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Hello all,
I've been reading posts for the past couple of weeks, and unfortunately my first post has to be about a very sad event - the day my '99 9-5 SE died. It was May 16. I was on my way to work, driving around 60 on a country road, coming up to an intersection with a 2-way stop sign on the cross road. This car stops at the stop sign on my right, then proceeds to pull out and make a left turn right in front of me. I barely had enough time to hit the brakes, and right before I hit him, I swerved to the left (so I didn't hit him square on the driver's door.) Next thing I know, my head is buried in the air bag. I remember seeing my body fly forward against the seat belt. (Later on, when we were emptying the car of belongings, I tried putting the seat belt on, and the pretentioner pulled the belt so tight that I couln't even buckle it!) Then I came to rest in the field choking on the dust from the air bags. I heard the familiar DING DONG, look at the SID and it says "FRONT LIGHT FAILURE". No S**t!!! I do a quick check of myself, making sure everything still works. Then I dial 911 which is easy to do since I know right where my phone is - in the holder mounted to the dash. The radio even still works. I look over to the other car, expecting to find someone seriously hurt, but I see him crawling over to the passenger's side to get out. He walks over to me, says that he's ok (later found out that he has a broken collar bone, and he is unable to compete in the state championship with his golf team), and then we wait for the police. As they interview the other driver, he tells them that he stopped and then pulled out without even looking!!!! Stupid 18 year old drivers! I Later find out this is his third totaled car in 2 years! Needless to say he was found 100% at fault and his insurance paid for everything. Also, turns out that our families know each other quite well. His mom was one of my teachers in grade school, and we attend the same church. His insurance company wanted a full estimate before they totaled the car, and the estimate was over $35,000. More than the car was new back in 1999! Luckly, his insurance company was fairly quick about paying for the car, so I only had to drive that Saturn L200 for a month until we found my new baby - a 2000 AERO!! So I guess overall, everything worked out for the best. (Minus the bruises and weeks of chiropractic treatments. But at least I didn't have any serious injuries.) Now I'm just praying that nothing happens to the AERO.
Onto the safety of the car. I am a firm believer in the safety of SAAB's, having been through more than my fair share of accidents in my 21 years of life. If you look at the pictures, the only apparent damage is from the wheels forward. All 4 doors open and close properly, and there is no other visible buckling or creasing anywhere else on the car. However, the engine compartment is pretty messed up. The transmission case is cracked, the turbo is cracked and jammed against the engine, and the engine itself is moved back against the firewall. The car performed very well considering I was probably still going 40 to 50 at the moment of impact. I will never drive anything other than a SAAB.
http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/123075/0.jpg
http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/123075/1.jpg
Well that's it for now,
Michael
1988 SAAB 9000T (175k and still running great)
1991 SAAB 9000CD (R.I.P.)
1995 SAAB 9000CDE (traded in for 9-5)
1999 SAAB 9-5 SE (R.I.P)
2000 SAAB 9-5 AERO
posted by 65.30.196...
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