On April 18, 2006, I was traveling with my two kids (a nine year old son and seven year old), and we were hit broadside on the passenger side of the car while making a U-turn by a Ford Ranger truck traveling at least 45-50 mph. Needless to say, my 1997 SW2 that I affectionately called "Smoke" was totaled. Most importantly, my kids and I walked away with no major injuries. The kids had typical playground stuff (bruised knee, knot on the head). I had very mild whiplash, a right ankle sprain, and thigh bruises.

It could have been much worse.

Saturns are replaceable, but my kids aren't. I'm convinced that Smoke gave his life to save his family, and I'll forever be grateful for that. It's hard to look at the pictures and realize that he's gone, but I still have his sister, Sparky, a 1995 SL2.

I'm so glad that the first horrific accident I've ever had was in a Saturn. They live up to their reputation of being safe cars and I couldn't ask for anything more. Had I been driving a foreign car, I'm pretty convinced that the outcome would've been far worse, if not fatal. Thank you Saturn for being the greatest cars on the road. I'm definitely a Saturn fan for life!

Source: Veronica