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I was writing only a few hours ago... and now the awesome 240 all the fuss was about is totalled!!!

Just a SHORT (avoidable) trip in the neighbourhood - we forgot something at the store -
and now my precious love is GONE!!!

2 lanes towards a T-section one left, one right and a lane for oncoming traffic...
we were on the empty right lane... rolling at 30-35mph towards the stopping sign...
the left lane was busy & full.. now there was a 60yr old **** in a 2003 Ford pickup, extended cab from oncoming traffic - trying to get through a small gap in the car-line in left lane to get to some building...
He was NOT able to see beyond the waiting cars into our line..
When I saw him in my lane - in was already too late, hit the brakes.. and hit him.. with wife and 18month old daughter on board...

I had nowhere to go - right was a high curb, left was cars waiting..... hit that Ranger pickup right in front of the rear wheels...
The Volvo cut through the metal, spun the truck 180° - pushed it over a curb....
Family is FINE!!! My wife hurt her leg, thats al!!!
The Volvo has serious front end damage! It still starts & runs fine, no engine check on. Frame probably bent, hard to open drivers side door.
I am SO down.. it was the car I wanted.. I put all my free time into it in the past 2 weeks, etc... WHO will find me another decent 240 Volvo - MANUAL, wagon around Indianapolis??

The Ford? well... that soothes the pain a lil - the swedish tank took it out!
The rear axle and both rear wheels are completely bend - thanks to the curb.
When they pulled it onto the towing truck I kinda could see it from above, and the whole car has a pretty noticable angle in the middle.
Leaked fluids, wouldnt start wouldnt roll hahaha....

The Volvo had the dignity to start and give me the last ride home - 2 miles away.

Sorry.. Im still kinda under shock, it just happened..
Family is OK!!! I have no idea what I wouldve done to the other driver if I would have seen my baby or wife injured - GAH
Now I will try to get over my Volvo loss, wait for the insurance money and try to find a replacement

Pics just taken at home.

http://h8h.org/jan/Volvo/The%20240/I...280_resize.JPG
http://h8h.org/jan/Volvo/The%20240/I...281_resize.JPG
http://h8h.org/jan/Volvo/The%20240/I...282_resize.JPG
http://h8h.org/jan/Volvo/The%20240/I...283_resize.JPG
http://h8h.org/jan/Volvo/The%20240/I...284_resize.JPG
http://h8h.org/jan/Volvo/The%20240/I...285_resize.JPG
http://h8h.org/jan/Volvo/The%20240/I...286_resize.JPG
http://h8h.org/jan/Volvo/The%20240/I...287_resize.JPG
http://h8h.org/jan/Volvo/The%20240/I...288_resize.JPG
http://h8h.org/jan/Volvo/The%20240/I...289_resize.JPG
http://h8h.org/jan/Volvo/The%20240/I...290_resize.JPG

 

Glad you are all ok.

See what the insurance company says.
To me most looks like sheet metal damage.
It is fixable but for how much is the key.

 

that goes to show that it is soo good you got a volvo. It kept you and your precious cargo safe. Im glad your okay.

these things have a way of working out. Have faith

 

Glad to hear you got out of it unscathed. Sounds like you had the same kind of fender bender I had a few years ago (same Ford Ranger and old man in fact). Except I was in my Accord and I was going twice as fast (60mph). I hit him in the same spot you described. Totalled both vehicles. Your 240 took it like a champ!

 

Thnk you for the condolences - yea looks like it was a good decision to buy a Volvo!

I should make a social study on that... or is it just something you have to know to be aware of in US traffic, being a foreigner...
Already picked up a habit of putting both hands on the steering wheel, driving behind a "in god we trust" license plate.
No offense - but the coefficient of irrational drivers seems to be higher there.

I am already looking for another 240 / 740 / 940 non-turbo wagon with manual.
Finding alot of A/Ts in decent shape makes me wonder - how hard is it to put a manual transmission into an automatic?!

All decisions have to wait until the adjuster returned his verdict....
will keep you updated

 

Dreadful luck but good that you were in such a superbly safevehicle.

Now then, do not despair; do NOT despair...my wife demolished a Totota in her 240 in much the same fashion as your mishap and the damage looked almost identical. Once the damaged parts were removed (about half an hour's work) and measurements were taken there was absolutely no distortion of inner wings, bulkhead or chassis legs (I had a second 240 against which I could check all measurements). A trip to my local vehicle dismantler got me all the parts I needed for under £100 ($200) and all except the bonnet were the correct colour - I got a matching bonnet later.

Result? back on the road by tea time the next day.

Just a warning though, unless you have the skills and knowledge required you will need to get it checked out by an expert but I'm sure you have trustworthy and enthusiastic body repair shop in your area? ...and don't take a first negative response as final, seek a second opinion - have you got an owners' club on your side of the pond? - they should have access to chassis data if necessary

Best of luck. Dave

 

Mh, well deformation of the frame is one thing, going to a professional about it could also show that there was serious stress to the frame,
yet no deformation - result is a weakened structure!

The description of your repair sounds promising.
- Have to call the insurance again, get a rental car - then probably something else used (we were loking at a second car anyway)
- Indianapolis is a black hole when it comes to Volvos - I would have to search in a ~150-200miles radius to get all spare parts
(unless I am really lucky to find something in the area)
- WIFE - I am not sure if I can convince my wife o a repair. Convince her that its worth it etc...
- Time: I came to the US just 2 weeks ago. We are curently living at my MIL - planned to move to Rochester or Grand Rapids...
There is a lot to organize, alot of savings to be spend, a 18month old daughter to look after etc.
A repair an only be successful if I can handle it (no great experience with workin on cars, if its only non-technical stuff to replace I would be ok I guess). Have to find all needed parts within reasonable amount of time. If a professional is needed - the price decides...

Again: I have to wait for the adjuster to get a budget-frame for a repair.
Best would be if he decides that it is NOT totalled and I can just turn it in and get it back as new ... naive thought I guess!

What blue-book-value is the insurance payment based on? trade-in-value?
I get mad looking at a loss of probably ~500$ - we are just getting started here... and the car was essential because you re ****ed not being mobile in the US *sigh

 

Hmm...
took a few more pics...

The AC condenser had it, the driver-side bumper-mount wih buffer looks bent towards the passenger side -
probably also caused the gap between the driver-side fender and door!
Driver-side panel and door
Bumper-mount - side view
Bumper-mount - front view
Problem:
on the passenger side, you can see that the buffer from the bumper took energy - was moved in, just as it should!
On the drivers side the buffer was NOT pushed in - only the mount was torn to the passenger side - the main impact was on the passenger side!

Ripped AC condenser

Passenger-side bumper mount and connected metal

 

Glad to see that you and the family is ok. Check out craigslist.org, there are always a ton of 240s for sale there.

Nick