The QX4 was in an accident. Eulogy of its times.

"CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)" (ccpbb) 06/02/2015 at 01:34 • Filed to: PROJECT QX4

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I was driving on a road at 50 mph (the speed limit is 50 mph). Then an Acura suddenly came into my field of vision as I went through the intersection. I had a green. I then felt a impact and started rolling, until it finally came to a halt.

I’ve been driving the QX4 for a while, and enjoyed every minute of it. It had the woefully underpowered VG33E V6 but made up that with everything else. The supporting bucket-ish seats. The 6 track Bose 10 speaker stereo. The deathly cold AC system. Leather everything. The really faux wood trim. The fenders. The awesome cruise control I used for 25 mph zones that I felt the accelerator pedal go by itself. As what Margin of Error once said, It was a Pathfinder for Ballers.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I’ve taken this on many excursions, from loading up band equipment in the trunk to a promposal dirt drift/burnout sesh that resulted in many parents stopping to see my hoonage. It’s taken me to work while I used to work at a bike shop, but it all ended on Sunday 11:25 AM PST; on a final excursion to help finish painting a school quad.

The QX4 was going down Taylor Blvd (in a ways much a highway, not a normal road in the middle of suburbia). Happily, there was no red lights to impede my journey to my high school. Then came a major intersection. I was driving 50 ish. Green light. I slowed down a bit to prepare for the change in speed limit up ahead. Mid intersection, a lone Acura RL (or was it another Acura model? The one was rather conservatively designed but not designed in a bonkers insane way like today) came into my field of vision. A huge Acura loomed in front of my front quarter. I didn’t have enough time to hit the brakes. I wasn’t accelerating at that time. A hit was felt and the QX4 started rolling.

It seemed to be forever, those 2 or 3 rolls. Huge bangs came out as the oh so not rustproof bodywork slammed against the pavement. I tried to press my self onto the bottom of my seat, trying to overcome the massive shocks that were trying to overcome my efforts. No air bags went off the QX4. Oh yes, I was also trying to not get my head to scrape the pavement. I’ve never really trusted these seat belts before (I had to hand tension these before on multiple previous occasions). I grabbed on to the steering wheel as grey and white colours alternated between my windshield. It then came to a halt. Billy Joel music was lightly playing in this silence, from that glorious 6 track. I felt some pain on the top of my head and not anywhere else. A bit woozy from all the spinning, but I wanted to get out of this metal coffin. I started frantically trying find the seat belt button and then pressed several times to get out of the confines of the strap (thanks seat belt). I didn’t want to fall on what was the remains of my glass sunroof. The car thankfully landed facing a bike lane/shoulder. I crawled out a bit to see where I was, made sure I wasn’t in the middle of the intersection, and crawled out of the driver’s side door, sans glass. I fumbled over a set of bushes to the right turn pedestrian island. I sat on the grass and realized the QX4 was totaled.

Ok, I had my glasses off at that time, but the debris spilled from the broken rear window was bad. The car was dented up. A good Samaritan asked me if I was ok. I discovered my vision was shit (no glasses) and I was bleeding from my head. Someone asked another bystander if they had any thing to soak it up. I took off my white t-shirt and put it on my head. Eventually the emergency folks came and did the usual checks. Nothing was broken, sans the cuts on the head, (a hole-ish wound, a 1/2 inch cut on the head) and a few cuts on my knee, elbow, and finger. I asked for my glasses, and when I got them back, I saw the devastation. The front quarter was not where I was hit, but the rear of the car, right around the rear wheel and driver’s side passenger door. The drill that was in the cargo area was launched out of the car into the curb as it was rolling. (lesson learned: strap down your shit) And my bike rack is totally fine.

I got worried about the person who hit me. When I was on the stretcher, I finally got a look at who hit me. A 60-70 year old lady. No cuts or anything. Her Acura was destroyed. The front end was destroyed. The Acura didn’t flip. It stayed where it was, where it originally slammed into the car. More details were revealed on how badly the QX4 took the impact. The drive shaft was torn apart from the transmission but was still connect to the axle. I also realized how the car was hit. The rear part of the driver’s side passenger door to the rear wheel was hit. From the snapchat photo from someone else, one side of the suspension had dropped and the latter was mangled. Upon my parents’ arrival to the tow place (220 dollars for a day, fucking highway robbery) to tow it to a trusted mechanic. The QX4 had taken almost all the impact on the left rear wheel. The multi-link suspension was mangled as well as the right shock absorber sticking out. I later found the spring by the scene of the accident, as well as my bloodied shirt that was used as a temporary tourniquet before the emergency personnel arrived.

