Fender-Bender Cost Estimates: Unless you own a '81 Escort be prepared to pay

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a nonprofit group funded by the nation's insurers, has released cost estimates for minor fender-bender accidents at low speeds that happen every-day all over the world. Only 3 midsize cars among 17 the Institute tested — the Mitsubishi Galant, Toyota Camry, and Mazda 6 — withstood 4 bumper tests with $1,500 damage or less in each test. Some cars sustained more than $4,500 damage in just 1 of the 4 tests, and 2 cars rang up more than $9,000 total damage. The Volkswagen Passat had the most expensive repair bill for a full front low speed collision at $4,594, followed by the Pontiac G6 which cost $4,588 to fix.

But here’s the kicker- The Institute also performed some low-speed crash tests on an older vehicle for comparison. The 1981 Ford Escort aced the 3 mph corner tests with zero damage and had, by far, the lowest repair costs with front corner and rear corner crashes producing no damage. Costs to repair the front accident was only $86, while the rear collision repair bill came to $383...
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02WRX - 3/1/2007 9:04:37 PM

+1 Boost

'81 Ford Escort replacement parts are cheaper than parts for better, newer cars? You don't say.

Shredmo - 3/2/2007 10:56:58 AM

+1 Boost

Actually, the Escort only had minor damage to it's bumper. The Escort faired better due to bumper regulations of that era. Now cars absorb energy and are destroyed to save the occupants, whereas before, the car was designed more to save itself.

chewy - 3/1/2007 9:10:33 PM

+1 Boost

This is the problem

http://bp0.blogger.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/RedteOUvJeI/AAAAAAAAEss/l9VyiCveDrs/s1600-h/Carscoop_Bumpers_4_.jpg

Threepoint1415926 - 3/4/2007 8:05:17 PM

+1 Boost

I agree, good picture.

EL34 - 3/1/2007 9:15:44 PM

+2 Boost

Smash'm crash'm

http://www.vv.se/filer/26707/LEXUS%20GS300_Front_stor.JPG

rg12345 - 3/1/2007 9:22:36 PM

+1 Boost

"Many bumpers aren't high enough or tall enough to take the hit in crashes between cars and SUVs or pickups."

So what is the solution? Rise up my car to 2 feet over the road to be at the same level with an SUV ? Or maybe is to make the SUV lower to the ground, to keep their bumper just in line with mine.

Stupid article.