19bonestock88's 2004 Saturn "Ion Green Line" build...

[19bonestock88]

So I changed my mind on my wheel covers... I don’t feel that the strapping tape will hold up to the centrifugal force of being on a wheel at speeds up to 110mph, so I’m doing coroplast discs, like I had on the Malibu, screwed onto the outside of the factory covers, they should hold up and I won’t have to redo them later...

[19bonestock88]

So I got my wheel covers on, and had a record breaking commute today... now I’m not 100% sure if it counts, as I did have an oops, leading me to turn around about 3.5mi from home and I started the recorded trip with a mostly warm engine... however I still averaged 51.1mpg indicated... intake temp was 68* though which likely helped... still not sure what gain the coroplast discs over factory wheel covers gave me...

[19bonestock88]

I hit another friggin deer! I swear the things are suicidal... now I have a broken fender... not just cracked but exploded

[me and my metro]

I feel your pain, I hit one just before Christmas. Fender exploded, light broken, hood bent and bumper cover torn.

[Daox]

Doh! Sorry to hear that. I know it sucks. Done it before myself too.

[19bonestock88]

I’m going for a damage estimate tomorrow and to see if I’m gonna have to fight the ins company over it being or not being a total loss... there is no structural damage, and the cooling system is fine... I need a fender and headlight bracket... I’ve got the giant hole covered over in strapping tape to minimize aerodynamic losses and to hold the rest of the fender on for now... “me and my metro” found me a used fender in same color that I might buy if I don’t decide to mod a pair of fenders, like what OG VX did with his

[19bonestock88]

Well, the damage estimate was just over $1200, and just a few percent shy of a total loss... the appraiser missed a slight dent on my hood and the back of the headlight was broken... had he caught those my car would likely be a write off...

[19bonestock88]

So with the wheel covers, and messed up fender, I’m consistently getting around 50mpg indicated (by the UG) on my way to/from work with temps in the fifties... I did find out all four of my tires were low(and that I pretty severely bent the lip of a wheel) but I fixed tire pressure and straightened the lip of the wheel... with the rest of the insurance settlement(minus fixing the deer damage with a pair of headlights and a fender) I’m hoping to get most of the suspension issues cured so I can get an alignment... I don’t think 45mpg at the pump is that bad, given my cars rough condition lol...

[19bonestock88]

So I think I got screwed by my ins company... basically the estimate was like $1225, which would have had a payout of $975 for repairs... but when they found out I was cash settling and self repairing they had the estimate adjusted, eliminating anything related to blending the paint from the fender up onto the hood and door... reduced my check my just over $250... they said if I showed that the paint needed blended I could get the extra $250 or so back but this is gonna be a major PITA... was hoping to use the extra for suspension work...

[19bonestock88]

Well, I've got a salvage fender ready, just needs the inner support off my broken fender... Headlight bracket is repaired good enough to hold the light, and I've got a pair of black housing lights on order... I need to paint my fender and install it, and I'm gonna order LOTS of suspension goodies... I've tracked down trailing arm bushings, lowering springs(2.0/1.75"), and THE stiffest dampers available OEM on any Delta chassis car, the FE5 shocks/struts from the 08-10 Cobalt SS/TC... It'll take a short while to get it all shipped and installed, but she should drive like a whole new car, and due to lower stance should get even better MPG