We have to be as safe as we can be with what we can afford. That's just the truth of it.
However, that said, side airbags would be an absolute deal breaker for ME. In October 2008 I was t-boned by a car and my side airbags failed. I was knocked unconcious and taken to the trauma unit for two days. There was an angel there that day (a passerby) who woke me up shortly after I passed out. Had I not woken up, I don't know what would have happened to me.
But I do know that my 9 month old infant (who was in the car) would have been taken into protective custody, ripped away from her mother after suffering such a traumatic event (all the lights, and sirens, and strange people cutting her MomE out of the car, and taking MomE away, and her all alone). I can not bare to think about that. It darn near brings on a panic attack in me. Because the man stopped to help, he got me to come around, I was able to tell him to call my husband (who got there just as they were cutting me out). So none of this happened.
Had my side airbags not failed, I would not have passed out and would not still be suffering brain damage (which I don't think I'll ever get over).
Now, all of thatsaid, I still freak out that I ended up with a car that has crash test ratings stating that the dummy struck the stearing wheel through the airbag. I can't afford to hit my head again, but this is what I was given to borrow until I can get my own car. I hope I didn't scare you, but side airbags can really make a difference and aren't side impact crashes the most deadly (I could be remember wrong here - brain damage)?
Bottom line, you've got to decide where to compromise. If you can comprise on other features, do so before safety.
