Do you look at crash ratings of vehicles when purchasing? (1 Viewer)

[belljr]

So was reading an article on crash test ratings and it got me thinking how much people use these rratings.

I can't tell you the last time I checked these ratings when purchasing a car, even when my kids were little.

I assumed all vehicles have reached certain standards by this point that a car getting a poor rating isn't something I even consider.

Maybe I'm in the minority

Is this something you consider when purchasing?

 

[BeTheMatch]

Not necessarily crash rating specifically, but overall safety is a minor factor. They're all pretty good these days.

 

[Gopher State]

They all are good for the most part.  I Amin the market for a new car, but at 5 to 10 k over sticker I wait.

 

[moleculo]

So was reading an article on crash test ratings and it got me thinking how much people use these rratings.

I can't tell you the last time I checked these ratings when purchasing a car, even when my kids were little.

I assumed all vehicles have reached certain standards by this point that a car getting a poor rating isn't something I even consider.

Maybe I'm in the minority

Is this something you consider when purchasing?

same.  IMO all modern cars are soooo much better than they were 20 years ago.  Everything is pretty good.  some are better than others, of course, but the differences aren't great (IMO).

 

[Hastur]

1. Reliability

2. Vehicle history

3. Reputation(kinda tied to reliability)

4. Utility factors/lifestyle

5. Features

My wife drives a Camry, and I have a Civic. It doesn't compute in my brain why people willingly drive cars that are known to break down/have high maintenance factors(Mercedes, Oldsmobile, GMC, etc.).

 

[moleculo]

1. Reliability

2. Vehicle history

3. Reputation(kinda tied to reliability)

4. Utility factors/lifestyle

5. Features

My wife drives a Camry, and I have a Civic. It doesn't compute in my brain why people willingly drive cars that are known to break down/have high maintenance factors(Mercedes, Oldsmobile, GMC, etc.).

I'm on the market for a new vehicle right now myself.  My decision tree is pretty much the same as yours, except utility factors/lifestyle is probably #1.  That determines the segment of vehicle I want, and then drill down from there. 

I hate knowing I can't do something in my vehicle - I can't tow a trailer, I can't haul lumber, I can't drive down a particular road, I can't drive in snow, etc.  I was dead set on a new truck, but talked myself into a sport ute - almost the same utility as a truck but more internal storage and comfortable for the kids.  Next is reliability and reputation, which leads me to Toyota 4runner.  Vehicle history - looking at the used car market, new cars are actually cheaper than (low mileage) used.  Next is features, which determines which trim package.

 

[Hastur]

I'm on the market for a new vehicle right now myself.  My decision tree is pretty much the same as yours, except utility factors/lifestyle is probably #1.  That determines the segment of vehicle I want, and then drill down from there. 

I hate knowing I can't do something in my vehicle - I can't tow a trailer, I can't haul lumber, I can't drive down a particular road, I can't drive in snow, etc.  I was dead set on a new truck, but talked myself into a sport ute - almost the same utility as a truck but more internal storage and comfortable for the kids.  Next is reliability and reputation, which leads me to Toyota 4runner.  Vehicle history - looking at the used car market, new cars are actually cheaper than (low mileage) used.  Next is features, which determines which trim package.

I agree.  I wasn't thinking about it, but utility factors/lifestyle should come first.  If you want a vehicle to haul large items, a sedan isn't for you.  If you live in an area with lots of snow, 4X4 might be better than a rear wheel drive sports type car.  Once you determine what type of vehicle you want(pick up, sedan, SUV, etc.), then work on the rest of your needs.

 

[MTskibum]

I rate my choices by:

1. Vehicle class

2. Features

2. Overall cost of ownership

Sometimes vehicles that have a higher repair cost or higher depreciation can have lower total cost of ownership over the life of the vehicle if you factor in mpg, insurance, and initial purchase price.

I love Toyota's/Honda's and I drive a Tacoma right now, but they are not always the best. Sometimes their reliability has too high of upcharge.

 

[Cjw_55106]

Literally takes 2 minutes. No idea why you wouldn't at least give it a read? 

I voted minor factor just because, like has been mentioned, you would think none are terrible. 

 

[ChiefD]

  I was dead set on a new truck, but talked myself into a sport ute - almost the same utility as a truck but more internal storage and comfortable for the kids. 

When I was looking for a new vehicle my wife and I were torn on what to do. We had been driving a 2004 Suburban with 3 kids. Plenty of room, storage, etc. So we waffled for a long time between a truck and another SUV. We were gonna go with a smaller SUV - something like a Ford Explorer.

We ended up with an F150 for a few reasons:

1. I can haul anything and tow my boat.

2. Kids will be going to college soon, so moveable for their stuff is key.

3. The supercab is massive. My 16 year old is 6'1 and my 14 year old son will be probably 6' also. Daughter is short. But there is PLENTY of leg room. 6' kid still has about 6" of leg room when he sits in the back.  And if the kids aren't in the car the back seat can hold plenty of groceries and such.

4. Plenty of room in the front for my massive balls because that's how I feel when I drive an effing truck.

We've already taken this truck on a long trip and was very comfortable for all 5 of us.

 

[wlwiles]

I figure with all the new safety standards pretty much all of them are good enough.  I pay way more attention to reliability/avg maintenance cost than safety rating. 

 

[Chadstroma]

After my 2012 major car accident, with two small children, when I started researching cars to decide on what we wanted I did look up crash ratings but also death rates. I then looked at the cars accordingly. We ended up buying one of the safest SUV's and it being one of the safest was certainly a major factor. 

 

[nysfl2]

Definitely look at the ratings. It falls somewhere between minor and major factor in the end process of selecting a car.

 

[-OZ-]

Yes, but it’s more of a go / no Go criteria. Almost every vehicle is fine now. 
5 kids, 2 teen drivers (3rd before too long). Damn straight safety is important. 

 

[Terminalxylem]

Nope. Just like the OP, I assume all modern vehicles are safe enough. And how well validated is crash testing, anyway?

 

[Chemical X]

i just want to know if my vehicle can be driven off road, thru streams and woods, with canoes and bikes strapped to the roof…..just like in every single car commercial i see.

 

[Jobber]

Funny timing, as I read the IIHS just recently updated their side collision tests to be more in line with US roads today. The impacting vehicle weight increases from 3300 lbs to 4200 lbs. some cars did well and some others definitely not. 
 

https://www.carscoops.com/2022/05/vw-id-4-excels-while-jeep-wrangler-struggles-in-new-harder-iihs-side-impact-test/

That said, I do always look at the safety pretty closely because I have 19, 17, 15 year old kids so lots of young drivers in the house. Oh, and also an umbrella policy haha.

 

[The Man With No Name]

I talked a Niece out of buying a vehicle she wanted a year+ ago because of it's safety in crash tests. She totaled multiple cars before she was 21. She turned 23 last month