George-
very sorry to hear about that close call, and glad for all of you that she survived.
Several years ago a very good friend of mine was involved in an extremely serious accident in a Yugo. Yeah, we used to joke about the car. One time though, someone crossed the center line, in fog, and hit the Yugo head on. Closing speed ??? 75 mph?? Hard to say. He spent weeks getting his legs rebuilt, among other injuries. His wife and young baby were killed. All properly belted, etc. The car had no structural integrity. It was nearly new at the time, not a rusted out junk.
Another friend a short time later was killed in a rollover accident in a Geo Tracker. No seatbelt this time, but also a vehicle far too easy to roll.

These are a *few* of my reasons for driving Volvos. I've seen the results of similar accidents with these cars. Nothing besides staying home could be safer.
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Rob Bareiss, New London, CT 86 244, 87 244, 88 744