I've just been reading a thread about how cars have come a long way in the last ten years and one comment was about improvements in safety - this leads me to a bit of an unnerving problem that I hope somebody might be able to help me with. My daughter is looking to buy her first car next year and has narrowed it down to 3 models, an old mini, an old mini and an old mini. I am worried about how safe they are. I love em, don't get me wrong, but I just can't see one holding together in a smash. Can anyone suggest a small, relatively cheap (3k max), funky car for a young girl who doesn't want a boring old runabout. Tough call I know! or am I overreacting about the mini. Were the later ones safer?

Smaller cars are inherently less able to absorb energy outside the safety cage. Older cars are generally speaking less able to cope with a big impact.

I've driven some cars that were less safe then 'perfect' - it has some benefits though

The main one being that you drive them with a bit more respect for your life, which can't be a bad thing.

Minis are pretty tough, but then let's face it - if I drove my Fabia into say a big lorry, it wouldnt come out too well anyway.

If the car is well maintained it shouldnt be a big problem - you can always fit a roll-cage into the mini (I know they fit as you have to for racing )

All old cars can be death traps, the mini (as much as I love it) is one of them.

At the end of the day if it gets hit by something bigger it will come off worse as will a metro or corsa or alike.

"If" it was my daughter I'd be looking along the lines of VW Polo, Rover 25 Skoda Felicia, seat ibiza.............things which are bigger.

All of which you can pick up with

Never deny someone of a mini!!!

Sure minis are pretty tough and im sure you could get some bars for doors if ur very worried :confused:

Never deny someone of a mini!!!

Sure minis are pretty tough and im sure you could get some bars for doors if ur very worried :confused:

at low speed then yes, but there are alot of ret**ds out there on the road.

Saying that I know people who have rolled the wee ones at 40mph and walked away with the odd bruise and cut

If you look hard enough u can pick up an old furby for

Were the later ones safer?

just read the last bit, the later ones around 1997 (I think) came with Airbag and side impact bars. Though I'm not sure if you will get a good one for

This should help. SWMBO's sister was involved in an accident in an old shape Mini about a month back when her boyfriend was driving "a little" outside his ability. They slid off the road, went through some hedgerows and hit a tree and were both very lucky to escape with cuts and bruises. Car was a a right mess apparently.

Fair few alternatives to choose from, but all lack the character of the Mini, which is a real shame as SWMBO would have one parked outside right now....... As it is, I have to start saving for a new shaped one :(

Chris

how about a smart car? crappy I know, but she may like it as it's "funky"... these things can **** a brick wall at 70 mph, and leave the driver/passenger cell intact! (I saw top gear crash on at 70 mph into a wall!) plus they have ABS traction controll and stability control, so thoeretically, the only way she'll crash it, is if she drives it into something deliberatly!

Chris, doesnt she need a 4 door car these days ?

Chris, doesnt she need a 4 door car these days ?

Nah - I won't be seen dead in it so Jess can travel in the front

Chris

how about a smart car? crappy I know, but she may like it as it's "funky"... these things can **** a brick wall at 70 mph, and leave the driver/passenger cell intact! (I saw top gear crash on at 70 mph into a wall!) plus they have ABS traction controll and stability control, so thoeretically, the only way she'll crash it, is if she drives it into something deliberatly!

Agreed

I had a Smart that got written off by a lorry in the rear. Very safe and both me and passenger were very unscathed.

Is Jess postman pat's cat ?

Is Jess postman pat's cat ?

Ummm ...... yep! :confused:

Chris

I'm trying to convince her about the Smart myself. She's a bit reluctant though. Some good suggestions there and thanks for the supermini crash test, very handy. If anybody has any horror stories about what to definitely stay away from, that would help too. An old mini, or possibly an old beetle seems to be her preference though. I think I have a teenage hippy on my hands here. I should thank god she doesn't want an Audi TT I suppose.

I'm trying to convince her about the Smart myself. She's a bit reluctant though. Some good suggestions there and thanks for the supermini crash test, very handy. If anybody has any horror stories about what to definitely stay away from, that would help too. An old mini, or possibly an old beetle seems to be her preference though. I think I have a teenage hippy on my hands here. I should thank god she doesn't want an Audi TT I suppose.

begged my rents for months for either mini, beetle or camper... will never forgive them they gave me one of those funny skoda things

If you want safety try an old shape Renault Magane - lots available under

I would suggest a MK2/3 Golf or Maybel a Polo or a Lupo??? Can't really Fault VW's build quality! Sorry for scary pics but This is the result of being T-boned at about 60mph! Anything lesser and I think i would be dead!

Mini's are funky but are 60's design and made of tin plate, Beetle a similar thing but seem to be a bit more tough than a mini! But finding a good reliable one for

In all honesty though, if something hits you very hard, its going to hurt someone. It doesn't matter what you drive. Just pick a car you like really. The more modern then its likely to be safer but no guarentee's.

Pick an NCAP 5* rated car and a lorry hits you in the side at 62mph, you're dead, simple as. In that situation, may as well drive a Mini and get it over and done with.

I think I have a teenage hippy on my hands here.

If that's the case, then she should be all concerned about the "environment". Point out how environmentally unfriendly the old Mini is, and persuade her to buy something more modern and "ecologically sound".

IMHO The problem with old minis ,although they are tough little buggers, is that the engine and gearbox sit on a subframe that seems to have been engineered by I.K.Brunel and made form left overs from one of his Iron Ships....In a front impact there is little in the way of crumple zone and the whole assembly gets rammed back into the bulkhead and inevitably the front passengers legs.

One thing I found when driving my old mini was that people waiting in sidestreets see you coming ,think 'oh it's a only a mini' and pull out in front of you and with drum brakes all round and no power assistance you are up **** creek without a paddle.

IMHO The problem with old minis ' date='although they are tough little buggers, is that the engine and gearbox sit on a subframe that seems to have been engineered by I.K.Brunel and made form left overs from one of his Iron Ships....In a front impact there is little in the way of crumple zone and the whole assembly gets rammed back into the bulkhead and inevitably the front passengers legs.

One thing I found when driving my old mini was that people waiting in sidestreets see you coming ,think 'oh it's a only a mini' and pull out in front of you and with drum brakes all round and no power assistance you are up **** creek without a paddle.[/quote']

my cousin crashed an old mini head on, and both her legs were broken, so I'd have to agree with you there... she fully recovered , but nasty all the same! (speed was less than 30 mph!)

There are some really helpful comments coming up here and thanks to all of you for them. Please keep them coming. Good point about the ecological friendliness of the mini, I might be able to use that one. The biggest problem I am having is that I am much more sensible now than I was at her age and, my god, sensible does equal boring sometimes!!! she, on the other hand, is looking for her first car and has no experience of crashes etc (thank god) so is looking at it purely with her heart. The suggestion of a VW Lupo might be a good one. Any other suggestions?

01- onwards Clio? Good crash protection, not sure what

You can never dictate or predict what is going to happen on the road.Understand the safety issue totally but I agree with Moose.

Mini time!

Hope my kids want one so I can have a play.Can't see many being around in 17 years though :(