I recently went to a family function with my parents. This is the first time that the majority of my family saw my new Mini. So, at the end of the evening, I drove up to the front of the resturant to pick up my folks. As my folks were entering the car I noticed the look on my aunt's face. She had that: OMG-please-drive-carefully-in-your-death-trap-since-you're-driving-your-parents . I kinda expected that from my aunt given the type of person she is. But I get when people jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts. My folks on the other hand brought up no such concerns when I told them I was going to get a Mini. They know who builds it and knows all the safety features.

Oh, this is the same aunt made my her son get the Honda Civic coupe instead of the hatch b/c she feared the hatchback body will be more vulnerable in a rear end collision . Oh sure, I'm sure she did her research by checking out the IHS and NHTSB data before coming to her conclusion . But I told him that the hatch b/c will be more practical since he was going away to school at the time.

 

My wife and I plan to print out pictures of MINIs that have been in major accidents so we can whip them out whenever we hear these comments (which is often). Of course we would then have to break down the picture for the people we are showing them to....

I guess the best solution is to roll your eyes, look them squarely in the face and say, "Yeah, I hope I make home in one piece too...". Then peel out with your window down yelling, "Watch this! I saw it in a cartoon, but I'm pretty sure I can do it!". Life is too short to not poke fun at your relatives!

Cheers!

 

This is the classic comparison and probably the only photo you need to convince idiots that small cars can be even safer than Stupid Useless Vehicles:

MINI Cooper vs. Ford F-150 pickup in a 40mph barrier test. Particularly troublesome is that the F-150 is the same platform as those oh-so-safe SUV's like the Ford Explorer and Ford Excursion.

Quote from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety which conducts crash testing of vehicles:

"The MINI had almost no intrusion which "indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well" - the F150 on the other hand had "Major collapse of the occupant compartment that left little survival space for the driver."

 

That test is way old and the Fords have all been changed in their design

 

My saying to those who believe bigger is better is that there is always something out there bigger than you. You may as well get something that is known for safety and most of all, something that gives you the opportunity to avoid accidents without causing one yourself.

 

ok so ford may be safer now but those are still some pretty cool pictures

 

I think MINI USA should include a set of 8X10 glossy of that pic in every MINI's glovebox that's headed for the U.S. Then send a set retroactively to all current owners . Then when the next clueless person gives you that "OMG-you're-gonna-die-in-that-death-trap" look, just give one picture to that person.

 

I know my MINI is safe, however, I want to point out that these tests are only valid for comparing car with similar weight. The reason is the deformable barrier is pushing back at the car with the same force that the car is crashing into it.

What I mean is, these pictures represents what would happen when an offset crash takes place between two MINIs, or two F150s. It will NOT be like this when a MINI crash into a F150.

The MINI has a very stiff passenger cell and an effective crumble zone, but don't expect miracles, if you do crash into a 2 ton truck, the weight difference, the short crumble zone, and the height of the truck will definitely do more damage than you see on the above photo.

The best safety feature of the MINI is still the nimble handling, great brakes, and the nut behind the wheel

 

Yes, new Fords have an improved design, but millions of those death trap fords are still on the roads. . . .

 

Needs to be pointed out that in a MINI, you stand a FAR better chance of avoiding the dang wall in the first place.

 

 

I don't get the safety issue as much as I get the practicality issue. People have a hard time believing I spent that much on this car. To me it was every penny well spent and after a ride or two, I get a fair amount of believers. But it still irritates me having to defend my choice.

I am also a strong believer in the accident avoidance prowess of our cars over all the other features.

 

I think people are just jealous when someone buys something fun and
enjoyable.

 

Yup. They also dont get the small car thing. Think its a death trap. No amount of "education" will change a first impression.

 

That crash test can't be TOO old, since the new MINI hasn't been on the road all that long. In fact, it was just last year that the test was made, earning the MINI top honors by the National Insurance Institute.

 

when i got my first MINI i was told by a friend of my mom's that i should get something more reliable and something that would survive a crash....

i was told to get a bmw....

when i told her that MINI was owned by bmw i got the deer in the headlights look... hehehe....

 

http://waw.wardsauto.com/ar/auto_average_newcar_price
This says that the average car price is around 23k.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/11/17/...ion=cnn_latest
This one says $27k Just my $0.02. Not bagging on you Risu just giving you fire power if someone says something about the price of the MINI.

 

My parents have ridden in my MINI many times so they know how solid and nimble it is, and I've made sure that my mother (who can't be happy unless she's worrying about something ) knows about the car's safety features.

Other than that I really don't care what anybody else thinks about the car's safety.

 

Love the sig pic Risu, lol. When you get stupid questions or remarks about practicality just say:

I was at the dealer and asked myself, "What would Jesus do?" They'll either think it's ok, or you're totally nuts.

Or better yet tell em, "Well it's practical, I mean I usually only travel carrying a hand gun, don't need a big car for that...right?"

Of course you have to say it seriously and with a straight face to convince them. Either way you won't have to deal with any more stupid questions or remarks about practicality.

 

Jesus would have walked. . . .

 

yes, one would assume this, but not all cars behave this way, go to the Zap cars website and watch the video of a Smart colliding with a full size Mercedes. http://www.zapworld.com/cars/smartCar.asp

http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=48...8-7b1d97e08a61&

you can see clearly this is one tiny car that does exceptionally well against a larger vehicle.

also watch this Smart crash at 70mph!!!!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...480&q=crash%20

its all in the design.....

of course to prove your point we have....
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...066694&q=crash

 

Great links, thanks.

Now we just need to work on how the internal organs survive such impacts!

 

Drive Safe and pay attention it's the nut behind the wheel that can usually prevent a collision in the first place.

 

See. There is always something bigger than you on the road.

 

Your analogy is a little off. The test is 40 mph into a stationary object not another moving vehicle. If a MINI and Ford truck hit head on each moving 20 mph the effect would be the similar to the pictures above. Except the MINI would be pushed backward because of the weight difference and would have slightly more damage than the pictures above. If the MINI came between the Ford truck and a tree, that’s another scenario.

I don’t believe that trucks are subjected to the same safety criteria as cars so trucks/SUVs may not have improved safety as much as you may be lead to believe. We would need a company SUV rep to confirm. As someone said the MINI has a much better chance of avoiding the accident because of it’s superior handling. Case in point. I was traveling north from Princeton NJ on a two lane highway one morning with a Ford Pickup right on my tail. I was considering pulling over and letting them by just as a twisty corner approached. I maintain speed and rounded the corner glued to the road. The truck did not fair as well, nearly spinning off the road. This guy was not too bright. The truck dropped back and kept his distance.