Happy Dog wrote:

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message news:

"Bob Chilcoat" wrote in



Having had a Mini in the 70's, I would rather be driving one of those
than any SUV anytime. The ability to AVOID the accident in the first
place is always better than just surviving one.


I doubt that maneuverability trumps crashworthiness. I suspect that the
most important maneuverabilty feature of small cars is the shorter
stopping distance. Driving around an accident situation is usually a
pretty tough challenge. And, when it comes to taking a hit, most small
cares, and certainly small cars from the 70s don't fare so well.

Maybe not for you, but for me I'll take accident avoidance over an
accident in the most crashworthy vehicle made.


Hit anything going really fast?

Nothing over 30 MPH, but much above 40 and you are toast no matter what
you drive.


Really believe that a BMW X5 is
significantly less able to keep you out of an accident than a Mini?

Yes, and the BMW is probably the best handling SUV on the market.
Compare a more typical SUV such as an Expedition or Tahoe and the
difference witht he mini is even more dramatic.

Wanna bet your kids?

Yes, I'd much rather have my kids in no accident than in a 50 MPH
accident in an SUV.


Given a hundred years to live, and drive, which ride will
yield more survivors?

I'm betting on the mini. Compare the death and accident rates for SUVs
against cars. Cars are already better.


Matt