Here is a link to Dateline's report.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4548111/

 

I think it's interesting that the TL's side curtain airbags didn't inflate to prevent the dummy's head from hitting either the b-pillar or the roof rail, whereas the Maxima's did.

 

Actually, I think its a compliment to the Acuras' advanced safety design. The side and headlliner bags should not inflate in that crash. They are designed only to deploy in a side impact. Although, not a critical design flaw for the maxima, it does point to a less sophisticated sensor net.

 

...not to mention the fact that I wont get a head injury in the Maxima should my head happen to jerk into the B-pillar...

 

Good post

 

Yep, I'm with you on that one. It costs more to replace my head than an airbag!

 

Actually, airbags begin to deflate as soon as they are inflated (so that your head doesn't slam into a wall of air) Therefore, by the time your head reaches the B-pillar, the flaccid airbag may not be doing a thing to protect your head. In addition, if you were in a multi-car accident and had the misfortune of having a side-impact collision after your frontal collision, you'd have no side impact airbags left to shield you.

I think Honda got it right...

 

...which could happen because it looks as if most frontal offset crashes cause the car to turn almost 90 degrees in one direction or the other, which might mean further oncoming traffic would hit you.

Overall, a good thread for discussion!

 

first on the website it says they've been crash testing cars for 12 years and then the initial reporter says 35 years (or something in the 30s) of crash testing.

then they say the Suzuki Verona gets an "Acceptable rating, 2nd best in the rankings" even though Acceptable is 3rd best.

it really bothered me. i don't know if anyone else noticed.

 

Linky no worky

 

F-ing 5 minute edit!

Never mind, the MSNBC site shuts out Mac machines now except on IE, and the video absolutely requires Windoze. Morons. Grrrrr.

 

Acceptable is the 2nd best in ratings. I think it goes from Good to Acceptable to Marginal to Poor. The IIHA (edit: IIHS, my mistake) website says it.

I think that they award an extra accolade to those they feel performed well on all the different tests and they give those cars the Best Pick or Top Pick. The Lexus ES330 got a Good rating but I don't think it was a top pick.

 

you are exactly correct. My sentiments exactly. Nissan needs to fix the Maxima desgin - those side impact bags are not helping, and they are driving the Max insurance rate up (a significant consideration in rates are the cost to repair the vehicle) because the side bag needs to be replaced.

 

Finally saw the video. The TL's cage is wonderfully preserved. I have to say that it makes me feel a little safer....

 

wtf?? if i slam your head into a wall would you rather:

a) have a mattress inflate so your head hits the mattress

OR

b) just get your head slammed into the wall and get a concusion/brain damage??

 

Hmmm. Let's see ... What does the MS in MSNBC stand for? Oh, yeah - it's America's favorite monopoly ... MicroSoft!

Feces.

 

Are you guys reading the same text I am? The Acura and Maxima were both rated "Best pick", not "acceptable. All I want to know is WHEN EXACTLY will my insurance rates go DOWN because of this test?........Can I get a NEVER?

 

never!