Teenagers / Classic Cars ??

1968FormulaS340 said
Modern cars are designed to crumple, absorb the impact and transfer the energy away from the passengers.

The Honda did exactly what it was designed to do. The cost of fixing the car is flawed thinking. The cost of fixing the people inside is what's important.

Would you rather have your daughter smacked in the face with a steering wheel or an airbag?

Air bags are a great safety device, which unfortunately old cars don't have. That's why I mentioned making SURE, if she gets an old car, she has and uses shoulder belts. I guess you missed that when you quoted me, and then made that comment of the steering wheel wouldn't of been brought up. And yes I know newer cars are SUPPOSED to crumple on impact, some do it very well like the Volvo and some don't, like alot of compacts that many parents buy for their kids these days. And it makes sense for front and rear collisions as long as the passenger compartment stays for the most part intact, but the example I gave of the Honda my son T boned pushed the door all the way into the center console, and it happened while driving around town not doing 60 on the freeway, so if someone was in the passenger seat air bag or not well......, it crumbled way too far for my taste at that speed. I know the newer mid size/full size cars and trucks would be alot safer than old cars, but most teens don't end up driving these for their first car, they end up with a little economy car. This example was just to answer his question about old car safety, they can take a lick! The repair cost was just an added bonus not a "be all, end all" of why or why not he should let his daughter buy an old car or truck.