my perspective is from a trauma RN perspective. safety is my number one priority. i am sure that there are others here who want to save bucks on gas and it is expensive. However, if you get hit
- I mean really hit hard from a bad angle not one of these accidents that they make happen to prove safety-, you must have a strong frame with protection to survive, and/or survive with limited injuries. Although the smaller cars do well in crash protection, they cannot compare with the 4Runner. Last night on the Philly turnpike coming out of the Airport, my traveling companion was at the wheel and having a hard time seeing the road. Two semi trucks one on each side blew by us at 70mph avoiding us by inches...scary. IF we had been hit in a small highly rated commuter car we would not have survived. Working in ER and Trauma I see it all the time. Broken long bones from legs getting jammed up into chests, torn organs and vessels from impacts it goes on and on. In a bad or severe crash, you are safer in the 4Runner or that size vehicle with air bags. period. if I want to save money, I turn down the air conditioning and shop cheaply go to supercuts and on and on. If I want to stay alive or avoid a life of disability I drive a 4Runner. Shit happens out of the blue.