Popular Corolla crashes to the top

[toymato]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/motoring/news ... d=10590461

Older models of the Toyota Corolla - one of NZ's top-selling vehicles - are among the worst cars to crash in.

This year's Used Car Safety Ratings were released yesterday to help people looking to buy a used vehicle to choose the best and safest option.

Up to 203 used vehicles were tested and rated for their overall crash safety.

Twenty-six of the vehicles were rated excellent, 54 good, 48 as marginal, 36 poor and 39 very poor.

Owners of smaller second-hand cars, including the Toyota Corolla 1989-1993 and the Mitsubishi Lancer 1991-1992 models, have cause to worry. The crashworthiness of these models was rated as very poor.

The Ford Falcon Ute 2002-2007 and the Mitsubishi Pajero models were among those vehicles less likely to cause injury to passengers but were rated significantly high in causing greater damage and injury to smaller cars, pedestrians and cyclists.

The Automobile Association's general manager (technical), Stella Stocks, said larger vehicles such as 4WDs performed well in a crash for the driver and passengers.

"However, a pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist is likely to be seriously injured or killed if hit by the vehicle.

"Likewise, a light car may not provide much protection for its occupants. However, it is less likely to harm another road user."

A buyer's tendency to overlook the safety aspect when looking for a vehicle was something the AA wanted to change also.

Ms Stocks said there were vast differences in safety among used vehicles and it was important for people to make use of the latest ratings survey.

"There are many variables involved when purchasing a second-hand vehicle," she said.

"Buyers generally think about the purpose for which they will be used, the size, fuel efficiency, price and, of course, colour and look. Unfortunately, it is safety that is often overlooked when making the decision."

[1I1]

Mitsubishi Lancer 1991-1992 models

Ohhh noe!! thats me And its the car i do the most k's in
At least my Corolla isn't one of the cars being refered to

[DXROLLA]

My one held up pritty good (1989 Corolla) I had a head on collision with a fully loaded milk tanker fell asleep when i was 16 driving home from mates place at 3 in the morning, wrote the milk tanker and my car off, ripped the motor and all front suspension out and the drivers door, i was doing 100km and the truck 90km according to the police report, the only injury i had was a small scratch on my ear Very lucky!!

[1I1]

Very very lucky!

Back at school a guy in my group/home class had an ee90 3door, went off the road as he tried to reach his cellphone on the passenger floor, ended up hitting a tree. Needed crutches and a fair bit of time off school.

[Bling]

So to sum up.... get a 4WD as its going to keep YOU the safest, screw anyone else you hit

Only time this will work against you is if you hit something bigger than you or a wall.

[Adamal]

Surprised the CRX isn't in there! Guess they had a hard time trying to find one to test with

[Mr Revhead]

thats quite surprising really as a study out a while ago suggested most large SUV's were actaully pretty crap in a crash

[1I1]

SUV vs SUV crashes result in more injury than car vs car.

Re: CRX, most have been written off, and those in the car at the time are no longer with us so no cars or people to give reveiws on them . Plus crashing a cardboard box into a wall isn't much of a test

[gasman]

ha, ive written off two ae 92's with no sctraches, and now im up to number 3. i feel quite safe in them.

[Mr Revhead]

well obviously your not very safe in them!

[gasman]

it wasnt my fault both times and in both cases the other party was obviously in the wrong and from a dead beat back ground with no insurance.

[jakesae101]

my work ute is a 04 courier wouldnt like to be hit by it in my trueno as its higher and is a tank to ad to this i was driving my work truck with a big aircon unit on the back (600kg) and some nanamobile pulled out and my brakes went on hard unit slid forward in the tray they were lucky they didnt get 2+ tone up there rear end

[Gonad]

Cool, the celica now scores more man points as its a death trap, sweet.

[B1NZ]

I don't buy a car because I want to crash it, I have enough faith in my driving abilities, l it would most likely be another driver that killed me but as per usual the AA and other agencies focus on safer cars rather than safer drivers

[toymato]

That doesn't stop someone driving through a red light and tee-boning you. Cheery thought for the day.

[gasman]

That doesn't stop someone driving through a red light and tee-boning you. Cheery thought for the day.

exactly the thing that happened to me. and to add to the crap storm, she wasnt even a licensed driver.

[ee904age]

Plus crashing a wet cardboard box into a wall isn't much of a test

Edited for truth.

And SUV's are more likley to crash because of centre of gravity etc, but when they do, they're safer

[toymato]

Plus crashing a wet cardboard box into a wall isn't much of a test

Edited for truth.

And SUV's are more likley to crash because of centre of gravity etc, but when they do, they're safer

Safer for the ditzy lipstick-applying cellphone-talking driver of the SUV - lethal for everyone unfortunate to be outside the SUV.