2002 SL1 Rear Ended + Front End Damage

[SkippyThorson]

I wanted to come here to my fellow Saturn owners and let everyone know what's going on in my own little Saturn rings of life. This afternoon I was rear ended while stopped in downtown traffic.

The guy behind me in a 2003 VW Jetta / Passat / don't know / don't care decided to not stop or even attempt to stop and rear-ended me going about 40-45 in a 30, which was actually likely a 20 due to construction, now that I think about it.

When he hit me, the first thing I remember was hearing the grinding and crunching noises in addition to a huge pop. Luckily, the pop wasn't me, but my driver seat - the impact was enough to break the seat, which went beyond a reclined position, and rested on the rear seat. I remember bouncing forward then.

It gets worse. I got pushed into another Saturn, a Saturn Ion, which I only remember because I was admiring it. An elderly woman sitting in traffic like the rest of us got a ruined rear bumper because of it. My front end was damaged as well as the rear.

The hood was jacked pretty good, and the front bumper is toast. The radiator is likely gone, and that big black bar where the hood latch is got pushed back. I think the left front fender is cracked. Both headlights are history - I recovered parts of the front Saturn badge, though. The rear bumper is also toast, as are both rear fenders. The lights and trunk panel were fine, though. The trunk is likely ruined, and worst of all, he broke my Saturn Of Mohawk Valley license plate frame.

I called him a few explicative names, to which his response was "I had something in my eye" - yeah, like a cell phone text. An 'accident reconstruction expert' noticed one glaring thing; that there were no skid marks from his car at all, only those from mine after I was pushed, and those from the woman in front of me. Local police even scoffed and chuckled after talking to him. Not sure what he told them, but I guess it wasn't good enough. He'll be at fault.

Any words of advice? Where does it look like I'll be going from here? The good news is what's in my garage: a blue hood, trunk, fenders, bumpers, headlights, tail lights, etc... I'm terrified to hear that they might total my car and give me some rip-off check. The mechanic / flat-bed driver and police said it didn't look that bad, but I'm really, really nervous about the engine. It just hit 70,000 miles.

I'm hoping to hear it can be fixed. If it can, I'll take opportunity to do so. I LOVE that car. I was counting on another easy 10 years with it. If they tell me the cost to fix it is too high, then I'll be coaxing that price down a ton with all the spare parts I have. It will be back in my driveway, it's just a matter of when and how.

[Saturninin]

Originally Posted by SkippyThorson

The hood was jacked pretty good, and the front bumper is toast. The radiator is likely gone, and that big black bar where the hood latch is got pushed back. I think the left front fender is cracked. Both headlights are history - I recovered parts of the front Saturn badge, though. The rear bumper is also toast, as are both rear fenders. The lights and trunk panel were fine, though. The trunk is likely ruined, and worst of all, he broke my Saturn Of Mohawk Valley license plate frame.

Any words of advice? Where does it look like I'll be going from here? The good news is what's in my garage: a blue hood, trunk, fenders, bumpers, headlights, tail lights, etc... I'm terrified to hear that they might total my car and give me some rip-off check. The mechanic / flat-bed driver and police said it didn't look that bad, but I'm really, really nervous about the engine. It just hit 70,000 miles.

DANG 2nd hit in front and rear post :/

How much work are you willing to do yourself?
Any pics of your damage, (mainly rear end and radiator {core} support)

I had lady back up in to me in 98 SW2 (170k) (State Farm booked it at 3,000 and 1,550 in damages) damages were core support, bumper, hood, headlamps

So with a 02 SL1 with 70k you should be at hopefully about 5,000ish so depending on how bad your car is they might not total it (cost wise) (cross fingers)

What I did was got an estimate and rental car from the body shop and then took the 1550 (paid 1600 for car - 1550 from insurance = $50 car) then took 200 to yard and fixed it

for your core support how bad is it?

you might be able to get by with pulling it out or

might have to get a JY core support

[Midnight13]

I just read about the 1st gen white sc too. This really stink! You're a little closer to home, but I know how these NY'er's love to text while driving! I've been guilty of that myself, but at least on open country roads!Sorry!! Hope you can keep your car, I know i'd be a little ticked if mine was totaled, I have a barn full of parts like you seem to have!

Hope it's mostly cosmetic damage more than anything.

Please share pics when you get a chance. Want to see how well they hold up, and would love to see before and after pics of the fix

[Saturninin]

Originally Posted by Midnight13

I just read about the 1st gen white sc too. This really stink!

and we're going into winter making it Saturn Crushing FEAST at yards since our plastic panels

[SkippyThorson]

The rear looks ugly, though I'm hoping that it's mostly cosmetic. I know the muffler bracket will need to be replaced, maybe even some pipe. That's ok, everything else seemed fairly straight back there. I'll find out when I can get the trunk open.

