I wonder why they do not have videos up on their website for these test. I know they have the 35 mph crashes, but I would like to view these evaluations.

yeah i'd like to see pictures or directions on how to extend the bar and foam padding they were talking about

I remember when they used to broadcast the results on Dateline. I always found crash test interesting. I guess I have a destructive personality.

Prius and Rabbit have gotten the worst low speed crash test rating for small cars, but to put this problem in perspective, the worst performing cars incur much more damage, e.g., Nissan Quest and I believe others incur over $8000 in damage on the same test.

Personally, I blame Washington and the NHTSA for caving in to automakers, and reducing the former 5 mph crash standard to the current 2.5 mph standard. I'm all for restoring the 5 mph standard. (And while we're at it, banning painted bumper covers forever.) I would love a return to chrome and rubber bumpers, and maybe even those with shock absorbers like on the old BMWs and Porches.

FYI, if you haven't seen it before, here's the NHSTA FAQ on the issue:

Bumper Questions and Answers

Gee! I really am getting old. I can remember when the primary purpose of bumpers was funtional and not just for looks.

Yes. You'd think with a name like bumper, you'd be expected to, well, bump with them, from time to time.

Reading the article, it sounds like the extension was not out away from the car, rather, out to the corner under the headlight. It sounds like the bar/foam currently does not run the entire width of the car and their modification made it so...

I favor mounting a 10 foot pole on the front. When the pole touches something you stop. It will eliminate the possibility of damage to the front of the car. :madgrin:

The reinforcment bar extend slightly past the frame rails on both sides. Here is what it looks like:

Damn, the coolant tank is fully exposed. The study is correct, the bumper bar/core should be improved.

Don't know, never meet one that tall?

Remember this test isn't about safety. Its cost of repair. As cars get lighter costs of repair are probably going to go up (to some extent) because of the lighter weaker shell material.

How many Americans know that bumper crash standards were reduced from 5 mph to 2.5 mph? I doubt they would approve if given the chance. It's no wonder the public keeps electing the same old jerks. They simply aren't informed by the media on issues important to them.

While it's true about the media, remember, the media gives the public what it wants. The media is out to sell it's services and thus gives the public what sells it's services. The major problem is with much of the general public. You see soooo much on this site about the presidential and vice presidential canidates. I'll venture a bet that most of the posters have no idea who their local or state canidates are, that are also running for office in November. Or they vote along party lines and haven't the vaguest idea of what they support. The general public don't want to be involved. They vote and want to forget about it only to complain when something finally affects them directly. Yeh! This is a generalization but unfortunately it's true. We're just too d*mn complacient.

As I recall, the reduction happened so long ago that a generation would consider it ancient history. I don't remember much protest when it happened. Who complained when the chrome bumpers diappeared along with the 12"+ of open space between the radiator and the bumper?

Jean Shepard once did an article in Mad Magazine about "Creeping Meatballism" where he said the ideal car for traffic should look like an amusement park bumper car. You can read the article at Jean Shepherd: The Night People vs Creeping Meatballism - Full Text

For the record, someone backed into my rear bumper (over by the left wheel) a few weeks ago and all it needed was for me to pop it back into place.

I had someone back into the front bumper in a parking lot. The speed was probably around 2 or 3 miles and it hit on the drivers side. My car had no damage what so ever, and the other car has a small spot. I guess I was lucky and it hit on the corner, and the arch of the corner was strong. I guess if it were a little faster it would have bent inward.