Tough little beasties......

philc · 29-09-2005, 12:09

A friend of ours was looking for a replacement for her aging Citroen AX, so I suggested that she look at the Fabia. A couple of weeks later, she picked up a nice yellow 1.2 Fabia, which she was as pleased as punch with.
Unfortunately, while she was turning right on an unlit road (the A507 from Clophill to Ampthill, for anyone who's local) a truck failed to notice her and rammed her in the back. The car was spun around twice and ended up in a ditch.
Luckily she got away with a couple of cracked ribs, from the seatbelt, and a bang on the head where she hit the 'B' pillar. The cop who attended reckoned that she'd have ended up in intensive care or the morgue if she'd been driving the old Citroen. He said he'd seen a few prangs involving small hatches, and Fabias and new Polos seem to have very strong passenger cells. "Tough little bu99ers, these" In his words.
The car's probably going to be a write off, but she wants another one. Preferably with curtain airbags next time, so she can't bang her head. I just wanted to thank Skoda for making sure I've got a live friend, not a funeral to go to!

Phil

flatfourburble · 29-09-2005, 12:42

Another reason why I went for the Fabia, they are tough, solid little cars!

Good to hear that she walked away

Jon TDI · 29-09-2005, 12:55

They can take knock or two!

I remember when I had my Citroen AX GT & somebody tapped the back of it @ low speed.
Took it to get a quote for repair & among other things they listed straightening the boot floor!!

SteVRs · 29-09-2005, 13:51

I was involved in an accident at 98mph in a Citroen AX into a stationary Sierra - both myself and the other person walked (hobbled) away from the AX (which was on fire with a ruptured tank). The build quality is sh*t but they're actually bloody tough too!

Johnnyc · 29-09-2005, 14:03

i'd agree there. Citroen Ax's are coke cans on wheels. a friend of ours turned right across a junction as some 17 year old muppet decided to run a red light. He hit her on the driver's side, the car spun round and the drivers side was written off by a pedestrian railing which she ploughed into. They found her in the footwell on the passenger side. She suffered a broken leg, broken arm several broken ribs and concusion. Fire brigade had to cut her out and said it was a miracle she survived.

Tom_vRS · 29-09-2005, 14:40

The solidity of the Fabia is definitely a plus. It just feels safe too, like a much bigger car.

All modern cars are miles ahead of cars like the AX in terms of safety though... Come off on the wrong side of a crisp packet and you've had it!

SteVRs · 29-09-2005, 14:53

To qualify that, we were in the AX, not the Sierra - much more solid (M reg so a pretty late model) than you'd believe!

L-Y-K · 29-09-2005, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteVRs

To qualify that, we were in the AX, not the Sierra - much more solid (M reg so a pretty late model) than you'd believe!

why was you doing nearly a ton into s sierra in the 1st place?

flatfourburble · 29-09-2005, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by L-Y-K

why was you doing nearly a ton into s sierra in the 1st place?

More to the point how did you get up that speed in one

L-Y-K · 29-09-2005, 15:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatfourburble

More to the point how did you get up that speed in one

was it down hill???

Tom_vRS · 29-09-2005, 15:26

Ey up... some of the AX's do half shift. My dad had a 1.4 TZE and it moved quite well. I test drove a GT when I bought my Fiesta Si and I loved it. If it wasn't for some dodgy rot I'd probably have had it!

flatfourburble · 29-09-2005, 15:35

Tom I was jesting

my old Metro could hit 90 and that was an auto

But really why did you hit the sierra at 98mph? I really cant see you walking away from that one!

Well you did I guess other wise you wouldn't be talking about it now, but surely the impact speed could not have been 98mph?

L-Y-K · 29-09-2005, 16:13

....maybe it was 30mph?

but he just had huge rims on lol

Jon TDI · 29-09-2005, 16:41

The AX GT I had was rapid due to it weighing the same as a Rizzla!!

Wafer thin panels, Polycarbonate boot lid & a 1.4 with twin choke carb.

Tom_vRS · 29-09-2005, 16:45

Nice one! A real pocket rocket the old GT's... the GTi's were slower though.

I seem to remember nice bucket seats and a very square dash...

SteVRs · 29-09-2005, 16:47

Mate (who was a loon) was driving down the A59 up north to a notorious junction with A56 (now a roundabout there due to number of accidents) and his 1.1 AX would do (indicated) 98mph, never 100

so his mission in life was to get 100 out of it. Told him about the upcoming junction and he chose to ignore me.