The front end, which was a much slower hit, got even more damage. Not sure who at Saturn designed that trunk area, but they did a fantastic job - maybe even saving me some hefty injuries.

If you look, my driver seat isn't really gone, it's laying basically parallel to the floor. That'll be interesting to replace - it's that little-random-shape-pattern tan material that I don't see too often.

That big black bar in front of the engine looks like it got the worst damage of the day. Everything blue will be easily replaced by me if need be. Unfortunately, I think the right rear panel that cracked is the one I don't have - that can be repaired, though.

Unbelievable. The worst part, I wouldn't have been where I was had I not gotten my car washed 10 minutes earlier. Oh well, the "What Ifs" are going to kill me if I don't stop. So I'll stop.

[Saturninin]

Originally Posted by SkippyThorson

The rear looks ugly, though I'm hoping that it's mostly cosmetic. I know the muffler bracket will need to be replaced, maybe even some pipe. That's ok, everything else seemed fairly straight back there. I'll find out when I can get the trunk open.

I hope it is

Originally Posted by SkippyThorson

The front end, which was a much slower hit, got even more damage. Not sure who at Saturn designed that trunk area, but they did a fantastic job - maybe even saving me some hefty injuries.

Just be glad not a SUV in-front of you, and yeah my wrecks in my Saturns (dad's SL1 {still driving} and Vue {totaled by drunk drive}) is why I bought my SL2..... can't match the Amazingness of how Saturns hold up in crashes

Originally Posted by SkippyThorson

If you look, my driver seat isn't really gone, it's laying basically parallel to the floor. That'll be interesting to replace - it's that little-random-shape-pattern tan material that I don't see too often.

SL2 seat upgrade time

Originally Posted by SkippyThorson

That big black bar in front of the engine looks like it got the worst damage of the day.

Core Support/ Radiator Support, think you will have to wait to pop it up until insurance because of how bent the buckle of hood is (dealing w/ friends 3rd gen that had about same front end issues and it got taken off at the hood hinges)

Post a pic of how it looks and someone should be able to help

Originally Posted by SkippyThorson

Everything blue will be easily replaced by me if need be. Unfortunately, I think the right rear panel that cracked is the one I don't have - that can be repaired, though.

Do you have time to do this yourself?

a) insurance does not total it..... estimate for $2k+ .... take $$$ and run and slap on the body panels you have, (if everything else is straight), might have to get core support outa yard and put it in

b) insurance totals it.....
1. fight for non-salvage title (you were minding your own business when guy hit you, take $$$ and buy car back and fix
2. (does it burn oil?) buy it and get a car someone ran low on oil and swap engines

Originally Posted by SkippyThorson

Unbelievable. The worst part, I wouldn't have been where I was had I not gotten my car washed 10 minutes earlier. Oh well, the "What Ifs" are going to kill me if I don't stop. So I'll stop.

What Ifs..... hard part of life, can't change past though


Glad your okay though

Side note: saddddd day to see plate frame broken :/

[underthehood]

Don't sign off that you're ok too fast. I had a similar accident similar speeds. I now MANY years later still have a bone chip floating around in my neck causing stiff necks, headache and so on. And that accident happened in 1974! So get to a Dr. and get X-Rays and or MRI what have you. I too thought I was fine and signed off on it. Than after noticing neck pain, headaches and so on it was found I had this bone damage traced back to that wreck.
As for the car (yours) it's toast I hate to say. I can tell even from the photos you have WAY more damage structurally than can be taken on DIY and WAY more than is economically feasible commercially.
As for getting your title. Up to you if you want to take on scrapping it yourself. Good luck and GET TO A DOCTOR!

[alordofchaos]

Sorry to hear about teh accident and glad you seem to be OK.

If it's totaled, maybe they will sell you back the car for the scrap value, or just the engine. If it's not totalled, you can buy another seat and pull off your current cover for reuse. You may need to reglue it to the foam for those texture lines in there though.

[bumpdraft]

Keep it for parts.
Find another one like it and transfer the good parts.


Careful with your lower back.
Cybertech Mechanical back brace might be a good idea.


Full Moon is November 10th (tonight)

[SkippyThorson]

Thank you all for the words of wisdom. I woke up this morning feeling ok until the time came to sit up, and it was a bit of a struggle. Anyone that knows me knows I'm not very tough at all but I'm strong-willed and stubborn. (Calabrian Italian, it's in the genes I've been told.) So while I'm in good spirits and in no pain, the soreness of my mid-section causes me to use my arms to get up, for instance, after laying in bed. I don't like modern medicine - I was raised believing the body heals itself for free, so if this is the worst I feel, I'm good.

UnderTheHood, I'll take your advice and go get some tests done. Fitting screen name that made me think - I look ok, but I want to make sure what's under the hood is ok too.

That car had 70,000 miles on a flawless motor that only leaked oil at about 2 quarts in 1,500 miles. It jus started that last year, and I found the source to be the pressure valve thing; a fairly easy fix.

