# Why are army tanks so fragile?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-army-tanks-so-fragile/163907
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 24, 2003, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-army-tanks-so-fragile/163907 "2003-03-24T23:53:17Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)
#### Post date: [March 25, 2003, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-army-tanks-so-fragile/163907/21 "2003-03-25T17:02:30Z")
Let’s not forget that a Geo can’t withstand a close nuclear blast. (Although my '95 now kind of looks like it has …)
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### Author:  [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)
#### Post date: [March 25, 2003, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-army-tanks-so-fragile/163907/22 "2003-03-25T17:04:08Z")
I think **RickJ** said it best with his point about the Civic.
Heck, a year or so ago my wife’s car (a Ford, no jokes) needed an entire new suspention after she skidded into a field off the highway.
The rigors and punishment taken by modern armored combat vehicles are immense - that they do as well as they do is a testament to their engineering.
The M-1 is arguably the best main battle tank in the world, and when push comes to shove, would you rather your vehicle break down from too much dust in the air intake or be blown up by weapons fire?
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### Author:  [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)
#### Post date: [March 25, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-army-tanks-so-fragile/163907/23 "2003-03-25T18:19:54Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by toadspittle \*
> \*\*Let’s not forget that a Geo can’t withstand a close nuclear blast. (Although my '95 now kind of looks like it has …) \*\*
I’ll bet my 1993 Buick Roadmaster station wagon could! (complete with luggage rack and fake wood panelling ). Hell, put a 120 mm on top, and I’ll take her to Iraq. It’s got a fold down rear facing third row seating for a tail gun!😃
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