The wife in the 99 T-Red SVT was hit by a 3 ton truck, folding up the trunk to almost nothing. She has a stiff neck but otherwise OK, the car is another story. Impressive how the trunk took the energy while the passsenger compartment was still together. The crunch was big enough that the drivers seat is now loose. I need advise on the following scenarios:

1) Car is repairable: What should I look for? Is the forward items (engine) etc OK? I have heard of broken motor mounts etc from rear-end hits. Alignment? Hidden damage? Can the T-Red be easily matched or is it a total repaint? What should I insist on being done?

2) Are these cars safe after a large collision? I mean this car had some rattles before, I can just imagine on what it will be like after.

3) If the car is written off is it worth buying back to part out to all you fine people? The car only had 20000 miles and ran great. What would a written-off SVT go for?

Off to the rental company I go, they are offering a Focus. What crap, a 4 cyl auto to fill in for the SVT. Going to try for at least a Taurus (24V).

thanks
eric