I'm going to fight to have the car fixed, or I'm going to fight to get it done myself. Another car is out of the question because I broke the unwritten rule. On top of it being an amazingly flawless car for 10 years, I got attached. It was the first new car my parents ever owned, and I bought it from them to keep it in the family. Plus, I knew how it was treated and meticulously maintained. It will be back on the road no matter how long it takes.

I thought about painting my Saturn Vue badges black just to remind me of where that car's been. First thing on my mind when I picked up the 2 halves of my logo off the ground. STUPID FULL MOON.

[SkippyThorson]

The insurance guy was very nice about things, and I know it's his job to be friendly and helpful, but he seemed very genuine. He said the first thing he noticed was the water on the mangled hood still beading up. He also looked at the interior and called it one of the cleanest he's ever seen. He went as far as calling it perfect inside. The car has more structural damage at the rear than the front does. The right rear trunk area is pretty crinkled in. I have faith still. We'll see.

I got a quote already. $5,400 without the car and $4,900 with. Give or take some change. I obviously kept the car. What I want to do is take the money and fix the structural and mechanical damage. What's left over with all the body damage will be fixed by me. Is it possible? I like to have a lot of faith that it can be done. My thought is that this car was built from nothing by people. Surely it can be repaired by people. What cost would I be looking at for just the trunk work and engine / front end work?

[underthehood]

Good luck on it but after many years in the beeezaniss as they say in Italian I will lay odds that damage on your baby is north of $7000. I am attached to my Saturn(s) too but in the end it's an appliance. Not meaning to sound cruel about it. But looking at the damage vs cost issue it seems like a losing proposition.

[SkippyThorson]

The "beeezaniss", haha. That made me feel better. I completely understand where you're coming from - not cruel at all. I have a mechanic buddy at a Ford dealer which is the only body shop my Saturn has ever been to. I'd like to bring that guy down to look over the car and get his in-person opinion. (Not that I don't trust anyone here.)

$7,000? Wow. That's a cheap recent vehicle. Honestly, I've been eyeing the Fiat 500 or Ford Fiesta. I'm just not ready to leave the Saturn world. Let's say it can't be fixed - should I get another good 2002 SL1? Should I upgrade to an Ion or Astra? I just want my Saturn - and I had it yesterday. Ugghhh.....

[simkid5614]

Upgrade progressively. Ion then Aura or Astra, Being that the ION is still BCM controlled and the Astra and Aura are now CANBUS controlled.. They are more finicky.

[alordofchaos]

I looked at Ions for a while, but the mpg just did not impress me.

Just me, but if its not repairable, I would look for a clean 3rd gen body with either engine or trans problems to buy cheap, then transplant good / clean parts from your car.

[adventureoflink]

Originally Posted by underthehood

I am attached to my Saturn(s) too but in the end it's an appliance.

uh yeeeeeeeah, like the car came from Japan or Korea...

Originally Posted by SkippyThorson

Should I upgrade to an Ion or Astra?

DO NOT, under any means, whatever you do, DO NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT get an Astra.

the main issue is that parts are either close to non-existant or VERY rare and your car will be sitting for WEEKS for a part. The car came from Belgium, after all.

that being said, sorry about your loss @ OP

[SkippyThorson]

alordofchaos, that's my best bet, really. I can live with a new body just as long as the 70k engine is still the original heart of the car. I've been looking at southern rust-free cars with low mileage.

I'm so thuroughly disgusted with the event that I'm ready to break out my bicycle. I didn't plan to car shop for another 10 years.

Trust me, I WON'T be getting an Astra. I don't personally know any owners, and the only ones I've ever seen have been on the NY State Thruway. I love knowing parts are readily available for my S-Series, and I like knowing it was built right in Tennessee.

[SkippyThorson]

The car was considered totaled with no question about the ability to repair it. With rear frame damage, possibly serious front end damage, and no telling what hidden damage was done, it's done. Even if I provided the shop with all of the parts I had, I was still looking at a 5-figure repair cost. $10,000 or more.

I didn't want to keep my hopes up, even though I know I sort of did. That news was a huge let down. He did tell me it might be worth the time to save the motor, but not the rest of the car.

Now I know it sounds stupid, and I know it might not even be possible, but I'd like to work on it; slowly over time. I'd like to see if this could be a Winter driver. I won't pour money in to it, but I'll tinker.

I'd love to prove everyone wrong, and I'd love to get my car back on the road. I don't really know what I'm going to do, but just junking rid of something that I've put so much of my time and effort in to isn't an option - it's just a wreck now, but I don't want to get rid of it.

To my garage it goes. I'll stay on the forums here, and we'll see where life takes me. In the meanwhile, I want to thank the entire Saturn community for the support and backing whenever my car and I needed it. The help, guidance, and even a little friendship means more to me than I can express.