I've been in the market to buy a '99-'00 C5 coupe and have been having a running disagreement with a certain significant other type female over the safety profile of the vehicle. For some reason she has more interest in this than how good it looks, how fast it is, etc.
Anyway...I have not been able to find any crash test data, Insurance Institute/NHTSA safety ratings, etc. It's like they don't even bother to do any of this for the Vette. It's always listed as not tested. My impression is that there are a lot of safety features, good cockpit protection, etc. Does anyone know of any objective data in this regard? Or failing that, what are your opinions and/or anecdotal experience? Anything that helps make the point that Fiberglass does not equal death trap would be much appreciated. Or if it is a death trap, I suppose that would be useful info also!!

Thanks.

 

I think the Vette does pretty well in everything except for side impact. Maybe someone else can elaborate further on this.

 

I visited the museum last April and they had a Vette that was banged up pretty good, but the passenger compartment was untouched. It made a very good impression on my better half..

Mike T

 

There have been many walk aways from some terrible accidents,
the vette has many crunch zones,to make it a very safe car.
But there isn't a car that is 100% safe..........

 

Here is the photo. While this looks pretty bad, what you don't see is that passenger compartment is in amazing shape. Hope this helps. What you see on the monitors at the top of the photo is the looping video of the crash test. This was the real deal and the car can take it. Additionally, I've read more than one account of a serious accident case and the occupants walked away. I'd let my child drive a C5 (just not mine. )

Paul

 

I have always been surprised how hard a hit the C5's have taken and the owner has walked away.

 

I garuntee a Vette will hold up better than my first car Toyota Mr2 Spyder I was broadsided out of nowhere, and i have a metal plate and a pin in my skull now but on the plus side, I used the insurance settlement to Pay for the Vette. Good luck convincing the lady friend, if you cant, just buy one anyway!

 

The entire interior structure is similar to having a roll cage attached the steel frame rails making for a stronger structure than a unibody construction. They can handle some really hard impacts. Additionally, you can replace body panels without having to saw them off the framework.

 

it's as safe as you drive. Don't care if your in a VW or a Vette, drivers make the difference! It's how you drive, not what you drive! Just be responsible!!!!

 

I walked away from a side impact on Jan 1st 2001 in my NBM 2000 Coupe that after looking at the totaled car, I couldn't believe I only had a broken shoulder blade. No whip lash either. My knees were bruised from slamming together also. Either the Vette is very protective or my guardian angels were working overtime. I believe it was the angels but you can believe it was the Vette if you want to. Jimmy

 

Thanks guys. Very helpful info.

And by the way...I'm getting the Vette whether she's convince about the safety or not!! But a little diplomacy never hurts...

 

For what its worth, I feel a whole lot safer in the vette than in my wifes Sunfire. With the vet, you can stomp on the gas or the brake and you are instantly out of the way of someone creeping into your lane or cuts you off.

 

 

strongly agree. we have a honda accord as well & the thought of accelerating, braking, or swerving in the honda in an emergency situation aren't pretty. bub

 

I guarantee it too.

 

Not to intentionally play devils advocate but a few months back (as noted on this forum) in just the span of 30 days or so, there were three vette crashes that took the lives of each one.

Oddly, in all three, the cars burst into flames upon or shortly after impact. The circumstances of each crash wasn't immediately known except they were single vehicle crashes and 2 were suspected high speed impacts.

One driver was running on bald tires in a curve, lost control, (presumed to be high speed - no witnesses) left the roadway then into the trees with ensuing fireball. I think that one involved a forum member.

Another, as I recall, was an older gentleman that for unknown reasons went into the median on an Interstate and hit concrete bridge support column - again resulting in fire. Presumed high speed was suspected.

Do not recall the circumstances of the other one offhand.

Moral of the story - you can be your own worst enemy. Drive responsibly, use your head instead of your right foot, and stay focused and sober (as much as possible)

THIS WAS A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH IN EUROPE SOMEWHERE **Requires Powerpoint to view.

Otherwise, I Agree - as above on 2 car collisions. Had a guy I worked with with an 03 Vert - got rear-ended at 40 MPH at an intersection, pushed into the traffic then got T-boned. He got busted up, but within 3 months he was fine again.

 

side impact is the weak link in the car, but it's not bad in that area. I've never seen a roof cave in after a roll over. I would argue that it's safer than my dailey driver (BMW 730) I'm totally comfortable with the safety of the car.

 

I think that the Corvette is above average in it's cockpit protection. The problem comes when overconfident and undertrained drivers try to show off in a car that has more high performance capability than they have high performance ability.

I try to remind myslef of this every once in a while when my "stupid gene" tries to kick in!

 

diyguy............i could be mistaken but i seem to recall that in some/all of the 3 crashes, that the driver typically failed to wear a seatbelt. if one has a death wish, then just leave the seat belt unhooked. go figure...bub

 

When reviewing the deaths in vehicle crashed, especialy single occupant crashes, an overlooked factor is suicide. And the insurance usually pays without a hassle.