Poll regarding new and old cars

[geckoGT]

Those that have been following the other thread, I am interested in your opinion as to what is safer?

A new hatch about the size of a Focus or I30 etc with a 5 star ANCAP rating or a large sedan from the late 70's such as a Fairlane.

I know this topic has been done to death but I am interested in the numbers of people that have opinion on both sides of the debate.

Hopefully the mods and admin will allow this, or they can feel free to merge this poll into the other thread if they like. I think the information from this poll will be interesting to see what the general consensus is.

[SB076]

New cars are designed with safety in mind. If you crashed an 1970's fairlane and a new hatch (under the came circumstances) It may appear as though the fairlane is a better choice (looking at the damage to the vehicles) However the appearance of the car is not relevant it depends on how well the occupants survive and the occupants of the hatch would have a better chance of surviving than the fairlane

[LTDHO]

After a crash, you will have less injury in the Focus.

[geckoGT]

I would prefer to keep the discussion regarding this to a minimum, no point having two threads on one topic. Please feel free to discuss it on the other thread (or mods please feel free to merge the poll with the other thread if that is a more favourable option)

This comment is not aimed at anyone in particular, just thought I better clear this up so this does not get locked down without achieving the aim that I have set.

The aim of this is for the poll, so please no comments without a vote.

[galaxy xr8]

Personally I would rather be in the modern 5 star ANCAP no matter what vehicle it was over a old '70's vehicle, if it was going to happen (touch wood that it doesn't ever).
To me it's a no brainer.

[Polyal]

I cant believe there is even a discussion on it. 5 star all the way. The old gals are made tough but crumble zones, restraints etc were not high on the priority list back then.

Nor did they have effect tools such as CAD etc to refine it.

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by Polyal

I cant believe there is even a discussion on it. 5 star all the way. The old gals are made tough but crumble zones, restraints etc were not high on the priority list back then.

Nor did they have effect tools such as CAD etc to refine it.

Well someone has voted for the old girl's allready so early in the count, surley they can't be serious ?.

[TUF_302]

The safer is always going to be a late model vehicle, they have so many more safety features in them compared to the 70s, the Fairlane may feel safer due to its enormous size but id rather be in the Focus in a serious accident

[Polyal]

Dont worry about all the zones etc, having an airbag stops serious injury. Sure you cope a wack in the face but Id rather that than the steering column..LOL

[geckoGT]

For the sake of freedom of speech, lets not criticise people for their choice. There has been enough of that in the other thread and I would like people to feel free to put what they really believe. Having said that it would be nice to hear what their reason is for whatever their choice is. Lets just leave the debate to the other thread.


Thanks everyone for some good posts so far and your votes.

Lynton

[388cube_edxr8]

The Fairlane might be a lot safer than people think. If both were to hit a tree, I would rather be in the Focus, but in a head on, there is a point where size and weight becomes a good thing.

The Hummer H1, for example, might not have such a good ANCAP rating, but if it were to hit a Focus I'd rather be in the big heavy Hummer.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by 388cube_edxr8

The Fairlane might be a lot safer than people think. If both were to hit a tree, I would rather be in the Focus, but in a head on, there is a point where size and weight becomes a good thing.

The Hummer H1, for example, might not have such a good ANCAP rating, but if it were to hit a Focus I'd rather be in the big heavy Hummer.

And if both were to hit a semi trailer?

There seems to be some fixation on the weight of old fairlanes etc.

In actual fact they are quite light compared to current vehicles with only the bubble cars weighing less.

They are WELL below the average weight of all the cars on the road at the moment.

[XR6TCraig]

I voters the 5 star ANCAP rated Focus, but if I had my choice:

Originally Posted by flappist

And if both were to hit a semi trailer?

I would like to vote for the Semi trailer if thats ok? I am sure I will be safer in it despite the lack of crumple zones, at least until I hit another truck.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Craiginmackay

I would like to vote for the Semi trailer if thats ok? I am sure I will be safer in it despite the lack of crumple zones, at least until I hit another truck.

Isn't it always the case in a head on involving a truck, the truck driver always ends up with leg injuries?

(The other people are dead but the truck drivers don't get out of it without a scratch).

[Nikked]

The hatch...

[mrbaxr6t]

the newer car would have to be safer with all the crashtesting and safety equipment fitted to it, safer still is pay attention to the task at hand and don't crash.

[Seduce XR6]

I used to watch some show on tv with police & car crashes, I was amazed one time by a late model Mini that had a large impact but the Lady walked away from it & the passenger cell was pretty much intact though car was a write off.

Also on Fifth Gear they crashed some large car's & small car's head on & just about everytime was the small car that was better off.

A small late model well made car will always be better in certain types of crashes but not all.

