Own a Dodge Neon? Well you're as good as DEAD!!!

[Placebo]

Well...not really, but it's still pretty bad!

Most small cars sold in the United States offer poor protection for occupants in a side crash, an auto insurance groups's study found, with one vehicle described as a "disaster."

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said it gave poor ranks for side impact crashes to 14 or 16 cars tested, with only the Chevrolet Cobalt and Toyota Corolla -- both with optional side airbags -- getting "acceptable" ratings.

In the report released Sunday, poor ratings were give to Dodge Neon, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, Mazda 3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Sentra, Saturn Ion, Suzuki Forenza, Suzuki Aerio, and Volkswagen New Beetle.
__________

The Dodge Neon, made by DaimlerChrysler AG, was worst performer in the report.

The Neon has "major problems beginning with its structure. This car is a disaster," Lund says.

"The structure is poor, and both dummies' heads were hit by the barrier during the crash test. High forces were recorded on the head, torso, and pelvis of the driver dummy. If this had been a real driver in a real crash, it's likely it wouldn't have been survivable."

More...

[CubsFan1982]

1. Aw, fuck.

I have a '96 Dodge Neon. Now I'll be cringing every time I drive. Thanks a lot. Douchebag.

:P

[Placebo]

4. I say these things, because I care...

now dump that deathtrap asap!

[CubsFan1982]

8. OK, as long as you pay for my new car.

:D

[Justyce]

16. Me too... 96 Neon

It's so good on gas & still going strong, was going to let my daughter drive it, but not after reading this..... shit.

[Tweed]

2. It's not the fault of the car, it's the fault of the HUGE SUVs

[Placebo]

3. That doesn't make any sense.

:P

[madrchsod]

5. if i had that car

i`d install a rollcage..the next crx i`m buying i am going to install a cage.

[flvegan]

17. They said that the Pontiac Fiero was one of the safest cars

(in a crash) due to it being simply a rollcage with plastic panels. Now the fire threat, was something else.

[democracyindanger]

6. Buy a Volvo: They're boxy, but they're good.

[LynneSin]

7. Geez how am I still alive today?

My family owned a Rambler. I sat in the front seat without a carseat, seatbelt, headgear, airbags, etc probably as soon as I was 3 years old.

While were at it - I rode bikes without helmets, I would climb trees, rollerskate without knee or wrist pads, hell I ate raw cookie dough.

I should be dead by now - but I'm not.

And I survived 6 years with a Dodge Neon including one accident.

Fuck the experts

[Placebo]

9. You doubt their expertise and reasoning?

They're only looking out for your safety!

[LynneSin]

13. I'm almost 40 and I'm not dead yet

so there!

[DS1]

10. I think your argument needs a lot more cowbell

[trotsky]

19. LMFAO n/t

[Placebo]

20. Ha.

:D

[JPZenger]

11. Test Results by Vehicle

The following provides test results per vehicle. For years, the only tests involved smashing vehicles straight into a wall. Then they realized that many accidents were side impact or off-set, and that vehicles needed different characteristics to survive those tests. The following source provides results for those tests:

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

[democracyindanger]

14. Hard head.

:P

[LynneSin]

18. I must be - never broke a bone and I only have 2 scars on me...

..and the one is so tiny you need oculars to see it because it's actually on my eyeball (Just got back from the eye examination with a new doctor where I forget to mention I have a tiny scar on one of my eyes)

[Worst Username Ever]

12. Still safer than SUVs n/t

[midnight armadillo]

15. This is why I own a Saab.

Saabs are the safest on the road, even better than that OTHER Swedish car. Plus the turbocharger makes for a lot of fun :-)