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.

[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???!!!!

[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).

[SSD-85]

I don't give a rats earlobe about ANCAP ratings, but it doesnt take a genius to work out a later model car would be safer than something much older. A fine example ive experienced is my mother rear ending an ED XR6 with her XC Falcon. The XC was written off with a bent crossmember/chassis, the ED however only suffered stuffed rear sheetmetal. All this occured at roughly 60kmh with the ED stationary.

[galaxy xr8]

Yeah let's see who they are and hear their opinion's, or are they just voting the opposite to be a nusence ?.

[TheZHLANE]

I want to believe a fairlane would be safer!

[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.

[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!!!

[Road_Warrior]

Old cars were designed with looks, style and performance in mind.

New cars are designed with looks, style and safety in mind.

I'd rather get t-boned by the Fairlane in my side and curtain airbag-equipped 2010 small car with intrusion beams and a passenger cell designed for crashworthiness, than get t-boned by the 2010 small car in the Fairlane with no in built safety features at all apart from inertia reel seat belts and padding on the door trim.

Which is why you keep the small car as your daily driver shopping trolley and the Fairlane as your weekend cruiser

[UNR8D]

Rep for you Road Warrior - best post yet.