Got an e-mail from the woman who runs Motoring 2009 - Isabel Diamond. Why the only person on the team who really DOES have a face made for TV isn't on air, I'll never know.
Her God-daughter is looking for a new car, and her Dad asked Brad and me for advice.
She wants something affordable, yet safe.
Don't we all!
It isn't easy, because the most important safety features in cars today aren't available in cheaper cars.
I won't bore you with the specific suggestions I had for her, but here are some thoughts you should all keep in mind when car shopping.
First, the safety of a particular car is impossible to measure. Never mind the crash statistics; they measure ONE particular occurrence of ONE particular type of crash. While that may provide a broad idea of the structural integrity of the car, they really don't predict much if anything.
The most important safety features in modern cars are:
(1) Active front-seat headrests, which can reduce whiplash injuries by up to 70 percent. Whiplash is by far the biggest and most expensive car safety problem we have, and the most easily mitigated (with this type of headrest). The fact that neither Transport Canada nor NHTSA, the American equivalent, do not mandate them proves they don't have Clue One about what matters. I doubt any of the cars this young woman is looking at have them; I'm not certain but the Honda Civic might be the cheapest car with them.
(2) Electronic Stability Control, which helps prevent skids. This goes under a wide variety of names - DSC, VDC, etc. This link:
www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/tp/tp14651/vs200701/menu.htm
(if it doesn't show up as a link - I'm still learning this blogging software - cut and paste it into your browser...)
is a web site that describes what ESC does, how effective it is - and which cars have it. ESC will become mandated in 2012, but for now it is only standard on up-scale cars (although the Pontiac Vibe has it as standard) and optional on only a few smaller cheaper ones. You may have to go to something like a VW City Golf to get this - it's a $450 option. My soon-to-be son-in-law has a City Golf and he likes it a lot; I have owned a bunch of VWs and have been very happy with them.
If you cannot afford any of the vehicles that offer ESC, or even if you can, then the best safety investment you can make is not a car at all, but an advanced driver training program. Canada is fortunate to have many such programs available, and you really should take advantage of that.
What's more, the things you learn there will be with you for ever, no matter what car you're in - your own, any car you buy in the future, any car you borrow or rent.
Absolutely mandatory!!!
Drive safe; drive right.
I am also looking for an inexpensive small fun car with ESC and active front-seat headrests. Many small cars do not offer ESC (e.g. Honda Fit, Nissan Versa) or it is only available on an expensive model (e.g. Toyota Matrix XRS & Corolla XRS, Honda Civic EX-L or Si). The Pontiac Matrix has both but they gouge you with packages if you want A/C and alloy wheels. Isabel's God-daughter should consider a Saturn Astra which was AJAC's Best New Small Car for 2008. Saturn is now offering a $6,000 cash incentive for a new 2008 XR 3-door which comes very well equipped with StabiliTrak, active front seat head restraints, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, 6 air bags, pedal release system, tire pressure monitor, theft-deterrent system, OnStar, AM/FM with CD player, MP3 playback and 6 speakers, A/C, cruise control, quick ratio PS, PW, PDL with remote keyless entry, driver lumbar and seat height adjuster, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, sunglass storage, driver and passenger illuminated vanity mirrors, 12-volt power outlet, power adjustable heated side mirrors (manual folding), front intermittent windshield wipers with RainSense feature, rear speed-sensitive wiper, 17-inch alloy wheels with P225/45R17 all-season performance tires and sport handling package. And it is good looking too.
Posted by: Norman | January 20, 2009 at 09:00 PM
Good article Jim, and sound advice - but not complete. I believe we have talked just recently about proper lighting systems?? A critical and essential of the safety envelope in my book - if a vehicle does not have decent lights, front, side and rear, then it falls off my shopping list.
Posted by: John Frewen-Lord | January 21, 2009 at 03:18 AM
Good advice Jim, and I especially liked your viewpoint on Advanced Driving Courses.
Why is it, parents will buy their kids expensive iPods for Christmas, but won't consider a driving course (Which could save their child's life) as an alternative present. I've taken a few, as I know you have. Not only are they one of the smartest investments that any driver (of any age) can make, but they are also a lot of fun. In my mind, it's the present "that keeps on giving" because although the lessons learned may go into the back of the brain, in an emergency situation, they automatically come flying back.
I know that "all the other kids have an iPod", and that parents just want to make their kids happy, but the odds of those children being involved in an accident at some time in their lives is pretty much a certainty. Yes, an MP3 player might survive a crash, and still be usable afterwards, but wouldn't it be better if their loved ones managed to avoid the incident entirely!
Posted by: Kevin Corrigan | January 21, 2009 at 10:51 AM
For ESC explanation, try YOUTUBE....ESC 3 letters to save your life.
Posted by: David White | January 21, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Hi Norman:
The Pontiac "Matrix" is, of course, the Vibe - mechanically identical to the Toyota Matrix, with different styling, equipment, and packages.
Posted by: Jim Kenzie | January 22, 2009 at 01:44 AM
Try it on YOUTUBE?
I hosted that video!
Hope you all take a look...
Jim Kenzie
Posted by: Jim Kenzie | January 22, 2009 at 01:49 AM
Our 2007 KIA Rondo has both active front seat head restraints and electronic stability control, not to mention ABS and heated mirrors, all standard equipment.
We bought it used with 14,000 km for less than $20,000.
Posted by: Bob Johnston | January 22, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Jim, give us the address of you ESC YouTube video please.
Posted by: Mike T. | January 24, 2009 at 06:16 PM
Hi Mike:
I haven't figured out how to copy web URLs as directly-accessible links into this blog yet.
But if you cut-and-paste the following into your browser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EoX2UGA7FM
it should find it.
Failing that, Google "YouTube ESC three letters" and it will be the first thing it returns.
Jim Kenzie
Posted by: Jim Kenzie | January 24, 2009 at 07:53 PM
Nothing beats good driver training for safe driving especially as hgv drivers in the UK can now start driving at 18 (previously 21). The new legislation now requires drivers to carry out Driver CPC training and therefore commit to ongoing training which has to be a good thing.
Posted by: hgvlgvtraining | October 09, 2009 at 08:41 AM
WOW! Fantastic tips. This is nice blog This is more informative for all to know about defensive driving.Learning defensive driving had always been a problem with my friends as they hate to attend classes for the full time.
Posted by: kevin | May 17, 2010 at 02:21 AM
Every state government has strict rules and regulations to get a first time driver license. Generally teens at the time of driving should be more focused on there driving rather on other distrusting actions or jobs. I hope these kind of small corrections can cut down many accidents.
Posted by: Mark | May 11, 2012 at 04:46 AM