Honda CRX, we remember the good, but not always the bad

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by victimofGM

But that fuel economy came at the cost of crash safety through weight saving. I remember some of those early IIHS crash test videos and they were shocking. One test included going in reverse at about 5mph into a steel post or *******. In the CRX it left an indention of the post in the rear (bumper and window frame) of the car costing thousands of dollars in damages.

I had a lot of crashes in my Honda CRX and surprisingly enough, it performed pretty well in crashes. The biggest problem, was that even very minor collisions could cause a lot of damage. A 5 mph collision, and you would need a new bumper. Of the most serious crashes, I rear ended a car at about 35 mph. It caused about $1,500 of front end damage. The CRX needed a new hood, new right front fender, new front bumper, and a new headlight. The other car only sustained very minor paint damage.

The last major crash I had, totalled the car. I was rear ended on the freeway. The impact bent the frame, destroyed the bumper, and damaged the hatchback door. I replaced the bumper cover, and the back glass, and the lights, and continued to drive it with a Salvage title for another five years. Even with the bent frame the wheels were still perfectly aligned, and the car continued to operate perfect.

So yeah, for minor collisions, CRXs didn't fair well. In major collisions, the integrity of the car was pretty good for such a small car. In the major crashes I was involved in, I was surprised there wasn't a lot more damage. Having to replace bumpers over 5 mph crashes was the downside.

[headingtoDenver]

Originally Posted by victimofGM

But that fuel economy came at the cost of crash safety through weight saving. I remember some of those early IIHS crash test videos and they were shocking. One test included going in reverse at about 5mph into a steel post or *******. In the CRX it left an indention of the post in the rear (bumper and window frame) of the car costing thousands of dollars in damages.

Crash safety ratings aren't done by damage to the car, they are done by the safety to the people in the vehicle. If I am in an accident, I don't care if the car crumples like a tin can as long as I come out unscathed. It is the vehicles that don't take any of the damage which end up causing injuries to the people in the vehicle.