240sx - s13 vs s14 Crash Tests

[Stoggs]

Hey, Im new to these forums and I was looking into getting a 240sx. I want to get one because I would like a car that I can work on that has potential. I am looking at either a s13 hatchback or a s14 coupe. The frontal crash tests for the s13 are better than the s14. Is this because of stricter testing? because I would think that a later model would be more safe than the one it replaced. I also heard that the s14 had some sort of protection added to its doors. They both look good in my opinion, I guess Im just asking which would be safer?

Oh yea, and if I wait till after 3f3f comes out to buy one, do you think I will end up paying more?

Thanks,Nick

[One_Love]

i think the s13 is stronger due too the pop up headlights.

welcome to nico

chances are you might not have to pay more but it depends where you live.

[lrb_2000]

uhhh... well, s14's have airbags, and s13's don't.. i think, so that might matter somehow?

[Danzors]

I don't get how a car that doesn't even have air bags fares better in crash tests. Could someone explain that? Btw I am a S13 owner, I'm just saying.

[One_Love]

its crash impact. The car itself doesnt get messed up. The s13 has the lights for reinforcement.

[Nick240sx]

i can vouch for s13s in saying the they are pretty strong structurally. no airbags however. the s14 i dont kno the safety advantages. it does depend on your area if you wait till after fnf3.

[whiterps13]

Popups are God.

[penpen-commander]

which ever one you find for sale, cheap at that, is the one you'll end up getting, so don't worry about which one you want.go for which one is available.

[91RMKS13]

You arent planning to wreck the car are you?

[91RMKS13]

Just dont wreck it and you should be good .

[Kenrik]

Airbags can suck my $%lls they are a completely worthless POS IMO.. and can lead to your car getting totaled by insurance because they cost so much to replace!

[TheOne]

airbags are also known of havin killed people ya know, + the fact that S13's remind you to wear your seatbelt by doin it automatically:P.

[Stoggs]

You arent planning to wreck the car are you?

Heck no, but its nice to know if something happens, you wont be screwed. I live in North Carolina, so I hope that the prices around here wont go up because I most likely wont be getting one till after "that movie"; I dont want to rush into a purchase. If I get one Im probrably going to look into sr20det swap somewhere down the line and then maybe a s15 front end conversion (especially if it is an s14.) The s13 looks pretty good without it in my opinion. Would doing that conversion weaken the body? And would airbags actually help out that much if I had racing seats with a 4 point belt?

Thanks for the help, and quick replies!

Ps: If I did any sort of body work, I would keep it clean and simple, nothing ricey

[91RMKS13]

and the fact that the s13 hatch is the most awesomest car evar!!!

[91RMKS13]

Ps: If I did any sort of body work, I would keep it clean and simple, nothing ricey

better not or else I will fly to your house and kick you where it really hurts, in the shin.

I am sure you will hear this more than a few times here but always remeber to search.

and think long and hard about whatever it is you plan on doing.

nad good luck with finding one .

[hannibal]

Nick, welcome to NICO. I must say youre the first person Ive seen ask about crash safety. Good for you.

I woulda guessed the later model would perform better in front impact crash testing. As for the side impact, the govt rasied the standard (effective 1997?) and the S14 had to comply where there S13 didnt.

Semir, I know theyre better than just the plastic housing of fixed lights, but can pop-ups really add that much protection? I cant think of any other reason the S13 performed better.

Some may disagree but I think an FIA approved seat, 4/5 point harness and roll bar/cage is THE safest setup. I think these are a must for any car that see tons of track time (drag, drift, road course). I'd even trade the inconvenience for the added safety on the street

Airbags provide good protection, but their deployment is guaranteed to total an S14. And they smell awful...

[One_Love]

it does, there was a thread a long time ago and the guy had the sheets to prove it.

[nvrplzd240]

yet another reason why not to get a silvia conversion.. da pop-ups ruule!

[PantherRacer]

I always wondered where the **** do those covers for the airbags go when they deploy....unless they vanish into thin air it looks like they'd hit you SMACK in the face. Especially the one on the steering wheel. K.O.

[Lil_JV]

Air bags are my worst enemy. Get in an accident and you'll understand. They smell awful(I'm sure that is what hell smells like) and they cost about as much as the car to replace. The guy doing the estimate said $4000(cdn). The covers just tear apart BTW. They stay attached to the dash and steering wheel and just rip apart. I'm pretty sure the powder/gas **** that comes out of them is quite toxic.

JV.

[boj240]

airbags are worthless pieces of waste. i hit a tree dead on and i came out completely fine... except for my car (dsm by the way)

[91RMKS13]

Your sig is backwards. Just thought I would let you know so you can fix it.

[Nick240sx]

yeah bro get on that!

[ILikeMy240sx]

dude.. if you are thinking about collision and 240 in the same sentence... you shouldnt get it.

Just stay away.

[masticatingcow]

Some may disagree but I think an FIA approved seat, 4/5 point harness and roll bar/cage is THE safest setup. I think these are a must for any car that see tons of track time (drag, drift, road course). I'd even trade the inconvenience for the added safety on the street

IWannaS15, in many ways you're right. On the track, nothing else will promise your safety than the equipment you listed. However... a roll cage is ONLY safe if you're wearing a HELMET! What happens in an accident where, instead of hitting your head against some part of the car's interior, you clock it against the roll cage? Ever made scrambled eggs? Crack. There is NO DOUBT that a roll cage will save lives on the TRACK, but in a street driven car, all you're really doing is adding hard metal objects to the cabin. Besides, how many accidents on a street necessitate a ROLL CAGE? If you get into a situation where you'd want a roll cage, you probably should have kept that kind of driving on the track, honestly.

I'm not entirely sure why the S13 rates better than the S14 in crash tests. My theory has always been "crumple zones" - you know, parts of the car designed to absorb the force of the impact instead of staying rigid and transmitting that force to the cabin. I guess one_love's statement kind of proves it!



Anyway, welcome to NICO, Stoggs! Good to have you on board.

[Stoggs]

I’m not a safety freak or anything, I am just stuck between the s13 and the s14 and am trying to decide between the two. I guess it'll come down to which one I find a good deal on first like penpen-comander said. However I do think that if I get an s14 it'll need a little face lift eventually... those silvia front end conversions look hot! Especially this one: http://www.evolutionautosports.com/240tashi.htm I heard that body kits aren’t very well made, and they will eventually crack. Anyone experienced this? Last question, I promise.

Thanks for the help guys

[One_Love]

That is the silvia s15 front end on a s14 ( check my sig, i got one too )

You are the first member i see on nico debating which car to get over safety, kudos to you my man.

[masticatingcow]

Depends on the bodykit. Some are crap, some are well-made. Well-made bodykits cost more. It's just a matter of how much you're willing to throw down on parts, and how muh you're willing to pay for someone to install it right.

And that had better not be the last question... if it is, we're all going to run out of things to do REALLY fast.

[Danzors]

Can't answer your body kit question, but I can say that for the most part S13's will be cheaper and they look freaking amazing compared to S14's if you ask me! And we now know you'll survive better in them, too!

[Tulsa_S-13]

Yay for a Noob asking about safety