Is it safe for children? Options

[blonde914]

Big discussion this morning over talk radio and putting your kids in the front seat of the car. Even with car seats and seat belts it is the air bag that is the big issue right, besides the weight and height restrictions for seatbelts? Do you take your children in your 914's, and do you think it is safe. Everyone gave me a hard time because I take my youngest in the 914 with me. We use her booster seat and the new seat belts. In our other cars she is always in the back seat because of air bags ect... I don't drive the same when she or any one else is in the 914 with me, I am slow and law abiding. Do you take your kids out in the cars and do you think they are safe. Are there any statistics for these cars and saftey? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving-girl.gif)

[fiid]

IMHO there is a slightly increased risk of death from an accident in a 914. This is caused by the increase in the number of SUVs and light trucks on the road, and the general decrease in the percentage of time that drivers are spending with their attention to the road.

Aside from that I believe the main reason for kids needing to be in the back is the airbag issue - an airbag will hit a child seat and throw it around, plus they are a lot lighter than we are, and the airbag is designed for an adult weight. My finacee's miata has an airbag cut-off switch for the passenger side for exactly this reason.

When I have kids I fully intend on taking them in the 914 in the manner your describe. If anyone challenges you on it, I would ask them if they have ever used their cell phone while driving, and promptly accuse them of putting your kid more at risk than the 914 does.

Just my 2 cents. Your mileage may vary.

Fiid.

[Chris H.]

Yes I think front air bags are the main concern with children riding up front. The force of the airbag deploying has killed and injured children in the past.

Certainly the cars of the 1970s are not as safe as the ones today, especially small ones like the 914. I have no idea what the stats are for crash tests but I'd imagine they are not that good.

I take my 6-year-old out with me in the 914 and she loves it. I use a car seat and she is buckled in tight. I am also extremely cautious and watch out for potential hazards. It's only for leisure trips during the day. Lots of us take our kids out, we are just very careful.

[fiid]

Oh yeah. If you are still worried, get a roll cage and 5 point racing belts :-) LOL. That ought to hold the kid down!

[tat2dphreak]

I agree with Fiid (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

I think that all small(er) cars today are more risky... not because they aren't safe in and of them selves... it's what you will likely hit... if you hit a large SUV in any car, say a VOLVO even... you could be seriously hurt... because they are so much higher and larger than the car you are in... so certainly, if a car built around todays safety standards has problems, then yes, the 914 is a more risky car for the youngster, and you...

that said, I don't plan on denying my kid(when/if I have 1) the fun/excitement of riding in the fun little car... I plan to be careful and responsible, above all else! but the rest is also in the hands of god... you only have so much control over your life... the rest is a crapshoot... have fun while you are here!!!

[GaroldShaffer]

When got my car home last August the frist thing
I did was put the car seat in for my then 19 mo
son and took him for a 15 mile ride to Grandma's.
Had the top off the car but I did have his window
up. He loves it!

Yes his saftey is VERY important to me, and in
our other car and my quad cab truck he rides in
the back seat. I don't really see the difference
between my 914 and my neighbors little neon,
New VW bug, ect. All small cars are at a higher
risk when hit by the monster SUVs and the like.

Take you child for a ride, have fun, and just be more
aware of what is going on around you.

Garold

[McMark]

I'm always curious when people say that new cars are safer than old ones. What's safer? What amazing advancements have been made? What's in a Neon or a Geo or a Focus that's so much better than a 914? Personally I'm more prone to think it's more of the media brainwashing.

[Jenny]

914s have more crumple room than most cars! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Jen

[Joe Ricard]

Wow, got me thinking now. I know the Ford Explorer is safe because it is at the same level as other SUV's.

When sitting in a 914 I am looking directly at the bumper of most SUV's

Now my 70 teener doesn't have door reinforcement braces either.

Guess I will just give the young'in rides in the 928. Anyone remember the scene in cannonball run II when the monster truck rolled over the 928? That scene took 3 tries the car finally had the A and B pillars cut through before it would crush.

