Just released...

Most new cars pass with flying colors against other cars in their class, but now the IIHS has tested small cars against mid-size cars in their own make. For example, a Toyota Yaris did fine against another small car, but against a larger and heavier Toyota Camry, it failed miserably. Same did with the Smart Car vs. Mercedes C-Class and Honda Fit vs. Honda Accord. Some of these results... tisk, tisk, tisk.

More on this link and video...

turn up your volume and closely watch this 2 minute 30 second minute video....
video:
IIHS-HLDI: Video

general data:
IIHS news release

I wonder what that Smartcar would look like if it hit a car like my 5000 lb '72 Caprice wagon?
WOW.

The Smartcar was deformed when it hit the Mercedes C-Class, which had ZERO deformation to the passenger cage.

If you look at the video the smart car's passenger cage still didn't deform much, it did pretty well considering the C300 or wahtever is twice its weight.

The Yaris got raped by the Camry though!

If ever gas becomes really expensive, through supply issues or taxation, then it won't matter as much since most people won't be able to afford a Camry with a 2.4 liter engine that gets a miserable 20 mpg in the city. They'll instead go for a smaller car. That is probably the only way we will ever use less oil too.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Check this one out. The smart car gets pummeled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02eghIfyHP0

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

Is anyone surprised?

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Any pics of this Caprice wagon?

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1979 240D with a 617 turbo diesel.

Not the best pictures of the tank, but here it is... (currently under restoration)

(I have since repaired the rear gate window)

















I just noticed you have a '72 Impala Kingswood wagon... its sister! Any photos of your wagon?

Yeah, I noticed that the Smartcar faired fairly well considering.... at least much better than the Yaris.

I think it was a C240 that hit the Smartcar.... did you notice how it threw that little thing?

I think IIHS is doing these now because alot of people think that small cars are safe now that they are scoring good scores against one another and I guess their goal now is to make small cars good against larger cars, but I am not sure if thats gonna happen. I dont know how much stronger they can make the passenger cage considering the cars weight.

My wagon amongst my Mercedes. It will be used as a surfboard hauler this summer. Good thing the beach is only fifteen miles away, it sure likes gas

86560SEL, The black interior is awesome on that thing! I am especially envious of your dash. ,mine is cracked and needs to be capped or replaced. Good to see another Big wagon owner out there.

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1979 240D with a 617 turbo diesel.

I was amazed how far that Smart got tossed!

For me alone, I'm fine with driving around in a tiny car or motorcycle. But for the family I will take my chances with mass every time.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

I'm not, at all.

I remember seeing a less-than-expected crash rating for either the 124 or 210 a while back, yet nowadays these Yaris(s) and Fits (which I can't stand either of!!) are getting good ratings?? I don't know how they are testing them, but it's common sense that they simply cannot stand up to bigger cars. Watch the Yaris hit the Camry, and pay attention to the dummy!! You'd probably snap your neck from what he did.

It really irks me that the companies are saying "well, these types of crashes rarely happen" So?? They still can! And what does that say about the rest of the car?
I saw a Nissan Versa that got smashed on the expressway..it looked really, really bad! Yet, I did not see what it hit..either they had immdiately towed the other car away, or it hit a tree, post..who knows.

What do you expect, though?

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

I am not surprised. There was another article quoting one of the Smart USA execs saying that one could go so far as to be driving 18 wheelers but we're not and it doesn't make sense.

They have drawbacks like all cars do but they're destined for the city where parking is a premium and used for short repetitive trips.

Nobody really makes an argument about the safety of motorcycles, there's really nothing that can be done other than the agility and skill of the rider.

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

Nice wagon! Yours looks to be the same color as mine, which I think was called golden brown. I am running off to work now, but I would like to talk more about your wagon. How is yours optioned? All of these were so different.

Mine has the 402 engine, tilt wheel, A/C, 3rd seat, luggage rack, AM radio, deluxe wheelcovers, towing package and I think thats about it.

The other car probably drove away

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

I like it, I bet a Smart car would feel like a pot hole in this baby.

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

This is news?

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S