3G TL's sheet metal is very fragile
09-20-2016, 06:18 AM
#1
3G TL's sheet metal is very fragile
Now I don't know if this has been discussed before in a thread but why is the 3g TL built with such soft metal? I've recently seen a few pictures on the facebook group 3g acura tl of tls that have been totaled for collisions other cars would withstand for the most part. Does anybody here know why this is so? I'd really like to know why the 3g tl is so fragile compared to other vehicles.
09-20-2016, 06:47 AM
#3
What I'd love to know is where is your scientific data proving that the accident that TL was involved in was insignificant, or how other cars would fare. For a site with so many members that have almost all had a 3G at some point, there are infrequently any casualties reported on here.
What I'd love to also know is, where you getting your weed.
What I'd love to also know is, where you getting your weed.
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09-20-2016, 06:56 AM
#5
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I have personally seen over the past ten years here on AcuraZine countless stories where the 3G protected their occupant(s) from serious bodily injury and/or death.
Additionally, we are talking about a car that is at the very least 8 years old and at the other end of the spectrum- 12 years old. The value of which has significantly diminished so even a minor accident can cause a car to be totaled.
Additionally, we are talking about a car that is at the very least 8 years old and at the other end of the spectrum- 12 years old. The value of which has significantly diminished so even a minor accident can cause a car to be totaled.
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that roof flexes a TON...
09-20-2016, 07:10 AM
#7
Sir no need to get smart and throw insults. What I am asking is why does the the 3g tl crumble badly to easily with even the slight touch. One example of this was an accident my mother had driving my car a few years ago only slightly tapping the car in front of her and the front of the car was dented very badly.
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09-20-2016, 07:12 AM
#8
He just asked a question, he didn't insult you.
And define very badly...
and she hit someone and the front bumper had damage? that's a crumple zone...it's intended to take a light impact and get repaired or replaced but keep you safe.
In addition, and I know this is gonna really ruin your day...that front bumper isn't actually made of sheet metal!
Now, if you're saying she had her shit pushed in and the engine ended up in the rear cup holder and the front fenders were destroyed then you'll have a harder time convincing me it was a "slightly tapping" accident.
And define very badly...
and she hit someone and the front bumper had damage? that's a crumple zone...it's intended to take a light impact and get repaired or replaced but keep you safe.
In addition, and I know this is gonna really ruin your day...that front bumper isn't actually made of sheet metal!
Now, if you're saying she had her shit pushed in and the engine ended up in the rear cup holder and the front fenders were destroyed then you'll have a harder time convincing me it was a "slightly tapping" accident.
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09-20-2016, 07:32 AM
#13
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Originally Posted by jkilla369
Sir no need to get smart and throw insults. What I am asking is why does the the 3g tl crumble badly to easily with even the slight touch. One example of this was an accident my mother had driving my car a few years ago only slightly tapping the car in front of her and the front of the car was dented very badly.
09-20-2016, 08:08 AM
#14
Engineers could design a car that would not crumple in an accident, however, it would be two things:
1. Prohibitively expensive
2. The worst performing car the NTSB had ever or will ever test in their accident tests.
Do you want a car that doesn't crumple or do you want a car that saves the lives of their passengers in a serious accident?
1. Prohibitively expensive
2. The worst performing car the NTSB had ever or will ever test in their accident tests.
Do you want a car that doesn't crumple or do you want a car that saves the lives of their passengers in a serious accident?
09-20-2016, 08:19 AM
#16
Drifting
Body panels themselves are not supposed to withstand an impact with no damage. I don't care what car you have, if you hit a body panel in an accident, it will be damaged. You must remember that even the bumpers...you know the things on the front and rear of cars designed to take an impact...are only rated for 2.5mph to have zero damage. It doesn't take much to crumple parts on a car. They are specifically designed that way to not transfer the forces to the passengers.
Also to note, I do not think my TL body panels have any more flex or weakness compared to my six previous cars.....other than my '81 Cutlass. Everything else I have owned has been from model year '89 and up have been about the same. The days of being able to walk across the hood, roof, and trunk with no damage are gone.....long gone. We used to lay on the hood of my Cutlass at the drive-in with no worries about causing damage.
Also to note, I do not think my TL body panels have any more flex or weakness compared to my six previous cars.....other than my '81 Cutlass. Everything else I have owned has been from model year '89 and up have been about the same. The days of being able to walk across the hood, roof, and trunk with no damage are gone.....long gone. We used to lay on the hood of my Cutlass at the drive-in with no worries about causing damage.
