Last night around 1am I had the fortunate luck to survive an automobile wreck in my 2000 Maxima. I was driving down a road that I have been down over 1000 times before doing what I thought was a fast, yet controllable speed. I am a good driver by all means. I am aware, I am concentrated, and I have fast reflexes. Being 17 my downfall was my pride. I am a better driver than my friends, I have had no wrecks, and only one ticket (last week) yet as I watched my car being pulled out of a 20 ft embankment it was much more than that. I hear stories of people forever asking "why". I asked myself why about 2 times as i was trying to push open my door that was being resisted from the other side by long grass. The smoke from the airbags also hindered my search for the cell phone that ended up in the back floor boards. I knew why. Because you are an idiot, is what I told myself. I was sick with myself, for letting down my parents, for letting down my friends, and letting down myself. I was always the one who drove, I loved to drive and loved my car just as much as all the other enthusiasts here reading this. People knew i was a good driver and they and their parents trusted me. I still am a good driver, actually, I bet im better now, because i am now cautious. For me, it wasnt supposed to happen like that. If it was going to happen it would be in a split second situation in which another car was in the wrong and I chose the best choice and was commended for it. But humbly I stand looking down on my car and become sick again at what could have happened and know that God spared me and made me realize that I didnt say how it was going to happen and gave me a new outlook on life, one that is more open to what He thinks. So to all the 17 year olds I know you wont be able to learn from me, because I didnt learn from others either, but maybe this testimoney will help keep you safe for at least today, then when you begin to think it wont happen to you, hopefully you too will be able to walk away, and watch as your car is being dragged away and not your parents watch as you are dragged away. I was so sorry, but it was a choice i made and now i have to deal with the consequences. While i no longer have the Maxima, i will probable still continue to lurk around, and smile as I see naturally aspired 5th gens run 14's and continue to suprise the mustangs. But all in all, i know what the road is for, driving. Not racing or speeding or anything like that. And as I go, I just pray that I will continue to believe this and maybe others will too.


Jonathan Marsh
Former driver of an Icelandic Pearl 2000 Maxima

 

Thank God, you're ok. And I understand where you're coming from, i'm only 18 myself and in kind fo the same situation as you (i've attended driving schools, etc.), but it kinda freaks you out when something like this happens (I was lucky, i only spun my old car on a slow corner into a wooden fence). Like Nietschze said, "that which does not kill you, only makes you stronger". Live and learn.

BTW, what exactly happened?

 

Good to hear you made it out. Too young to die anyway! what happened or did you even have time to realize?

 

First of all, I am glad that you are ok. We all make mistakes and do things that we should not sometimes. You really can't stop that. The important thing is that you learn from them and become better because of it. Best of luck with things. Keep us posted on how things work out.

 

I was going around a rt hand turn doing about 80-90 and the back end started to slide a little (rsb, happens enough that it didnt bother me) but it kept coming out so i tried to cut it left to counter it. It then proceeded to catch and shoot left and i slid off left over a curb (blew all 4 tires) into an embankment. Im going up to get my stuff out of it tomorrow. will prob take pictures and will have some stuff to sell prob. too. (fstb, stillen intake, stillen muffler, y=pipe) whatever i can get out.


Jonathan Marsh

 

and i have learned. the cop was real nice too. He was like, i dont think a ticket could make you learn anything that this wreck didnt. they were all suprised i walked out of it unharmed.


Jonathan Marsh

 

Nevertheless, good to see ya postin. Not to be a vulture, are the wheels trashed? Gotta see pics of the ride!

 

I am truly sorry to here about your loss, but am happy that you walked away from the accident. This was one of the most mature and well thought out posts that I have ever read. Good luck, and happy driving in the future.

Do we see another Maxima in your future?

 

You're going to feel bad for a while, like you let everyone down. But it'll go away, and you'll be back to your dynamic fast driving self as soon as the insurance coughs up some cash. At least you're unharmed.

In my one and only accident, I slid across a three lane highway TWICE, over an embankment into the freezing Passaic River. During the worst snow storm of '00. I crawled out and up the embankment to the sight of 2 cop cars. All the while thinking "oh ****, I crashed the car." Not realizing I was freezing to death. Not really injured though. I was very lucky, although I didn't think so at the time.

 

Glad that you are alright. I am excited to see what God has in store for your life with this new outlook...obviously must be something big cause it sounds like you might not have made it otherwise. Keep us posted in the future man.
peace out.

 

Well, prety much everyone here has said what I would say and I agree with the rest that, "Thank God that you aren't hurt, a car is a car even if it is a Maxima, but the important thing is that one of our fellow maxima driver came again ok and lives another day. Some have had it worse. Glad you posted because it makes me think and hopefully your lesson taught will be my lesson learned. Take care and VeggieH8R glad you were either.

 

car can be replaced...learn from your experience...

 

Damn that sucks. Youll be back though.
and yes Im curious. Do we see another max in your future?

 

well i think im going to have to bide my time for a while and then im prob. looking to get some boost

Jonathan Marsh

 

When I was a teenager, I used to race around NYC like it was going out of style. When I started driving pro, I got a whole different perspective on what driving is about. I learned that someone else going faster than you doesn't mean anything to you and shouldn't. So many people on the roads get provoked by this. Now that I am older and have driven a handfull of fast cars, I like to cruise at high speeds rather than race. I have had a couple of races but even older guys like to race sometime. I have also found that Staties don't really even bother you for cruising as long as your not causing everyone else trouble.

All in all, no matter how good your driving skill is, you can still get into bad situations where you say "Should I trash the car or trash the person on the sidewalk(I had to make that decision when I was cut off one day, I ran into the fools car instead.)?" Should I hit the animal on the road or avoid it by running off the road and cause more damage to myself than the animal? Driving is more than just steering the car. It is critical decision making.

Good luck! As far as pleasing people goes, its most important that you please your parents. Friends will come and go.