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The average has improved. Posted by Snowmobile [Email]  (#686)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Snowmobile) on Thu, 16 Apr 2015 04:35:45
In Reply to: Re: New cars are pretty safe overall, used2bcheaptech, Fri, 10 Apr 2015 12:45:39 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
While I agree that tighter IIHS tests etc have significantly improved the average level of structural design in cars, I still believe there is truth to AeroEd's premise. Basically what has happened is the tighter testing has forced companies that only designed to pass the test, to make better safer cars (mostly against their will). The average level of safety has definitely improved, and since that addresses many collision modes, well, we are all better for it.
Philosophically, I still prefer manufacturers who value my safety and not just the marketing value of 5 stars in a test. Do we know how many of these new cars survive the SAAB moose test? How about a second collision (eg head on after a roll over?)... these were things SAAB tested for and IIHS and others do not necessarily do. Maybe their cars are good or not in these situations? who knows?
I do know that many of these cars over-rely on airbags and technology for safety. Good passive design is imho paramount. Remember, SAAB's folding B pillar works regardless. Other brands cars rated good with optional side curtain airbags and poor without. So now the airbags are standard so the car gets the good rating, but what happens if they don't deploy? Poor is what happens.
The real life safety programs SAAB and Volvo had/s are valuable. IIHS may keep the bar moving now, but SAAB was *ahead* of IIHS before the GM death spiral!
If you want to see real life safety, IIHS has listing of insurance data for most makes and models for various years. Interestingly, SAAB and Volvo were generally at the top, even with "aging" models. Audi did not do bad either. Many cars that people talk highly about as being "just as safe" due to the "5 star safety", did not do as well.
FWIW, speaking of the "it's just as good" cars... on the reliability front... was speaking with an owner of a KIA Rondo (just a couple years old) apparently the thing has been a constant stream of warranty problems. The quote I took away from it was "I want to drive it into the lake". The older honda crv was trouble free. But KIA wants us to think their cars are as reliable as hondas and as safe as SAABs and as good performing as BMWs. Um, yeah, no... good value maybe, but I'm not buying...
, Wed, 8 Apr 2015 15:08:13, Wed, 15 Apr 2015 06:35:50, Thu, 9 Apr 2015 16:30:12, Thu, 16 Apr 2015 04:35:45 <-- Viewing This Message, Thu, 9 Apr 2015 19:11:25, Wed, 15 Apr 2015 06:40:05, Wed, 15 Apr 2015 06:47:24
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