Last edited by Steven Bell; 09-20-2016 at 07:40 PM. Reason: Merged Posts
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09-20-2016, 07:32 PM
#20
Pro
Now I don't know if this has been discussed before in a thread but why is the 3g TL built with such soft metal? I've recently seen a few pictures on the facebook group 3g acura tl of tls that have been totaled for collisions other cars would withstand for the most part. Does anybody here know why this is so? I'd really like to know why the 3g tl is so fragile compared to other vehicles.
Totaling out a car has more to do with other components of a car not just the sheet metal. Other cars may not have as much technology/sensors/lights/etc that cost as much to replace.
09-20-2016, 07:41 PM
#21
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.....and the OP is nowhere to be found.
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09-20-2016, 08:34 PM
#22
Most all new cars have thin sheet metal. I have a Camry company car and the doors are like a tin can. But as mentioned, cars are engineered to crumple and absorb impact. Look at a 1970 Cadillac or just about any other car from back then. They were tanks and yeah if you hit something at a low speed they could inflict some damage and may not sustain much damage itself. A new car a 20mph probably will receive some decent damage. But get above those speeds and you would be safer in the newer car with all the safety features
09-20-2016, 08:46 PM
#23
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Speaking as an insurance adjuster, I get that kind of question all the time. Most people don't really know what they are looking for and simply judge an accident/repair from first glance. It all depends on where you get hit, some cars hide the damage more than others, as in, there could be a bunch of broken things underneath, but covered up by the bumper or fender.
09-20-2016, 10:03 PM
#24
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According to my research* the sheet metal used in cars today is thinner than the sheet metal used in cars from 20, 30, 40, and more years ago.
One reason for this is CAFE standards** which require cars to be more fuel efficient. One way to make a vehicle more efficient is to make it lighter. A car can be made lighter by making the materials of construction thinner where possible.
So, for example, the hood, doors, roof, fenders, trunk, and ashtray might be stamped out of a thinner gauge metal making the entire car lighter and thus more fuel efficient. One result of this action is that those items may flex more when pressed as other members have previously mentioned. The items may also be more prone to bending, creasing, and/or damage in an impact event.
Thank you for reading.
*my research consisted entirely of making this up.
**I have no idea if this is true, but it sounded good to me.
One reason for this is CAFE standards** which require cars to be more fuel efficient. One way to make a vehicle more efficient is to make it lighter. A car can be made lighter by making the materials of construction thinner where possible.
So, for example, the hood, doors, roof, fenders, trunk, and ashtray might be stamped out of a thinner gauge metal making the entire car lighter and thus more fuel efficient. One result of this action is that those items may flex more when pressed as other members have previously mentioned. The items may also be more prone to bending, creasing, and/or damage in an impact event.
Thank you for reading.
*my research consisted entirely of making this up.
**I have no idea if this is true, but it sounded good to me.
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09-20-2016, 10:04 PM
#25
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Sounds legit to me 
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09-21-2016, 07:49 AM
#28
Drifting
i hate a fragile Eggo, gets all soft and the Aunt Jemimas Juice leaks all over the place.
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09-21-2016, 07:50 AM
#29
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09-22-2016, 09:28 PM
#31
According to my research* the sheet metal used in cars today is thinner than the sheet metal used in cars from 20, 30, 40, and more years ago.
One reason for this is CAFE standards** which require cars to be more fuel efficient. One way to make a vehicle more efficient is to make it lighter. A car can be made lighter by making the materials of construction thinner where possible.
So, for example, the hood, doors, roof, fenders, trunk, and ashtray might be stamped out of a thinner gauge metal making the entire car lighter and thus more fuel efficient. One result of this action is that those items may flex more when pressed as other members have previously mentioned. The items may also be more prone to bending, creasing, and/or damage in an impact event.
Thank you for reading.
*my research consisted entirely of making this up.
**I have no idea if this is true, but it sounded good to me.
One reason for this is CAFE standards** which require cars to be more fuel efficient. One way to make a vehicle more efficient is to make it lighter. A car can be made lighter by making the materials of construction thinner where possible.
So, for example, the hood, doors, roof, fenders, trunk, and ashtray might be stamped out of a thinner gauge metal making the entire car lighter and thus more fuel efficient. One result of this action is that those items may flex more when pressed as other members have previously mentioned. The items may also be more prone to bending, creasing, and/or damage in an impact event.
Thank you for reading.
*my research consisted entirely of making this up.
**I have no idea if this is true, but it sounded good to me.
09-22-2016, 11:16 PM
#32
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by jkilla369
Thanks for your input. It was very insightful.
09-23-2016, 12:46 PM
#40
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