Beware of KIA SUV's

Today I had an experience that I don't want to have again for some time.

We have a body shop business...among several things that we do. Anyway,we were delivering a KIA Sportage to a car dealer after we had done paint work to it. I was driving the KIA and Keith was following me.

It was raining ,so I was going slow and trying to stay out of the puddled places in the roadway. The KIA was feeling just a little 'squirrely',so I was only doing about 45 mph.The temps were warm enough...about 50* or so,but there was water everywhere.

Knowing that KIA's have a terrible safety record,I was being cautious,but felt the rear end start to slide....then there was absolutely nothing I could do..the thing flipped over with me! It scooted on it's side for a little and then hit a ditch and flipped the rest of the way over. I ended up with all four wheels pointing skyward!

I ended up laying on the roof in the back seat! Fence posts had gone through a rear window and glass was everywhere. I was shaken up,but no injury. I reached through between the seats and turned the thing off. Keith had to pull the fence posts out of the side window before I could crawl through it.

For some reason,I hadn't put on my seat belt and the trooper couldn't believe that I walked away from this wreck.I had some glass cuts on one hand and glass in my hair,but no serious injury.If I had been belted,the top was caved in to where it was almost touching the steering wheel...I would have been seriously injured. I went and had X Rays and got checked out...they said I'm going to be sore,but nothing broken.

I'd known about the record of the KIA's for some time and was aware of the tip over problem...and it STILL caught me.They are flimsey vehicles with cheap metal...the boys were grumbling about fixing this one last week,because of poor construction...and believe me...they know. KIA is offering a great warranty and attractive financing to get people to buy their cars.The product is terribly substandard.

I'm just grateful I was going slow and trying to be careful...a teenager wouldn't have...and since the vehicles are cheap and cute,lots of teens want them. This is a warning to anyone who is considering purchasing one. Beware...it can tip over with the most careful driver.

My goodness my friend. How horrible! I am so thankful you are ok. It is a wonder you or Keith didn't have a heart attack. The Lord was with you in that car my friend. Praise the Lord for that. You are truly a fortunate young lady and it is good that you are warning others to stay away from those death traps. Love ya Girl.

Wow, how wonderful that you are okay. Thank God that you got the message (for that's what it must have been) not to wear the seatbelt on this occasion. Thank you very much for this warning.

So glad you weren't hurt. My DD had one and traded it in for something different.I'm so glad now she did. Thanks for the warning.

Oh Lord Melody..I am so glad you are ok. Sheesh, I can't believe you are here to tell us about it. Thank God your guardian angel was right there with you...

OH NO MEL!!!! I am so thankful that you are okay. This is very scary.

Hugs to you my friend.
Joan

Mell, so glad that you are okay!!

Melody that sounds terrifying. I'm so glad you were not seriously injured.

Thank goodness you are ok. Did they ticket you for not wearing a seat belt? (they would here even if it could have cost you your life)

Making me decide to talk my son out of buying a KIA SUV (if he'll listen) Think I'll copy your thread and send it to him. Now that he has a baby to worry about he may actually listen :~)

Mel, praise the Lord you weren't hurt.

Melody how frightening and thank God you came to no harm. It gives me the shudders just thinking what might have been. Someone was watching over you that's for sure!!

Thank God you're okay!!! Oh, man ~ that HAD to have been HORRIBLE for you, bless your heart!!!!! And ho wkind of you to warn everyone!! You may have just saved a few lives with this, Melody.

Well,I'm awfully sore this morning,but otherwise ok.I slept with minimal restlessness last night and feel like I actually rested. Needless to say,I'm taking it easy for a few days.

I think this wreck was harder on Keith than me. He was following behind me and saw the whole thing happen.He said he was so afraid at what he'd find when he finally got to the car.Surprisingly,I was calm and never afraid during the whole thing.I knew exactly what position I was in at all times and felt the thing slide and flip over.I knew I was on the roof in the back seat even before the truck came to rest.

You asked about a ticket...well,we knew both troopers who responded and even though we have a seat belt law in KY,there was no citation.One trooper had worked another wreck last week where the belted person was gravely injured and the non belted passenger walked away. He said he felt like by not being belted,I escaped injury too. BUT...he said this does NOT give me licence to drive around with no belt from now on.I'm usually belted,but this time...for some reason...I just didn't do it.

Now,I've got to go...I'm too sore to sit here very long.

I know that seat belts save lives, many of my friends and acquaintances (and I, myself) can attest to this -- and yet, almost just as often one hears of cases in which people's lives were saved by NOT wearing a belt. I always wear mine, but sometimes it gives me the creeps.

mel, I'm so thankful you are okay. I hope you won't be sore for too long. I'm certain Keith was horrified, so thankful it turned out like it did.

Mel,Thank God you are okay. What a scary thing to happen. Thankfully, all you are is sore.

Ack, Mel! I just read your post today. How are you feeling today, a few days later? Bless you, girl - I'm so glad you're okay!!