Topic: Suicide doors on family cars?

[Mitlov]

Seems like a good idea to me.



It gives much better access for helping little kids into child seats.  Instead of lifting and twisting to plop them in the seat, then bending and twisting to fasten their five-point restraint, you can do everything with proper alignment.

Why don't we see this more?  Is it just that consumers are scared of the word "suicide"?  Is it because there's any real safety concern to them?  (I can't think of any).

[Turbo Bob]

Jihad Doors?

 

[vdk]

Keep those kids away from the suicide doors. You never know when they decide to go...

[EV Dan]

Me say good idea. Back doors are safer for cyclists too 

[Black Hatch]

Having an RX-8 does give me some perspective.

In a tight parking space, the rear passenger may have trouble coming out (mainly because you cant open the front door before you can open the rear)
At which point you either come into the middle of both doors and close the one (mostly the rear door first) and then close the other door to get access out.
Although I find it takes only a second step... it could be awkward with families.

[1TSX]

I thought suicide doors were the Lambo style doors? 

[Mitlov]

I thought suicide doors were the Lambo style doors? 

Suicide doors = Rolls-Royce.

Scissor doors = Lamborghini.

Gullwing doors = Old-school SL and new SLS.

[PJungnitsch]

Having an RX-8 does give me some perspective.

In a tight parking space, the rear passenger may have trouble coming out (mainly because you cant open the front door before you can open the rear)
At which point you either come into the middle of both doors and close the one (mostly the rear door first) and then close the other door to get access out.
Although I find it takes only a second step... it could be awkward with families.

Our Ford pickups are like this also, with the front and rear doors interlocked. Tight parking spots are a PITA. The separate pillar like in the car in the photo would be better, but still could be a pain with a family piling out all at once into the trapped 'box'. And of course if the non-interlocked design comes open at speed things will get dramatic fast.

[Mitlov]

Having an RX-8 does give me some perspective.

In a tight parking space, the rear passenger may have trouble coming out (mainly because you cant open the front door before you can open the rear)
At which point you either come into the middle of both doors and close the one (mostly the rear door first) and then close the other door to get access out.
Although I find it takes only a second step... it could be awkward with families.

With full-on suicide doors instead of RX-8-style doors (which I hereby dub "emo doors"), you can open the back door without opening the front door, so I don't see people getting trapped any more than front passengers would get "trapped" between the front and rear doors of a conventional four-door.

[Turbo Bob]

I think you would be more trapped, as you are getting out into the same space. At least with conventional doors in a tight space the person getting out of the rear can quickly move out of the way.

[safristi]

...those kids and grandma were just money sinks anyhoo..................................


   while yer at IT    bring back oh bring back RUNNING BOARDS.....ta   ta...........

[tpl]

I always thought that the reason for "suicide doors" was that Ladies in skirts could enter and exit  gracefully even in a min-skirt without doing a Paris Hilton.   

[safristi]

   why that is just BALD speculation...........................................i woz admiring her UGG..........................................boots that is.....

[random006]

Me say good idea. Back doors are safer for cyclists too 

How would suicide doors make it safer for cyclists?  The people inside the car would still be opening their door without checking, the real reason cyclists get hit by car doors.  In fact, it would be worse as with a standard door, the person has to turn slightly to the rear to exit, whereas that is not true with suicide doors.

[tenpenny]

Friend of mine in university had a 1970 or so Lincoln, it had suicide doors.  My understanding is that they were done away with as a safety hazard - if a normal door isn't latched properly, it won't fly open at speed, but a suicide door will do so.

Not that that's a frequent occurence, but I gather that was the point.

The overlapping doors like in the Ford trucks covers that issue.

[The Mighty Duck]

As others have said, it makes for a real pain in parking lots. No, thanks.

If we're talking about smart door designs, isn't there a Renault or something with double-hinged doors? Now that's clever...

[dr_spock]

Rear suicide doors would make good air brakes at highway speeds assuming the door mounts will hold.  Otherwise, keep your distance if you are in the car behind.