[Causey]

I read most of this thread with interest. Bought a new vehicle at $55K a month ago and never once considered any "safety features".
We wanted a new vehicle.

[kendi]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Is spending thousands of dollars for a new car worth the expense to get
all the latest safety features and a increase on my insurance premium at my age of 82 yrs.?

Not if your still a good driver.

[OhioBuckeye]

Don’t know if you noticed but since you haven’t bought a car in 7 yrs. maybe you haven’t priced one yet but to me it looks like used cars with 20 or 30,000 miles on them & now with possibly 40,000 miles on them it seems to me the prices are still at almost a new car prices. But if the price works for you that’s good, but at least you didn’t say I’m buying a used EV!

[Jerry101]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Is spending thousands of dollars for a new car worth the expense to get
all the latest safety features and a increase on my insurance premium at my age of 82 yrs.?

….. NO ….. (you asked)

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Is spending thousands of dollars for a new car worth the expense to get
all the latest safety features and a increase on my insurance premium at my age of 82 yrs.?

At age 82 most people's reflexes are slower so if the new car model had advanced safety features like automatic braking then it might be worth it. Obviously, you need to be able to afford whatever model you would want to buy. If it were me, I would check to see if Volvos still had their high safety records and if they had hybrid or all Electric models. But, picking a brand or model is a VERY personal decision. Good luck and happy and safe motoring in whatever the choice is.

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Is spending thousands of dollars for a new car worth the expense to get
all the latest safety features and a increase on my insurance premium at my age of 82 yrs.?

At the end of last year, nearing age 81, I bought 2023 BMW X5 M50i and am amazed at its plethora of safety features. My prior vehicle is a 2017 X5 50i. I thought it had a lot of safety features but the new ones are an order of magnitude more. I feel very safe driving it and am glad I bought it.

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

If it were me, I would check to see if Volvos still had their high safety records and if they had hybrid or all Electric models.

Volvo do, and manufacture both.

Volvo Bill.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye

I guess since it doesn’t sound like you want to spend thousands for a new car, I guess you’re not looking for a EV then! Also being 82 I’m guessing your Ins. has went through the roof. We think Ins. rates are high now, I would like to hear what EV buyers think about owning a EV & how much their Ins. is? Maybe this is the wrong question to ask because I’m sure the ones that own an EV have the money to own one. Just wait until their warranty runs out then they’ll see the real price of maintenance. Most of us can’t afford to buy a EV because of the low mileage it ca get per charge. I had a family member that owned 2 EV’s & he’s a Dr. I never asked why he went back to a gas operated car but he must of had a good reason. If anybody wants a EV buy one. But I’m not driving 2 or 250 miles then start looking for a charging station! EV’s aren’t cheap or cheap to maintain, I’m sure the dealers tell you different!

Strange - the often expressed dislike for E-vehicles. It may have something to do with change being difficult for the older population. Or maybe they have some link or stock shares in the oil or gas industry. I can think of many advantages associated with EVs.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Is spending thousands of dollars for a new car worth the expense to get
all the latest safety features and a increase on my insurance premium at my age of 82 yrs.?

Some of the newer safety features are annoying and many people turn them off. IE some of the newer cruise controls slow down drastically when the sensors detect a car in front of that car.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

I can think of many advantages associated with EVs.

Like what?

[Keefelane66]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

Some of the newer safety features are annoying and many people turn them off. IE some of the newer cruise controls slow down drastically when the sensors detect a car in front of that car.

Crash avoidance is adjustable near, medium and far traveling distances

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

Volvo do, and manufacture both.

Volvo Bill.

Thank you, Volvo Bill, you are indeed a gentleman, a scholar, and an appreciator of a great automotive marque.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

Some of the newer safety features are annoying and many people turn them off. IE some of the newer cruise controls slow down drastically when the sensors detect a car in front of that car.

Interestingly I don't have a car with sophisticated automatic electronic sensors, yet I manually slow down drastically when there is a car in front of me. If a car passes mine and it pulls into my lane, I slow down to give them (and myself) a safe distance.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by VApeople

Like what?

Obviously, you have NOT read one of my many posts on that very subject in the last 6 months. I believe that it is possible to bring up all my posts and learn all the details about the advantages of EVs over the internal combustion engine types.
.........But I will give a short version of EV advantages. If you read a sports car design book by Colin Chapman (as I have)....... in the book is a detailed explanation as to WHY a LOW center of gravity in an automobile is SO advantageous. For any given HP engine and any given brake system, the vehicle chassis with a lower Center of Gravity (COG) will accelerate faster and brake better than one with a higher COG.
........An EV will always beat a piston-type ICE vehicle in a zero-to-sixty race. It would be like the tortoise and the hare racing. The piston-type ICE vehicle has the hopeless disadvantage of having a HIGH COG - it also has inertia and high friction loss in the pistons going up just to reverse and go down (up and down wasting heat to high friction loss).
...........The EV uses a CIRCULAR TURNING HIGH INSTANTANEOUS TORQUE DC MOTOR, which accelerates the E-vehicle so rapidly - it appears like the piston-type engine vehicle is standing still.
...........Also, the EV needs no standard or automatic gearbox. It is easier to produce on a production line - so cost could come WAY down. The rotary motion of the E-engine means much higher RELIABILITY than an IC engine vehicle could ever HOPE for. And EVs will become lighter when lighter battery technology becomes available.
............How's that for advantages???????

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Obviously, you have NOT read one of my many posts on that very subject in the last 6 months. I believe that it is possible to bring up all my posts and learn all the details about the advantages of EVs over the internal combustion engine types.
.........But I will give a short version of EV advantages. If you read a sports car design book by Colin Chapman (as I have)....... in the book is a detailed explanation as to WHY a LOW center of gravity in an automobile is SO advantageous. For any given HP engine and any given brake system, the vehicle chassis with a lower Center of Gravity (COG) will accelerate faster and brake better than one with a higher COG.
........An EV will always beat a piston-type ICE vehicle in a zero-to-sixty race. It would be like the tortoise and the hare racing. The piston-type ICE vehicle has the hopeless disadvantage of having a HIGH COG - it also has inertia and high friction loss in the pistons going up just to reverse and go down (up and down wasting heat to high friction loss).
...........The EV uses a CIRCULAR TURNING HIGH INSTANTANEOUS TORQUE DC MOTOR, which accelerates the E-vehicle so rapidly - it appears like the piston-type engine vehicle is standing still.
...........Also, the EV needs no standard or automatic gearbox. It is easier to produce on a production line - so cost could come WAY down. The rotary motion of the E-engine means much higher RELIABILITY than an IC engine vehicle could ever HOPE for. And EVs will become lighter when lighter battery technology becomes available.
............How's that for advantages???????

Bah, I'm amused by people who have purchased EV's and don't like them but won't admit it to people who inquire if they're happy. Hybrids may have a place in the world but if you could hear the real conversation between many couples whom have purchased EV's, the truth would be known.

I should add for the OP, my rule is if in doubt, rule it out. To be perfectly honest, my vehicle has all the nutty bells and whistles to help you drive and it's a pita, in my mind. When I drive, I turn off as much as I can. I also leave the radio off and don't use my cell phone and I am driving! If you're relying on the bells and whistles to get you there safely, you are probably best with short trips on familiar paths with your current vehicle. Needing the bells and whistles indicate you are an inattentive driver or not as sharp as you once were.