I'm sort of on the fence, with regards to newer cars. Currently, I do most of my driving in a 2003 Buick Regal, with a 2012 Dodge Ram as a second vehicle.
The Ram is in the shop right now. The radio started shorting out, where the sound would come and go. The CD worked fine, and it got power, but the actual stations would come and go. I was hoping it was just something loose, but they traced it down, and it's some internal problem with the radio itself. So, $600. Sometimes I miss the good old days where you could pull out the stock radio, put in a cheap Craig or Spark-o-matic, and actually get a better sound system!
About a month ago, I saw a 2018 Impala at the dealership when I went with a friend, to get an oil change. It was kind of tempting...$16,500, with about 35,700 miles on it. I thought it would make a nice upgrade from the Regal, which is showing its age.
But, I'm sure it's a lot more complicated than the Regal. And, the Regal only has about 94,000 miles on it, and has cost maybe $200 in repairs/maintenance so far in 2019. It's had its cranky spells in the past, and it won't last forever, but I figure every month it lasts probably saves me a few thousand $ down and an easy $300-400 a month or more.
As for side impact, meh, whatever. The government started mandating that back in 1969, so anything since then should be fine
(that was sarcasm, yes, I know cars have come a LONG way since 1969...they've had to, with the rise in popularity of trucks and SUVs that hit above the frame rails).