We learn from experiences, like I have about tire wet weather traction, and after going into a skid in the rain when young, tires are important to me, and if I do own or have a car with tires that aren't that great, I lower my speed accordingly, and with both my condition and equipment, try to drive within my limits, before from alcohol, and now from an injury affecting me like I was drinking.
Being a guy and into performance, I always looked for things that help a car perform, because they tend to be safer. I used to order all the police or heavy duty options, like brakes, suspension, and tires, because they are safer, and even things like a larger cooling system and battery are a plus. Can't order cars like years ago, but things like a trailer towing package adds most of the things, so even if finding out how much a vehicle can tow, and getting one that can tow more would be better.
In the Subaru I recently bought, having all wheel drive in a plus. I hated front wheel drive, because they are unbalanced with most of the weight in the front, and I went into a skid driving a friends, when making a simple maneuver if it would have been rear wheel drive. Learning the Subaru has a stronger than normal passenger cage was a selling point, and safer in a rollover. Only problem could be that they have to use the Jaws of Life to cut, if the doors won't open. Can always get out a window.
When I think of saftey, I don't always buy the things that are put in cars. Air bags are good in Some situations, and ABS is Supposed to be better, but why Don't they put them in race cars where the drivers survive 200mph crashes Unhurt. Seat belts are good, and convincing a friend who likes to drive fast he should use them, and the next day, when starting out to drive on the interstate, he buckled up. What reminded him was watching a pretty girl get in her car and buckle hers. 30 mi later his Mustang was on its roof, not looking like one, and a wheel broke in half after almost going under a semi, and taking out 85' of guard rail after getting cut out. I saw him 2 days later, and couldn't believe the story, but he had pics, and all he had was a 3/4" scratch on his knee. Said he was hanging upside down, and had to cut the seatbelt.
I graduated from 3 point seat belts to 5 point ones like race drivers use. If They use them I Want them. Only problem, they keep you sitting upright strapped in, and if the car rolled and the roof crushed, or something came through the windshield, you can't move, so I got ones with a quick release cam lock. Putting them over the 3 point ones will give the benefit of both in what they do best.
Subject: Japanese Bubble Car 
Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:20 pm
