Nick
I hate to break it to you mate - but they didn't have cars back then.

I don't have kids, but if I did - Daddy's little princess would be driving something that meant when she pranged it ... and she will - her knee caps will still be working for the next 60+ years.

 

Indeed, we had horses arses shitting everywhere and killing millions with diptheria, etc.

C'mon, it's not as if the 1995 Ka is the same as a 1959 Mini - it's built to at least a reasonable degree of safety.

Beyond a certain point, this obsession with safety is becoming dangerous. If you were that precious, you should forbid your imaginary daughter from ever venturing near a kitchen or a horse before worrying about an excessive NCAP rating.

BTW, Kas roll brilliantly! Like an egg, they go down the road for miles, without much deformation and no cornders to stop them. It's quite amazing to see!

 

Nick - Having seen more people in crushed cars that someone should see, it's something important to me.
I changed from my Alfa - because of the reason I would have no legs if I binned it.
I'd be as well attaching chain saws to the dashboard.


I'm changing my mind against the Ka ( even although I bought one in 2002 for the current Mrs Gaspode)



The more I look at this - the more worried I would be as a father.

Hypothetically....let's see whether the offspring of Gaspode would survive in various cars on the impeding head on crash with some drunk twonk.


Ford Ka
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/ford_ka_2000/77.aspx


Renault Clio Year 2000
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/renault_clio_2000/64.aspx


And a 2005 Renault Clio
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/renaul..._2005/220.aspx



Now which one do you want your nearest and dearest in when some twonk hits her on a head on?


Thank God I'm not a Dad.

 

you cannot be serious man

changed your car for fear of a freakin accident? WIMP

what happened to the undying love for one of the sexiest drivers' cars ever made?

 

An old friend of mine had a nasty one in the same car.

Not that high speed an accident. And not pretty either.

I sold the car the same week.
Edit - As I said. My upbringing saw way more of dismembered motorists and motorcyclist ( shivver) than I care to remember.
( Never live in a house near a really tight bend at the end of a monster straight )

I loved that car to death though.

 

ok pax I understand

could happen to anyone in anything

but when it gets that close it shakes you bad

 

No worries. I've known a few people along the journey of life that have had the curve ball thrown their way.

I bought a Mondeo Estate diesel as a knee jerk reaction.
Way way safer, and duller. Although it was a great car for it's purpose.

It also put me off getting a TVR.


You should have seen the "zombies" that used to greet me regularly where I used to live. ( When they binned it ) -- At least 5 cars and 3 motorbikes a year.

A couple of the bike guys didn't make it.

 

There's something you're missing, choice.

"Back then" there wasn't the choice of driving safer cars like there is now.

Now there is.

So, it's another factor when determining what car to buy and perhaps (even more so for a parent) it is the second most important (price first).

 

The choice of worrying about things disproportionately, yes.

Gaspode, I'm not trying to belittle your experience in any way, but your viewpoint is based upon a skewed sample space - like those trafpol who moan about the people they have to sweep up. It doesn't nake it any less traumatic, but they neglect to see all the millions of motorists every day who DON'T end up like that. You've only gotta drive on the M25 in the rush hour to see how many drivers ARE good at avoiding situations.

I'd sooner drive a car that I can see out of and has a better chance of swerving the accident in the first instance; a miss is as good as a mile!

This obsession with armoured personnel carriers is ruining car design.

 

You can't wrap people up in cotton wool.

Just buy a car that has a fair chance of your offspring of walking out relatively unscathed. They are out there.