Safety Issues on my Exige

[LotusLaw]

How safe is an exige in a crash, with out bumpers and size im a bit worried. is there an internal roll cage in the car, if im rear-ended or rear end someone else how much damaged does the exige take on average?

[Cthulhu]

Originally Posted by LotusLaw

How safe is an exige in a crash, with out bumpers and size im a bit worried. is there an internal roll cage in the car, if im rear-ended or rear end someone else how much damaged does the exige take on average?

Your car will take a lot of damage in the event of even a minor crash, but I'd say it's safe:
07 Exige S Storm Ti. - Total Loss

That's my story, at least.

I'm not sure how everything would stand up if you rear ended someone. There's a front crumple zone, but it isn't effective if you rear end a truck or high SUV. I'm not sure how much force the rear would absorb, period. I know that the windshield beams will survive if the car rolls, and that the chassis is a deep tub with strong side rails.

It's probably safer than you'd expect.

[cory1000]

Originally Posted by Cthulhu

It's probably safer than you'd expect.

+1....it can be totaled easier then some, but the interior cabin stays intact very well...

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by LotusLaw

How safe is an exige in a crash, with out bumpers

For the record, "safety" bumbers have absolutely nothing to do with protecting the occupants of the car - they are there simply to protect the insurance companies form having to pay out for repairs for "bumps" of less than 2.5 MPH.

The rest of the safety structure of an Elise/Exige is pretty darn good for saving the occupants (search the forum for many other threads on the subject). However, not much is going to save you from a raised pickup/SUV that side impacts your door... Although even that would have the roll bar trying to keep the side from crushing it (the car would get pushed sideways). The car can be easily totaled, but it does a pretty good job of protecting the occupants.

[milehitom]

Don't worry about getting rear-ended. Worry about the poor guy in the next lane getting rear-ended by the guy behind him who's staring at your car...

Tom

Car Rear-Ended and Totalled at Red Light*Video

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As above - they are tough little cars. The tub is very strong and fiberglass is better at absorbing the impact forces than steel. It'll look worse and be a write off easier but occupant safety is good.

One thing to bear in mind however is basic physics - you are in a light car and if hit by a heavier car you will experience more forces than the other car. However this is offset by the fact if you hit an immovable object like a tree the forces are lower.

The big thing is that being so low you can be easily missed by other drivers so you have to drive defensively and assume you've not been spotted

[Flash G]

This is what happened when I collided with a drunk driver in an SUV at about 35 mph:

(I was not hurt, with the exception of some neck soreness.)


Just got hit by a drunk driver in Beverly Hills.



.

[Aedo]

Originally Posted by Cthulhu

...

I'm not sure how everything would stand up if you rear ended someone. There's a front crumple zone, but it isn't effective if you rear end a truck or high SUV. ...

Here's a rear end example - no-one hurt

[Implosion]

Originally Posted by Aedo

Here's a rear end example - no-one hurt

"Yep...its a loose exhaust clamp causing that rattle. Hand me that adjustable wrench and I'll fix 'er right up for you"

[LotusLaw]

Originally Posted by Aedo

Here's a rear end example - no-one hurt

The driver was not hurt? If i ate a car i think i would sustain some injuries.