Sierra pulled out, hadn't even straightened up and bang! One dislocated shoulder, kneecap and a broken rib later I hobbled out and awaited assistance (before mobiles etc).

The rear of the Sierra was gone, anyone in there would have been dead without a doubt.

My mate did brake but locked up and shed virtually no speed at all. Ambulance man put his gloves on before approaching the car - admitted to me he expected lots of blood

lozgti · 29-09-2005, 17:28

Phew.Glad she is ok.Two things surprise me though from the post though

Quote:

Originally Posted by philc

1) yellow fabia

2) a truck failed to notice her

L-Y-K · 29-09-2005, 18:39

one of the reasons you buy a bright coloured car to be seen in

Johnnyc · 29-09-2005, 18:54

Auto Express say that because the Smart is basically a merc, they have the same crash protection as an E class. I know which one i'd rather be in if I was in an accident.

lfc958 · 29-09-2005, 19:41

There are a couple of rollovers on here who can verify how tough the little furby is.

Johnny - the smartclub had a euro encap video of a Smart in an offside crash into a c class ( i think), the smart bounced off the bigger car, and considering the impact, the damage was bad, but could have been a LOT worse if they 2 had stayed together.

***Neo_VR*** · 29-09-2005, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfc958

There are a couple of rollovers on here who can verify how tough the little furby is.

Johnny - the smartclub had a euro encap video of a Smart in an offside crash into a c class ( i think), the smart bounced off the bigger car, and considering the impact, the damage was bad, but could have been a LOT worse if they 2 had stayed together.

the Smarts are unbeliveably strong tho.. there was a bit on 5th gear about it... they are stronger than most modern small cars, they plowed one into the armco at 70mph, and the passenger cell was still intact (they could open the doors)
then they tried it with a corsa....... which didnt do so well

lfc958 · 29-09-2005, 20:15

Colin
Ask davidcollins01 about a smart bouncing into the central barriers @ 70 side on, aftre bieng clipped by a police volvo doing close to 100.

Johnnyc · 29-09-2005, 20:43

It's a good thing Smarts fair pretty well in accidents judging by the handling test they did on Top Gear.

lozgti · 30-09-2005, 09:01

Doesn't the car survive but a humans internal organs are ripped from their mountings and splatter all round the inside of your body anyway? Thats how I understood it.Any Doctors to verify?

Best not to crash at silly speeds,however tough your car is

flatfourburble · 30-09-2005, 09:13

Its not the impact or damage to the car that kills it's the sudden stop.

The force will pass through the car regardless of how tough it is, the softest bit of the car (you) will come off worse.

I can remember the race cars of the 40's & 50's used to be tough little buggers they would roll and crash at high(ish) speeds and the car would be intact. The driver inside did fair so well as they took all the force of the impact.

The crumple zones are there for that reason to take the force out of the impact.

29-09-2005, 12:09	#1
philc Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Not far from some places, but a long way from others. Posts: 3,378 Members Car: Vauxhall Signum 3.0 V6 CDTi Thanks: 2 Thanked 27 Times in 26 Posts	Tough little beasties...... A friend of ours was looking for a replacement for her aging Citroen AX, so I suggested that she look at the Fabia. A couple of weeks later, she picked up a nice yellow 1.2 Fabia, which she was as pleased as punch with. Unfortunately, while she was turning right on an unlit road (the A507 from Clophill to Ampthill, for anyone who's local) a truck failed to notice her and rammed her in the back. The car was spun around twice and ended up in a ditch. Luckily she got away with a couple of cracked ribs, from the seatbelt, and a bang on the head where she hit the 'B' pillar. The cop who attended reckoned that she'd have ended up in intensive care or the morgue if she'd been driving the old Citroen. He said he'd seen a few prangs involving small hatches, and Fabias and new Polos seem to have very strong passenger cells. "Tough little bu99ers, these" In his words. The car's probably going to be a write off, but she wants another one. Preferably with curtain airbags next time, so she can't bang her head. I just wanted to thank Skoda for making sure I've got a live friend, not a funeral to go to! Phil __________________ "A good diesel, like a good whisky, should be strong, smooth and slightly smokey" <--respectful gap-->

29-09-2005, 12:42	#2
flatfourburble "Bones" Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Heathrow/Crewe Posts: 5,449 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Another reason why I went for the Fabia, they are tough, solid little cars! Good to hear that she walked away __________________ Oh to have the internet back..................oh have I missed it

