 | Richard Smith has been in the Auto Body Industry for 26 years. He is ASE Certified Master Collision Tech, an I-Car Platinum Tech, and an I-Car Instructor. He and His wife own and operate Sharp's Auto Body & Collision Inc. located at 202 North Elm St. in Pittsburg, Kansas. He is a father of 5 children, Ex Military E-6 Staff SGT. and is active in his home Church. The one thing he enjoys doing is educating the public about the safety and proper repair of automobiles, no matter if it is a vehicle that has been in a collision, a small dent, or a complete restoration. The shop is always equipped with a skilled professional to handle your auto needs. |
Automotive Service & Repair
2012-08-02 08:16:09
Which is safer, old or new cars?
Q- My husband and I are going to buy a car for our teen son and in the process of deciding what type. Our son is advocating for an older muscle car (or anything older and respectively cool) citing how safe they are. I am thinking something with airbags. Can you settle which is safer?
A- They sure don't make cars like they used to, do they? Actually, according to a study done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, they build them better.
In a recent study conducted by the institute celebrating the organization's 50 years, a 2009 Chevy Malibu went head to head with a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air in a frontal offset crash (which can be viewed on the internet under 59 Impala Crash Test).
While many of us think of older cars as being tanks, which would lead us to reason safer, the test proved otherwise. In the test, the Bel Air sustained more front end damage. More significantly, the cabin on the Bel Air collapsed while the cabin on the Malibu remained intact. Their conclusion: occupants of the Malibu would fair much better.
Purely from a safety perspective, new cars have more of the features we want beginning drivers or any loved one to have whenever possible. New cars are designed to sustain damage and have cabs that are better designed to stay intact in a collision, as the test showed.
However, as a car guy, I completely understand the attraction of the older cars with all of their distinctive features. Although it may be a poor consolation prize in your son's mind, perhaps you can tell him of the advantages of the new models which, for now might be the better choice. Saving the dream ride for later will give him something to enjoy later on in life.
