Small cars are not safe & do not save fuel

[SilveradoLAX7]

Came across this story on AOL's front page. According to this article tiny cars are not as safe larger cars (I know, did we really need a study for this?). The interesting part of this came at the end of the article when they talked about fuel mileage. In some cases you only gain 0.5 MPG by driving an uncomfortable death trap, vs that manufacturer's larger vehicle. Anyway, thought it was interesting because yesterday one of my coworkers called me socially irresponsible for driving a [gasp] gas guzzling pickup. When I posed the question of how to get a pallet of sod in the back of a prius, I got some more BS from Al Gore's propaganda film.

 

Here's the link http://autos.aol.com/article/safety/v2/_a/...126152209990001

 

ok I'm done...sorry for the rant

 

-Jay

[Chestah]

As much as I despise AOL, I sat and read about 30 minutes of what they had to say, it was pretty interesting.

[vinniej]

and that is one reason I pay more to insure my truck...... I would do more damage to the tiny cars, so I am punished for that

[1999 Tahoe 4x4]

and that is one reason I pay more to insure my truck...... I would do more damage to the tiny cars, so I am punished for that

I know. But those bumpers looks sure cool and safe.

 

I used to have an old cadillac and t-boned a yield violator ("properly" sliding into it while jamming on my brakes and laying down an endless feet of rubber evidence). It was quite amazing, I hardly felt the impact. On the contrary, the smaller totomitsu that I hit spun out like a circus attraction. Luckily no one got injured this time.

 

The only pain I got was in my back as I lifted and changed my slightly bent, heavy duty bumper. I got it fixed for $100.-

 

totomitsu looked totaled. But "thanks" to their fuel savings they could make a downpayment for a new totomitsu.

 

 

I always explain the difference like this to people:

 

The difference is IF you are going to be cut out of the vehicle and airlifted into the ER, OR you drive home angry and cursing about your bent bumper

[uh6077]

My wife drives a Civic Hybrid that gets 53mpg in the summer and 46mpg in the winter. 720 miles on a tank of gas sure is nice. Small... yes. Cramped...no. I am 6'1 and fit comfortably. We drove it to NY, about 11 hours, and it was just fine. Only stopped for gas once.

[mmmikkke]

As much as I despise AOL, I sat and read about 30 minutes of what they had to say, it was pretty interesting.

I'm even worse. I can't possibly click on that, it would be like selling my soul to the devil. So what's it say?