Plastic does not save lives!!!

[Vincemaxx119]

I guess you can call this the sequel to my previous thred "they dont build them like they used to". Last time it was my fault, lost control and slid into a tree. This time I was backed into by a taurus traveling at walking pace.......




I can only imagine what would happen if i get T-boned by a car doing 30 mph. I can almost garuntee that I will be dead! Whoever decided it was a good idea to start building cars with PLASTIC needs to rethink their strategy or something.

 

[Revo Rancher]

I plugged in a 2002 Saturn (I was guessing the year) and your car gets a 3 star side impact for the front and a full 5 (top) rating for the year. Not too bad. (They asses on similar size vehicles)

 

[4u2nv]

my old gf had a saturn almost exactly like that one, same color same everything, and she hit a F-350 1 ton truck with it going about 45-50. The car was totalled of course but actually held up pretty well, I was quite suprised. Granted it was the whole front and not the sides like that, but I was still pretty impressed. But yeah, itd be kinda freaky getting sideswiped in a rubbermaid car.

 

[SpitFireV12RR]

But thank lord for rubber/plastic BUMPERs. A guy backing out yesterday hit us while we were waiting at a stop sign. Didn't even leave a mark thanks to rubber! But yes, i don't think plastic should be used...its just a cheaper way of manufaturing them. I like my dads '68 mustang(soon to be mine). Its like its made out of steel(and probally is)!

 

[Candyman]

It's only the skin on the Saturn that's plastic. Think of it like RPM arms. You can pretty much strip off the doorskin and put a new one one. It's the space frame under all that plastic that's doing the work. I had a Saturn years ago and I liked it. They were good budget cars. It's when they start making the frames out of plastic that you'll have to be worried.

 

[Plaidfish]

well I'd personally like my car to withstand a roling impact w/o damage...be it a facia or real structure parts....but candyman's right they design the car to withstand large impacts and YOU be able to walk away...the car is designed to crumple and absorb all the energy from the impact......hope the idiot had insurance.....

 

[olds97_lss]

I think saturn also does it so it won't rust.

 

[jetmechG550]

Boy the commercial shows that little kid whacking the door with a baseball bat.

 

[HeartBreak]

Plastic does save lives; the persons life that hits the saturn!

My sister had one.. Her ex husband totalled it for her. Perhaps the best thing he ever did with his waste of a life.

 

[dannyd]

thats why saturn says they are dent proof some of their parts are plastic. which would probably cost more then a dented door. so in the long run i dont think is a good idea to make their cars like that.

 

[Vincemaxx119]

Well I did kind of lucked out. I work at a dealership and I'm having the parts delivered at cost. The mirror and the door for $350. Joe at our bodyshop is going to paint and blend it for me, as well as instal it. It's safe to say i owe him a lunch,at least.