[Jason[98.EL]]

5 star as others have said

i wish i could have a 5 star rating car atm with the kids traveling in it

[vztrt]

I'd put my life in the new hatch....now if it was FG Vs Focus...I'll take the FG.

[pottery beige]

Potty Beige old bomb in my shed is often refered to as.... 'the deathtrap'.....

[geckoGT]

Interesting, not a single person that clearly thinks the old car is safer has put a comment on, yet so far 7 have voted that way.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by geckoGT

Interesting, not a single person that clearly thinks the old car is safer has put a comment on, yet so far 7 have voted that way.

Public poll is your friend.....!

Can you change the settings after people have voted???!!!!

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Public poll is your friend.....!

Can you change the settings after people have voted???!!!!

No, I should have done that but I forgot and I can not change it now. Perhaps a mod could help out.

[JC]

I voted 70s Fairlane or equivalent, size does matter. I have assumed that safer refers to a car accident, but it depends what you hit - it's all relative and sometimes it won't matter what you hit, depending on how fast or big the other vehicle is. Maybe the poll would be better if we defined what is meant by safe? If it's in the ability to avoid an accident, then the focus all the way.

At the very worst, you won't be called a hair dresser driving a big old 'lane (can't say the same for driving a focus though).

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by JC

I voted 70s Fairlane or equivalent, size does matter. I have assumed that safer refers to a car accident, but it depends what you hit - it's all relative and sometimes it won't matter what you hit, depending on how fast or big the other vehicle is. Maybe the poll would be better if we defined what is meant by safe? If it's in the ability to avoid an accident, then the focus all the way.

At the very worst, you won't be called a hair dresser driving a big old 'lane (can't say the same for driving a focus though).

Safer means just that, all aspects of safety from seatbelt restraint systems to crash avoidance to crash survival.

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by JC

I voted 70s Fairlane or equivalent, size does matter. I have assumed that safer refers to a car accident, but it depends what you hit - it's all relative and sometimes it won't matter what you hit, depending on how fast or big the other vehicle is. Maybe the poll would be better if we defined what is meant by safe? If it's in the ability to avoid an accident, then the focus all the way.

At the very worst, you won't be called a hair dresser driving a big old 'lane (can't say the same for driving a focus though).

What size? Or should I say, what mass?

http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au...ifications.htm
ZF Fairlane, 1425-1549kg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Focus_(international)#Mk_2_.282004-2010.29
Focus Mk.2, 1,229-1,630kg.

Now add in airbags, seat belt pretensioners, a lot more mass used strengthening the passenger area rather then being made up by a heavy block of iron weighing 250kg.

[AussieAV]

I voted Focus. I'd say its safer in every situation!!!

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by AussieAV

I voted Focus. I'd say its safer in every situation!!!

Not every situation.. a heavy rear ender in a focus could leave rear occupants way worse off then a heavy rear ender in a 40 year old Fairlane. In saying that however while they make look better after the accident in the Fairlane their internals could be a different story.

[4vxc]

Originally Posted by SteveJH

What size? Or should I say, what mass?

http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au...ifications.htm
ZF Fairlane, 1425-1549kg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Focus_(international)#Mk_2_.282004-2010.29
Focus Mk.2, 1,229-1,630kg.

Now add in airbags, seat belt pretensioners, a lot more mass used strengthening the passenger area rather then being made up by a heavy block of iron weighing 250kg.

thats a light Fairlane, my 351 ZF weighed 1792kg. Here are specs of the 1977 ZH and P6 LTD

Dimensions:
Length:
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase:
Front track:
Rear track:
Kerb weight:
Turning circle:
Fuel tank:
Boot space: Fairlane
5196mm
1956mm
1367mm
2946mm
1537mm
1524mm
1768kg
12.6 m
79.5 litres
494.7 litres LTD
5364mm
1956mm
1366mm
3074mm
1537mm
1524mm
1832kg
12.9 m
79.5 litres
494.7 litres

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by 4vxc

thats a light Fairlane, my 351 ZF weighed 1792kg. Here are specs of the 1977 ZH and P6 LTD

Dimensions:
Length:
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase:
Front track:
Rear track:
Kerb weight:
Turning circle:
Fuel tank:
Boot space: Fairlane
5196mm
1956mm
1367mm
2946mm
1537mm
1524mm
1768kg
12.6 m
79.5 litres
494.7 litres LTD
5364mm
1956mm
1366mm
3074mm
1537mm
1524mm
1832kg
12.9 m
79.5 litres
494.7 litres

Depends on your reference. From "Ford Falcon" 2nd edition, Ewan Kennedy, Marque Publishing with forward by Geoff Polites and sold at the Ford Discovery Centre (that is where I bought it). This book makes the statement that all specifications are from the manufacturer records. This book lists the ZH kerb mass as 1651 kg for Fairlane and 1768 for Marquis. P6 was listed as you quoted.