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jinsatx · 06-07-2005, 10:08 AM

I don't worry too much about the side impact IIHS ratings as this test is really subjective and can give you a false sense of security. While frontal and rear collision tests by both the IIHS and Govt. pretty much cover wherever a car can be hit, the side impact test is really kind of subjective. What are the odds of being in a side impact collision exactly at the B pillar area, as there is so much more area that can be affected. How would the tested cars fair if they were hit just above the drivers door toward the fender area, or, more toward the rear door than the drivers door, etc. etc.? Maybe some that passed would fail and vice versa. Just my opinion, but I think ramming a car at an exact spot for side impact is an imperfect real world test. Just wonder how many manufactures beefed up this part of the car just to pass the test and if you get hit a foot in front or behind the test area you'd be dead, hmmmm. Front and rear testing is probably pretty accurate, especially with the govt. doing head on and the IIHS doing offset, as there isn't much more area that can be tested.

All that said, I think the Max is as safe as anything else I've driven over the years. My last car was a 2002 Sebring Convertible. Just try surviving any kind of major accident in any convertible, yet people are now snapping up convertibles like hotcakes. If you want to be safe, drive sober, keep your eyes open and drive defensively, and, for goodness sake, WEAR YOUR SEATBELT. Walked away from a head on 20 years ago, no airbags then, but my sealbelt saved my life. Down here in San Antonio, we have a lot of highway deaths in pickups and SUV's because the idiots driving them won't wear their seatbelts and they are killed when they are thrown from the vehicle.

06-07-2005, 10:08 AM	#19
jinsatx Member Join Date: Apr 2005 iTrader: (0) Posts: 94	I don't worry too much about the side impact IIHS ratings as this test is really subjective and can give you a false sense of security. While frontal and rear collision tests by both the IIHS and Govt. pretty much cover wherever a car can be hit, the side impact test is really kind of subjective. What are the odds of being in a side impact collision exactly at the B pillar area, as there is so much more area that can be affected. How would the tested cars fair if they were hit just above the drivers door toward the fender area, or, more toward the rear door than the drivers door, etc. etc.? Maybe some that passed would fail and vice versa. Just my opinion, but I think ramming a car at an exact spot for side impact is an imperfect real world test. Just wonder how many manufactures beefed up this part of the car just to pass the test and if you get hit a foot in front or behind the test area you'd be dead, hmmmm. Front and rear testing is probably pretty accurate, especially with the govt. doing head on and the IIHS doing offset, as there isn't much more area that can be tested. All that said, I think the Max is as safe as anything else I've driven over the years. My last car was a 2002 Sebring Convertible. Just try surviving any kind of major accident in any convertible, yet people are now snapping up convertibles like hotcakes. If you want to be safe, drive sober, keep your eyes open and drive defensively, and, for goodness sake, WEAR YOUR SEATBELT. Walked away from a head on 20 years ago, no airbags then, but my sealbelt saved my life. Down here in San Antonio, we have a lot of highway deaths in pickups and SUV's because the idiots driving them won't wear their seatbelts and they are killed when they are thrown from the vehicle.