23rd Jan 2007, 08:01

The point is pretty obvious - SUV apologists here keep saying how cars simply crumple when in any accident with an SUV, and that is simply untrue, and the statistics prove it.

23rd Jan 2007, 16:20

There are NO statistics that show that cars don't crumple when SUV's hit them. That is ludicrous. They most DEFINITELY crumple, and rather easily, too. If you have FACTS (NOT wild speculations) otherwise, please give them.

23rd Jan 2007, 17:01

Wrong. He said he has seen unrecognizable trucks and SUVs. He did NOT say that they were unrecognizable after being hit by a Corolla or Civic. That would be impossible, because the latter cars would be the unrecognizable ones. 1) Check facts. 2) Close mouth.

23rd Jan 2007, 20:48

Wrong again. Machines behave in predictable ways. People that control them do not behave in predictable or even rational ways. Good, you finally admit that most of these accidents were high speed maneuvers, a product of unsafe driving. And don't forget the tire blowouts, which represent an unpredictable event. You make it sound like the manufacturer's warning on the visor is a bad thing. You can't have it both ways--you want to warn people that SUVs are soooo unsafe, but then you bash them for having warning stickers. And even better, you think you bear no responsibility on the road just because you don't have an SUV? Anybody with your self-righteous style of ranting likes to point the finger at everybody else, but never himself. It is also time to update your ancient statistics to account for the redesigned Explorer with wider stance and longer wheelbase. Guess you'll have to find something else to rant about. You won't, though, because your arguments become contradictory in your zeal to find something to hate about SUV's.

23rd Jan 2007, 22:31

I read most of the comments, and hadn't seen anything about the Ford Exploder having a recommended tire pressure of 26 lbs. That in itself would make the vehicle unstable, and prone to tire heat buildup, and failure. I don't know how the thread about the Civic got hijacked by the Fords. It is happening more, and more all the time. If not brands, then it will usually become import VS domestics.

Too bad!! I used to get a lot of unbiased comments here.

24th Jan 2007, 07:10

Unfortunately, there are several trolls on this site who will start an argument over nothing. They are pretty recognizable as: the "statistics say SUVs are unsafe" guy; the "American cars suck because my friend's Focus had 20 recalls" guy; and the "HMMMM, please explain why my Tercel goes through 20 feet of snow" guy. Maybe even multiple personalities of the same troll.

24th Jan 2007, 08:22

The Explorer is just like the Corvair, unsafe at ANY speed. SUVs do NOT handle in predictable ways and the government warnings prove that.

My arguments are not in the least contradictory, and the fact that suddenly you find it necessary to attack me by saying I'm trying to abdicate my responsibility as a driver proves it.

24th Jan 2007, 10:51

Trolls? Oh, I see, unless you specifically praise to the high heavens the undying greatness of domestic vehicles you are a troll.

Sorry, but facts are facts. I have conclusively proven all my arguments, from proving Toyota stated it will build five plants in the US (something repeatedly denied by posters here even though over a million Google results pop up on that topic and it was mentioned in EVERY automotive publication in America) to the fact that a 27 year old subcompact can accomplish 99% of what a "macho" SUV can in virtually any weather.

But keep on posting your claims of SUVs that get 50 mpg and never get a single dent regardless of the accident they are in.

I'll prove them wrong every time.

24th Jan 2007, 11:57

Some of the comments are so hilarious that I enjoy reading them as entertainment, and I hope the people posters keep posting. Some of the stuff makes my day.

The "My Tercel goes thru 20 feet of snow" comment really brought back some wonderful memories. On a snowy night back in the mid 80's I was dining at a restaurant with some friends who owned a new '85 Tercel. The snow was getting pretty deep and we were all getting worried about driving home in it, as the roads were totally covered with several inches and it was still falling. I was especially concerned, as at the time I was driving my classic 1972 Plymouth Duster and it had never been driven in snow.

As we left I started out following my friend's Tercel and driving VERY carefully. Snow is very rare in our area, though our friends lived in Chicago and were used to it. After literally CRAWLING for a couple of miles I realized my Duster was EXTREMELY stable and doing great, while the Tercel kept losing traction and slipping all over the road. I finally just hit the gas and blasted around the Tercel and drove the speed limit the rest of the way home.

Except for our current (2-wheel drive) SUV I have never owned a car that was as stable and great-handling on the snow as that old '72 Duster.

24th Jan 2007, 13:51

I think the reason the SUV stuff came up was because so many of the Civic (and other import) drivers are very young and inexperienced drivers, and regard anything that requires a little more driving skill as dangerous.

I honestly hope these guys will continue to drive smaller, slower and less challenging cars, as they will do far less damage when they run red lights or skid across center lines and hit other drivers.

24th Jan 2007, 17:26

I hate to see all this animosity among everyone here. There is no car on the face of this earth--and there never will be one--that is completely perfect. All material things have faults, especially cars that are capable of so many functions nowadays. Hondas and Toyotas have consistently been praised as more reliable, but that doesn't mean the other car companies aren't good enough. People will drive what they will drive. Stop criticizing people for driving an economy Civic while you're out driving a big luxury SUV! If you want a really really really small 2-door car, that's fine! If you want an extremely large SUV, go for it! Just shut up! :-)

24th Jan 2007, 19:12

Just a heads up to everybody.

I think that the MAJORITY of the Toyota=good American=bad comments are coming from the same 2 people. One person keeps saying how they had a first year Ford Focus that had a bunch of problems, and then they got a Scion that was reliable.

Then in a comment somewhere else somebody says something along the lines of 'well if American automakers are sooo great, then how come my friend's first year Focus had all these problems, but his Scion was great' So basically it's two people that are perusing this sight that have a big problem with American cars. I could be wrong, but it seems like a huge coincidence to me.

25th Jan 2007, 05:45

To 19:12 - Yes, & perhaps the same 2 people are arguing in a Toyota Tundra review as well!