Said spring. And I recalled something that potentially saved me.

For the 1999 model year, the Infiniti QX4 had an extra feature. “Pipe Style Steel Side Door Guard Beams”. In basic terms, a steel tube inside the door to take an impact and prevent a door from crumpling into the occupant, like what happened to my friend’s pelvis when T-boned in a E36 M3. I don’t know the exact point where it hit, somehow it didn’t set off any airbags. And this also had side airbags. The QX4 also had some...structural issues.

The QX4 has flaws. Like its crash testing rating. Uhh...it’s rated marginal. The roof also was not so strong, and made worse with the sunroof option. The rustproofing is shit. The engine drinks so much gas it’s not funny. The climate control system has its weird kinks. There is a literal hole for accessory wires in the firewall. The plastic fades so badly it isn’t funny. The body roll is really bad. The brake roll is really bad. But this car protected me. It became my protective cocoon during that accident. It prevented me from being a quadriplegic and let me survive with minimal injury (my last mountain bike accident was worse).

Rest in peace, QX4, and hopefully your remaining parts will be used to contribute to other QX4/Pathfinders.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 01:44

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Holy crap. Glad you’re okay.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 01:46

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Glad you’re okay! Sorry what happened to your car. I agree, may its parts go to other QX4 and Pathfinders on the road.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna 06/02/2015 at 01:52

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Yeah. This QX4 survived because of another QX4 donated its transmission and transfer box after the previous owner tore up the last one by using the “central diff lock” function too much.

Your boy, BJR > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 01:56

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1) Holy fuck.

2) HOLY FUCK.

3) Glad you’re good.

4) I’m genuinely curious what it feels like to be in a rollover. Did you puke?

5) The olds are the worst. I had to pay to have this woman’s bumper repainted because she was stopped at a green light on a highway and I didn’t notice until the last second. I swerved, skimming her bumper causing a scratch, fucking up my suspension, bumper, and fender hopping the curb. First thing the old bat said was “I just got this out of the body shop yesterday!”

6) Billy Joel, seriously?

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Your boy, BJR 06/02/2015 at 02:05

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4)No puking, but just a lot of violent fast tumbling. If you have crashed on a bicycle, it’s the same thing but more extreme.

6) I’m 17. I listen to Billy Joel. I like Journey. I enjoy Fleetwood Mac. Some say I am a old man trapped in a young person’s body.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Your boy, BJR 06/02/2015 at 02:07

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The old lady didn’t go off at me, and nor did I. I was worried whether she was hurt or not, but I don’t know why she did this....but she was in the front of a pack of cars, but none of them followed along with her. I’m generally scared of older drivers.

promoted by the color red > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 02:37

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Yikes! Glad you’re okay.

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 02:45

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I live in a senior apartment building, and strangely enough, the oldest guy with a car is also the safest driver. It’s the recently retired you need to watch out for. They tend to be set in their ways, but their children won’t take their car away.
Anyways, that sucks, and I’m glad to hear you’re OK.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 03:13

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Holy hell! Glad you came out (mostly) unscathed! The truck did its job pretty damn well if that’s all the bodily harm that occurred. May its remaining components go toward keeping many more Pathfinders and QX4s on the road for many years to come.

pip bip - choose Corrour > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 03:51

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good to hear you are fine.

now let the hunt (for another car) begin!

hopefully the other driver was insured?

Arben72 > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 04:43

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First, glad your safe!

Second, go to a doctor asap and get yourself checked out. Your going to be sore as fuck the next week. They’ll make sure your not sore as fuck 30 years from now until your dead.

Third, who did the police report at fault? The old lady’s insurance should be paying for the $225 tow fee and any other damage occurring to say your luggage or yourself.

Fourth, seriously, I'm glad your ok, that's a bad hit.

kanadanmajava1 > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 05:26

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Good that you are ok. Your seat belt finally served its purpose.

I rolled my Polo in the last August in a weird highway accident but I survived unscathed. Still 30 minutes after the accident my neck started to get sore and it lasted for a week. I would suppose that your neck is going to be a bit sore too.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Arben72 06/02/2015 at 06:22

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Thanks. I’ve already been checked by a doctor at the emergency room. I am not sure of the police report, as I have not retrieved it yet.

random001 > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 06:41

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Glad you're ok, fellow Oppo! Been in a rollover myself, pretty much as described. Mine was in a tank of an 80's Subaru. Mad respect to that car for saving my scrawny butt. And respect to the QX4 for keeping you safe. Let us know if we can help out in any way.

thebigbossyboss > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 06:50

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Such roof.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > pip bip - choose Corrour 06/02/2015 at 06:56

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I believe she was.

shop-teacher > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 07:00

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Fuckong hell!!! Glad you’re OK!

