Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: shortylickens
I had a 2002 Mazda 5, till I got hit by a V10 Econoline at 10 MPH and my entire front end disintegrated. Those little asian cars might seem nice and efficient, until you get hit.
Now I have a 2003 chevy S10 three-door. The interior isnt nearly as nice and the thing is a gas hog, but I want to at least survive a minor accident.
I used to work in the rental car industry and the Japanese cars (Toyotas anyway) were very very good in collisions. I remember seeing a Corolla of ours after getting hit head on by a van at around 40mph and the passenger compartment was still intact and the occupants were not injured badly. I saw a Hyundia that was hit in front and from behind and the passenger compartment on that car was completely destroyed...especially the rear seat. I don't know what the impact speed was but I would not have wanted to be in that car in a collision.
Actually in reality many of the big truck suck at protecting their passengers from real accidents. Sure hit a Metro at 10mph and you will mess it up...hit it at 70mph and you may be messed up. They don't have to follow the same crash test procedures.
Driver's of them seem predatory though...many of my friends driving smaller cars have had incidents with the fullsize SUV/Truck tailgating, using trainhorns, using grill and roof light kits, etc against them. If my wife is with me as much as I want to I can't, but if I am solo or with a friend I let them know about off-roading...if they do hit me it will be at a controlled speed and minor; they will have to pay for it.
Personally I see these people as really hating their lives. Having the need to hunt down those driving vehicles you don't own shows nothing, but jealousy to me.