My '88 245 was totaled in a rear-end collision last September. I was stopped on an interstate due to traffic construction
 when a late-model Firebird rear-ended me at about 50 mph. My wagon was not equipped with a 3rd seat, but it was
 equipped with a Volvo trailer hitch.

 Having a low nose, the Firebird's front end impacted the draw bar of the hitch. The force of the impact caused the hitch
 to act as a lever, prying the underpan of the wagon apart from the cargo floor. This also caused the cargo floor to buckle
 such that the ridge of the buckle ended up at about the height of the lower edge of the windows.

 There was no horizontal crash intrusion into the cargo compartment. However, had there been an occupied 3rd seat, I'm
 convinced that this particular impact would have resulted in serious injury, if not worse, due to the floor buckling which
 would have caused the 3rd seat occupants' heads to hit the roof.

 My 14-year old son, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, and I were fortunate to have walked away from this. It's
 been edifying reading about other owners' experiences in this type of accident. I'd have to say that as safe as our Volvos
 are, there are experiences such as mine which can prove to be the exception to the rule.

by Leon Tong