Maybe a New Titan

[92TripleBlack]

Originally Posted by SickWhip

I didn't say they are the "be all and end all", but it is worth it to me to take the extra precaution! And I feel very safe in my truck and I don't drive like a maniac, but you can't control others. And if someone, for whatever reason, causes you to wreck/roll, I would like to know I have that extra safety feature.

Why not get a volvo then? I think safety is last on my list of what I want on my truck. Performance, handling, braking, reliability, comfort, styling, carrying capacity, options, towing power, off road ability, oh, and safety in that order. I've been in several car accidents. Last one I was in a cab in the front passenger seat with no seatbelt(cab) that was broadsided by a drunk driver who ran a red light doing 40. She hit my door and we all flew. Cracked the windshield with my head and had some other minor injuries. I've also spun more than 360 degrees at over 70 mph more than once, had a second car run a red light and hit me in the door, been hit from behind 3 times, hit a tree sideways doing 40mph when I slid off the road in freezing rain, etc. I've been a passenger in 3 cars that have been totaled. In all cases, side impact airbags would have made no difference and in all 3 side impacts I was in much smaller weaker cars than a Titan. Side airbags often don't go off as well just as front ones fail on a regular basis. Sorry, but I don't see the need or urgency for something that would be an extremely small chance of helping in any way and cost you literally thousands. I'd just wait until I was ready for my next truck.

If you want to trade for other reasons: 4x2 to 4x4, King to Crew Cab, etc. I could understand, but not just for side airbags. If I was given the option, I would have declined them and saved the money on my rig, and I have every option. They were standard issue.


Maybe there are two types of people. I am an assertive driver (I used to say aggressive until that was used to describe vindictive road rage guys), have many speeding tickets, love driving on the autobahn at an appropriate speed, have owned several convertables, and am in no way scared by anything in a car, including during an accident at speed, loosing control, or driving over 150 mph. (I am afraid of heights though, my only fear) Where's a NASCAR job when you need one?

[markinho]

I'm one of those pro-airbag types and I would advise you to stick with your exisiting Titan for a while longer.

Here's why:

1. Your vehicle is probably one of the safest on the road for you and your passengers. The chances of getting in a major accident are pretty slim, especially if you drive cautiously, and the chances of being seriously injured in a monster behemoth like a Nissan Titan are even smaller. Now if you are hit by a crazed Mazda Miyata driver then I think we can guess who will fare the worse.

2. Airbags may be preferable for some when contemplating a new vehicle purchase; it may be a non-issue or a undesirable option for others. But you already have a new vehicle and personally I would have a hell of a time justifying to myself or my accountant--I mean my wife--why we should lose a ton of money over me impulsively changing my mind over one option. For example, it's not like you got a 4X2, drove it for half a year, then winter comes and you remembered you lived in Canada and have a 50 mile commute through icy, blizzard conditions. Then I'd say you owe it to yourself to get a 4X4, but this is different.


You can't put a pricetag on a life or good health, but overall I'd drive feeling awfully safe in a non-airbag Titan. Now if you were trading in or upgrading a vehicle that's a few years old, then I can understand fussing over the airbags since this would be a personal options requirement in a new vehicle purchase.

No matter what you do, good luck and be patient.

[37L1]

Originally Posted by 92TripleBlack

I've been in several car accidents. Last one I was in a cab in the front passenger seat with no seatbelt(cab) that was broadsided by a drunk driver who ran a red light doing 40. She hit my door and we all flew. Cracked the windshield with my head and had some other minor injuries. I've also spun more than 360 degrees at over 70 mph more than once, had a second car run a red light and hit me in the door, been hit from behind 3 times, hit a tree sideways doing 40mph when I slid off the road in freezing rain, etc.

Remind me to never ride with you!!!!!

[SickWhip]

Originally Posted by 92TripleBlack

Why not get a volvo then? I think safety is last on my list of what I want on my truck. Performance, handling, braking, reliability, comfort, styling, carrying capacity, options, towing power, off road ability, oh, and safety in that order. I've been in several car accidents. Last one I was in a cab in the front passenger seat with no seatbelt(cab) that was broadsided by a drunk driver who ran a red light doing 40. She hit my door and we all flew. Cracked the windshield with my head and had some other minor injuries. I've also spun more than 360 degrees at over 70 mph more than once, had a second car run a red light and hit me in the door, been hit from behind 3 times, hit a tree sideways doing 40mph when I slid off the road in freezing rain, etc. I've been a passenger in 3 cars that have been totaled. In all cases, side impact airbags would have made no difference and in all 3 side impacts I was in much smaller weaker cars than a Titan. Side airbags often don't go off as well just as front ones fail on a regular basis. Sorry, but I don't see the need or urgency for something that would be an extremely small chance of helping in any way and cost you literally thousands. I'd just wait until I was ready for my next truck.

If you want to trade for other reasons: 4x2 to 4x4, King to Crew Cab, etc. I could understand, but not just for side airbags. If I was given the option, I would have declined them and saved the money on my rig, and I have every option. They were standard issue.


Maybe there are two types of people. I am an assertive driver (I used to say aggressive until that was used to describe vindictive road rage guys), have many speeding tickets, love driving on the autobahn at an appropriate speed, have owned several convertables, and am in no way scared by anything in a car, including during an accident at speed, loosing control, or driving over 150 mph. (I am afraid of heights though, my only fear) Where's a NASCAR job when you need one?

You shouldn't be driving at all, let alone, anything without airbags! Let me know what state you live in so that I can go around it when traveling!

[SickWhip]

Originally Posted by markinho

I'm one of those pro-airbag types and I would advise you to stick with your exisiting Titan for a while longer.

Thanks for the good advice! My wife and I are leaning more towards waiting. At least to we have kids, which will be in a few years. Some other things that I was thinking of changing while getting the airbags are adding: Big Tow, pop package, and bench instead of captain's.

[RedHotTitan]

I agree that safety is extremely important, but not enough to take a huge loss on a practically new vehicle.

[Mike]

I also wanted the side air bags for quite a long time. My rationalization was much the same as yours, anything that reduces risk to my family is priceless.

But when I started looking at the bigger picture I gained a new perspective. There are endless things I can do/purchase to reduce risk to my family. I train dogs for instance. I know that a trained dog who barks on command and announces anyone in the area he is not familiar with will reduce risk to my family more than a very good burglar system. I have this very nice male German Shepherd who would do all of that & more if I just took the time to teach him, but so far I have been to lazy/busy to do it.

You could buy a nicely trained dog that would protect your truck and your house for $7000. There are multitudes of other things you could do to reduce risk, you can't do them all.

I determined that the cost/risk reduction ratio for side air bags was much lower than many other options open to me. I just got a Titan LE : bench seats, big tow, bed racks, bed divider, white... no side air bags. I feel very good about having that monster to haul my loved ones around in. I am confident that some of the other options I did get will reduce risk more than side air bags.

[Clint]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think side air bags are available with a bench seat. Anyone have the answer to this?

Clint

[SickWhip]

I thougth so too, but I went to a dealer and asked that same question. They said it is possible to get airbags and bench. That would be sweet!