| Author |
Message |
    
lisat
Citizen
Username: Lisat
Post Number: 136
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 10:14 am: | 
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We're thinking about getting a car (new or used).
Safety's the most important aspect when considering a car for me because family members have been seriously and permanently injured by drunk drivers.
We only have one car. It's a Volvo Wagon. With car pools, etc., we're squeezed and considering a larger car. Our kids will soon be too big for a 3rd row seat (in terms of the restrictions placed on it by Volvo's safety features. Kids are supposed to be under a certain height).
Any recommendations? I've steered away from SUV's, mostly for environmental reasons.
We've been thinking about the Honda Odyssey. Anyone know if it's as safe as a Volvo in a side impact or rear impact collision?
Anyone know if the Volvo SUV is more environmentally friendly than other SUV's? Has Ford owning the company had an impact in terms of safety?
Anyone know if 3rd row seats in other very safe wagons allow for older/larger kids than the Volvo wagon?
Appreciate your responses. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 474
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 11:14 am: |
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The reality is that 3rd seats in a wagon, minivan, and SUV are NOT particularly safe. Manufacturers like Saab have not put 3rd row seats in for that very reason. (but unfortunately market pressures are going to change that shortly)
In the near future, a number of vehicles will have 3rd row air bags -- which will help. But its the rear collision issue that makes these vehicles risky.
The Volvo is a nice SUV --- but gets as miserable gas mileage as any of them do. I'm not sure about its crash test results -- but it has multiple air bag systems and stability control and traction control -- all good things in a new vehicle!
Honestly, if you need 3 seats -- then the compromise is either relatively better gas mileage (mini-van), or perhaps safety (go with a Suburban or similar size "bus" like the Expedition, or Pathfinder Armada).
I have a 2 seat wagon, so I offer to drive as often as possible -- but there are when its the parents of my kids friends that end up taking the hordes in their 3-seat vehicles!
(BTW I have a Saab wagon, the highest rated - in crashes - higher than any other european make. not something people think of about saab -- volvo is perceived safer - its good, but saab is better)
Good luck --
Pete |
Sylad
Citizen
Username: Sylad
Post Number: 270
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 11:31 am: |
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A second vote for Saab, I am on my second one. They are coming out with a mid-size SUV, it will be highlighted at the NY Auto Show next month.
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lisat
Citizen
Username: Lisat
Post Number: 137
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 1:01 pm: |
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Thanks for the information, Sylad and Pete. I'll check out the vehicles you mentioned. |
Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 2163
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 1:08 pm: |
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While it's nice to have a top-rated car, I think second best is pretty good and should be quite livable. The Odyssey has a good crashworthiness score and sounds like a more practical vehicle for you than a station wagon or an SUV.
And I'm another Saab owner. I'm on my third, and I like them a lot, though to be honest, I probably won't buy another. I've spent about $3,000 in repairs in the past year.
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
There is nothing
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Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 164
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 1:14 pm: |
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We had a leased Saab 9-5 wagon for 4 years, and we loved it. We also have a 1991 900 sedan, and before that I had a 1978 99 for 13 years. So we're Saab loyalists. I truly believe that my 17 year old son's life was saved when he cracked up in an even older Saab and walked away without a scratch. The only problem with the 9-5 wagon was that it didn't go up our rather steep hill in the snow, so when the lease was up we got a small SUV. But if Saab somes out with all-wheel drive in a wagon, we'll be there. |
Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 2164
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 1:18 pm: |
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Did you ever try snow tires on a Saab? I put four snow tires on mine every winter. I have what appears to be the stablest car on the road, though I try not to drive in a cocky manner because of it. I once made it up a long steep hill in Vermont on fresh snow that no one else could get up.
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
There is nothing
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Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 165
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 2:17 pm: |
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I have 4 snow tires on my 900 and have never been stuck with it. The 9-5 is heavier and doesn't seem to get through snow as well. Also, we didn't feel like investing in 4 snow tires for a leased car. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 475
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 2:35 pm: |
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OK -- got to chime in -- have 4 Gislavid snows on my 9-5 wagon. With traction control, have made it up South Orange Ave in the worst storms this winter.
Still, at this point I'd rather be on warm beach...
(BTW -- Saab 9-5 is now by far the *most* reliable European make car -- and on par with Lexus & Infiniti. I hope the new 9-3SS will be as good. Certainly the 9-2X will be (built in Japan), but the 9-7X -- remains to be seen -- first US built Saab!)
Pete |
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