Big boys small toys

[supertjeduc]

Bought myself a new car , know you in the States like them big
But i like them small
Don't think you can buy them in the US but that wil change



It's a Abarth 500

[Slide Panda]

Boys on top gear like the Abath

Not everyone in the states wants big. I'd so rock a Lotus or an Atom

[IZ]

Pretty cool.  I think a have a couple pics of those when I was in EUR?  

Yuu is right.  We're seeing a lot more smaller vehicles on the road these days. 

I've been checking out the Nissan Juke all week.  We're going for a test drive today.

White/black rims looks good but gun metal with bronze rims.    Maybe even the Senna color scheme..gunmetal with black rims/red stripe.



http://www.wheelsnext.com/preview-wheels-on-my-car/D7742AC7-3048-98A1-6E98DD6842179D12.html

[erkishhorde]

My biggest complaint about the smaller cars is that I can't understand the safety. It doesn't look like there is any room for crush zones to allow energy absorption. I've seen crash tests for the smart car so I understand that they can make a rock solid car but what happens to the people inside the car when it gets plowed by hummer. It's like a helmet: too hard is not good for the squishies inside.

That does look pretty slick though. I'd rock it if you could justify my safety concerns.

[supertjeduc]

My biggest complaint about the smaller cars is that I can't understand the safety. It doesn't look like there is any room for crush zones to allow energy absorption. I've seen crash tests for the smart car so I understand that they can make a rock solid car but what happens to the people inside the car when it gets plowed by hummer. It's like a helmet: too hard is not good for the squishies inside.

That does look pretty slick though. I'd rock it if you could justify my safety concerns.

It has 5 stars for safety from EuroNCAP
And mine has more airbags
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/Fiat_500_2007/298.aspx

[Turf]

My biggest complaint about the smaller cars is that I can't understand the safety. It doesn't look like there is any room for crush zones to allow energy absorption. I've seen crash tests for the smart car so I understand that they can make a rock solid car but what happens to the people inside the car when it gets plowed by hummer. It's like a helmet: too hard is not good for the squishies inside.

That does look pretty slick though. I'd rock it if you could justify my safety concerns.

you ride a motorcycle

safety is so overrated

[IZ]

you ride a motorcycle

safety is so overrated

my first thought.

[erkishhorde]

you ride a motorcycle

safety is so overrated

Mmm... maybe but if I'm going to sacrifice the open air feel for a cage, I'd rather it be a safe cage.

[erkishhorde]

It has 5 stars for safety from EuroNCAP
And mine has more airbags
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/Fiat_500_2007/298.aspx

Holy crap, in the frontal crash video, the passenger side air bag breaks the windshield when it deploys.

[ducpainter]

Holy crap, in the frontal crash video, the passenger side air bag breaks the windshield when it deploys.

That isn't uncommon.

Often times airbags will 'break' the occupant.

[derby]

Holy crap, in the frontal crash video, the passenger side air bag breaks the windshield when it deploys.

That isn't uncommon.

Often times airbags will 'break' the occupant.

yup... they're supposed to keep you alive, not keep you out of pain.

broken noses and black eyes are not uncommon.

[ute]

Wow that is one nice ride

is it as good as they say ...on the PT forums they are all pumped about the "Abarth"   Haven't seen any in the Chrysler dealerships yet . This has to be one of the first's

[ducpainter]

yup... they're supposed to keep you alive, not keep you out of pain.

broken noses and black eyes are not uncommon.

When I did auto body work we had customers that were much more seriously injured than that.

Chemical burns were common from the propellants, and one lady had several broken bones.

It was several years ago and I believe some advances have been made, but people need to realize that when a violent explosion takes place inches from you there will be repercussions.

Cars aren't built for the primary purpose of crashing anyway.

[stopintime]

About the NCAP stars - a small five star car is still more unsafe than a larger five star car. The stars are awarded as a result of the effort and which level is obtainable for the car in question, not as an absolute safety result.
Not that I care - if I'm willing to risk my life on a bike, I'm not going to count stars

The 500 Abarth is super cool pretty safe too.

An alternative for cool minis....



http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/12/aston-martin-cygnet/

[J5]

About the NCAP stars - a small five star car is still more unsafe than a larger five star car. The stars are awarded as a result of the effort and which level is obtainable for the car in question, not as an absolute safety result.
Not that I care - if I'm willing to risk my life on a bike, I'm not going to count stars

5 stars is 5 stars

this rating is achieved using crash test dummies that ar full of sensors that check impact points

thats not to say a 5 star rated big car isnt safer

the problem lies in what the min requirement rating is , and that the fact that there is now many cars reaching the highest level

so what happens next , the min rating will increase