Jason F

In it's crash tests, I thought this was kind of, I dunno, disturbing?

The 95-96 Maxima/I30:

http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/...maxima_old.htm

The 97-99 Maxima:

http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/...els/maxima.htm

The 2000 Maxima:

http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/.../maxima_00.htm


I was given these links by some folks on a Volvo mailing list...pretty eye-opening what can happen at 40mph isn't it???

TimW

iTrader: (6)

"This model and all 2000 and later Maxima and I30 models manufactured after November 1999 include structural and airbag modifications to improve occupant protection in frontal crashes. "


nice... took them 6 months after selling the model to realize they needed modifications?

Keven97SE

Your head and chest are okay, right?

j/k, looks like the lower front portion of the floor board (behind the front wheel wells) needs re-inforcement. Kind of a shame because the car seemed to do okay everywhere else.

Looks like the 97-99s improved a fair amount over the 95-96s. I guess I'm glad I have a bigger, uglier rear bumper after all (lot less damage vs 95-96s).

After 2.5 generations (95-96, 97-99, 2000+), you would have thought Nissan would have fixed the weak front floor board problem. Either they're not aware of these findings, or are purposely ignoring them. That is kind of disturbing.

RussMaxManiac

Gosh, that 2000 sucked! At least I own a smaller car that has better protection than the MAXIMA! But still I wish I had my max! http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/.../sentra_00.htm 2000 Sentra test

[Edited by Russ2kSE on 09-05-2000 at 11:14 AM]

Albertt

I think that the reasons why the '95-'96 models did so poorly is due to the fact that they, like many other manufacturers test their cars at 35 or 40 mph.

If you guys look up the Taurus and other Fords, note that they do really well on the average. Ford, test their cars at 45mph...while the IIHS does it at 40mph.

It's called Factor of Safety.

Paul6speed

Russ, Did you read this line: "IMPORTANT: Compared with other small cars--compare ratings only with vehicles of similar weight."

On both NHTSA and IIS ratings, you need to compare to cars in its class. Look at the actual damage done to the dummies in the car, not just the star ratings.

If you look at NHTSA ratings, the Maxima is safe car. It just misses out on a 5 star rating.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncap/cars/1503.html

If you compare the HIC figures,

Maxima 333
Sentra 428

(lower is better)


[QUOTE]Originally posted by Russ2kSE
[I]Gosh, that 2000 sucked! At least I own a smaller car that has better protection than the MAXIMA! But still I wish I had my max! http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/.../sentra_00.htm 2000 Sentra test

[Edited by Paul2kGXE on 09-05-2000 at 11:55 AM]

TimW

iTrader: (6)

those are some DAMN fly shoes... where can i get a hat to match?

<img src="http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/mid_mod/images/maxima_00_4_20.jpg">

TimW

iTrader: (6)

thats just russ

Matt_P

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Paul2kGXE
[I]Russ, Did you read this line: "IMPORTANT: Compared with other small cars--compare ratings only with vehicles of similar weight."

On both NHTSA and IIS ratings, you need to compare to cars in its class. Look at the actual damage done to the dummies in the car, not just the star ratings.

If you look at NHTSA ratings, the Maxima is safe car. It just misses out on a 5 star rating.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncap/cars/1503.html

If you compare the HIC figures,

Maxima 333
Sentra 428

(lower is better)


But also, note that a larger/heaver car has no advantage when hitting a non-movable object (test wall or tree). That object just not going to move and the larger car is carring more momentium at the same speed. The larger car does have an advantage when hitting a smaller car though.

Matt P.

Eric L.

You would think the 2k models are safer than the 4th gens huh? Well, I guess they are safer than the 95-96, which had lousy bumpers and leg protection.

I always complained how my 97 is slower than earlier 4th gens, but I'd take 1 sec slower acceleration for the added crash protection anyday. It is especially dissapointing that the repair costs for the 5th gens is more than twice the cost for repairing a 97-99 4th gen. Unacceptable for a "new and improved" model.

Synki

Wow, didn't we all pick the wrong cars? Well either way, if i get hit, ill make sure the idiot that hit me isn't ok. Just kidding.

RussMaxManiac

[Edited by Paul2kGXE on 09-05-2000 at 11:55 AM] [/I][/QUOTE]

Paul, where did you get the IRS info for the Sentra? They never tested it on NHTSA yet that I can find.

mhgsx

Well, for those w/ the 2K, we could always:

a: put our seat back as far as we comfortably can, and

b: when you know there's no escaping the fact you're gonna hit, lift and pull back your feet at the last minute.

but my personal choice is 'c'

c: DON'T CRASH!!