. That's the MINIMUM you'll accept for your car, because you have to be able to replace it with a "like" car. As Wes said, add all your goodies to that. Gouge her insurance company, they won't be playing nice.

Lastly, I'm glad you're OK. Thanks for sharing the pics and story... Cheap life insurance indeed.

Tragic incident, glad to hear you're ok. Great Samaritan though!

Drunk drivers should burn to a crisp? Sounds a little harsh. I'm not an advocate, but people make mistakes. Even good people.

Not all "drunk drivers" are sending their cars flying through the air with a BAC @ 1%.

Don't know if you're a religious man, but you should be now!

[StarPD]

I'm with you, Greg.The gene pool would be better off without hers in it.Drunk drivers who cause/have wrecks (they are NOT "accidents") should go to prison for life, if they survive their idiocy. Most shouldn't survive.

[AZhitman]

Yeah... sounds harsh, but dying in a fire would be a walk in the park for the Mazda driver if she hurt a family member of mine.

I guarantee this moronic bimbo who wrecked his Q will have some damn excuse for why she was wasted.

She's lucky you're not grabbing a P.I. attorney and taking everything she owns.

I HIGHLY recommend showing up at her court dates - ALL of them!!!!

She almost made you a statistic - You saved her life. You've done your good deeds, now take it one step farther and make sure she never does this again.

[AlabamaDan]

Glad you're ok and saved her. Sorry about your Q, I think it's totaled. Jeff's right, What cha gonna do with those wheel center caps and the wrench. I REALLY REALLY need them. Would you be willing to go visit your Q and pull those for me. It won't affect your settlement.

Speaking of the Settlement, I think Rex said to find the most expensive comparisons you can find. The ins co will probably argue that they're not close enough and not comparable. Just argue that the production numbers were small and they can't easily be located. You have to be armed with facts, (and you can find the facts you want.) Don't take they 1st offer, or even their second offer for that matter. The longer it takes you to settle, the worse it is for them - up to a point. A little mention about a PI attorney will help them. And, DON'T sign anything.

Now for all that advice....how about those center caps? I really can't find them.

Again, glad you're ok. I know exactly how you felt. I've wrecked a J and QX.

[ledheadmelli]

Hey, sorry to hear about this. I have little mercy for drunk drivers myself, although I would have rescued her, too.If it helps any, I just picked up a '94 Q45a with 126k for $2900, in Oakland, CA no less. craigslist.org is a great place to look, if available in your area.I agree about the insurance money. I just held out for $6000 to replace my Maxima GLE w/64k miles. They offered me $4000 because I had a salvage title, but I inundated them with ads for similar and lesser cars (salv. titles all) that were selling for that much or more.I settled for $5860 and now I am the proud owner of Infiniti's finest. I even have some change left over to do the suspension work Wes suggested.There's a PURPLE 95 for sale in Santa Rosa for $3900. It's a repo, so there's no master key to open the glovebox and the dealers are pretty shady, but...There sure aren't many available for sale, at least not in the Bay Area. Probably because once you own one, you're not likely to give it up without a fight. Damn drunks!!!!Glad to see how these cars hold up in a severe accident. Makes me feel safe. Thanks for sharing and good luck in your search!

[ledheadmelli]

ps - by end caps, does he mean the 4" round things with Inf logo that fits over the lugnuts? I need 2 of those and was hoping that would be an easy find at a junkyard - am I wrong?