Jeff C

Everytime I see something like this it scares me to death...

Truck vs. 911

Be safe...

Anir

Jeff,

Before settling into dermatology, I spent quite a bit of time working in ERs / trauma surgery at pretty busy places such as Houston's Ben Taub Hospital. In all that time, I can't recall seeing anyone survive a wreck as bad as that. Absolutely amazing.

P K

Some good friends of mine, last week were involved in a terrible crash in there 911 Turbo, in which the car was completely totalled.

There immaculate 40k Mile, '88 Red Turbo was driving at about 100MPH or so in the outside lane in the pouring rain, whilst this van stopped to a hault in front of them. They braked also, however the car behind them didn't and from there rear view mirror they could see that this car (and the driver who was not even looking) ram straight into them at 80MPH squashing them into the van ahead... and to make matters worse another car at about 40 went into the side of the 911.

The car was also so smashed up, that they couldnt open the doors or do anything, so they had to sit back and wait for the emergancy services to get them out (whilst they could smell petrol!) - they got out through the window in the end!

Thank god, that they were both got out ok, and only came out with some bruises out of all that - but it was a great shame that such a lovely car was destroyed in a split second thanks to a driver who wasn't paying much attention at all!

Safe driving...

Patrick.

Jeff 993Turbo

Hi PK..

Glad to hear that there were no fatalities involved in that accident.

All cars in this case have done what they were designed to do: Protect the occupants in a crash. It's unfortunate that the cars were destroyed, but that was their purpose and the people walked away.

Jeff

Ray Calvo

P K, takes two to tango - what was this numnut doing driving at 100 MPH - on public roads - in a pouring rain? Even if it's the no-speed-limit Autobahn, it's just plain stupid.

As you and Jeff said, glad that no one was hurt in this wreck - and how anyone survived Jeff C's post is beyond me!

Paul M

PK

I almost suffered a similar fate a few weeks ago. Driving along in the outside lane of a two lane freeway, brake lights went on ahead, both lanes of traffic came to a halt.

I stop easily with approximatley 20-30 feet between me and the car in front. Instinctively I look in the rear view mirror, only to see an 18 wheeler swerving and the driver with a face like he's sucking on a lemon. Luckily there was no barrier to my left, and as the truck eases left towards the central grass verge, I ease right as far as I can without going into the other lane.

The truck goes by me on the left with the tyres smoking. The rear wheels coming to rest inches from my window.

I sat there in shock for a few seconds. I've no doubt had there been nowhere for him to go, he'd have gone right over the top of me. Thank God for medians.

--Paul--

Edward

Does anyone have any info on the crash worthiness of 993s, or any modern 911. I couldn't find any NHTSA crash data like you can find on almost any other car.

Anir, like you, I transport the kids in the back with some regularity. Have you ever looked into how our cars survive a wreck?

Edward

Roland Kunz

http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate...ML/010247.html

Anir

Edward, I've wondered about this as well, since trading what is arguably one of the safer cars on the road - a 2000 Merc S500 - for the 993TT. I lost a lot of nice safety features in that transaction, such as side impact bags in the doors, a head airbag stretching the length of the cabin, a lot more interior room, more weight/mass, etc. Of course, the trade was well worth it for obvious reasons, but it does beg the question of safety, especially when the kids are involved.

My biggest concern is the small interior space. There isn't a whole lot of room between the outside world and the occupants in a 993. Makes me worry a bit about crumple zones.

However, the scant data I've been able to find on previous internet forays makes me rest easier:

- A top rating of "excellent" for the Porsche 993 in terms of injuries at http://www.crashtest.com/porsche/index.htm (please note that this rating is based on injury loss payments)

- Likewise, the Highway Loss Data Institute gave the 996 their highest rating (5 out of 5) for the low # of injury claims filed.

- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the 993 "good" with respect to head restraint (i.e prevention of whiplash injuries) http://www.thecarplace.com/lists.htm

Of course, our cars have indirect (and often overlooked) safety features as well, such as great brakes and excellent handling, which may allow you to avoid an accident.

I'm not sure why NHTSA data is so hard to find for Porsche.

George 911-V8

Anir: performance products has the genuine porsche matching child seats page 129 catalog#49a.


SWAMP MONSTER

Anir

Swamp fritter,

It's painfully obvious that you're not a father. Your loss, but perhaps the world's gain since your genetic code has not been propagated. That leaves hope for the next generation of Rennlisters.

George 911-V8

ANIR: No harm meant just when I saw that picture of your 100k supercar you had nickel ninety five child seats. Since your children love to ride in the supercar I thought you could at least get them some matching porsche seats like the one your seating in when you take them for their ride. You are right no kids but love to help them when I can.

SWAMP MONSTER

Jeff C

No matter how well a 911 rates in crash tests I still would rather have been in the Dodge truck!

Roland Kunz

Hello

The Porsche cars allways where high marks in saefty standards.
Porsche sold there technology to other companys.
Airbags help not very much if the car is a weak design.

Grüsse

Anir

Good point, Jeff. I guess life is full of compromises - what is an advantage in a certain situation might be a disadvantage in another. My 993 is undoubtedly safer than the Ducati, but you wouldn't risk getting trapped in the motorcycle if you went off a bridge into water. And a truck/SUV might be safer than both in some situations, but not when it rolls due to its high center of gravity in an accident avoidance manuever.

George, I didn't know you were just trying to help the children of the world with your previous post. My bad.