GOOD-BYE YARIS, HELLO FIT!

[bobby]

Originally Posted by ryank

I think the extra $7,000 in my wallet adds padding that helps keep me safer.

That's good. Hope that helps you or a loved one in an accident. For me, I feel much better knowing I'm driving the safest car in its class. I feel that's worth a whole lot more than 7K in my pocket!

By the way, it isn't just the extra air bags which gave the Phit the highest rating. To win the IIHS's TOP SAFETY PICK a car must pass these criteria:

1. GOOD FRONTAL CRASHWORTHINESS, based on performance in a 40mph frontal crash test.

2. GOOD SIDE CRASHWORTHINESS, based on a test in which a vehicle's side is struck by a barrier going 31mph.

3. GOOD REAR CRASHWORTHINESS, based on head restratint geometry and test of seat/head restraint.

4. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, by helping drivers maintain control when vehicles otherwise might spin out.

The Phit Sport w/Navi passed these tests with flying colors, and I'm sorry to report that the Yaris failed. Not good, Toyota!

[earljail]

Originally Posted by bobby

. For me, I feel much better knowing I'm driving the safest car in its class.

Well, for perspective, just remember what kind of small cars were available 15 years ago or so. I had a 94 Hyundai Excel which was known for pushing the steering column into the driver's neck in a frontal crash. And virtually no small cars had any airbags at all.

So I doubt your multi-airbagged Fit is as giant a leap forward in safety from a plain jane Yaris than any modern small car is from one that's fifteen years old.