Mid-late 80's 911 Safety

[GSpreeman]

I've seen variations of this question but am still curious. In a front-end collision how safe is a 911 built 1985-1989? for example, going 30mph if I broadside someone will I:
1) Typically walk away
2) Be carted off to the hospital
3) Have people mourning my loss

I have searched and it is really difficult to determine just how safe these things are. I know that they are built to help a good driver avoid collisions but one can't always anticipate the idiocy of others.

Thanks,

Greg

[rstoll]

Let's see now, 2600 lb, rear engine car, with 20 gallons of gasoline between your legs. I'll drive my Volvo for safety and my 911 for fun.

[CamB]

Without knowing, I'm guessing more or less the same as any other '80s car. Probably a little better 'cause it is stiffer. No airbags, crumple zones designed in. No engine to crush feet is a positive. Gas tank is a negative.

Besides, why would you broadside someone - more likely you get hit...

[GSpreeman]

The fiance just bought an Audi A4. The thing has front, side, top airbags, ABS, etc. Though I don't want to test it, her car sounds like it would hold up like a tank in a collision.

[makaio]

If you hit another vehicle t-bone style, you should be able to walk away from it. Now if the other vehicle is a semi-truck, or big SUV, and you drive under it, and take the roof of the 911 off, and your head, no you will not walk away.

[Reg]

I think it is worse to be hit , than hit.

Perhaps being T-boned would be worse case senario.

[Jgordon]

My sobering thought is pulling up to one of these lincoln navigator, chevy avalanche monstrosities, and seeing their front bumper at eye level. I then look up, and see the 4'11" woman on the phone with her mochacinolatte double decaf, and I wonder whether I should really be on public roads at all.

Jared

[steveW]

As Porsches are rather agile - turn, stop and accelerate well and are driven (or should be) by people who know what they are doing behind the wheel, it is unlikely that you will drive into something.....................

[jpachard]

I think the key to this discussion is country of origin. Porsche's are required to pass the TUV in Germany as well as other tests that are much more stingent than our DOT requirements. You only have to look at the domestic cars on the road here to see what I mean. Also, after driving motorcycles for most of my life, I look at every vehicle, moving or parked, a potential missle.


Cheers, James

[pbs911]

The real safety is built into the performance of the 911. Like newer cars, the passangers in an 80's 911 are not insulated from the environment with air bags to the side and front. Newer cars are just built to be crashed.