Few months ago there was a crash between a Honda Accord and a Tesla Model S. Apparently some Merc driver cut off the Tesla, forcing him to swerve into the opposite lane. Unfortunately there was another car coming that way, and it came to a head on collision. Both passengers in the Honda died, the Tesla driver suffered minor injuries.

1990 Honda Accord:


2012 Tesla Model S:




Clearly the Honda driver was the most innocent one in the whole crash, but since he drove the worst car he was the one to die. Would passive, careful driving have helped him? Nah. There's probably nothing he could have done. Life is unfair.

So when you buy your next car, don't just consider resale value. Stuff like this happens all the time, and there are huge differences between cars, even new ones. Consider if a bit of convenience and a few RM are worth your life (and consider the huge medical bills that come up when you are heavily injured as opposed to minor injuries). A Preve CFE or a Kia Rio will do a decent job at protecting you and your family, and they won't break the bank. There are other cars that aren't as safe as these cars that cost twice as much.

The way I see it there are 2 classes: Contis and Koreans on one side and local and Japanese on the other (Preve CFE sits in between, new Mazdas are mostly conti, Prius C and Prius too, Fiesta S is Japanese (all other Fiesta versions aren't)).

Btw.: The Tesla clearly shows the importance of a crumple zone. The whole front end is a crumple zone, there is no engine that can be pushed into the interior of the car. So they could design it in a way that all the crash energy can be absorbed in that area. Apparently it worked.

This post has been edited by kadajawi: Jul 24 2013, 04:10 PM

good share!

This is not a fair comparison as cars from the early 90s didn't have to face strict regulations in safetly. Most cars from that era are nothing more than eggshells on wheels. They didn't build bad cars then, it is just that the regulations that they have to follow were bad.

This post has been edited by sleepwalker: Jul 24 2013, 04:44 PM

I think TS not trying to compare car.. just to share something on car safety which most people ignore/not consider on it when buying car...

Of course not. That's why I wrote from when the car was. It could have been a Merc, a Volvo, the outcome would more or less have been the same. 2 dead, driver of new car walks away. But some people think old cars are very tough, perhaps even better than new ones. Clearly that isn't the case. Also, some people think as long as I drive defensive and not fast I'll be fine, even if my car isn't so safe. Clearly that too isn't the case.

I think it is about putting more importance on safety instead of RV when choosing cars. Not which car is better or worse.

You're right, but this wasn't a comparison anyway, just creating awareness.

Remember those threads alot of forumers banggalah because they know some big bosses/millionaires who drive old junkers? when the aspect of safety and value of life is mentioned, statements like "different ppl different thinking, deswai you are not rich like them blah blah blah...." is thrown at the face of well-meaning forumers.

Then there is those who claim drive slow no need ABS/ESC etc. etc. etc.

tesla chassis i think came from Lotus X-box styled chassis..hence very strong frontal impact resistant :hmmm:

the title should be: why driving a NEW car make sen?

No, since there is for example a significant difference between a brand new Camry 2.0 and a brand new Kia K5, VW Passat, Ford Mondeo, ... or between a Vios and a Kia Rio/Peugeot 208/Ford Fiesta LX for example.

@pomen_GTR: Not that I know of. The Model S is an all new car. The Roadster was Lotus based.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtxd27jlZ_g

2009 Chevy Malibu vs 1959 Chevy Bel Air, a SOLID, METAL car. Malaysians would test by knocking the cars skin and listed to the sound. And we'd say the Bel Air is SOLID and QUALITY!

yea it reminds me of the thread where ppl attacked me for saying its stupid for a millionaire to drive a wira..the point i was making is exactly TS point...dont need to drive FLASHY car...but it makes sense to get a SAFE car

Yup. There are a few old vs new tests, and it is always the new car that is winning.

(I do that knock knock test too though It just makes me feel better.)

Can someone point me to a website to see the rankings of latest and common models of different cars? Like Honda, Toyota, Kia...different segments..which ones are affordable but safe?

Hyundai Starex


Toyota Alphard


Perodua Viva


Perodua Myvi


Mercedes Benz SLS AMG


Nissan Skyline GTR

what tokok u ?

For Asean cars, most relevant to our market
http://www.aseancap.org

For cars sold in Europe
http://www.euroncap.com

For cars sold in Australasia
http://www.ancap.com.au

Your point?

If you have to die, you have to, because GOD want you to.

You can check EuroNCAP, IIHS, NHTSA, ANCAP, CNCAP, ASEAN NCAP, ... but those are hard to compare at times (CNCAP is very different from the others, ASEAN NCAP hasn't tested many cars yet and don't do side impacts yet, but the advantage is they test Malaysian spec cars). Also spec levels are different.

Generally speaking I'd want ESP/VSC/VSA (different models different names) to help me avoid accidents, and I'd want 4 or better 6 airbags to protect me from side impacts, because those are quite dangerous.

Also, generally speaking the bigger the car, the safer. So D segment > C segment > B segment > A segment, when the rating is the same. But only when the specs are the same. Having side airbags makes a big difference when there is a side impact.

Statistics show way more people die in Malaysia than in Western Europe on the roads. So you are basically saying God hates Malaysians?

All things being equal, a safe car will protect you better. Your CHANCES of survival are simply much higher. It doesn't mean you are invincible. It doesn't mean you can drive like nothing can kill you. Drive sensible, and drive a safe car, and you should be alright.

Wow! Thanks guys. I looked at the aseancap site and surprised to find Honda City a very safe car. Also, Honda Jazz (or Fit overseas).