- GM's Second Chance
- Are Diesels Better Than Hybrids?
- Residual Values Hold Up Through Bankruptcy
- GM A Step Closer To Exiting Bankruptcy
- Are Gas Prices Still Scaring Car Buyers?
- Ford Passes Toyota For #2 In The U.S.
- Studs, Duds, And The Musical Chairs In Autoland
- Going Fast. Deals And Models Harder To Find
- GM Enters Stretch Run To Exit Bankruptcy
- Marchionne's Silence Speaks Volumes
|
CNBC'S MOST SHARED
- Investing in Tech Now
- Apartment Vacancy Rate Hits 22-Year High
- Warren Buffett's Complete Sun Valley CNBC Interview - Transcript and Video
- Software Giants Rush to Cash In on Carbon-Trading
- Warren Buffett Tells CNBC Consumer Sales Remain "Very, Very Soft"
- What You'll See On My NASCAR Documentary Tonight
- Warren Buffett: Economy Needs Another Dose of Viagra
- Preparing for Retirement
- Cramer?s Outrage
- July 10th in Market History
- Warren Buffett's Complete Sun Valley CNBC Interview - Transcript and Video
- Warren Buffett Tells CNBC Consumer Sales Remain "Very, Very Soft"
- July 10th in Market History
- Microsoft Plays a Game of Bing Pong
- Options Smell 'Blood' on Infosys
- Christmas in July: Consumers To Out-Scrooge Scrooge
- GM's Second Chance
- Art Cashin: Traders Weigh Obama Policy Changes
- Warren Buffett: Economy Needs Another Dose of Viagra
- SEC, CFTC to Police Over-the Counter Derivatives
- AIG Prepares to Pay More Bonuses to Executives
- China Demands Currency Reform, France Backs Debate
- IEA Sees Global Oil Demand Bouncing Back in 2010
- UBS Can't Comply with US Request: Internal Memo
- Treasury Sold Warrants Below Market Value: Panel
- New Inquiries into Murdoch Paper Phone Hacking Case?
- China Accuses Rio Staff of Bribing Steelmakers
- Assets Are Less Toxic, but Banks Have Other Troubles
RSS FEED

![]() |
2009 Nissan Maxima |
But when models improve, do we notice? What if they only rate as adequate? Does it change how we view certain models? I'm not so sure.
I ask that because the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released its latest findings on crash tests for new '08 mid-size sedans. Given that these are models in the heart of the mass market, you would think the public would be paying close attention.
But in this case, I think the mixed message will get a collective yawn. The good news is that the group (Malibu, Avenger, G35, Optima, etc) did well in front and side impact crashes. Unfortunately, the segment did not do as well on rear impact crashes. So how do you read this? How much do you care?
I know that some of you will read that last sentence and say to yourself, "Well, of course we care about safety, moron." Yet, when I talk with people or get e-mails from some of you, I rarely hear safety mentioned as one of the main criteria for selecting a car.
Typically mileage, price, style all come across as more important. The one exception seems to be with parents of kids, who will ask me how the safety ratings of different models compare.
Which brings me back to the mid-size sedan crash tests. The fact that some of these models did not do well on rear impact crashes should be a reason for concern. But I remain skeptical that I will hear anyone tell me, "that model was only rated as adequate in protecting me if I get rear-ended."
Questions? Comments?



.ll_medium.jpg)



