I'd been searching for a 5th gen Maxima for months. I'd originally looked for a 5 speed, but reconsidered since my commute has gotten considerably worse lately (I live in the Tampa Bay area). Just about the time I was ready to give up for a while, I found the perfect car. 2001 Maxima GXE, fairly low miles, grey lustre, PERFECT condition. Had the car checked out and the verdict from the Nissan dealer was 'buy this car!' I went down on my lunch break last Tuesday and signed all the paperwork. I picked up some lunch, filled the car with gas and was headed back to work. I crossed through the intersection near the new stadium on a green light slowing to about 38-40mph. Right as I entered the intersection, a white Ford Ranger ran the redlight from the cross street doing about 60mph. I didn't even have time to slow. I hit the brakes, but the only effect was slight nose diving right as I broadsided the Ranger. Both airbags deployed, I spun completely around and knocked the Ranger into three other cars that were all stopped at the red light. I walked away from the accident with very minor injuries (very sore neck and back). I loved my Maxima for the 20 minutes I had it! Needless to say, I'll be getting another one as soon as the insurance check is cut. I'm so glad I wasn't in my 93 Honda Civic Coupe ...

Here are the pics: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/kirzan/ls...c=ph%26.view=t

 

Damn dude. That's some crazy stuff! Good thing you weren't hurt. How was the other guy? Hey, I know a good chiro for that neck!

 

What happened to the idiot that ran the red light?

 

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OMG, those pictures are nuts!! Glad to hear you came out alright.

 

that max looks soo bad... it sorta looks like mine. I hate to see such a nice car f***ed up!

 

thats the worst. any ideas what the new max is going to be? you want the same one if you can find it or have you put some more thought into it?

uh oh. was the white ranger a company car? someone doesnt have a job anymore.

 

damn man...that is some seriously f*cked up shia. Freakin idiots!!!!! People that run red lights seriously **** me off. I was driving around today and stopped for a red just as it turned red and the idiot behind me honked

Glad you're okay though!!!

 

Glad to know you're okay!

Steve, still a magnet for crazy peeps huh?

 

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I really feel that the car saved me. Don't know if you guys noticed in the pics, but there is NO damage from the front doors back. Both front doors still open an close smoothly -- no scraping. That car crumpled beautifully. Actually, the trunk was 'sprung' in the accident. Any idea how that might have happened? The lady (I use that term loosely -- I couldn't really tell her gender until after she got out of the car) who ran the light was not injured. She was in a company car -- in fact, the first thing she did when she got out of the truck was to call her boss and tell her she'd just wrecked it. Doh! I hate to say anything too awful, but she probably deserves to lose her job. I have little doubt their premiums are gonna go up! Flordia seems to be a magnet for the worst drivers in the country. I see so many people run red lights, it's scary. Still not sure what the insurance adjusters are going to give me. My max was a 2001 GXE. The Nissan dealer told me it had the "sport" suspension when I had it checked out. I bought the car from Hertz (why I got such a nice deal) and apparently they upgrade all their cars to the heaviest duty suspension available. It felt as firm as a 2000 SE I drove with maybe a bit more float over larger bumps. Hard to tell since I only got to drive the car for about 20 minutes! I'd like to get a 2001 SE. Did any of these have side airbags? Needless to say, safety has become a bit more of a concern since the accident.

 

Check out my former car on my webpage. Similar incident, If I would not have swerved I'd hit the guy solid in his door. Glad To hear you can out OK. Safety was a factor when I got my replacement.
l8tr -- SS

 

Wow - Glad you are ok!

 

I couldn't tell if that was a Maxima until I saw the stock GXE wheels!