Hey everyone, I apologize ahead of time if this question has been answer before but I tried searching and couldn't find a straight answer. I currently drive a 93 civic coupe DX and I read online that Honda used light weight materials for gas saving purposes. My question is how strong is the body for a 1992-1995 Honda civic compare to other cars, imports, domestic, and etc. I worry that if I become involve in an accident my car may not have a second chance and all my money and effort may be wasted. Again, I apologize if this question has been answer.

 

they are not as strong as some other cars. the weight of the car alone says it. the frame rails get very skinny around the strut tower but they made it that way as a crush zone. they don't want the damage to transfer to the A piller. the newer models have more ultra high strength steel and are designed better.

 

i have a simple question i hope you will help me w. i totaled my 95 civic ex coupe. now i'm trying to rebuild the front end. no damage to the motor. while searching for a bumper i keep finding "rebar only" listed in the description. could you please explain what this means. btw my accident was at 5 miles an hour and it destroyed the hood, both fenders, bumper, a headlight and the raditor support. although everything behind that was untouched. just a little insight on how a slow impact can still do alot of damage.

 

Thanks Jasoncrashtech for your input, safety always comes first.

 

If you're looking on a site like car-part.com for replacement used parts then "rebar only" might mean the yard in question is only selling the metal bumper beam that fits behind the plastic bumper cover (which many people refer to as simply a "bumper" itself).

 

^^^^^^

Sounds like just the metal support beam. If yours is good then just look for the bumper cover. Sounds like you rear-ended a truck and it went over your bumper. The strength in the front end is at the bumper support beam. Everything above that is just thin sheet metal. It gives no support, just mounting points for the body panels, lights, radiator etc

 

i hope this answers your question. LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_86RuYXoJA

 

4th gen hatch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-KXz...eature=related

5th gen hatch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y4yI...eature=related

6th gen sedan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJhnd...eature=related

If you really want to know how these cars perform in a real life crash, here's an idea. Also, slow the f*** down and wear your seatbelt (your friends should too, due to the threat of secondary collision).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q9KY...eature=related

 

Oh, and an few more just for ***** and giggles. Maybe someone will search one day and find this thread. Plus it's an interesting comparison.

7th gen sedan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U543_...eature=related

8th gen Civic hatch (Euro model)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbl_Y...1&feature=fvwp

This is an idea of a crash test you DON'T want out of a car. Granted this probably wasn't so bad for a 1979 model compact. Still, the head goes through the windshield.

1st gen Civic hatch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbZyY...eature=related

 

For a real life comparison, the 6th gen test is very similar to what happened to my 1998 Civic coupe when I crashed it nearly head on into a concrete pylon at the base of a light pole.

Ripples down the side of the car, trunk sat unevenly, front bumper obliterated, hood went up and crunched, roof bent up along the moonroof, passenger door bent out, interior floorboard bent in to mirror the glovebox, steering column jammed into my knees. I was very lucky.

 

Keep in mind these crash tests don't mean squat with a lot of customized cars. Lots of people either butcher the hell out of themetal bumper or remove it completely to fit intercoolers or swap to JDM fronts that might not have the metal bar to begin with. This is fine for show cars but could also put you that much closer to the hospital or death on a DD if you do get into a serious accident. Something to keep in mind when building.

 

from a dead stop at a light i took off and the car opposite of me turned left from a dead stop. the impact was right in the corner of my civic so it shifted everything in front of the wheels. i purchased a bumper cover today for $20. all i need now is the radiator support. is that the same for a 2,3, and 4 door? i'm picking it up tomorrow but i'm unsure if they are the same.