I was wondering what you all were thinking about the car in terms of its safety. By that i mean lack of safety features, such as no airbag etc. Was this ever a big concern to any of you guys?

 

I've never been worried.

Most people who drive a sports car generally pay more attention to their surroundings. I guarantee when I'm driving [agressively], I pay more attention than your average Joe Schmo in a Civic.

That said, The RX-7 chassis is pretty light, and it won't offer as much protection as, say, a domestic BOAT. If you're worried about safety, put a cage in, it'll definitely protect you far more. You still have whiplash to deal with, and a helmet or neck brace would fix that, but who wants to wear a helmet, neck brace, and step around a roll cage for a DD?

 

Good handling makes it better for avoiding a collision than a bigger but safer car. I don't think its any less safe than a geo metro, but alot more fun.

 

Heh, nice name there ^^. You attend Maryland? Please tell me you're the other guy with an FC at maryland. I swear to god I've seen a silver w/ at least 35% tints, different front tires than rear, and a slightly lowered body w/ stock body parts in the comcast lot.

 

Definitely not. I'd rather keep the car light and screw the airbags.

 

Buy a volvo.

 

well, to us... i think its just the car that we desire.... and like jmkogut says, we pay more attention than we regularly would do in our car. if its such a big concern to you, i suggest the RX8 for you. it comes with the latest safety features. good luck

 

I've seen RX-7's take a turn for the worst and end up on their back...recipients were fine.

 

It's not the safest, but there are fatalities is the safest of all vehicles. Driving a vehicle is the most dangerous thing that people do. If the Rx-7 makes you smile, it's all worth it.

I ride a motorcycle. Even more dangerous. I know it, and ride accordingly.

I've never been a fan of saying that a well handling car is better because you can maneuver. For one, your average driver is not aware of things around them, such as cars next to them, pedestrians, ect. There are a lot of unnecessary accidents that involve someone swerving to avoid something and hitting something else. (Insurance wise, you are not at fault if you hit a deer. You are if you swerve to avoid the deer and hit a tree, lightpost, mailbox, etc.) Two, in a situation where a driver pulls out in front of you, you have no idea what he is going to do. Some will come to a complete stop in your lane when they relize what they did, some will gun it. Your reaction time is not good enough to avoid situations like that.

Your best bet is to simply drive defensively. Drive so that everyone sees you. Slow down if you are uncertain what another person is going to do. Don't drive in blindspots. Prior to crossing intersections, make sure that side traffic is stopping. Don't gun it for yellows. Look through turns. Take it easy on blind corners. Don't talk on your cellphone, don't text. Maintain your car well, keep you tires properly inflated and good tread. I can go on and on.

 

Just pretend that everytime you get on the road, everyone and there brothers uncle is out to total you, it will make you pay attention.

 

Don't even have to pretend in some places...

 

If you are worried about safety, sports cars are not for you.

 

You both should come to Orlando.

I've literally had to swerve around people trying to hit me. Stupid women on their cell phones driving SUV's...

 

Driving in PG county in Maryland is like driving in a third-world country. I quite literally DO have to drive like they are all out to get me...sad, but true. I have seen some very ridiculous **** and it saddens me that the system passed them through.

 

Those are some good points, thanks guys. Personally, i wasnt too worried about the safety, just a little concern is all. Also, ive concidered doing all those things, such as being careful, not being on the phone and all that. Anyways, wish me luck with my purchase, im planning on buying a 91 coupe, hope its in good condition ^^.. (from what i saw, and he said, its in great condition).

 

you can always get a vert, my vert has an airbag and its heavy enough to take most collisions i think haha

 

Yes, I bought my RX-7 new in 1988 because it had good crash test results, as well as good maintenance and resale ratings from Consumer Reports.

NHTSA Archive here:
http://www.crashtest.com/explanations/archive/crash.htm

 

my friend got rear ended in his 240sx on the freeway... some things are unavoidable when idiots drive around you... he got some bruises i think
http://a677.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...a1d5ff26bc.jpg
i posted this because i figure its a simular era/sports car.. and if i recall, 240sx got horrible crash ratings

Since these cars are well over 15 years old, cant expect em to win a match verses the typical big american vehicles. *go to other countries, and then you will realize how stupidly oversized cars are*

Forreals imagine if american cars wherent soo big.. probably alot less injury rate.

 

Wow!!! thats amazing, 4 stars passenger and driver side.

 

Wow, that picture is crazy.

But no, it's America's lifestyle I believe, we are always on the go, people aren't aware of what's around them like it's been said several times already here...

People need to get off their cell phones, check their blind spots, don't try to race through yellows, don't take corners in your DD like you would in a 7.

Etc etc etc.

 

Good thing we have that no cell phone law here in washington..

Now we just need to stop giving out licenses to blind people who memorize the letter chart.

 

neat, FC is better than my mercedes 190 or bmw 325, lol

 

Dear god did someone walk away from that? That picture is ridiculous.

 

New Orleans...
YOU HAVE NO IDEA LOL
ppl are straight cutthroat and will def run you into a tree or pole.
its bs...

 

The coupes are actually safe, but the repairs to the front are the kicker. I was hit by a girl in a 05 lancer at a good speed. the high-backed seats are awesome for your neck and the back bumper looked good after the impact. Now the front-end is a different story i was literally push off the road and into a tree (i saw her coming and cut the wheel).