"J_A_B you are a decent bloke, and I've even added your name to NUKE's party list, but like Lazs, I think you are getting the wrong idea about me. "
I'll accept that this may be the case, and I appreciate clarification. I'm sure you can see why I might get the wrong idea--internet communication is notorious for that. For my part, I hope you appreciate that while I may sound critical of you, it's in a healthy sense as I enjoy a spirited debate.
"you tried to portray the VW Passat as a tin can, but in independent US tests it emerged as the safest car on America's roads - data provided by Mr. Toad."
"Safety" is notoriously subjective. Crash tests differ in what they measure--the Passat, for example, is probably better than my own car in a single-car crash, but my vehicle will devastate the VW should I hit one. I'm mostly concerned with the threat of being hit by another vehicle, and so in my opinion a 5-axle articulated lorry is the safest vehicle on the road.
"and not piss it away by accepting 12mpg as "pretty economical."
I agree that 12 MPG is lousy. My own car--not exactly a great vehicle for mileage--still manages twice that (and somewhat better on the highway). My cousin used to own a 1978 Chevy Nova which was heavily modified. It got roughly 9 MPG, and ran on 94 octane fuel. I laughed at that car all the time (in addition to bad mileage, it was painted mostly with primer in true "rural ohio" fashion), but he loved it.
J_A_B