29-09-2005, 12:55	#3
Jon TDI Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North East England Posts: 3,229 Members Car: SEAT Leon TDI Sport Thanks: 34 Thanked 34 Times in 33 Posts	They can take knock or two! I remember when I had my Citroen AX GT & somebody tapped the back of it @ low speed. Took it to get a quote for repair & among other things they listed straightening the boot floor!! __________________ Black Magic SEAT Leon 2.0 TDI Sport - Green panel thingy, Upsolute jiggery pokery, Koni FSD/Eibach Pro Kit bouncy stuff, 18" Audi A8 Parabol rims, '08 Cupra black/honeycombe grille. Also driving around in a Mini ONE that thinks it's a Cooper! John Cooper Works airbox, Superchips Bluefin remap, Sprint Booster, 17" Cooper S Spokes

29-09-2005, 13:51	#4
SteVRs Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 3,065 Members Car: Smart Roadster Coupe Brabus Thanks: 4 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	I was involved in an accident at 98mph in a Citroen AX into a stationary Sierra - both myself and the other person walked (hobbled) away from the AX (which was on fire with a ruptured tank). The build quality is sh*t but they're actually bloody tough too! __________________ Engined bike. Engined car. Neither a Skoda - been there, done that

29-09-2005, 14:03	#5
Johnnyc Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 3,193 Members Car: MkV Golf 1.9 TDI Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	i'd agree there. Citroen Ax's are coke cans on wheels. a friend of ours turned right across a junction as some 17 year old muppet decided to run a red light. He hit her on the driver's side, the car spun round and the drivers side was written off by a pedestrian railing which she ploughed into. They found her in the footwell on the passenger side. She suffered a broken leg, broken arm several broken ribs and concusion. Fire brigade had to cut her out and said it was a miracle she survived. __________________ Johnny "Americans have different ways of saying things. They say "elevator", we say "lift" ... they say "President", we say "stupid psychopathic git."

29-09-2005, 14:40	#6
Tom_vRS Briskodaholic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fenland, Cambridgeshire Posts: 11,559 Members Car: '97R BMW 328i Saloon Thanks: 679 Thanked 435 Times in 312 Posts	The solidity of the Fabia is definitely a plus. It just feels safe too, like a much bigger car. All modern cars are miles ahead of cars like the AX in terms of safety though... Come off on the wrong side of a crisp packet and you've had it! __________________ 97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

29-09-2005, 14:53	#7
SteVRs Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 3,065 Members Car: Smart Roadster Coupe Brabus Thanks: 4 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	To qualify that, we were in the AX, not the Sierra - much more solid (M reg so a pretty late model) than you'd believe! __________________ Engined bike. Engined car. Neither a Skoda - been there, done that

29-09-2005, 15:26	#11
Tom_vRS Briskodaholic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fenland, Cambridgeshire Posts: 11,559 Members Car: '97R BMW 328i Saloon Thanks: 679 Thanked 435 Times in 312 Posts	Ey up... some of the AX's do half shift. My dad had a 1.4 TZE and it moved quite well. I test drove a GT when I bought my Fiesta Si and I loved it. If it wasn't for some dodgy rot I'd probably have had it! __________________ 97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

29-09-2005, 15:35	#12
flatfourburble "Bones" Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Heathrow/Crewe Posts: 5,449 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Tom I was jesting my old Metro could hit 90 and that was an auto But really why did you hit the sierra at 98mph? I really cant see you walking away from that one! Well you did I guess other wise you wouldn't be talking about it now, but surely the impact speed could not have been 98mph? __________________ Oh to have the internet back..................oh have I missed it Last edited by flatfourburble; 29-09-2005 at 15:37.

29-09-2005, 16:13	#13
L-Y-K Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: A30 Newquay Cornwall Posts: 4,219 Members Car: Fabia 1.9 TDI Thanks: 39 Thanked 44 Times in 40 Posts	....maybe it was 30mph? but he just had huge rims on lol

29-09-2005, 16:41	#14
Jon TDI Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North East England Posts: 3,229 Members Car: SEAT Leon TDI Sport Thanks: 34 Thanked 34 Times in 33 Posts	The AX GT I had was rapid due to it weighing the same as a Rizzla!! Wafer thin panels, Polycarbonate boot lid & a 1.4 with twin choke carb. __________________ Black Magic SEAT Leon 2.0 TDI Sport - Green panel thingy, Upsolute jiggery pokery, Koni FSD/Eibach Pro Kit bouncy stuff, 18" Audi A8 Parabol rims, '08 Cupra black/honeycombe grille. Also driving around in a Mini ONE that thinks it's a Cooper! John Cooper Works airbox, Superchips Bluefin remap, Sprint Booster, 17" Cooper S Spokes

