It's a couple things: heft does not necesarily = safety. Weight gives you a certain advantage, but it also depends on where the structure directs force exerted upon it. Crumple zones, collapsible steering columns, shear bolts, none of this existed (in widespread use) in the 60's, when cars often got past the 2-ton mark. If you hit a wall at 40 MPH in your '66 LeMans, you might end up with the engine in your lap and the steering wheel up your nose. So there's more than weight...

Automakers, to a degree, design structures to do well these tests but not others. That's why the Ford F-150/Explorer does so well on the full NHTSA frontal (required domestic) but folds up like an umbrella on the IIHS offset (not required, watchdog test).

Some automakers are FAR more comprehensive [i.e. Saab's Crash Moose]. Forces can be spread out in the body so a much lighter car can sustain a much heavier load. Extra heft does help, but it doesn't mean you can't score highly all around with a lighter car. And unfortunately, many people are hurt or killed in car wrecks because the weren't wearing belts and got thrown. Injuries occur when you and the car are suddenly going different speeds. My father was big on not using belts until he lost control of his s-10 on ice...he only crumpled a quarter panel but ended up sitting in the passenger footwell. That was enough for him, he doesn't even unbelt to eat take-out in McD's parking lot anymore.

That said, I just got my parents a used 9-5 because I didn't like the fact they were tooling around SUVtown, CT in a '92 Honda Civic. It's nicknamed 'Lemmiwinks', and does prove your implication that the feeling of safety is also very important. I feel naked driving the Civic.

Enough of my rambling --fsik

posted by 66.108.3...

• NHSTA tests - what do these really mean?, BrianD, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 08:11:19
  • Re: NHSTA tests - what do these really mean?, jdee, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 16:27:41
  • Re: NHSTA tests - what do these really mean?, Roger (NAWC), Wed, 19 Mar 2003 16:25:15
  • Re: NHSTA tests - what do these really mean?, fsik, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 10:04:46 <-- Viewing This Message
  • 5 stars if you get hit by a wall in just the right spot, FrozenSaab, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 09:36:08
    • Re: 5 stars if you get hit by a wall in just the right spot, BrianD, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 12:02:11
      • I was going to write a paper, but, Roger (NAWC), Wed, 19 Mar 2003 16:31:47
    • So why is the key between the seats?, BrianD, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 11:49:47
      • Two theories, phred, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 13:19:07
        • My theory-, IrieTom , Wed, 19 Mar 2003 15:25:26
          • Re: My theory-, MO, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 15:31:53
        • I think the knee theory is correct., Dave Westlake, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 14:41:48
          • Granpa's car had brake and shifter on dash..., Mike Lynch , Wed, 19 Mar 2003 15:01:03
        • Re: Two theories, e smith, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 14:24:05
      • Re: So why is the key between the seats?, e smith, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 12:08:07
      • Re: So why is the key between the seats?, FrozenSaab, Wed, 19 Mar 2003 12:01:48

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