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04 Acura TSX vs Certified 04 BMW 325i vs 04 Saab 9-3 Aero

34 messages,  Last post on Apr 20, 2007 at 9:45 AM

You are in the Acura TSX Forum.

What is this discussion about? Acura TSX, BMW 3 Series, Saab 9-3, Sedan

Messages Page 4 of 4

#31 of 34 In regard to safety"stars" by saablcp

Apr 19, 2007 (11:59 am)

My suggestion is to mostly disregard NHTSA's crash test ratings.Their testing methods are outdated and not stringent enough,hence the abundance of 5 star rated cars.Much more demanding standards are used by I.I.H.S.,The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.They use the much more demanding frontal off-set collision.a side impact that simulates an SUV hitting the car and rates rear end collision /whiplash protection.If you consult their test results you will see that the Saab 9-3 has a much higher safety rating than either the BMW or the Acura(either TL or TSX).As a matter of fact it rates higher than any competing sport sedan ,Euro or Asian with the sole exception being the Audi A-4,which shares the same triple "BEST PICK" Gold level rating.

#32 of 34 Re: In regard to safety"stars" [saablcp] by fedlawman

Apr 19, 2007 (6:35 pm)

Replying to: saablcp (Apr 19, 2007 11:59 am)
No doubt the Saab is a safe car (it is born from jets, after all ).
 
Looking at the IIHS test measurements, it looks like the BMW has much better numbers though.
 
I don't know if I would "disregard" the NHTSA's ratings. They are obtained with different tests, but they are no less valid.
 
Do you know the difference between the how the NHTSA and IIHS conduct their Side Impact tests?

#33 of 34 Re: In regard to safety"stars" [fedlawman] by saablcp

Apr 20, 2007 (8:43 am)

Replying to: fedlawman (Apr 19, 2007 6:35 pm)
where are you looking on the IIHS website? IIHS vehicle ratings have the 3 series as G(good) front off-set collision,G for side impact,and depending on seat option either A(acceptable)or P(poor).The 9-3 is given G(good) across the board and because the scores were substantially above the basic G rating standards was then given a 2007 "Best Safety Pick" rating along with,as I previously mentioned,the Audi A-4.

#34 of 34 Re: In regard to safety"stars" [saablcp] by fedlawman

Apr 20, 2007 (9:45 am)

Replying to: saablcp (Apr 20, 2007 8:43 am)
Yes, I clicked the link for "technical measurements" and compared the measurements...
 
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/datatables.aspx?class=15&type=f
 
It appears the BMW is significantly better than the others (though they don't appear to have observed the major B Pillar intrusion that NHTSA noted).
 
Personally, I don't put much thought into crash test scores. I figure the tests are so standardized, that any manufacturer can build a car to "exceed the standard" and still cut corners elsewhere in the structure.

Messages Page 4 of 4

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