So true, I remember watching some show on TV where they were going through some of the crash tests with an Acura TL. They did the back up test, where they hit a small column in the middle of the bumper at like 5mph or so, and there was no damage, but when they offset it a little bit, the bumper collapsed in and caused about $1,000 of damage. They removed the bumper to find a piece of styrofoam where the test would be run, just to prove that car companies are protecting to pass the test, not to protect the driver.
Safe Cars??????
WTF? IMO I think the safety ratings are crap when it comes to judging some cars. Have you really looked at some of the cars out there that get 5 stars? They're weak. Let me ask you, If you had billions of dollars at stake, would you optimize your car to do well at the 35 to 40 mph that it will be tested at and spend less money and make more profit? Or, would you instead spend more money to make it safe at higher speeds and save lives? How much do you think they make per life they save?
I believe there are some manufactures that fudge and optimize their car for the safety ratings. If the car is designed to crumple faster, then it disperses the energy quicker making their car seem extremely safe at 40 mph. But what happens if you are going 30mph and another car is going 30 mph? now you have a 60 mph crash. And, since the crumple zones have exhausted themselves at 40mph, you're screwed!
So, if this is true, how can you find a car that is built strong enough to truly protect your family? Well, In my opinion, you look for signs of strength in places the manufactures never talk about. Things like the Hinges. I mean hell, if they are skimping and putting a weeny ass stamped metal hinge on the door, what else are they skimping on? I'd also look at the "B" pillar if it was a 4 door. If you can easily wrap your hand around the "b" pillar, how strong will it really be in a side crash? Get hit at 50mph instead of the 37 that it was tested at and your ass is probably toast.
Let's talk about sheet metal too. I know of a small car that people rave about all the time. Saying how safe it is. But push on the front fender and the metal is as thin as a pop can. What type of protection is that gonna really give you?
I believe there are some manufactures that fudge and optimize their car for the safety ratings. If the car is designed to crumple faster, then it disperses the energy quicker making their car seem extremely safe at 40 mph. But what happens if you are going 30mph and another car is going 30 mph? now you have a 60 mph crash. And, since the crumple zones have exhausted themselves at 40mph, you're screwed!
So, if this is true, how can you find a car that is built strong enough to truly protect your family? Well, In my opinion, you look for signs of strength in places the manufactures never talk about. Things like the Hinges. I mean hell, if they are skimping and putting a weeny ass stamped metal hinge on the door, what else are they skimping on? I'd also look at the "B" pillar if it was a 4 door. If you can easily wrap your hand around the "b" pillar, how strong will it really be in a side crash? Get hit at 50mph instead of the 37 that it was tested at and your ass is probably toast.
Let's talk about sheet metal too. I know of a small car that people rave about all the time. Saying how safe it is. But push on the front fender and the metal is as thin as a pop can. What type of protection is that gonna really give you?
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
I like those Jetta commercials where they show a conversation going on inside the car, distracting the driver and causing them to crash. Our cars have all the exact same safety features, right?
My car has an additional safety feature.Thalo said:I like those Jetta commercials where they show a conversation going on inside the car, distracting the driver and causing them to crash. Our cars have all the exact same safety features, right?
No asshole in the passenger seat lecturing me on my use of the word "like."
Let's all remember VW raised the GTI to meet crash test standards for North America. It is the insurance companies that drive these test so you can't blame the auto manufacturers padding the cars where they will be tested.
They raised the car to get a 5 star rating from the government. They went after the 5 star rating instead of taking the 4 star because the government gives them tax and tariff breaks on vehicles that are deemed "safe." It was greed that motivated them, nothing else.zulu said:Let's all remember VW raised the GTI to meet crash test standards for North America. It is the insurance companies that drive these test so you can't blame the auto manufacturers padding the cars where they will be tested.
where do these results come from? nhsta's site doesn't have any results for Golf/GTi for a few years.
The MKV GTI was deemed one of the safest cars in Europe. VW is expecting it to blow away the competition on safety when tested.bj1888 said:where do these results come from? nhsta's site doesn't have any results for Golf/GTi for a few years.
FF, you're so right... It's just enough to allow those couples (you know the one's, the guy has his hands full and flinches everytime his wife [with the country geese sweater underneath some oversized over-alls] moves or says a word. They eat that sh** up when they're shopping for the new Chrystler mini-van... It's so stupid.Fast Freddie said:WTF? IMO I think the safety ratings are crap when it comes to judging some cars. Have you really looked at some of the cars out there that get 5 stars? They're weak. Let me ask you, If you had billions of dollars at stake, would you optimize your car to do well at the 35 to 40 mph that it will be tested at and spend less money and make more profit? Or, would you instead spend more money to make it safe at higher speeds and save lives? How much do you think they make per life they save?
I believe there are some manufactures that fudge and optimize their car for the safety ratings. If the car is designed to crumple faster, then it disperses the energy quicker making their car seem extremely safe at 40 mph. But what happens if you are going 30mph and another car is going 30 mph? now you have a 60 mph crash. And, since the crumple zones have exhausted themselves at 40mph, you're screwed!
So, if this is true, how can you find a car that is built strong enough to truly protect your family? Well, In my opinion, you look for signs of strength in places the manufactures never talk about. Things like the Hinges. I mean hell, if they are skimping and putting a weeny ass stamped metal hinge on the door, what else are they skimping on? I'd also look at the "B" pillar if it was a 4 door. If you can easily wrap your hand around the "b" pillar, how strong will it really be in a side crash? Get hit at 50mph instead of the 37 that it was tested at and your ass is probably toast.
Let's talk about sheet metal too. I know of a small car that people rave about all the time. Saying how safe it is. But push on the front fender and the metal is as thin as a pop can. What type of protection is that gonna really give you?
(no offense to country geese, I think they're beautiful in they're own habitat, just not on sweaters)
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Volkswagen GTI Forums - My Fast GTi
A forum community dedicated to Volkswagen GTI owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Recommended Communities
