Which one of these cars are the safest, and which one should I get?

I'm surprised at the mention of Toyota. The Camry, at least a couple years ago (perhaps they've fixed it) had only "2 stars" on side impact.

But the larger omission is Subaru. My '04 Forester is "5-stars" front and side. Weighs 3,300 lbs., so it's in the same weight class as Camry/Accord/S60 Volvo. Further, the new '05 Subaru Legacy/Outback received the highest crash ratings ever from the Australian New Car Assessment Programme. See

That's what I thought you'd say, moron.

Thanks for playing.

RS

David Taylor wrote:

They've pretty much fixed it, especially with the Camry Solara Coupe although it hasn't been tested in the front offset test yet, it's done exceptionally well in all the other crash tests.

You are certainly correct, the Forester is one of the safest SUVs out there, I wasn't looking for an SUV, but if I had the money and was looking to buy an SUV, then off the top of my head I think that the the Forester, Acura MDX, Chrysler Pacifica, and the Volvo XC90 would be the top 4 choices. The Forester did get 5 stars in the front crash test for the driver and passenger as well as 5 stars for the side impact for the front seats as well as 5 stars for the side impact for the rear seat and it did get a best pick rating in the IIHS front offset test as well.

Way too funny, cos *that's* what I thought you'd say!

So here's the thing, you're right you win. I was always taught never to argue with an idiot, you've dragged me down to your level and won by experience.

Have a great day.

David.

Your SUV top-contenders list is a good one. You probably know that the Forester is much smaller than any of the other marques on the list. However, for most people, it's probably adequate, despite their preferences for more vehicle. It weighs about 1,100-1,200 lbs. less (depending on the model) than the MDX and Volvo; and as I recall, the Pacifica weighs at least 3,800 lbs., so the Forester has a 500 lb. advantage (OK, depending on how you look at it!) there.

Anyway, thanks for your awareness of Subaru which, for some reason, seems off the radar screen for many people. I think of it in some respects as a sort of Japanese Volvo or Saab: very safe, well-engineered, distinctively differentiated in the market (AWD standard all models) with some quirkiness (flat-four/six), etc. Another advantage is (for now, at least; sales are up, though) is some exclusivity--there just aren't very many around, compared to Honda, Toyota, even BMW, at least here in The O.C. That situation is quite different in snowy climes, e.g., Montana.

HW

None of which are SUV's in the traditional sense (*Utility*). The only reason that I have an SUV in the driveway at all is to tow my boat. None of the station wagons you mentioned have the towing capacity I need to do that. I have a Ford Exploder with a 302 V8 for that job.

Driving a real SUV to transport people is idiocy. On the other hand, those station wagons that you mentioned that call themselves SUVs are probably good people haulers, so I guess safety would be of importance.

And no, my Jeep Wrangler is neither an SUV nor a station wagon. It is not good at people hauling (4 seater, not particularly safe) or trailering (2000lb tow limt). But it does go off-road damn well...

-Fred W

I dunno if I agree with the safety on the Wranglers ...I've been around Jeeps and Jeep owners for awhile now and can't even think of anyone who's died in a Jeep or know anyone who's told me stories of such. They may not be safe "feature-wise" with side airbags, crumple-zones, etc, but in terms of life-and-death crashes, I'd rather be in a Wrangler than almost any car out there (especially in a rollover). And it's very inexpensive and easy to install 5-point harness systems, padded rollbars, and a few other "safety" options in Jeeps that make them even better. If we're talking about backseat passengers tho, then ya, it's not safe at all. I had a friend fall out of my Jeep once in the backseat (no seatbelt obviously ...but still). Not cool at all.

The other safety "feature" I have on my Wrangler TJ is that I just don't like to drive it fast. Sure, it's got the 4.0L six so it's capable, I just don't like to. That and my knobby tires make a racket at highway speeds. Other cars in the driveway are far better for high speed driving.

-Fred W

In the sense of "accident avoidance safety" than ya, a Wrangler is probably one of the worst-rated vehicles possible ;p Somehow tho, my Jeep was the only vehicle I've owned that I haven't been hit in (I'm not counting off-roading mishaps ;p) It's also the only vehicle I was never broken into or had stolen ...even though it never had a top or doors and had a CD stereo w/ aftermarket speakers and I left the keys in the ignition numerous times. I guess people just figured it wasn't worth their time or that there's no way I'd leave anything valuable in it.

Hello

There is a Diode across the Solenoid, and one of the leeds has broken. The only number on the Diode is 701 2146

Does anyone have any information on this diode?

ground -- ----->l------- + positive.

TIA Christopher

the diode is across the coil to shunt the back-EMF, which is a pulse of reverse polarity current that occurs when the magnetic field in the coil collapses when the power to it is turned off. Probably can be replaced by any diode from Radio Shack... look for something with a PIV rating of a couple hundred volts, and it would be hard to find anything on the rack that can't handle an amp or so.... Just observe the same polarity as the original when wiring it in place.....

Ideally a 1N5406 Diode, Rectifier, Fast Recovery, General Purpose

Taff.........