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 07:03

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So glad you’re OK.

Side impact in the doors are made of special heat treated Ultra High Strength Steel. Literally invented for the Space Shuttle. Voodoo stuff.

Your roof, however underperformed. That looks scary. Glad your glasses weren’t toast. Never thought about that.

Wacko > Your boy, BJR 06/02/2015 at 07:29

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What’s wrong with the piano man?

spanfucker retire bitch > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 07:37

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Glad to see you’re OK. Looks like that roof held up just enough to keep your head from being crushed, but not all that much more. Lucky.

Also, you’re a much better man than I, as the only concern I would have had for a motorist who crashed into me as they ran a red light would be how little of my fist they have in their face.

jkm7680 > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 07:40

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Shit man, glad you’re alright!

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 07:50

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What kind of Acura was it?

105 HP of fury > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 08:01

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Glad to hear that you’re OK, and that the Infiniti did what it was designed to do: protect you.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 06/02/2015 at 08:04

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The RL, as this Acura had classy styling and didn’t look like a concept car.

Mattbob > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 08:38

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glad you are okay! Glad to hear the car passed the most important test. Any thoughts on the next vehicle? Also, are those shoes shimanos in your picture? They look like mine.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 08:44

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Good thing you made it out ok. One of my friends drove a QX4, but now prefers to drive a newer Legacy wagon, although his family still has the QX4. I hope you find something great to replace it with!

McMike > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 08:48

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Obligatory

10/10 - Full Orlove

Sorry to hear about your truck. That totally sucks.

$kaycog > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 08:49

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Scary stuff! The main thing is that you’re okay.

Funktheduck > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 08:50

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I'm glad you're relatively ok. Every time I see things like this I get angry because we NEED retesting for older drivers. Nearly every close call I've had has been because of someone on their phone or an old person.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Mattbob 06/02/2015 at 08:58

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Thanks, they are Giros, and something inexpensive ..wagon ish.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 09:01

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Glad you are ok! Thats scary shit. I always check intersections before driving through, just in case.

No Prius Needed > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 09:57

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Was it one of these?

thebigbossyboss > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 10:30

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I am glad you are okay. I’ve been in several accidents and big or small they are all surreal. I can’t imagine a roll over. yikes.

Imirrelephant > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 12:23

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Damn! Glad you’re ok!

TheTick247 > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/02/2015 at 13:44

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it just wants a belly(pan)-rub.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > No Prius Needed 06/02/2015 at 18:17

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Yes, one of those.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > McMike 06/02/2015 at 18:19

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Hm. So much for that blipshift Orlove’d t shirt...

Stef Schrader > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/05/2015 at 00:43

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(((hugs)))

That’s really scary. :( Glad you’re okay!

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Stef Schrader 06/05/2015 at 00:57

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Thanks stef....I lived through it to enjoy another day...but I am definitely going to cage up/racing harness up the next vehicle I will DD. I want to be sure...this was way to close to think about it now..

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/06/2015 at 01:33

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You and I listen to the same music, and I have been called an old man in a young persons body. Im glad youre okay, how bad were you hurt?

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/06/2015 at 02:12

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I got 4 staples in the head (a bit over 1/2 inch long cut on head, probbaly due to sunroof glass) and a few scrapes here and there...I have to admit I got lucky...used up a life there.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/06/2015 at 02:23

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Wow, sounds like you got lucky. Im glad youre okay. Are you looking at something to replacd the Infiniti?

PS- Whenever I get called an old man in a young persons body, I always think of Old man by Neil young, lol.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/06/2015 at 04:01

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Not currently, but a Legacy GT will be in the sights once I acquire funds. Or anything that can fit 5 people, a bike, and isnt a suv.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 06/06/2015 at 04:03

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I love my truck for carrying bikes. I can fit 4-5 bikes in the back with the shell on (if I take off the front wheels). Why dont you look into a 4 door pickup?

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 06/06/2015 at 04:07

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If I get a truck, my dad will make that his daily driver. That will transfer my daily driving duties to a very beat up, interior/exterior uncared for, worn out Sienna with some 270000 miles on the clock.