Crash protection has come along way in the last 20 years, BUT 2 tons verses 1 ton, Newton had it right, an object in motion tens to stay in motion. so 2 tons of steel with crumple zones verses 1 ton with crumple zones, on a head on collision, the 1 ton will be literraly back up upon impact. Now lets talk about side protection. a T-bone accident you ever notice how thin the doors are in newer cars? I would prefer the extra 4 inches thickness of the door anyday.

A properly running 123/126 is pretty darn quick, maybe not as quick as the rice burners, but when the RPMs get above 3K in the benz, she's pretty quick.

My 2¢ worth.

Marty