Rip Baby Blue 2003-2008

I’m sad to say my beloved 2003 Pontiac Aztek sacrificed itself for me today so my friends and I could see another day. I am going to miss my baby and when I see an Aztek on the road my eyes may tear up but that is fine.

Me and my Aztek was a case of love at first site. When I saw her at the NY Auto Show she was just a vision of what was to come. Sure she looked different than other cars out there but the uniqueness is what drew me in. When they decided to make the Aztek a real car I was beyond joy.

In 2003 I traded in my old car for the Aztek. She and I fit together perfectly. Never did she complain about where I took her or how long we were out. She didn’t care if it was a trip a few blocks to the supermarket or a few states away she just wanted to go.

Sure as she aged maintenance had to be done but nothing out of the ordinary for a car of her caliber.

On Thursday we went for a tip to Hershey Pa to see Smucker’s Stars On Ice. It was myself and three friends. The first part of the trip went without a hitch. We made it there and drove around the area going to Indian Echo Caverns.

Today (well yesterday) we left Hershey and headed to Gettysburg so my friend can go to the Boyd s Bear store there. On the way we found out the store was closed until may so we changed out plans and headed to a late lunch.

My lady the Blue Aztek didn’t complain instead she took this right in stride. On the way back I got tired and my friend Tom who is a mechanic who did work on my car offered to drive. I tossed him the keys and switched seats.

We made it back to New Jersey and was headed to his house. He decided to fill my tank since I paid for the gas and tolls back from Hershey. I told him he didn’t need to do that then I drifted back asleep.

That is the last time I saw my Blue Baby as I will remember her.

Shortly after that I heard a crash, my friends in the back started screaming. I felt something hit my face. I opened my eyes and asked what happened thinking we hit a deer or something. My friend tells me that a car ran a stop sign and hit us.

I unlatch my seatbelt and try to get out of the car. I can’t get the door open. I try again and no good. Then I try the lock and realize it was still locked so I unlocked it then got out.

One of my friends in the back got out also and the other was screaming. We thought she was hurt badly. I call 911 on my cell phone to report the accident and I’m not able to answer the questions of where I am other than telling them the street names because I am so disoriented.

Suddenly less than a minute late an ambulance comes down the road. It was redirected from a call that didn’t need them. They tend to the people hurt. There was an elderly driver in the car that hit us, she was pulled out of her car, put on a stretcher and taken to a hospital. My friend in the back who said her leg hut if she touched it was also taken to a hospital.

My friend Tom and I also ended up at the hospital because as I calmed down I started getting pains in my neck and shoulders. The CAT scan shows nothing wrong inside my head or neck and I have an abrasion from the air bag.

Only one of my friends has a severe injury (as far as I know) and that is a sprained ankle.

So now I have to heal because I will be achey tomorrow or so they say, start looking for a new car which I can afford and figure out who’s insurance will pay for what.

Most of what was in my car was taken out and my friend’s brother was able to get, the rest is in my car at the impound yard.

(Pics will be posted after I get some sleep)

I would be asking some insurance questions here but they may be considered legal advice requests so I am not going to do that.

I hope someone had the presence of mind to photograph the scene. And do photograph your abrasions and bruises.

I’m glad you’re okay: I’ve been cut out of my car and those crumple zones do exactly what they’re supposed to do. Right now, kick back and let the insurance company do its job.

BTW if the crash was particularly impressive, Pontiac might be interested interested in the photos for crash analysis. You say you had an abrasion from the airbag: they might well be interested in those so they can improve airbag design.

So glad you’re ok, MannyL. She did her job well.
The siren song of a new automotive soul mate will direct you to your next love affair. Take your time, but be open to new possibilities!

Yes I took some scene photos with my cell phone and so did the responders. I did not get a photo of the abrasion.

Other than my right knee hurting I feel decent

Abrasions from air bags are not uncommon, nor are propelant burns, from what I understand. They can’t just use a nice, soft material for an airbag, and it does come at you pretty quickly… :slight_smile:

Glad you guys are all okay. Car did the right thing for you.

Ah, its sad when a car dies, especially if its given such sterling service in the past. Sadly my sister and I lost our cars less than a year after buying each, mine to a break in, hers to Italian build quality. Still, at least as you say, it did so saving your life :slight_smile:

As an aside, I googled the car to see what it was like, that front end has me blinking and thinking I’m seeing double.

First, glad to hear that you’re (mostly) o.k.

My daughter was stopped at a traffic light some years back, late at night. It’s the first traffic light after a long stretch of no intersections for several miles on Rte 18. There were a few cars in front of her. Suddenly, BLAM!! another car slams into her car at what must have been at least close to 40 mph. The force propelled her car into the on in front, which went into the one in front of that, etc. She was wearing a seat belt and had literally not a scratch. The crumple zones front and rear were demolished. The entire passenger compart ment was intact. Incidentally, the guys who ran into her were wearing wristbands from a bar, were not wearing seatbelts, and smashed into their own windshield. There was blood everywhere and at least one of them was very severely injured.

Yeah, they make cars better these days.

I’m sorry but I wont be posting more updates here. I found out some information that I don’t want to make public if a suit is necessary. If you have concerns about me PM or E-mail me please