[blonde914]

Mine is also a 70, When I was looking through threads I was reading about the different weights in the doors on different years. So there are no reinforcements on the doors on the 70, 914 that is why they are lighter. I have a 75 in the garage I have to get rid of, could I get the reinforcemnets of that and have them put on my 70? Is there an easier way to reinforce? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[Dave_Darling]

Newer cars are generally safer. That's because much more attention has been paid to crash safety during the design of the car. Much of the extra weight that is in modern cars is due to all of the safety equipment. (The rest is the "convenience and comfort" equipment, in general, if it isn't from the larger drivetrain required to move around that other weight.)

The 914 has very large crumple zones front and rear; much larger than just about any other contemporary sports car. Those don't help if the SUV's rear bumper doesn't touch your front hood until just in front of the windshield, though. There is also very little side impact protection. Even the later cars (mid-73 on) with door beams don't offer that much protection compared to a modern car, or a car with a decent cage.

You may be able to cut the beams out of the 75 doors and install them into the early doors, but it'll be a pain welding them in, in particular. Access is quite tight in there, even with the window rolled up. If you're going to paint the car soon, you might consider just swapping the doors over. You'll have to fiddle with the roof seals (swap to the later ones) but that's not too awful.

But again, I'm not sure how much good it will do you. Most of the truck/SUV bumpers I see are above the level where I think the door beams are anyway.

--DD

[mike_the_man]

914s may have very little side crash protection, but at least they're made out of metal. Anybody ever seen a Lotus Europa with the body off the frame? The frame is a T, and the body is all fiber glass. Absolutely no side impact protection there! But light as hell.

[rick 918-S]

I used to take my 7 and 9 yr old AND both their friends to the beach. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) Just clipped the passanger side belt in the drivers receiver and vis-versa. Crossed all the kids and me! We had a blast! The worse infraction came when I had my 9 yr old shift for me. I had my right arm in a sling from a shoulder operation. (ya that was kinda dumb (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool_shades.gif) ) Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. Drive like your life depends on it and enjoy. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wavey.gif)

[Don Wohlfarth]

Blondie, slow down a little. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) 74 and up have door bars, looks like a piece of corregated steel about 5 inches high that runs inside the door from front to back.
It was probably added to meet US crash testing at the time. Picking a 75 over a 70 because of the potential added safety is a marginal call.
Double D gives a good description of relative safety between a car 30 yrs old and a newer one. Vast majority of cars in the last 5 years have ABS which is a huge improvement for the "average" driver.
The biggest advantage you have in driving a 914 is that it is light and agile versus other cars, trucks, or SUV's. Go to a local ax and practice driving your car, find out what it will do.

[fiid]

and just be more
aware of what is going on around you.

Sorry to pick on you for this, but.....

YOU NEED TO BE MORE AWARE ALL THE TIME.

Not being aware is not an option. When you are driving your 2 ton truck "not being aware" is when you are going to hit another club member and kill his/her kid.

Weather you are driving a truck or a 914 - pay attention to the road, and what is going on around you. When you are driving a larger vehicle, you are far more likely to kill other people, if not yourself.

[djm914-6]

My sons love the 914. Actually, if I want my older son (now six) to fall asleep fast, I take him out for a ride. As loud as my car is, he'll be asleep fast. I use a booster seat and pay extra attention to what's around me.

[lmcchesney]

Driving our newly acquired 914 from Maine to Chicago along Penn. Turnpike, viewing the Buick's front tires at the same level as my head had a great influence. I am a Father of three boys and drove Volvo station wagons. First modification to the 914 was welded in complete roll cage with side incursion bars and 3" wide five point restraints. Fortunately have never been used but feels a lot better. Unrecognized benifit, keeps me limber.
Avitar is David my youngest at 8y/o.
L. McChesney and The Guys

P.S. Jenny, your avitar is worrisome next to Blonde914.

[blonde914]

I would love to take it to a track, I'm not sure of any around here. Anyone know where I can take her? I am a defensive driver, you have to be with all the SUV's(I have an Explorer), they aren't looking or can't see you half the time; especially when they are on the phone!

Rich, Are you nuts! 5 people in your car!

[scotty]

My kids love riding in it. In car seats, booster seats, and now in the regular seat. Top on/top off, it doesn't matter. I think they like the "basicness" of the car.

[blonde914]

I have to agree that the kids do like it. The 4 older kids want to drive it.

I SAID NO!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

But the baby just wants to be in it with me, she says when I die it is hers and she is painting it Barbie pink.