[Italian Stallion]

I'm anxious to see IS300 crash test results from either NHTSA or the Highway Insitute. Lexus makes such a big deal over safety (i.e., their great TV ad that shows some jerk driving down the highway not paying attention to his driving with the caption saying, "He's out there ...... that's why we're here. Lexus Safety.), and most of their models have done quite well in crash testing. Want to see how the IS300 does.

Saw a documentary on auto safety crash technology on PBS last night that graphically brought the point home of what a difference a well-designed car can make. They showed a film taken by surveillance cameras on the German autobahn. Some guy in a Mercedes lost control at 150mph. Result: He pinballed between the guard rails, violently flipped upside and slid 400+feet(!) down the autobahn, then went off into the ditch, and violently flipped upright with the (break-away) top catapulting off the car. It was a horrific crash and easily ranks up there with the NASCAR crashes you occasionally see highlighted on the news.. The most stunning thing to see though, was the driver climb out, uninjured! Afterwards, they had some engineer from Mercedes showing what was left of the car, and explaining the complex safety freatures (inclduing a pop-up roll bar) that had saved the driver's life).

I'm hoping the IS does as well as the ES300 has ....

[This message has been edited by Italian Stallion (edited September 27, 2000).]

 

[cardinal_creek]

I.S.,
I saw parts of that documentary. It was pretty interesting. It was sad to hear about the girl that got killed by the airbag.

Reinforces that even school age kids should sit in the back.

------------------
cardinal
'01 Silver/Black
LS, LD, HH, SR, 17"

 

[polobee69]

safety is one reason why i might buy a bmw 3 over is300..unless good safety posted for the is300..the bmw 3 has very good safety rating

 

[viggen]

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety plans on crash-testing an IS300 in 2001. Their tests are shown on Dateline NBC so you may want to watch that show. By the way, the LS400, RX300, and GS300 all got the highest possible scores in the IIHS's tests. The LS and RX were also rated as the "best picks" in their respective classes.

 

[Simple Lad]

The weight of the "IS 200/300 00-02" is noted as "Acceptable" at the following link:
http://www.crashtest.com/lexus/index.htm

 

[TEG]

That crashtest.com weight thing is kind of bogus.

If you check the "Weight Class" link you will see that they say that any vehicle over 3000lbs should be in the "OK" category. They must have ranked the IS300 based on the Altezza's weight (which is under 3000lbs). The IS300 (being 3270lbs+) should not have "just been acceptable" by their ranking scheme.

Anyways - I don't like their "safety by weight" category - it doesn't take into account what you do to the other car/driver when you hit someone...

That "Excellent" (3500lb+) rating for your SUV might be good for you, but not so good for that Toyota MR2-Spyder that you just crushed.

 

[ISFAN]

Let me tell you guys something. There is no doubt in my mind that the IS300 is a very safe veh.

I have been helping waiting4mine with his insurance claim on his accident. He emailed me pix of his car. Man what a horrific crash. He walked away unharmed. The crumple zones did just what they were supposed. The cabin remained unharmed, the front destroyed the rear destroyed.

He is going to try to post the pics. I am telling you it is amazing as to how this car reacted in this accident. I am very confident now that we all have a very safe vehicle.