How do our cars do in crash tests.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 660
From: New Jersey(outside Phila)
How do our cars do in crash tests.
My friend was just involved and injured in a side impact. He is now in search of a new car and was interested in a 911 until he found out that they do no crash testing (in the US) and Porsche does not participate in IIHS safety testing. I reached out to Porsche NA and they confirmed this. They assured me the cars are safe and tested. Anyone have thoughts about how our cars would do in a collision? Any personal experiences.
Neil
Neil
Last edited by neil.schneider; Jun 27, 2017 at 06:07 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 13,799
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From: FL
I'd say probably very well for a car that size, but it's no SUV or some these much "safer" options.
The 911's door window is staring right at the middle of the bumper on some of these monsters on the road. You can figure the rest out.
* I've seen or researches no 911 crash data. See quite a few crashed pics though. Not pretty.
As far as damage, easy to be declared "totals". Doesn't take much.
The 911's door window is staring right at the middle of the bumper on some of these monsters on the road. You can figure the rest out.
* I've seen or researches no 911 crash data. See quite a few crashed pics though. Not pretty.
As far as damage, easy to be declared "totals". Doesn't take much.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 83
Likes: 26
From: Northern California
Very well built, and the front end is all crumple zone, no motor in the way. Absorbs most of the impact.
Rear end damage tends to be more expensive to repair compared to other front engine cars in similar accidents.
Rear end damage tends to be more expensive to repair compared to other front engine cars in similar accidents.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: A Little West of Zion NP
Several years ago I was in a serious accident in my '06 Cayman S. It was an offset and slightly angled head-on collision with closing speeds estimated at 95 mph with the passenger side taking the brunt of the impact. The front crumpled and the passenger compartment remained remarkably whole and protected me as designed (though I'm glad no one was sitting in the passenger seat). The biggest concern I have is because the fuel tank's in front there was a fuel fire as a result of the impact. (my Porsche's have all had fire extinguishers since). I think the safety design of the Cayman saved my life. So does my wife, hence the continued P-car ownership.
I think your friend can buy a 911 with confidence.
I think your friend can buy a 911 with confidence.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 660
From: New Jersey(outside Phila)
My friend was hit in the drivers door and suffered leg fractures and other injuries. It was a mercedes sl 550. The car and even the entire door is wider then ours. I was assured by Porsche NA that they do testing in Europe and while I am confident of the cars safety I can't really point to any studies. When I called Porsche the very nice guy who answered the phone couldn't even begin to answer the question. Kind of strange that this has never come up given how many soccer moms are driving their suvs around. In the USA car companies are always talking about their "star" rating for crash tests. I have to say I am a little surprised.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: FL
The Porsche badge sells itself. They don't need to tout crash ratings. I'm sure the Cayenne and Macan do well. They engineer these cars very well. I'd have no concerns.
Common sense says that driving a small sports car is riskier than a Range Rover.
Common sense says that driving a small sports car is riskier than a Range Rover.
Drifting
Joined: May 2015
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A big heavy car is much more likely to kill someone in an accident than a 991 at the same speed. It'll be the other guy, not you, but you're still looking at jail time if it's your fault so it's worth consideration even if you don't factor injuries to other parties in your risk decisions.
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Nordschleife Master
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: SW Colorado
Not necessarily. The majority of fatal crashes are single vehicle (55% nation-wide, up to 70% in some states). And Range Rovers, along with all taller vehicles like SUV's and pickups, are MUCH more likely to roll over--the most deadly kind of crash.
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I walked away without a scratch after being T-boned from the driver's side by a car traveling 75+ mph, on the freeway.
Airbags deployed. Caused about a 2.5 hour traffic jam on the freeway during rush hour.
But walked away, no scratches. But did suffer a cracked clavicle. Still ...
Airbags deployed. Caused about a 2.5 hour traffic jam on the freeway during rush hour.
But walked away, no scratches. But did suffer a cracked clavicle. Still ...
Race Car
Joined: Oct 2004
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If a 5K lb Range Rover has a head on collision with a 3100 lb 911, the Range Rover will the be the safer vehicle. Other than that scenario, I'd take my chances with a 911. There's no car that has superior accident avoidance capabilities than a 911.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,950
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From: SLC, Utah
I thought I would find one with a quick youtube search but no luck. A Boxster and a Macan are available. The Boxster performance might be somewhat similar.
I expect a 911 to be quite safe when running into something head on as the front end offers a large crumple zone that can absorb quite a bit of energy. Going underneath something tall in such an accident (semi or raised pickup) would be very dangerous, and rear and side impacts I'm not sure. I expect the safety engineering is quite good simply due to the level of engineering of everything else.
There is one case I concern myself with. I worry about the safety of a rear seat passenger in the event of being rear ended. The concerning but quite feasible scenario is if the freeway comes to an abrupt halt and the driver a ways behind me is not paying attention / using phone / etc. and hits me with full force after I've fully stopped. I always watch my mirrors closely in any scenario that seems that way and have an exit plan if possible (like run off to the shoulder to get out and provide more room).
I expect a 911 to be quite safe when running into something head on as the front end offers a large crumple zone that can absorb quite a bit of energy. Going underneath something tall in such an accident (semi or raised pickup) would be very dangerous, and rear and side impacts I'm not sure. I expect the safety engineering is quite good simply due to the level of engineering of everything else.
There is one case I concern myself with. I worry about the safety of a rear seat passenger in the event of being rear ended. The concerning but quite feasible scenario is if the freeway comes to an abrupt halt and the driver a ways behind me is not paying attention / using phone / etc. and hits me with full force after I've fully stopped. I always watch my mirrors closely in any scenario that seems that way and have an exit plan if possible (like run off to the shoulder to get out and provide more room).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,219
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From: Golden, CO
As to crashes between vehicles, the Range Rover is probably better than a 911 in all scenarios. After all would you rather be in a Range Rover center-punched by a 911 or vice versa? Same goes for a rear-end collision.
As Bismarck said, "God is on the side of the heavy battalions."
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From: The Beach
The fire extinguisher: If not for yourself, then you can help save somebody else.
With all the distracted driving and my son rolling over one of my cars on ice this past winter, it's nice to know if I am trapped I can at least stave off the flames.
With all the distracted driving and my son rolling over one of my cars on ice this past winter, it's nice to know if I am trapped I can at least stave off the flames.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
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One issue many people forget is that a large (SUV) typically has more "stuff" all over it than a small/sports car. All that stuff flying around in a crash causes a lot of injuries. Supposedly, while physics tends to indicate the larger heavier car is "safer," you have a higher risk of injury in a large car - again, more crap flying around and more space for the person to flop around against.