So you think those tin can's like the Fit are safe??

[Bigdog]

Think again, and these are test when crashing into mid size cars. I love to see the results of these death traps against a full size, full frame pickup truck, the thing would most likely squash like a empty soda can!


http://content.usatoday.com/communit.../04/65426495/1

[mikejet]

Yes. Extremely safe. In a crash like that both passengers would be hurt rather badly. At certain speeds and certain angles no crash is fully safe.

Plus, compared to the other cars, the Fit(which is what I drive, exactly that color and model pictured) faired better than the other two.

Considering the speed limit is 35 in most areas and any area near me where it is higher had an island divider between the lanes, I feel 100% safe.

To quote the Smart car maker:

"The IIHS’ non-standard test is rare and extreme and unlikely to occur in real world crashes. In fact, federal safety regulators do not require this type of testing because the likelihood of an accident within these test parameters is so rare: fewer than 1% of all accidents can compare to this type of crash."

I agree 100% with their statement. These situations are rare in occurance. Plus, more and more people are moving away from large cars and towards smaller affordable cars. The only trucks I see on the road are people that need them for work. I maybe see 1-2 SUV's on the road anymore.

[Rob71]

Wow. So when you buy one of these, on top of all the pointing and laughing, this is what you have to look forward to? I don't see the upside.

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Wow. So when you buy one of these, on top of all the pointing and laughing, this is what you have to look forward to? I don't see the upside.

Who's pointing and laughing? The Fit is one of the best sellign cars and has won many Car of the year awards from various magazines and car reviewers. It made the cover of Consumer Affairs car issue.

The only people laughing are the people in small economical cars at the people who still drive big trucks when they don't need them.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Who's pointing and laughing? The Fit is one of the best sellign cars and has won many Car of the year awards from various magazines and car reviewers. It made the cover of Consumer Affairs car issue.

The only people laughing are the people in small economical cars at the people who still drive big trucks when they don't need them.

Lighten up, I was joking.

But I do laugh when I see people driving that third car.

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Lighten up, I was joking.

But I do laugh when I see people driving that third car.

The only thing I like about the Smart car is that it can be parked head in at the curb. They are insanely popular in Europe though because of their narrow streets.

[Another_Dude]

I'll stick to my Avalanche.

[Bigdog]

Whats more likely to happen in America, a Fit crashing into another small sized mini car or it crashing into a mid to full size auto?

The entire drivers cabin was compromised against a accord, good luck if you happen to hit something even larger!

[dpomp]

holy crap! the engine is in the back seat!

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by mikejet

The only thing I like about the Smart car is that it can be parked head in at the curb. They are insanely popular in Europe though because of their narrow streets.

They are supposed to be bringing out an all electric model. I can see getting one if you live in a mixed use community with shopping, restaurants and other businesses all in one area. Or if you stay on smaller, local streets. But I'm seeing these things on the highway zipping by at 70 mph. Of course I see motorcycles doing 90 mph, so...to each his own I suppose.

[dpomp]

i agree with mike that more than likely, one of the parties would swerve and never have a head on collision like this grille to grille. but if it does happen, whoever drives these car's is a gonner

[mikejet]

So all of these people are idiots?

NHTSA:

Every Honda Fit is packed with advanced safety technology. The 2009 Honda Fit has earned 5-star driver and 5-star front-seat passenger ratings, the highest possible, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)*, in their frontal New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash test. More good news? The Fit also has Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure for enhanced impact compatibility, six airbags, active front head restraints and a host of other standard safety features.

* Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov).

Car and Driver:

In this year’s 10Best competition, Car and Driver said some pretty complimentary things about the 2009 Fit. They loved the interior’s design, roominess and details. And “[t]he best part is that Honda’s updates haven’t diluted this car’s warrior spirit at all…If there’s a better combination of thrift, practicality, and fun-to-drive, we haven’t seen it yet.”* It’s no wonder Car and Driver chose the Fit as a 10Best car for 2009.

*Car and Driver, January 2009

The Honda Fit won the "Best New Design" award for 2009 as presented by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). The award was handed out as part of the 2009 Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) awards that opened the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

For the AJAC award it beat out the Audi A4, Jaguar XF, and the Passat CC.

Kelley Blue Book named it the car with the best resale value.

And Popular Mechanics named it the best new car.

I'm happy with my purchase and would take my car over a truck or midsize car any day. I drive 60 miles a day through heavy traffic on 3 different freeways and I always feel safe.

[xtop]

while the crashes leave the cars useless, you've got to realize that you're still going to walk away with your life in most cases. the cars are made to crumple and save YOU..not the car

[jadedeath]

Here's another idea, try to not drive like a bloody maniac.

Logan

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by xtop

while the crashes leave the cars useless, you've got to realize that you're still going to walk away with your life in most cases. the cars are made to crumple and save YOU..not the car

Thank you, the amount of energy that is absorbed through the crumple zones ends up saving lives.

[Bigdog]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Thank you, the amount of energy that is absorbed through the crumple zones ends up saving lives.

I see the front end of the accord sitting right were your legs would be to me!

[Josh]

Bottom line: The laws of physics have not been repealed. A car a little bigger (not a hulking SUV) with a little less fuel mileage (not a gas hog) offered greater safety.

That could have been the only two sentences in the piece, and I still would have considered it complete. All cars in the US have to be "safe", but some cars are "safer" than others. Weight has a lot to do with that (along with physical structure and air bags), and the smaller cars just don't have it.

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

I see the front end of the accord sitting right were your legs would be to me!

I'd like to see aftermath pictures. The amount of room in the Fit is insane. My seat back is behind the C pillar and my legs sit about halfway where the front door is.

[Another_Dude]

Bottom line: The laws of physics have not been repealed.

Crumple zones aren't going to mean a whole lot when an Accord is taking up the space where your cute little car used to be.

Anyone who wants to drive one should, but nobody in my family will. Looking forward to the first time a driver in one of those runs into my truck. That'll be fun.

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

Bottom line: The laws of physics have not been repealed.

Crumple zones aren't going to mean a whole lot when an Accord is taking up the space where your cute little car used to be.

Anyone who wants to drive one should, but nobody in my family will. Looking forward to the first time a driver in one of those runs into my truck. That'll be fun.

Anybody looking forward to an accident should not be on the road. Mentality like that is why people who drive trucks have bad reputations in California. There's probably some truck nuts hanging off your trailer hitch.