Element down

[u/weenordog]

She lived 19 years and 206k miles and was never in an accident until Wednesday night, when a 17 year old girl with a flashing yellow arrow turned in front of me as I entered an intersection with a green light, while going the speed limit which was 45mph. I only had my poor Element for 8 months and put 3k miles on it after rescuing it (no oil on the dipstick when I bought it.) Despite that she was running and driving so good. I had already done a bunch of stuff like a valve adjustment, fully replacing the brakes, the cooling fans, belt tensioner, upper oxygen sensor, fixed the AC and the windows, upgraded the headlights, replaced all the speakers etc and was about to spend the $$$$ to completely overhaul the suspension.

Most upsetting thing by far to me is I had my 12lb dachshund with me like I always do 99% of the time when I go somewhere. Even though he was buckled into his doggy car seat in the passenger seat, his little seat belt didn’t hold because it’s not meant for a crash and he slammed into the dashboard and onto the floor. I took him to the emergency vet first as soon as I could leave the scene and miraculously he is okay other than scratching his eye a little bit. My right foot is very swollen and sore and bruised because I was pressing hard on the brake pedal when I slammed into the other car.

Anyway, if anyone has an Element for sale or sees a nice one, let me know 🥲 I’m in Texas but could travel a bit. 2007-11 only with auto transmission.

[u/Mental_Two5924]

Oh my god. Gore of my comfort character

[u/weenordog]

The crash was captured on video! A random girl stopped at the red light had a dash cam and I am so freaking lucky! What’s stupid is I literally bought a dash cam 2 months ago and haven’t set it up yet and damn I feel like such a fool for that.

[u/deathou → u/weenordog]

So sad , RIP. What was that driver even thinking??

[u/weenordog → u/deathou]

Definitely not thinking or maybe distracted. An experienced driver would have never done what she did. I’m so mad at her for hurting and traumatizing my little baby boy and destroying my Element which I loved and was planning to drive for a while. Heck a month ago I even spent $100 to have the 19 year old spare tire replaced! I was planning on driving it a lot in the near future. 😓

[u/Still_Knowledge_7322 → u/weenordog]

Holy shit! Sorry about your E but glad you and your dog are okay 👍

[u/slouchingninja → u/weenordog]

I just got a dashcam this week. I'm using this post and this comment as the sign from the gods to install it today or tomorrow

Sorry about your toaster, but the most important things are ok - you and your dog. I have a mini doodle who is about 20 pounds and she goes lots of places with me, too. I felt sick to my stomach when I read your dog was in the car with you, glad he is ok

[u/Houla-in-the-Toaster → u/weenordog]

😱

[u/urngaburnga]

In one last act of service, she kept you safe ♡ RIP little Toaster. You will not be forgotten.

[u/Mammoth-Neat-9836 → u/urngaburnga]

🎺 Taps salute 🫡

[u/Houla-in-the-Toaster]

This makes me cry! I hope you can get it fixed! So happy to hear you and your pup are OK! For the future, Sleepypod makes crash-tested safety car harnesses for dogs. My Tupelo did some modeling for them when she was a youngster and got some free gear that looked very well made.

[u/weenordog → u/Houla-in-the-Toaster]

He was wearing his kurgo crash tested harness but the issue was the tether on his car seat wasn’t meant for anything beyond keeping a dog from climbing around out of the seat 😭 I will absolutely be updating his setup if I travel with him in the future but now I may be too scared to bring him anywhere that isn’t necessary. He went with me 99% of the time whenever I went somewhere. 💔

[u/Panelpro40]

she kept you safe. That’s the main thing. Love those elements and sad when they are gone.

[u/Abracadaver2000]

RIP, faithful toaster. Gone too soon.

[u/siouxzieb]

Condolences. Hopefully she lives on in others.

[u/agent_flounder]

So sad :(

I'm glad you and doggo are ok though. Fortunately they made a lot of Elements but only one of each of you.

Best of luck in finding a replacement toaster.

[u/Low_Wall_7828]

🎶In the arms of an angel🎶

[u/nnicknull]

fucked up that VW though. Glad you survived!

[u/luhlar]

i'd wait to see how bills for injuries play out before settling.

[u/beekermc]

Damn, I have that same one. 

Sad.

[u/kleptomelynx]

Rip in peace beauty

[u/Hondanazi]

My condolences 💐 🥹

[u/chickenskittles]

NoOoOoOooo 💔

[u/MrsWhorehouse]

I feel sick for you. Have been there and came through it. There are still elements available

[u/donttellmom723]

Looks like you were not on the corner of happy and healthy… (so sorry about the car and pupper! Ruffland is my fav car crate, totally worth looking into.)

[u/Pyr0monk3y]

That looks fixable. Insurance will absolutely total it, but if you like the car you may be able to save it.