^^yeah, I used to have an STI and just felt more safe in it. There is honestly a slight drop in performance, but the safety, IMHO, more than makes up for it. Besides, is there an EVO out there that can run competitively against the Crawford STI that still has A/C, p/s, c/c, and full interior like their STI does? I've always wondered this, but the AMS EVO seems to be the only contender (please correct me if I'm wrong), and that car is stripped.
Love my IX, but love my family more.

 

I hope you're not one of those guys that takes it personally when someone points out a gripe/flaw with Evo's. Anyway, by reading your response, I am gonna say its safe to assume you don't have kids? Like rocket_man said, when you have kids its a whole different ball game.

 

If you honestly hit a bridge abutment head on at 75MPH.... well you 'shouldn't' still be with us. You would have decelerated from 75MPH in (estimates amount of deformation)... roughly 6 feet. That would have made the front of your car about even with the back door. Where we you?

 

all modified evo's

 

Ah... nope.

Safety was one of the reason I went with the other brand.

 

I think the Evo got such a low rating because of the huge front mount intercooler. Really don't bother me thought.

 

Well I have to agree with most people on this thread the fact that the rating is so low bothers me. I felt like Mitsubishi would have tired harder to get the structure of the Evo up a little higher. I mean they promote the car as being pretty much a rally car that can take on about anything (with in reason). The Evo truely does hold its on against the bigger guys (v-8s) in the world. Im sure the guys at Mits knew their would be idots out there who would try and do what they see on tv in their Evo and more then likely they would end up in bad shape. With them knowing that I just felt like Mits would have done a litte more but I guess you cant have it all in the Evolution. I personally live in NC and people do stupid stuff when the Evo comes around. Its like their is a sticker on my windsheld that says " Evos here time to fu*k up". I personally dont have any kids but if I did I would feel even more bad about the rating. ......thumbs up to rocket man

 

I minimize how much I drive my Evo with the kids in the back. It's fine around town, but I wouldn't take the whole family in the Evo on a long highway trip due to the safety issue (which I was well aware of when I got the car). I feel much safer with them in the Sienna.

 

I'll put it another way:
Let's say you were to cross a deep chasm and there were two bridges to choose from. One is made of wood and rope/twine, and the other out of metal and chains. Which one would you take across?
But anyway, I do understand that there are those out there who are still invincible and are the best driver/s that they know (16-21/22- Weren't we all at that age? It chucks norris when reality sets in. ), so I am assuming the "no's" are from them. Anyone older saying "no" must be a fanboy or do not have kids yet.
But enough of my rant, this is a poll which means that there is more than one right answer. Back to the topic guys and gals(?).

 

Is tehre any way to modify the sides of the evo under the door panels so that the fram is more reinforced? Like start welding some suppor beams in the door and a-pillar, b pillar, and roof and such?

I remember reading in an old scc or other car mag of the like and some japanese dude welded the entire frame of the s13.

If we can modify the performance, can't we modify the car's safety?

 

Anything you do that interferes with crumple zones will redirect the energy elsewhere. Usually to the passenger compartment. For those running without a front crash beam may find the airbag going off too soon in the event of a crash.

 

ok... well how about reinforcing the doors? Perhaps fitting steel cross beams behind the door panels? And reinforcing the frame behind the fenders?

 

Would help as longs as you reinforce the B pillar and then tie them together by running a brace left to right. Subaru uses a bar to help improve side impacts. It runs from left to right and is located under the back seat.

 

That's a bit disturbing and I think it's crazy that it's not a concern to more than 50% on here.

Honestly, I'd rather have a safer car and sacrifice some weight, horsepower, quickness, or whatever. I wonder how many on here would say the same?

 

Agreed. I have a wife and a kid and yes it does bother me. I am a prospective Evo/STi buyer but will probably end up with an STi because of this issue. It's 2007 and any car that has an msrp >$12,000 should have good crash ratings, otherwise it's unacceptable. Side airbags are standard in almost every car nowadays. I'm waiting for the X to come out to see how it is, anyone know how good the new Lancer crashes?