http://www.euroncap.com/Content-Web-Faq/50...or-testing.aspx

It is the regular Xsara, not the Picasso

I somewhere read that bigger is better... Except for off roaders (not sure if SUVs are meant). They tend to roll in crashes (side impacts) and are thus as dangerous as A or B segment cars. So I'd rather look for a C or D segment car with side airbags and curtain airbags.

Actually I think JB is the best place to own a conti. SG is nearby, so there is an abundance of cheap spare parts.

For Renault I usually pay 1/2 or less (after conversion to RM). New parts. If non original then can be even cheaper. Heard for Skoda prices are similar (and since Skoda = VW...).

Tax... well, if small parts no problem. Big ones they charge as much as they want to, so you can bargain. Can say second hand parts perhaps. But never had to pay anything.

Hm. My service advisor got to his post after being a mechanic for a long time. So he really knows the cars, probably better than the mechanics. But yes, I also like to watch my car when repaired. My SC lets me do that, of course they won't take any responsibility should something happen, and that's fine with me.

@sanadi: Yup, that would be ideal. A proper 4 or 6 point harness and a racing helmet that is attached to the seat too. Some cars come like that from the factory. But try explaining to your wife why she needs to climb into the car, and then spends a minute or two putting on the seatbelt. If people are too lazy to put on a 3 point seatbelt, which is really quite user friendly... imagine them having to do all of those things.

@zweimmk: Fifth Gear has done a few of those tests, ADAC too. But it is not done on a regular basis, more to show off that you shouldn't drive too fast, and that maybe crash test standards should be raised.

I think this is a different situation. Full frontal with a pole. (Ahem.)

Solution could be similar though, the front end needs to have a very strong bar so that the violent forces are evenly spread out, or better yet, redirected so that the car can move on rather than coming to a full stop.

The car was a Honda Integra DC5. Cars aren't built with hitting a thin object like a tree in mind. So while the whole of the front end might have been strong enough (probably not, due to high speeds) a small section of that front end surely can't stand the forces. Hit a piece of meat with a hammer, and the hammer will stop. Use a sword or sharp knife and it will go right through it.

This post has been edited by kadajawi: Feb 8 2013, 01:08 PM

We shouldn't laugh though, whoever was in there won't be worrying about resale value anymore.

In theory yes. But what if you think you can avoid an accident altogether? What will the other car driver do? Probably try to evade. Can you really aim for the other car dead on, when it is time to do so? Also when there is still time to steer the car consciously into a certain direction, then can't you avoid the accident?

I'm afraid it is not that easy.

Btw. the Citroen DS (from 1955) was designed to redirect the car in an accident, so it doesn't hook on like the Camry does. It should behave similar to the Volvo in the test... That was 1955.