| Author | Message | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Intermediate Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 1225 Registered: 10-2001 |
Bob, that's priceless! I have contemporary Lotus Europa adds that also stress safety; what a crock! My car weighs (realistically) about 1700 pounds and I would not want to hit anything solid in it. But I do agree mid engine cars can be safer in head on collisions. I bought a Fiero in 1984 and in 35 MPH crashes it was second safest of ALL passenger cars; only a Mercedes with the optional air bag beat it. | ||
| Bob Harris (Autobob)
New member Username: Autobob Post Number: 15 Registered: 1-2003 |
From the 1971 Lotus Elan sales brochure. "From approved seat belts to the impact resistant glassfibre body your safety has been our concern. Powerful air horns sound your approach and flashing hazard warning lights are added protection when temporarily halted by an unforeseen hazard. Lotus safety is also to be found in outstanding cornering, braking and maneuverability, enabling a Lotus car to avoid accidents when in capable hands." | ||
| Vaughan (Vanimal)
Junior Member Username: Vanimal Post Number: 95 Registered: 3-2003 |
If you have luck on your side - they are very strong, scroll down this thread and see whats left of this Boxter - no one heurt - amazing. http://a7.cpimg.com/image/DF/7A/23176927-b8f7-028001E0-.jpg[/img) | ||
| Chris Murphy (Cjmotorsports)
New member Username: Cjmotorsports Post Number: 38 Registered: 8-2003 |
I would say exotics are more protective to their occupants than an everyday road car, due to the fact that the engineers who put these things together have to keep in mind they are slapping together a machine which somebody might actually take to its limits. That is why Ferrari builds supercars and has had dominable success in racing. They don't want to kill all of their test pilots do they? No. So what they do is incorporate ALOT of racing technology, performance and safety to make the ultimate road going transports. In fact when I 1st started in the business in 1985, I worked for a place called Orion Motors, we imported alot of Grey Market Ferrari's, Porsche, Maserati, AMG Mercedes, etc. We were a certified EPA/DOT conversion and restoration facility. I remember them getting a 1983 512 BBi, the owner was a US Citizen but had residence in GER. He ended up crashing his 512 into the center divider going aprox, 155 mph (251 kph), all this because of a blind spot rounding a curve had limited his view of another accident just ahead. He purposely through his car into the divider so he wouldn't hit anyone stopped for the 1st accident. Needless to say the car was completely demolished, we repaired it to the tune of $65k (when at that time they were only $85k new)in repairs and he walked away with a couple of bruises and a lighter wallet. The built-in Roll Cages in these cars are very effective. I have no doubts. Look at IRL, F1, CART. Not a lot protecting these guys either, yet you don't see them getting knocked off every race day.... My 2 Cents. Chris | ||
| George Pavlisko (Lrpman)
New member Username: Lrpman Post Number: 49 Registered: 10-2003 |
IMHO The cars are fine it is the LOSE NUT behind the wheel. They watch a race and think they can drive OR BOOZE or a friend saying WHAT CAN THIS THING DO? Answer BECOME A 100mph COFFIN. | ||
| Andy Falsetta (Tuttebenne)
Member Username: Tuttebenne Post Number: 316 Registered: 3-2003 |
DES, Love ya buddy, but the bottom line is that any car is dangerous. It comes down to how its driven. For example, how did that yellow Lambo end up on its roof in a residential neighborhood with no side impact? I can't tell from these pictures but suspect a bonehead move was at work here. Our cars weren't meant to be driven at or near their potential alongside and among other drivers whose main concerns range from which side of the road the Mickey Ds might be on, or who is calling on their cell phone. Defensive driving still applies whether you're in a Mercedes or a Modena.  | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Intermediate Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 1067 Registered: 6-2002 |
DES- I have to vhinemently disagree with you here! "There's no curtain air bags or crumple zones on an Enzo" While there may be no side airbags, rest ASSURED that crumple zones ARE built into every car sold in the US per Federal Law. Including the ENXO. (making britle carbon fibre crumple and absorb/dissapate energy like steel does is one of the main reasons that carbon-tub ROAD cars are so heavy and took so long to come to market.) Also, in a frontal impact, exotics and other mid-engine cars are particularily good at protecting passangers. This is because there is no engine in front to intrude into the cabin. Instead, the ENTIRE FRONT of the car acts as one giant crumple zone. All of this, asn you so correctly pointed out, will not save you at 160mph though, as you said. (though I'd take my chances in a 355 versus let's say a front-engined Mustang, sedan, or corvette even.) Lastly, the myth that large vehicles are inherently safe is planitively false. Nothing weighs more than a concreate embankment. All that metal is just sitting there waiting to crush you. Best! Ben. | ||
