Can't edit. Here's the corrected version.

During WW2, one engineer experiemented with custom made tires for his Cadillac since widespread application would mean more rubber for the war effort. He found, not surprisingly, that wooden tires are a great way to die. They had no acceleration, braking, turning or wet weather performance. More info at the Gilmore…

Absolutely agree. That 20-30 square inches (or whatever it actually amounts to) of contact patch are the most important safety feature on any car.

1.Tires

I completely agree, it is the only thing that connects the car to the road. Even though it may not make any of the accidents that do happen safer, it helps you avoid them in the first place.

Pneumatic tyres. First cars didn't had it. (air in rubber toroid what a great idea)

Tires, hands down. At first they were rolling on wooden (or steel belted wooden) wheels, with no traction at all.
No matter what subsequent safety feature appeared past that, nothing made the automobile safer than having rubber tires.
Just imagine trying to brake or turn on ANY car without tires...

Radial tires and/or ABS. Much safer to avoid the accident in the first place.

radial tires

Wait, the Avenger still exists?

LEDs + Ford Grille = Genesis

It is amazing that that reference went woosh! Right over his head. Isn't this an automotive site?

This one

SUV drivers get so mad as I power past them in my Sentra with snow tires as they flounder on their bald all-seasons in a snowstorm.

Try stopping quickly on any amount of snow or ice. There has been enough tests and publications where it has been shown time and time again that all season tires are shit on snow and ice. They're fine for not flying off the road at every turn, but an emergency maneuver on all seasons will likely get you in trouble.

Depends where you live in the "North". I've lived in Northern Michigan on "B" and below roads, and AWD + Snow tires is the way to go. FWD + snows is ok, but still has a bit of trouble on hills and certain types of ice patches. The biggest thing is, however, ground clearance.

As for the UP and all seasons, works fine if…

I live in Wisco. Snow tires are incredible. All seasons might be okay if they are BRAND NEW, but 2nd season on them sucks ass.

That is fucking pathetic. My SE-R had more power. In 1993.

Holy shit, what's the base model? I mean, the 4AGE made 110 in the 80s.

Miatas must seem like they're on nitrous next to one of these things...

Sport, no way in hell, Sportish maybe