Isn't EuroNCAP testing almost the same as ANCAP...? ASEAN NCAP I thought is also supposed to be similar.

Yes, the Wira performed really bad, at least the Arena did. I wonder how the real Wira would perform... perhaps a little bit better, but not much for sure. Don't even dream of the old Saga performing better than that. Or the Viva for that matter. The Myvi is actually a pretty safe car in European spec (I think 4 stars), but I don't trust Toyota, they may use lower quality materials, are less strict during manufacturing, use thinner materials, leave away strengthening materials and clearly they have removed some of the safety features.

The Brilliance BS6 was initially tested to have 1 star. Half a year later it was tested again, after Brilliance has modified the car a bit (only internally), then it achieved 3 stars. The choice of materials etc. is extremely important, and it is hard to see the differences, the cars can look identical, be identically spec'ed but perform entirely different. But Perodua even chose to remove the safety features... same with Toyota Vios etc.

@mat79: Cabriolets are sometimes also subjected to roll over tests, not by EuroNCAP but by others. That's why the Golf III cabriolet had this funny looking handle. Some cars have to steel bars behind the headrest, or some system that shoots out when it senses that you are going to need it. Older cabrios didn't have those features --> dangerous. But new ones should be more or less fine I think. Ok, I have just watched this video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXVWNEzjcnM They say it's so so. The Peugeot isn't horrible in the back, but the front is a bit problematic. The BMW did okay'ish, the Citroen didn't (but that's a weird cabrio... just look at it, you can turn it into a "targa" or a normal car, more or less). Those are relatively affordable/small cabrios. Main problem was that the seatbelt didn't manage to keep the passengers inside the car as the height couldn't be adjusted properly. I think if you go for a big cabrio it should be somewhat safe, but of course the same car with a proper roof should perform better.
If I'd drive a cabrio, it should be this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGRVgezAaGc Well, while it was still in good condition.

I agree that EuroNCAP doesn't test enough, but it's better than nothing. Some critics say that manufacturers sacrifice the outcomes of other crashes though so that it performs better in EuroNCAP. Still, better than no test. Btw., Mercedes claims that they have done like 200 crash tests hile developing the new B class.

I was of the impression that the star rating can only be downgraded by a lack of features, but not upgraded. I haven't checked though. For example nowadays it is mandatory to have ESP, otherwise you won't get 5 stars, regardless of how well the car actually performed. That the Chery gets 3 stars and the Saga also may have to do with saying 4 to 10 out of 16 means 3 stars, 11 to 14 4 stars and so on (but those are ANCAP ratings, I really don't know anything about them other than that it should be quite similar). While the way the car looks like is important, it is also important what forces were put on what area of the body. No way to see that by watching the crash, however the EuroNCAP website gives many more details on the crash, things that are noteworth as well as the simplified measurements that the dummies have recorded, where injuries were to be expected etc.

Obviously a car that also protects you in the case of a side impact should be rated better overall too compared to one that is only safe in a head on colision, don't you agree?

@MeToo: My mum reported about her brothers car... new, Japanese, probably in the 60s or 70s? He was a bit mad because there was some problem, so he kicked it. Left a big dent. Kick a new Saga, I don't think it will dent that easily.

AFAIK Americans don't like seatbelts either, at least they have to run campaigns to make people wear them, Germans are usually much more obedient.

You can worry about safety and be poor. We are not very rich, but we tried to find the safest (second hand) car that fits the budget and requirements. And I make sure everyone wears their seatbelt. And some rich ones don't care either... I think it's those who believe in fate (for whatever reason) who are risking their lives. Some uncles say "you always care about safety of the car, but no matter what, if it is your fate to die, you'll die". It is ok when you can't afford it. But when you just don't do it because you are stingy...

Normally Mercs should have that beeper, maybe he removed it? Our Renault unfortunately only has a warning light, and only for the driver seat. I wish it had a very annoying beeper for all seats... like fire alarm. Goes of as soon as you're moving. People that don't wear their seatbelt deserve to die... they wish to anyway, so their wish should be granted.

---

Added on March 1, 2012, 8:54 pm
In that case it can make sense, but they shouldn't make everyone pay for it. Perhaps Yes is sponsoring the thing for free in order to get more customers...?

Just plug in the phone into a car charger

Proton Pondan?

I guess we'll only find out when the early adopters receive their P321a and drive it for a few months, if there are any issues.

I'm always thankful for people like Kadajawi and mat79 on the FnF forums. Their posts are always level-headed and informative.

1600BHP really?
or 160BHP?