ESC vs better crash test ratings

[brightredmtn]

This car buying process makes me want to cry...

I can't spend more than $20,000.

A Mazda 3S Touring can come with ESC but has not so great crash test ratings. A Honda Civic has much better crash test ratings but no ESC on a model under $20,000 (plus I really don't want nor need the V6 that the ESC must come with too.)

Do I just buy a used Civic now and wait until more small cars have ESC?

Southpawboston - you have a Mazda 3, what am I missing about it's crash tests?

ETA that the Mazda 3 was tested w/o side airbags and w/o ESC. How can we guess how much improvement that will make?

[Mama!]

Why not a Sedona? I got a brand new 07 Sedona for 18,900 or so. I got everything I wanted in it, and talked them down.:thumbsup:

[brightredmtn]

Why not a Sedona? I got a brand new 07 Sedona for 18,900 or so. I got everything I wanted in it, and talked them down.:thumbsup:

No Sedona I only have one kiddo BUT the Optima has all five stars for NHTSA front and side, a four for roll over but that was without the optional ESC.

Thank you so much for the Kia tip!

[southpawboston]

Southpawboston - you have a Mazda 3, what am I missing about it's crash tests?

ETA that the Mazda 3 was tested w/o side airbags and w/o ESC. How can we guess how much improvement that will make?

well, the ESC does not affect the crash performance at all in NHTSA or IIHS tests. of course, if it was available for my year (2006) i would have gotten it most likely. but what made me settle on the mazda3 was seeing its performance in the european crash test, where it was tested with the side airbags. it got a perfect side impact score :), and it did very well in the offset frontal. i knew that i'll never know how well it would do in NHTSA or IIHS side impact since they don't test cars with the optional airbags if they don't come as standard equipment. but the european results put me at ease.

if you wanted to get an idea of how well the mazda3 does in informedforlife.org's ratings, you would choose the mazda3, then "customize" the results by entering 5 stars for side impact for NHTSA and IIHS tests (based on euroNCAP's results) and also selecting ESC. that should give you an idea.

[EDIT: when i did this myself, i got 64.4]

euroNCAP.com seems to be down at the moment, but try going there and selecting the mazda3 from the popups. there are also links to crash videos and still shots for each car tested. very cool. :thumbsup:

[brightredmtn]

SPB I knew there had to be more to the story if you own the car!

Going to check out the Euro crash site now.

I'm really excited over the Mazda, especially since it means I can have a purple car!

Thank you again!

[jen_nah]

I must say the Mazda3 is a lot cutier car then the Kia Optima anyday of the week. LOL!!! I know cuteness isn't how we should pick our vehicle but come on it has to look good too. :)

[southpawboston]

I must say the Mazda3 is a lot cutier car then the Kia Optima anyday of the week. LOL!!! I know cuteness isn't how we should pick our vehicle but come on it has to look good too. :)

the differences don't stop at the appearances, either. i had checked out all the usual suspects: elantra, civic, sentra, cobalt, focus, etc. but i also wanted a car that i might take to the track occasionally since i used to auto-x. the mazda was the only one of the pack that is practically track-ready right off the dealer lot. the others would all need much beefier suspensions to do any serious track duty. that said, the sad irony is that i haven't auto-x'd in years and probably won't be anytime soon :o.