Mk1 crash safety??
Posted
#882380
(In Topic #104820)
Settling In
Mk1 crash safety??
This came to mind after finding out that my wife is pregnant. and thinking ahead,we need a car that doesnt fold into a small cube easily….I do love my 1980 gls and selling up would be a real shame!
Thanks all.
Lee
Posted
Local Hero
In all seriousness, the big safety advancement has been airbags, and obviously the Mk1 Golf doesn't have those. In other respects, its only really a percentage worse than modern cars. The dash is padded, there's seatbelts, crumple zones, all the other safety stuff we take for granted. But NOT - pre tensioners, side impact bars, ABS, traction control. and then there's the fact its smaller/lighter. This is also an advantage, it makes it more controllable at the limit of handling, ie just before you have an accident. So you may be able to drive around and avoid an accident, which would have otherwise occured in a modern car.
You need to drive it properly, ie be able to control the car in a skid, since it doesn't have ABS or traction control. There's no easy way to do this, you need to practise, get to know the car, and to be involved in driving the car at the limit. In fact probably the easiest way to gain this kind of experience is on a trackday.
Posted
Local Hero
Posted
Settling In
Or a second question I could ask is, do people feel comfortable with having thier youngsters in a car of this age?
Thanks
Posted
Settling In
Posted
Settling In
Im with you on that one Mick….but wife ""recommends"" one car is fine!
Posted
Life Member
Posted
Local Hero
Posted
Local Hero
however these should be switched off if you have a child seat in the car.
so thats not a problem.
and as for being more carefull with children in the car………………………we all do that anyway.
keep your speed down and your eyes open and don't be stupid and you'll be as safe as the economy :mrgreen:
Posted
Local Hero
Would think a MK1 would only get 2 or 3 stars in a modern NCAP test.
One of the problems today is that every other vehicle is a 2 tonne 4x4 driven by a dum lady that lunches not a Ford esort or the aformentioned mini that would have been on the road when the MK1 was current.
The results of a crash with a large 4x4 will be 10 times worse than another normal 70s/80s car.
1983 Mars Red 1.8 Golf GTI
1987 Alpine White 1.8 Clipper Cabriolet
The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you are finished.
1987 Alpine White 1.8 Clipper Cabriolet
The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you are finished.
Posted
Old Timer
~Madferret
Mk1 1457cc 5door GX '83
Mk1 1457cc 5door GX '83
Posted
Settled In
Fifth Gear - Renault Modus v Volvo 940 Crash Test - YouTube
Posted
Local Hero
I have no concerns whatsoever, this is due to driving at correct speeds and being very aware of others on the road, also maintaining the car so i know there are no faults.
But if you feel insecure with wife expecing, i would suggest get another vehicle
Pete :wink:
MK1-400 you fancy coming along to a manchester meet?
See here:-
http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=50982
Posted
Old Timer
Being aware of what can happen Is always good.
~Madferret
Mk1 1457cc 5door GX '83
Mk1 1457cc 5door GX '83
Posted
Settling In
Best thing is to get a new, safe car but not everyone wants one or can afford one. I prefer old cars, Dare I say old Vauxhalls and Opels etc… Woulndt want to hit anything in these ones either.
I just work on the therory drive well, stay alert, antisipate other drivers and also remember they have modern brakes ABS and such, he will stop quicker than you so stay back a bit more than normal… Can still be safe just have to think about whats going on a bit more..
Mick & Emma
'86 Cabrio GTI (ish)
'86 Cabrio GTI (ish)
Posted
Old Timer
I'm not sure a newer car is really any safer than an old one, not in real the world they do have a lot of safety feature but that probably just makes you feel safer wether you actually are or not is another matter
~Madferret
Mk1 1457cc 5door GX '83
Mk1 1457cc 5door GX '83
Posted
Old Timer
I know i'll prob get shot down for this (as i have in the past) but if you have a bad crash in a mk1 especcially if it involves a 4x4 you aint gonna come out of it brilliantly. i've owned my mk1 for 2 years and my little sis has been in it once for a mile journey and thats only because i was running late and didn't have time to walk to her school to get her.
Posted
Old Timer
The advancement in the use of high stength steels like boron steel in specific areas of the shell just makes the passenger compartments far stonger then older cars. Like in that crash test video on the volvo you saw the roof kink and bow, you would not or very rarely see this happen on new vehicles as alot of this area is made with high strength steel. Also for example the new mondeo they use boron steel in the bumper reinforcer which when impacted distributes the impact along the front instead of the impact just bowing it and going into the engine compartment area and potentially causing damge to the passenger area.
But that said i still prefer my mk1 to drive and do still take my kids out in it, but most of the time they are in the missus`s newish car
Posted
Life Member
The Mk1 was ahead of the game in its day, but it is now an almost 40 year old design.
There is a video somewhere that shows what happens when a Mk2 Golf is in collision with a Mk4 Golf in the same way as that Volvo.
The Mk4 comes out written off with airbags deployed but only minor 'injuries' to the crash dummies. The Mk2 dummies are 'dead'.
I don't want make everyone paranoid, but I consider very carefully nowadays whether or not to take the kids in the Golf. I would never take them during the rush hour, or on the school run. If they are in the Golf I am extremely vigilant for other bad driving.
Nowadays, compared to most other cars out there, a mk1 is a small thin metal box with lots of sharp edges. Be careful out there! There is always the 'other' driver - and stay away from 4x4s.
Cheers,
Drew.
Once a Mk1 fan, always a Mk1 Fan...
Posted
Settled In
At the end of the day its everyone else you gotta worry about if your confident in your own reactions and driving ability.
Its not every day you or the millions of other road users go out with the intention of crashing your cars. I wouldnt worry about it until its happened.
Please don't call me fella- its deeply insulting to one whom is no such thing!
0 guests and 0 members have just viewed this: None.