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DO NOT BUY A FORD!!!! What do I do....(updated 9-20-07)

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boykster:

--- Quote from: meismr on September 12, 2007, 08:15:30 pm ---I had a big old car (Chrysler Cordoba) that got rear ended.  The lady who hit me cracked her radiator and the front bumper flew all over.  The thing looked totaled.  My Cordoba's rear bumper was pushed in a little bit but that was all.  Her air bag went off and was OK and walked over to check on me.  I however had my bell rung even though I braced myself.  I think older cars had the mindset of protecting the car in the hopes that the passengers inside would benefit.  The newer cars sacrifice the cars instead of the passenger.  Me I have two little girls, I'll gladly sacrifice my car every crash... 
Thanks,
Eric

--- End quote ---

that's exactly right. Not only are their new construction materials, safety systems (seatbelt pretensioners, airbags, etc),but the cars are now designed to absorb and dissapate the energy.  Older cars might be heavier and more "solid", but all of that energy has to go somewhere, and that somewhere is into the passengers.

during the late 80's and 90's, F1 and CART really hit their safety programs hard.  Cars became so "rigid" as a safety mechanism (to protect the driver) that they started to see a huge increase in neck injuries from massive transfer of energy.  Now the cars are designed with crash energy dissapating crumple zones that absorb the impact energy.  It may look bad, but heck, I'll take a car repair bill any day over the loss of the life of a friend or family member.

ChadTower:

--- Quote from: TOK on September 12, 2007, 06:39:51 pm ---You're basically comparing that they have 4 wheels, an engine, and a bed.

--- End quote ---

Yes, I am, because when I'm buying, I have no towing needs, making the extra ton or so of towing capacity moot.

TOK:

--- Quote from: ChadTower on September 13, 2007, 07:34:06 am ---
--- Quote from: TOK on September 12, 2007, 06:39:51 pm ---You're basically comparing that they have 4 wheels, an engine, and a bed.

--- End quote ---

Yes, I am, because when I'm buying, I have no towing needs, making the extra ton or so of towing capacity moot.

--- End quote ---

Thats fine, but definitely doesn't qualify you to say they're the same thing to other people with different needs. Thats all.

On the safety subject, I'm amazed that people think old cars are safer than new ones. Mass is an issue in any accident, but in a car to car or car to barrier impact, new cars are WAY safer than old ones.

I also contend that new cars are not less reliable. Its nothing to see cars for sale now with 120,000+ miles on them in great running condition. These are with the original engines, transmissions etc.
Many of the 450,000 mile claims you see are basically a body that has had huge amounts of the driveline replaced.

Fuel injection is SO much better than carburation with vacuum/mechanical chokes. My first car was a Dodge Dart, and every time it dropped below 40 degrees, I had to prop the choke open with a pencil after starting it because it refused to open when the car warmed up. I also had a Mustang with a totally mechanical setup which required sliding the choke lever in while cranking until it got to the spot it would fire. It just seemed a general thing to have carb issues on anything with about 60,000 miles on it. I'm a better mechanic for having been through that mess, but I have no desire to relive it.  ;D

ChadTower:

--- Quote from: TOK on September 13, 2007, 09:11:55 am ---I also contend that new cars are not less reliable. Its nothing to see cars for sale now with 120,000+ miles on them in great running condition. These are with the original engines, transmissions etc.
Many of the 450,000 mile claims you see are basically a body that has had huge amounts of the driveline replaced.

--- End quote ---


Not everywhere.  Sure as hell not here.  You see some cars, like the Civics and Corollas like that, but any American car here has little value past 100k.  Everything on the undercarriage is rusted out.  Even my Civic, at 110k, which admittedly will run for another 100k probably, is hitting the rust barrier.  Cars here are junk well before the driveline is dead in most cases and short of driving inside there's just nothing that can be done about it.

shardian:

--- Quote from: ChadTower on September 13, 2007, 09:19:51 am ---
--- Quote from: TOK on September 13, 2007, 09:11:55 am ---I also contend that new cars are not less reliable. Its nothing to see cars for sale now with 120,000+ miles on them in great running condition. These are with the original engines, transmissions etc.
Many of the 450,000 mile claims you see are basically a body that has had huge amounts of the driveline replaced.

--- End quote ---


Not everywhere.  Sure as hell not here.  You see some cars, like the Civics and Corollas like that, but any American car here has little value past 100k.  Everything on the undercarriage is rusted out.  Even my Civic, at 110k, which admittedly will run for another 100k probably, is hitting the rust barrier.  Cars here are junk well before the driveline is dead in most cases and short of driving inside there's just nothing that can be done about it.

--- End quote ---

I have two Volvo's with high miles and I have come to the conclusion that Volvo's are immune to rust...unlike American cars. ;) Not a spot on either of them on body or undercarriage. The newer one even has a messed up place from a fender bender, and there isn't any rust there for some odd reason either. :dunno And yes, I live in a high humidity area where the car stays covered in salt all winter.

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