quote:

Originally posted by OilBurner:
QJ: I think you may have missed my point. I don't doubt using rear facing seats in an estate is any less safe than a typical MPV as far as rear impacts etc go. The difference being, in an MPV, the passengers are facing forwards and any cargo being carried (e.g. pushchairs) sits *behind* the seat.

However, with rear facing seats, in the event of a smash, the cargo is liable to impact the rear facing passengers. Regardless of deformation or cabin intrusion, I wouldn't want to be the one faced with a 5kg pushchair accelerating toward me with the mass of said baby trolley taking up the energy of the cars forward momentum? Would you?

And yes, taking an IAM or RoSPA course will decrease the chances of having a smash, but does not remove the possibility altogether. If IAM members were accident free then surely insurance premiums would be lower for these drivers? They aren't and it isn't....

Really QJ, I know you think safety issues are a bit of a joke and that driver training is far more important, but accidents will always happen and there's some risks which just aren't worth taking.

I'd happily use rear facing seats, but any cargo would *have* to go safely into a roofbox or trailer....

Passengers and large, heavy objects do not mix!

Agreed, i wouldn't want to be in with the luggage in an emergancy avoidance/braking situation either to be honest.

no oily, I dont think safety issues to be a joke...just some people's perceptions of what constitutes 'safety'...see my posts advocating the new Aygo/C1...argument based PRIMARILY on safety ratings...

the IAM/RoSPA issue was a twofold thing..one, improved driver training, which goes a long way to avoiding accidents, especially with a novice driver....but secondly, there is the need to give parents the impression of a 'professional, safety-conscious' chldcare facility....since childminding seems to be the business involved here. Many who are ignorant of such matters attach prime importance to 'certificates'...so in a way, doing these courses panders to the masses?

the issue of luggage flying around, is quite right, if only because it presumes the usual ignorance on the part of the driver.
We teach that luggage/goods or whatever needs to be stowed securely if within the passenger compartment....against the 3 forces of acceleration, braking and cornering/bouncing.

this means bungees, ropes, whatever, to secure items.....but how many think of doing it?

In an estate car, unless some roof-height guard is fitted securely, there is little to stop pushchair-like objects hurtling ANYWHERE within the car on impact.....unless properly secured in the first place.

If folk are used to enclosed boot spaces, then that prospect may not be realised..until too late. Not all are lorry drivers.


when I mentioned the suburban, I got a bit confused, a guy at work has one, its a chevy...and doesn't bear any relationship to a pickup, in the accepted sense.....its full of airbages, eetc, though.but it was a thought, no more.....just as I used my observations re minibuses? surely the most practical mode of mini-mass transport?

and to a lay person, its mass 'looks' safe??

Ah! We agree after all!

the new v50 stunning looks for a volvo i huge improvment.

we used to have a 7 seater 740. i think the seats at the back can be removed. pretty sure they can be.

quote:

Originally posted by lancia.:
the new v50 stunning looks for a volvo i huge improvment.

front end needs a re-design looks wrong on a car of this size somehow

The new V70 isnt a bad car for the money. HUGE discounts to be had. Its a bit dated technically, and the interior is old hat but the seats are lovely, the engine is good and its well made.

Certainly a sight better than the awful S80.

Favorite Volvo?

My pal's 1985 360 GLE which he had for 20 years and it was still immaculate when he traded it in for a new V70

a current model volvo v70 D5 is probably my ideal car [s60 D5 ranks highly too]

No ! I wont allow it!

Get a V70 2.4 petrol 5 speed auto !

just like the idea of a car of this size & comfort with the fuel economy of a much smaller car - it might even come as an geartronic auto .. will check..

2.4 d5 (185) 2.4 litre 5 cylinder, 185bhp, 295lbft, 140mph, 0-60 8.2, 41 mpg overall
semi-auto geartronic is slightly slower & down 6mpg

either will do .... both faster & more economical than n/a 2.4

Fair enoughski

6 speed auto good choice

best volvo estate is obviously amazon, p1800 es or pv544 wagon..but your mrs may not approve....

quote:

Originally posted by lancia.:
the new v50 stunning looks for a volvo i huge improvment.

It is, and I looked seriously at buying one, but I was surprised at just how small the boot was and unfortunetely, this was the deciding factor for the V50. Lovely drive though.