29-09-2005, 16:45	#15
Tom_vRS Briskodaholic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fenland, Cambridgeshire Posts: 11,559 Members Car: '97R BMW 328i Saloon Thanks: 679 Thanked 435 Times in 312 Posts	Nice one! A real pocket rocket the old GT's... the GTi's were slower though. I seem to remember nice bucket seats and a very square dash... __________________ 97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

29-09-2005, 16:47	#16
SteVRs Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 3,065 Members Car: Smart Roadster Coupe Brabus Thanks: 4 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	Mate (who was a loon) was driving down the A59 up north to a notorious junction with A56 (now a roundabout there due to number of accidents) and his 1.1 AX would do (indicated) 98mph, never 100 so his mission in life was to get 100 out of it. Told him about the upcoming junction and he chose to ignore me. Sierra pulled out, hadn't even straightened up and bang! One dislocated shoulder, kneecap and a broken rib later I hobbled out and awaited assistance (before mobiles etc). The rear of the Sierra was gone, anyone in there would have been dead without a doubt. My mate did brake but locked up and shed virtually no speed at all. Ambulance man put his gloves on before approaching the car - admitted to me he expected lots of blood __________________ Engined bike. Engined car. Neither a Skoda - been there, done that

29-09-2005, 18:39	#18
L-Y-K Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: A30 Newquay Cornwall Posts: 4,219 Members Car: Fabia 1.9 TDI Thanks: 39 Thanked 44 Times in 40 Posts	one of the reasons you buy a bright coloured car to be seen in

29-09-2005, 18:54	#19
Johnnyc Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 3,193 Members Car: MkV Golf 1.9 TDI Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Auto Express say that because the Smart is basically a merc, they have the same crash protection as an E class. I know which one i'd rather be in if I was in an accident. __________________ Johnny "Americans have different ways of saying things. They say "elevator", we say "lift" ... they say "President", we say "stupid psychopathic git."

29-09-2005, 19:41	#20
lfc958 500 Power Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kent Posts: 4,071 Members Car: Fiat 500 Thanks: 16 Thanked 25 Times in 25 Posts	There are a couple of rollovers on here who can verify how tough the little furby is. Johnny - the smartclub had a euro encap video of a Smart in an offside crash into a c class ( i think), the smart bounced off the bigger car, and considering the impact, the damage was bad, but could have been a LOT worse if they 2 had stayed together. __________________ Steve Man-Bag ? Girlie Car ? - You Decide ( I have - it's neither )

29-09-2005, 20:15	#22
lfc958 500 Power Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kent Posts: 4,071 Members Car: Fiat 500 Thanks: 16 Thanked 25 Times in 25 Posts	Colin Ask davidcollins01 about a smart bouncing into the central barriers @ 70 side on, aftre bieng clipped by a police volvo doing close to 100. __________________ Steve Man-Bag ? Girlie Car ? - You Decide ( I have - it's neither )

29-09-2005, 20:43	#23
Johnnyc Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 3,193 Members Car: MkV Golf 1.9 TDI Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	It's a good thing Smarts fair pretty well in accidents judging by the handling test they did on Top Gear. __________________ Johnny "Americans have different ways of saying things. They say "elevator", we say "lift" ... they say "President", we say "stupid psychopathic git."

30-09-2005, 09:01	#24
lozgti Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: midlands Posts: 5,722 Members Car: Thanks: 10 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Doesn't the car survive but a humans internal organs are ripped from their mountings and splatter all round the inside of your body anyway? Thats how I understood it.Any Doctors to verify? Best not to crash at silly speeds,however tough your car is

30-09-2005, 09:13	#25
flatfourburble "Bones" Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Heathrow/Crewe Posts: 5,449 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Its not the impact or damage to the car that kills it's the sudden stop. The force will pass through the car regardless of how tough it is, the softest bit of the car (you) will come off worse. I can remember the race cars of the 40's & 50's used to be tough little buggers they would roll and crash at high(ish) speeds and the car would be intact. The driver inside did fair so well as they took all the force of the impact. The crumple zones are there for that reason to take the force out of the impact. __________________ Oh to have the internet back..................oh have I missed it

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