Safety

So here is my problem, I have wanted to get a Commando for quite a while now, since I am only 18 and live under my father's roof, he is convinced that the Commando is a unsafe vehicle, I need to give him some reasons why he should let me buy the jeep. I don't know if anyone has any crash test data, or safety ratings or anything of the sort, it would be much appriciated.
And, providing I do convince him, I will need a Jeep, I am in NC and if anyone knows anyone who is selling one.

Thanks

 

Well, Commandos were made a little before crash test ratings were done so you won't be able to use that to convince him. I've had mine for over 20 years and never had an accident with it. I've been half way across Canada and back twice and two trips to North Carolina and back in the last three years so if reliabilty is a determining factor there's one good point. Handles great in the snow, off road, on the highway. Does not take well to high speed cornering but it's a Jeep, not a sports car.
Where abouts in NC? I know a guy in Asheville I could hook you up with, guys in Charlottesville, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Chapel Hill----

 

The biggest safety issue is always the driver. Having been a cop for more than 15 years I've seen just about every type of vehicle wrecked and I don't see that one vehicle is better than most any other as far as safety is concerned. Just make sure you always wear a safety belt (hence the name), that your vehicle is in good driving condition, no intoxicants, and above all you get there almost as fast at 50mph as you will at 65mph. A Jeep is about cool and class not speed. Hope this helps some. Welcome aboard.

 

what tango says
x2
any vehicle is only as safe as the driver
other than his concerns over how you might drive the Jeep, I don't see the safety argument thing at all.

 

These things we own and drive are unsafe to the novice eye!

We are professionals however!

 

I doubt any safety data exists. However, remember that a Jeepster has a solid ladder frame, solid axles, 13 body mount points, heavier gauge steel than newer vehicles, alot of metal between the driver and the front bumper, and a higher side profile that sits above the impact zone (more of in the crush zone) than newer vehicles. With a roll bar and shoulder harness seat belts I feel just as safe as can be.

All the prior comments about the driver being the most important safety device are true. Defensive driving, being aware of your surroundings, and constantly leaving a "way out", an "escape route" so to speak, are things that will keep you safer than anything else.

 

Your best bet is to take him for a drive. Find a good rig, preferably in stock trim, and ask him to go with you. The vehicle doesn't even have to be for sale. Tell him if after driving it he says no, then you will be good with that answer. he might be mildy supprised.

 

Jeeps are a disease, once you get hooked you can never get rid of them.

 

Where are you in NC? I am here too and keep my eyes out for Jeepsters all the time. From my experience, there seems to be a lot of options in Western North Carolina (like Pack Rat said) to pick them up. Shoot me an email and I can point you in the right direction, dbrown@vchs.cc.

 

I grew up in 67 Jeepster Commando. Learned to drive it when I was 8 and received it as my first car when I was 16. I still have it and drive it regularly to this day. My 9 year old neice and 4 year old nephew are learning to drive the the Jeepster now as well out in a large field at my dad's house. I do have another 67 Jeepster that I will be selling soon. It is a 225 V6 with a manual tranmission. The exhaust has been replaced, new radiator, new carburetor, new timing chain, new starter, new floors and rocker panels as well.

I am in Mount Holly, NC just outside of Charlotte so if you are close let me know you are welcome to stop by and visit. As PackRat said they are amazing vehicles and preform very well. The only thing the do not do well is corner as higher speeds. I put a roll bar in mine mostly because I drive it in the summers with a bikini top but it will also help in case of a roll over. Otherwise they are built well and are easy to maintain. I highly recommend them and they really attract attention as well. Everywhere we go people ask up what it is. Here is a pic of our 2 Jeepsters. Mine is about to be painted so please excuse the primer.

Carlos

 

Unsafe?? The design of the jeepster lends to more steel between you and the rest of those on the road, looks like a longer wheel base soo more stable.
As far as what was said previously, It IS the individual behind the wheel that determines how safe the vehicle is. I've been driving for 20 years and most of that has been a commercial service truck in all the weather that nature can dream up. And log about 300 to 400 hundred miles a week. Zero accidents or speeding tickets or any moving violations of any kind.
It can be done. Drive devensively and KEEP ALERT! know what's coming up behind you as well as in front of you. Don't look AT the other vehicles on the road, look thru and beyond them (thru meaning windshield and under to beyond it) Use your peripheral vision to take note of everything going on on road as well as off road.

When I'm driving I percieve being followed by a police cruiser as just another car to watch out for, cause they ain't perfect either (no offense Tango)

Good Luck!

 

Boy, you got this right! A cop in an unmarked car almost took me out this morning on I-25! He was just ahead of me in the next lane, when he suddenly jammed on his brakes and swerved acros my lane onto the left shoulder and stopped. Damn near clipped my bumper at 70mph! Guess he dropped his donut.

 

Sound's like Dad has some issues there.
Being a Dad myself I would bet there is something more there he is not saying.
If you can ,sit down with Dad and have a heart to heart about why he feels this way.

As was said find someone who will let you and Dad have a ride.

I helped my daughter find and buy her first car. 66 mustang all original.
My wife hated the idea.
But I reminded her how I gave her my 70 z28 to drive in highschool.
We knew she would have lots of good memories of her first car.
And we worked on it together

What I did was keep it titled in my name. Any problems I took the keys back. She had to pay insurance.

Maybe some of this will give you good argument points with your Dad.

 

Hi - I remember my first car (not a Jeep, sigh) when I was 16. My Dad made some rules, including I could not drive it to school, and I had to tell one of them where I was going and when I'd be back, and I couldn't just leave a note on the counter - I needed their approval.

Talk with your Dad - as mentioned above, he may have issues with your driving that aren't being fully addressed. And, though I'm risking raining on your parade, newer cars are safer than older cars. However, the driver is clearly the single biggest safety factor involved.

Maybe if your Dad can't get around the added risk of driving an older vehicle, ask him how new a vehicle he thinks you should have. You may not get the Commando, but he may be happy to let you drive a 11 year old YJ or 9 year old TJ with disk brakes, 3-point belts, high-back seats, etc. These are fine vehicles and I would have had the envy of my peers if I drove one as a teenager.

Also, if he thinks that Jeeps are unsafe, you can point out that the newer models like the TJ and YJ had to conform to all the same safety standards that other vehicles of the same vintage had to conform to. Again, he may not agree to the Commando, but possibly he would agree to a YJ or TJ.