Safe Happens (or, "I'm glad I was in a Jetta")

fitzski · March 26th, 2008, 06:34

A sad day.

Some bad luck (despite everyone saying how "lucky" I am...) last Wednesday. Went to a concert not far from home, and it was raining when we went in (around 7:30), and wasn't expecting any worse. Leaving around 11:30 found a good 2" of slushy wet snow everywhere. Dropped my fellow concert-goer off back at his car, and got a fateful red light on the way home - if it had been green, I'd have turned left, taken the highway, and not be making this post. Instead, it was red, so I turned right instead of waiting, and took the back way, along roads I drive practically daily.

Sparing the details, I ended up tackling into a Mazda Tribute, just 2 to 3 kms from getting home. The Jetta did fabulously, sacrificing itself to an obvious extent. I walked away, with only a cut to my forehead. No intrusion into the passenger compartment at all, no broken side windows. I couldn't open the drivers door (though probably could have with more effort), but climbed over and out the passenger side.

I think the Zaino wax held up well - I'm sure this will buff right out. Note the lack of spiderwebbing in the other photos.

My battery was split in half. I noticed half of it in the road at the accident, about 30' from the car, which explained why my hazards didn't work... LOL. Airbags deployed (I don't have side curtains), and while I definitely blacked out for the impact, I was conscious immediately, and can recall the bags deflating. They're pretty soft... :shock:

RIP, little buddy.

Lamenting the loss of my beloved TDI, but so happy to be home with my wife and son.

Still deciding what to do for replacement (yes, it's a write-off!). Obviously, new TDI's aren't available until the fall (and I'm not really a fan of the MkV Jetta anyway). Considered an Audi A3, but only because I figured I could get quattro with the 2.0T, which apparently I can't - so that's out. A MkV GTI 4-door might be good... but I think I'd be constantly nagged by the comparatively poor fuel economy (even if diesel locally is $1.25/litre).

I'm scoping out other MkIV Jetta PDs. There's nothing local right now, so I'm going to browse State-side and see what I can find. Hopefully something loaded, clean, full history, relatively low miles, and accessible.

dieseldorf · March 26th, 2008, 06:41

Damn, that's a serious hit. Glad to hear you're doing OK.

ScorpionBoy · March 26th, 2008, 07:19

boom shakalaka! what a hit. also glad you are ok.

spongebob · March 26th, 2008, 07:36

The Jetta served you well

Glad you're ok.

mrGutWrench · March 26th, 2008, 07:54

__. Welcome to the "the parts have quit dropping to the ground and we're OK" club. Glad to hear that you aren't hurt.

MikeS_18 · March 26th, 2008, 08:03

Fitz, sorry to hear you killed the car. How fast? Looks pretty fast. Everybody okay in the other car?

andreigbs · March 26th, 2008, 08:13

Wow, that's a pretty nasty impact. Glad you're OK, the Jetta did its job of protecting you well. Good luck finding a replacement TDI; the lack of new TDIs certainly makes keeping the older ones more attractive every day.

Funguy · March 26th, 2008, 08:39

You sure have the right attitude about this. My jetta did a great job protecting my family back in '02. And some people don't "like" airbags?!
Glad you are OK.

fitzski · March 26th, 2008, 09:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeS_18

Fitz, sorry to hear you killed the car. How fast? Looks pretty fast. Everybody okay in the other car?

The speedo on my wrecked car was stuck at 50 km/h, which jives with my recollection of how fast *I* was going (speed limit of 80 on the road). I have no idea how fast the oncoming car was going. All I know about the other guy is that he is "OK"... he was unconscious when I got to him and for maybe another 5 mins, and they had some difficulty getting him out, but I don't think his injuries were serious. No passengers in either vehicle.

I'll probably end up with another PD Jetta. It makes the most sense for us, and I really can't imagine being without a diesel. I'll be looking State-side to try and get something clean. Pretty slim-pickings locally - and 5-speeds seem very rare.

Plus, that means I'll be able to move a lot of stuff over to a "new" car. I should still have a chance to go and salvage a few things (CAT fuel filter, 5.5l washer fluid tank (still holding fluid), euroswitch, phatbox, etc.).

Thanks folks; it's nice to be here.

canadatoon · March 26th, 2008, 09:22

don't subaru have a new diesel engine out this year?
worth a look?

alphaseinor · March 26th, 2008, 09:34

How did the tribute hold up, it looks like it was an off center hit, and the front bumper beam distributed the load quite well... did you notice if his beam was relatively straight or if it was bent in two places (double L shaped)?

400 extra pounds over your Jetta, and if he was going the same speed that's a 60 MPH accident. Someone's car became an extra crumple zone, and I think it's probably the Mazda!

Safe happens indeed!

tditom · March 26th, 2008, 09:42

sorry for your loss, but glad to hear you're OK.

I wonder how any other car that comes close to the fuel economy we acheive would hold up in this scenario!

york77777 · March 26th, 2008, 21:24

Lets try that with a Prius! Lol

It would probably shatter like a chunk of ice (except for the massive clump of batteries).

ymz · March 26th, 2008, 22:22

Ouch !!!

Glad you're around to tell the tale...

Yuri.

TDikook · March 26th, 2008, 23:25

all I can say is WOW!!!

what a hit.. glad you made it to tell the tale!
I too know the loss of a good TDI. hang in there, you be back with us in no time!!
but for now, you can always come and visit!

Glad you are OK!!

Eric B