Ever stopped at a dealer to confim how great your current car is?

[SentraSE-R]

Does driving an old car automatically put you old car people in a state of denial? Anecdotes prove nothing, especially when they involve something as variable as hitting deer.

Mech, I know the relative risks. I've never said we should live our lives in bubbles. Your biggest risk every day is not giving your heart a cardio workout. Driving an old beater only adds to it. My father-in-law died a paraplegic from a truck accident. You can take your chances with your old iron. I prefer to play all the odds I can in my favor. Always have, because sooner or later, the odds catch you. And I'm coming from a background of >100,000 miles on motorcycles.

[alohaspirit]

Originally Posted by shovel

Hell my sister is a frickin' pr0n model and does all her own vehicle repairs including engine rebuilds... so it's not like the stereotypical "gear head male" is necessary to turn wrenches and follow repair manual steps.

I call shenanigans...


unless you provide pics

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by SentraSE-R

I prefer to play all the odds I can in my favor. Always have, because sooner or later, the odds catch you. And I'm coming from a background of >100,000 miles on motorcycles.

Bikes are sooo much worse than cars it isn't even funny. My '59 with the spear steering column is a better bet for safety than a bike. No I haven't looked for any stats.

[Dave's Civic Duty]

Hey Frank,

What kind of MPG's do you get in your 59?

Dave

[almightybmw]

With all this banter on safety I almost forgot the title of the thread......

Stopped in at the Toyota dealer to see how nice driving a 2009 Tacoma would be compared to my 1995 Sonoma. Sure was nice. But I think with $5000 I could make my truck just as comfortable and more capable offroad than the Tacoma, nullifying any reason to "upgrade."

Seats, improved lighting, suspension upgrades, and a QSB3.3 Cummins diesel pretty much make me not want to ditch the Sonoma.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by RH77

I really enjoy vehicle age, size, weight, and technology arguments! This is the best one so far because it has ALL of them.

We're not changing anyone else's minds, are we?

It seems like lots of opinion and a little of fact sprinkled-in.

I say drive what you want.
Do it efficiently.
Do it safely.
...and this exact topic will be re-visited, again, in about 4 months, in a separate thread.

See some of my favorites. I know they'll soon be yours too!!!

Crash Safety Then (1959) and Now (2009)
Cameras are a success in Quebec (for speeding & red lights)
Why doesn't the U.S. get good FE cars?
What are the car manufacturers doing??
Why I Strive For MPG In A Big Pickup
Car & Driver disses buying old economy cars to save fuel

...and my personal favorite:
Small Can Be Safe
(I won't spoil the ending)

Happy Motoring

RH77

This is great stuff thanks Rick. Reminds me of a story.

Pete and Repete were in a boat. Pete fell out who was left.

[Dave's Civic Duty]

Originally Posted by almightybmw

With all this banter on safety I almost forgot the title of the thread......

Stopped in at the Toyota dealer to see how nice driving a 2009 Tacoma would be compared to my 1995 Sonoma. Sure was nice. But I think with $5000 I could make my truck just as comfortable and more capable offroad than the Tacoma, nullifying any reason to "upgrade."

Seats, improved lighting, suspension upgrades, and a QSB3.3 Cummins diesel pretty much make me not want to ditch the Sonoma.

Almighty,

You put a QSB3.3 in your Sonoma? What trans is behind that? Coolio!

Dave

Sorry to get off topic here guys!

[Clev]

Originally Posted by SentraSE-R

Does driving an old car automatically put you old car people in a state of denial? Anecdotes prove nothing, especially when they involve something as variable as hitting deer.

Didn't you know? It's the MAN... FORCING people to buy safer cars just so we can import more oil! Those seatbelts add 5 pounds to your car. Take 'em out! Seatbelts weren't required before 1971 and nobody died! Well, except all those that did, but they were probably driving like idiots! Never mind that death rates have been falling despite more cars on the road, higher speed limits, bigger SUVs, crumbling roads and way more big rigs. Get off the treadmill, man! Just weld another patch into your shock mount. It's probably stronger than new! You're a better driver than they are, so you'll never get in an accident! And if so, that steel bumper will protect your car from damage by transferring the energy into you and your passengers. But your car will still be driveable! Boy, will you be laughing then when he has to have his bumper cover and airbag replaced and all you got was that concussion and dental work!

[shovel]

Originally Posted by SentraSE-R

Does driving an old car automatically put you old car people in a state of denial? Anecdotes prove nothing, especially when they involve something as variable as hitting deer.
.

so... at 5 years age we should crush 100% of all cars (so that nobody can drive them & risk their lives) ? If your argument is that we're all dumb for driving old cars, then what do you propose we do with old cars?

I showed my math, which does by necessity make a few assumptions but I believe I made them fairly. An average 2010 car *is* more protective of its occupants than an average 1990 car but people still die in all model years of car, and people still die more frequently in other, non-motor-vehicle pursuits.

We all have to choose the risks we're comfortable with and as an adult I make the informed decision to trade an estimated 0.135% increase in risk of death by motor vehicle collision for a 5000% increase in actual fun had living before I die, due to having twice the net discretionary income I'd have if I was making a car payment. I will not apologize for this decision, or retract it.

What you do is your decision and I support it, just don't call me delusional for my decision.

[shovel]

Originally Posted by alohaspirit

I call shenanigans...


unless you provide pics

figured THAT was coming... yeah believe it or not I don't have noodz of my sister working on her (1991 model year OH NOOOOES!! SHE GONNA DIE!!) benz with her girl parts hanging out. she's Midnyte on SG and here's us hanging out together circa 1985, and a year or so ago in Sedona with her husband and son. Naked people have families too! I guess you'll just have to take my word that she's handy with a wrench & pretty much anything else she decides to start learning.