Posted on 12/04/2007 1:36:45 PM PST by Red Badger
Close. I hearad they didn’t need to take the tests because they pass the European ones.
“Daimler expects huge US demand for tiny Smart car”
Well, there are plenty of ranches, golf courses, and industrial worksites
with lots of ground to cover.
Maybe the hallways of the Pentagon (for an eletric model?)
Pretty impressive results until you get to the end where they say the passengers wouldn’t have survived. I don’t know what the results would have been in a larger vehicle such as an SUV though. Hitting a wall at 70 isn’t good for you no matter what you’re driving (unless you’re in a NASCAR vehicle and it’s a safer barrier).
If you give it big fat stick tires, huge brakes and about 300 hp, I might be interested - like an enclosed motorcycle with 4 wheels
When I bought my 1972 Datsun 240Z, brand new, it cost $4277!
It’s cute. It might be fun to drive around, but I would not feel safe driving 60 mph with it on the highway wedged between to big rigs. One little mistake, and that could be it, not like in a large car. More and more car companies are also producing a hybrid model for the enviros. I imagine companies will continue to make that switch, but it’s too costly for the average person to buy one right now.
40mpg is dissapointing, but at least they park in confined spaces well. Have seen quite a few parked perpendicular to the road in parallel parking spots.
I’m not so sure about it being a death trap. THe passenger compartment is suppsoed to be in a reinforced cage. Kind of like surrounded by roll bars on all sides, roof and floors.
Thanks, 40 is not worth riding in it. (Although neither is 60)
They can't do it. The body isn't long enough!
lolol
I cruised at 120-130km/hr on the highways with no problem and no slowing on uphill grades. I actually had to watch my speed.
Course I’m not going to trade my Chevy Z-71 PU for one. I don’t know if my wife will give up her Jeep Commander or not. I’ll have to ask her tonight LOL.
Right. Just because the frame is protected doesn’t change the fact that the shock waves going through you would be even stronger than with a larger car with more casing.
That thing would fit in the trunk of my 65 Ford, along with another 3 corpses.
Come to think of it, I could come upon a wreck and transport the whole mess.
LOL!
I first rented one in Lucerne, Switzerland about five years ago. Fun little car for its purpose. I’m in Milan, Italy right now. They are all over since they are extremely practical for a city car... about a foot shorter than a Mini.
My favorite car is a Beemer and the one on my FR homepage.
I’d drive that back and forth to work- in the warmer months.
Good point.
Yeah, people may spew insults about its size, but say little about the commonality of people riding on little more than an engine with two wheels. At least the Smart has far better crash protection than a motorcycle.
I saw one of these yesterday. Ridiculously small death trap, they drive golf carts around here that are this big. It just looked funny, sat high, like it had already been squashed.
Most people don’t get it I guess, the cost of owning a car is in the cost of the car and maintenance. The gas isn’t the biggest expense.
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