WTK How safe is a 911 in a severe accident
#16
That would be great if the road was full of 50's Bel Airs. Unfortunately, it's full of modern design 5000lb Suburbans and Excursions, etc., which annihilate smaller cars in serious crashes. The physics of energy transfer from a vehicle that isn't 50s technology are just too great. The IIHS data supports this; large vehicles are way safer than small ones.
One of the reasons I didn't get back into a Porsche after selling my 78SC was a major accident I was involved in in my A6 4.2 (rear ended at a light by an SUV going 50mph driven by a drunk driver). If I had been in my Porsche, I don't believe I would have survived. Took me a while to be comfortable back in a really small car like this.
One of the reasons I didn't get back into a Porsche after selling my 78SC was a major accident I was involved in in my A6 4.2 (rear ended at a light by an SUV going 50mph driven by a drunk driver). If I had been in my Porsche, I don't believe I would have survived. Took me a while to be comfortable back in a really small car like this.
#17
Three Wheelin'
I just checked the IIHS site. You're right, no Porsche has been tested. I had thought safety testing was some sort of legal requirement. Guess not.
#18
The IIHS testing with the star ratings is not the NHTSA testing. I believe Porsche is required to submit cars for government testing, but the IIHS stuff is optional, private industry testing. Would be somewhat costly to crash a bunch of high end sports cars and I doubt Porsche would see much marketing value in the results.
#19
Rennlist Member
Nearly five years ago I was in a head on collision in my 987 Cayman S (I was at a slight angle). The other vehicle was an older Nissan pick up. The estimated closing speed was 90-95 mph. The Cayman's passenger cell was remarkable intact with some intrusion in the passenger foot well. I survived with multiple fractures in both legs below the knees, a couple broken ribs and a fractured wrist. The driver and passenger in the truck weren't wearing seat belts. The passenger had similar injuries to mine and the driver didn't survive the accident.
My wife agreed to my buying Porsche's again because she thinks the Cayman saved my life. So do I. I trust the 991 would perform at least as well as the 987.
My wife agreed to my buying Porsche's again because she thinks the Cayman saved my life. So do I. I trust the 991 would perform at least as well as the 987.
#21
Rennlist Member
That would be great if the road was full of 50's Bel Airs. Unfortunately, it's full of modern design 5000lb Suburbans and Excursions, etc., which annihilate smaller cars in serious crashes. The physics of energy transfer from a vehicle that isn't 50s technology are just too great. The IIHS data supports this; large vehicles are way safer than small ones.
#22
Rennlist Member
#23
Burning Brakes
Again, physics is physics so at higher speeds, ignorance, fate, luck, chance, etc. all come into play calculating just how "bad" the outcome will be!
#24
The actual physics are much, much more complex than that. Think of a vehicle as a bag of thousands of different parts, each with their own mass and density. How you configure the parts has a MASSIVE impact (no pun intended) on how the vehicle protects the human in the middle.
I think the Porsches appear to be very well designed for the size of the car they are, but the fact is there is only so much you can do when a) a much larger object is transferring force onto you and b) you don't exactly have big crumple zones or a lot of cabin room before the car body will be contacting you.
#25
Burning Brakes
Hmm. While I don't disagree with you regarding side impact protection being what it is in just about any modern vehicle, I do disagree with you stating that in a side impact there isn't much difference between an SUV and a P-car! If you are DRIVING an SUV, and get hit by a car or cross-over in side impact, the result is much different than if you are in a 991 and get hit in the drivers side door by an Escalade!
Again, physics is physics so at higher speeds, ignorance, fate, luck, chance, etc. all come into play calculating just how "bad" the outcome will be!
Again, physics is physics so at higher speeds, ignorance, fate, luck, chance, etc. all come into play calculating just how "bad" the outcome will be!
#26
There's plenty of data out there showing that the Suburban/Escalade/Avalanche is one of the safest vehicles on the road. I'd much rather be in one of those in ANY accident that one of my Porsches.
And if you want to go on anecdotes, a family we know was in a head on freeway collision in their Suburban with a wrong way drunk driver at over 60mph. The other vehicle was decimated and driver killed. All four of them walked away from the crash with minor injuries. They'll never own anything else.
#27
The other thing you have to realize is, the cars that have smaller to minimal crumple zones, yet use a rigid cabin structure actually transfer more energy to the occupants. So while the cabin could look amazing after the crash, it doesn't mean it is a safer design.
A perfect example of this is the Smart car design, which has an incredibly rigid compartment that stays intact even in some massive crashes. I believe it was Fifth Gear that did a big set of tests on it and in the end concluded that it does so at the expense of a massive transfer of energy to the driver. So you're probably dead either way.
A perfect example of this is the Smart car design, which has an incredibly rigid compartment that stays intact even in some massive crashes. I believe it was Fifth Gear that did a big set of tests on it and in the end concluded that it does so at the expense of a massive transfer of energy to the driver. So you're probably dead either way.
#28
Rennlist Member
#29
Rennlist Member
If you're concerned about an accident I would recommend a Porsche Macan... just picked one up last month. Received a top score from the European crash test board. Maybe you can drive the Macan 60% and drive the 911 40% of the time to decrease your risk of bodily harm.
I actually don't think this was a bad question... but i'm not a senior member (and I don't own a 911) so forgive me.
I actually don't think this was a bad question... but i'm not a senior member (and I don't own a 911) so forgive me.
#30
[QUOTE=JoshuaKM1;12540271]If you're concerned about an accident I would recommend a Porsche Macan... just picked one up last month. Received a top score from the European crash test board. Maybe you can drive the Macan 60% and drive the 911 40% of the time to decrease your risk of bodily harm.
I actually don't think this was a bad question... but i'm not a senior member (and I don't own a 911) so forgive me.[/QUOTE
No I am fine in a 911. I have been a lineman, heavy equipment operator, drove big rigs, and a farmer. I feel I have the stars on my side lol. And one day you will be a senior, if the golden bb doesn't get you or I on the way lol. Strokes heart attack, accident! So many scary things out there besides worrying about a lil ol car accident. Thanks (:
I actually don't think this was a bad question... but i'm not a senior member (and I don't own a 911) so forgive me.[/QUOTE
No I am fine in a 911. I have been a lineman, heavy equipment operator, drove big rigs, and a farmer. I feel I have the stars on my side lol. And one day you will be a senior, if the golden bb doesn't get you or I on the way lol. Strokes heart attack, accident! So many scary things out there besides worrying about a lil ol car accident. Thanks (: