VW Golf is safest car of 2009 - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

**jwight** · 02-02-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Wolfsburg, 2. February 2010 – For the first time ever, the EuroNCAP
Institute in Brussels compiled all of its crash test results for the year 2009 and named the safest car of the year: The Golf won out against the competition with a total of 103 points. The Golf had already attained a five-star EuroNCAP rating in the year 2008.

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF IS SAFEST CAR OF 2009 - German Car Scene

**rfernatt** · 02-02-2010, 10:58 AM

I've always liked the Golf, just not VW's quality problems. Hopefully, they've fixed those since my '02 GTI. Ironically, my GTI experience was the one con in my mind against the smart. German engineering is typically good stuff, but quality control through parts sourcing and production is not always up to par, even on expensive BMWs, Audis, etc. If I recall, M-B was taking some knocks not too long ago about QC and now Toyota joins the crowd. But, I must say that of all the cars I've owned, including the smart, anything Japanese (Nissan, Honda, Mitsu) has always had the least trouble.

forestacademy · 02-02-2010, 11:27 AM

Are you Kidding me

That thing is a death Trap

Perhaps I should actually read the Link

fredthe · 02-02-2010, 11:32 AM

What's interesting is the rating also includes how well it avoids an accident. When will the US consider this aspect?

Quote:

Electronic safety and assistance systems that help prevent accidents and serious injuries are now also incorporated in the rating of the new, stricter assessment method.

forestacademy · 02-02-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredthe

What's interesting is the rating also includes how well it avoids an accident. When will the US consider this aspect?

The IIHS will not give a car its Top Safety Pick unless it has ESP and all that stuff.
Things now becoming available in 2010 that Smart had back on 2007.

But over here we don't look at what happens to a pedestrian if hit, if we did all US SUV's would take a Major hit

Carl242 · 02-02-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfernatt

I've always liked the Golf, just not VW's quality problems. Hopefully, they've fixed those since my '02 GTI. Ironically, my GTI experience was the one con in my mind against the smart. German engineering is typically good stuff, but quality control through parts sourcing and production is not always up to par, even on expensive BMWs, Audis, etc. If I recall, M-B was taking some knocks not too long ago about QC and now Toyota joins the crowd. But, I must say that of all the cars I've owned, including the smart, anything Japanese (Nissan, Honda, Mitsu) has always had the least trouble.

Funny I had an '02 TDI, and I LOVED the car's design, handling, torque, etc, but the quality was sub-par. After a few years the surface of parts of the dashboard started PEELING, and knobs would fall off. Lights were all intermittently working, and I went through headlight bulbs like nobody's business. At 130,000 miles the diesel engine was running strong, but the hoses and lines delivering fuel and air to my engine were disintegrating and were causing problems.

One thing you can say about the quality control issues of other brands (MB included) about the smart is believe most of the components are made in the same factory complex (smartville). I believe even Continental has a wing to make the tires there. I think they have a pretty unique assembly process that is probably good for QA, but that is speculation on my part. So far 22k miles and the interior of my smart is still like new.

BigWarpGuy · 02-02-2010, 11:46 AM

The Golf is now Rabbit in the US. I think I prefer Rabbit over the Golf name; IMO.

I read that the VW Jetta had a safety record similar to much bigger cars. Bigger is not always better.

I had a Nissan pickup for 12 years and never really had a problem with it.

**rfernatt** · 02-02-2010, 11:49 AM

Yep, I loved the power of the 1.8T, the look, 5-speed manual, handling, etc., but the on-going window problems (they just fell into the door with no warning over and over!), the ignition coil problems, miswired "premium" stereo, etc. just became too much. If a car has continuous problems that causes it not to run or forces a trip to the dealer, then that's just too much to handle, especially when they use the same faulty part again and again for repair (window regulator). My mom's Audi had the same ignition coil problem that left her car stranded.