posted on Jul, 30 2016 @ 02:03 AM
I have been the fairly satisfied owner of a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta for the last 3 years. Until this past Wednesday. As I was travelling down a street
about a mile from my house, which was my destination, a large delivery truck pulled out in front of me. It had just stopped raining, and the streets
were slick. So, even though I was actually driving under the posted speed limit, distance and road friction were not on my side. I collided with the
rear driver side wheels of the delivery truck, and my poor Schwartz (it was a black VW, so I named it Schwartz) performed to design specifications
and thoroughly crumpled to protect it's loving owner. I was very fond of my quirky little car, but I can say no less than it died and honorable
death.
So, that being said, I would very much argue the point that you are safer in an older 'more solid' car. I recall plenty of people complaining about
the required impact ratings and energy absorption when the US Federal Government started creating and enforcing these regulations in the latter
quarter or so of last century. But this is the second time the designed weak points in vehicle construction has saved me from grave injury or death.
Yes, I am injured, but not nearly as severe as I would have been if this accident had happened in the first car I owned. It was a rock solid 1979
Lincoln Towncar. I shudder to think of that outcome.