| rob ferretti (Robiferretti)
Member Username: Robiferretti Post Number: 396 Registered: 4-2002 |
makes you want a roll cage right? | ||
| DGS (Dgs)
Member Username: Dgs Post Number: 398 Registered: 5-2003 |
I disagree that sports cars are "more dangerous" than large slow vehicles. Modern Ferraris, judging by the "crash" pix, have the same crumple features as any other vehicle -- the car deforms so the occupants don't. And the lighter cars have less kinetic energy to absorb. While people seem to think that SUVs are "safe", most have less ability to absorb side impacts than cars have. Those big flat sides fold up without absorbing much energy. A nimble vehicle also has the ability to avoid accidents the big heavy box can't avoid. In stock trim, Ferraris aren't designed to sit shiny side down. But I wouldn't bet on the roll-worthiness of a Caravan or Explorer, either. Of course, hitting a tree at 150 MPH will ruin your whole day ... in any vehicle. So the most dangerous part of a sports car is when there's a nut loose behind the steering wheel. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 7109 Registered: 8-2002 |
i think safety is one of the trade-offs with sports cars... i think everyone knows that... Everyone knows sports cars are death traps... i never get into a car thinking about air bags; i get in thinking, 'who the hell left the air conditioning on, it's gonna drain power!' ... i think most sports cars don't come with extra safety features 'cause they just don't matter... There's no curtain air bags or crumple zones on an Enzo - they don't matter... Even if it had an air bag, wrap that puppy around a tree at 100+ and if you're lucky, you'll be in the produce section, right next to Sunny Von Bulow... Exotic and safety are not synonymous. | ||
| David N (Nboy)
New member Username: Nboy Post Number: 28 Registered: 7-2003 |
When I was younger, my dad's friend had a head on collision in his TR with a Chevy Cavalier in town (I saw the whole thing) and the Cavalier was totalled - the TR dove home with a messed up front end. Mom's Jag XK8 got completely run over by a big Ford Bronco, and the convertible windshield frame supported the entire weight of the Bronco (sorry, no photos). So the answer is yes, the cars are built well, but don't expect much protection at double the speed limit. | ||
| Aldo (Tt_328)
New member Username: Tt_328 Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2003 |
Vw golf cabrio is more safer then 355!  | ||
| MarkPDX (Markpdx)
Intermediate Member Username: Markpdx Post Number: 1035 Registered: 4-2003 |
I have wondered that exact question and suspect you have to wait for somebody to cut you out.     | ||
| Bryan Phillips (Bryanp)
Junior Member Username: Bryanp Post Number: 197 Registered: 8-2002 |
jesus, Ken - you're exactly right! In a europa - and I guess in an elan (the original from the 60s) and esprit - YOU are the crumple zone for the box chassis in a side impact collision | ||
| Dave White (Dwhite)
Junior Member Username: Dwhite Post Number: 170 Registered: 5-2003 |
Ken I own a 69 TVR vixen, unfortunately, I'm in that same category. I drive it like I'm on a bike. | ||
| Ken (Allyn)
Intermediate Member Username: Allyn Post Number: 1220 Registered: 10-2001 |
Light, fast cars are by that nature more dangerous than heavy slow ones. I have the distinction of owning the only car in the world where the passengers protect the frame (Lotus Europa) | ||
| Kds (Kds)
Member Username: Kds Post Number: 304 Registered: 5-2003 |
As I have been in a car that ended up on it's roof before......I always have to wonder how people feel when driving Lamborghini's at high speed. If you flip it.....how do you get out ? That is the only safety concern for me regarding high end cars. | ||
| JM Zarka (Crazy_horse)
Junior Member Username: Crazy_horse Post Number: 76 Registered: 2-2002 |
this one looks like a huge SUV nailed it on the D/S.My question was more like are they built by the same standards as an MB S class for example? | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Intermediate Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 1587 Registered: 10-2001 |
Unless you know exactly what happened, we cant really wonder by just a pic. From i have read, F cars are usually pretty safe its just that they tend to be driven at much higher speed than the usual car ... | ||
| JM Zarka (Crazy_horse)
Junior Member Username: Crazy_horse Post Number: 75 Registered: 2-2002 |
 Are they as safe, less safe than regular cars. From the look of this one I pray the poor fellow survived but it makes you wonder are the cars we drive safe ? (hope my attachment shows if not check out ebay under Maserati |