just drove a Smart car

[Craig 930 RS]

Yeah that came off like I was a prick ;-) I'm altering it to say what I meant -

I meant this: It is a good car for the usage Nick mentions.
98% of people won't have any practical use for for this car - it just does not deliver on enough parameters to have broad appeal .

[notfarnow]

They've been available for a couple years up here in Canuckistan.

It'll be fun when they're $3-4k used cars... I'd love to have one for zipping around town.

[dd74]

I've seen a few Brabus Smarts running around metro L.A.
They look like this:
Here's a quick review from Car and Driver:
http://www.caranddriver.com/autoshows/12549/2008-brabus-smart-fortwo-and-fortwo-xclusive.html
Roger Penske is the real force behind M-B/Smart in the U.S. He's determined to make them a success. I think they will be, even without his very vocal endorsement.

[dd74]

BTW: if you guys want to see something truly hilarious, be on the lookout for how many Smart cars can fit on a car carrier. One night, I saw a carrier parked on the street with what must have been 20 Smart cars atop it. They looked like big go-karts with car bodies.

[NICKG]

well i have plans..after i pay it off..Smartuki time!!!!

[aigel]

The SMART will be a huge success in the US because the public transportation is extremely lacking (i.e. in the SF bay area or LA area).

A decent city or urbanized area should not require a car to get to and from work at all. I lived without a car for many years in Europe and got around cheap and efficiently in the city.

George

[Craig 930 RS]

How will it be a huge succes because public transport is lacking?
How does this address that issue to make it a huge success?

[Craig 930 RS]

It'd be a huge success with a small turbodiesel engine and a rear seat -

[dd74]

Originally Posted by Craig 930 RS

It'd be a huge success with a small turbodiesel engine and a rear seat -

Well, I'd say "more successful," especially with a rear seat.

[unimog406]

SUVs are getting less, at least for the daily commute

are becoming fewer....

[hpservertech]

I'll buy one when/if they bring their sport coupe to the US. I have been watching them since they launched over in Europe. Think it would make for a good car for the teenagers. Can't go too fast (or too far), decent gas milage and pretty cheap for a car with a warranty.

[Komenda Fan]

hpservertech - I guess the President of Smart USA has the same idea - a good car for teenagers, but because they can't have sex in them!

Smart U.S.A. President: No room for hanky-panky in the Smart ForTwo - http://www.egmcartech.com/2008/01/28/smart-us-president-no-room-for-hanky-panky-in-the-smart-fortwo/

[dd74]

Originally Posted by Komenda Fan

hpservertech - I guess the President of Smart USA has the same idea - a good car for teenagers, but because they can't have sex in them!

Smart U.S.A. President: No room for hanky-panky in the Smart ForTwo - http://www.egmcartech.com/2008/01/28/smart-us-president-no-room-for-hanky-panky-in-the-smart-fortwo/

Come on. If there's a will, there's a way.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

For about 8 years now I've wondered why cities don't remove parking meters and install electric car charging hook-ups and charge as appropriate.

Scenario: you live in the suburbs but for some reason you need to drive into the city. You take your e- car because you know you'll get a premium parking spot and can "fill-up" while you work/shop/whatever. you pull up, plug in, and go.

the city charges a minimal parking fee and for e- to charge your car, all through an EZ Pass transponder or your CC.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by unimog406

are becoming fewer....

Yesyes. English is not my native language. How is your German?

G

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Craig 930 RS

How will it be a huge succes because public transport is lacking?
How does this address that issue to make it a huge success?

From my experience in the Bay Area:

- Getting around by bus or sub takes forever.
- The public transport equipment is dated and grimy.
- Biking is not an option (too far).
- Parking is tough.
- Gas is expensive.

So, if you have a car:

- You are faster than public transport (on average)
- You are in your own clean and well kept car.

And if you add the SMART:

- Gas is less.
- Parking is significantly easier.

If parking lot companies and cities add sub compact parking spaces, it would even help more. The SMART can be parked facing the curb - it is about as long as an SUV is wide.

Cheers, George

[Craig 930 RS]

It has the same gas mileage as most sub compacts - Honda Fit, etc
There is no approval for parking straight into a curb yet.

I'd just wait for a better alternative with more usefulness and better mileage.
The size is handy, however.

[jyl]

Until/unless parking spaces are reconfigured for the Smart (or we park like Europeans, squeezing in where-ever the car fits), I don't think it will make much difference for getting around the Bay Area. You're still going to be caught in traffic jams on the freeways and bridges, whether your car is 8' or 16' long. You're still going to need a regulation parking space with a meter, if you don't want to come back to a ticket.

The Smart is cute, but I don't see why it is useful in most US cities.

I have the same problem on my scooter in downtown Portland. I don't get through traffic any faster (since splitting lanes is illegal here). And I still need to find a regulation parking space (there aren't many motorcycle spaces). In outlying neighborhoods I can get away with parking on the curb or squeezed in between parked cars at the curb, and there it makes a difference.

[aigel]

Just to clarify, I wouldn't be caught dead in one of these cars. So far I have been fortunate and always was able to live close to work and avoid urban traffic.

That said, I think this car is the a step in the right direction. With it on the road, people will be more willing to go down in size on their vehicles as well and my Porsche may look like a normal size car at some point down the road!

G

[hytem]

You have to wonder what the engineers at the car companies are doing these days. Especially an engineering company like Porsche. Must be exciting times. They are faced with major changes in technology to deal with new emissions and mpg standards not far down the road. And a public that can quickly change what it wants. And then you have the Japanese who are always five years ahead in thinking...