thefitness Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Well today my mom drove me up to Hyde Park in Tampa so we could test drive the Smartcar! It coming to the US in 2008, and hopefully it'll be my first car! Here is the website: www.smartusa.com The test drive was really cool, and just made me more excited to be able to drive one in 2008! These cars are awesome, I mean c'mon they are in the Wii commercial! Here's some pictures from the "event"... Last picture, Somebody test driving these awesome cars! So I'm at a point in my life where I don't care what people think...so here's me and hopefully my future car in the backround! Best picture I got of the actual cars, they are so cool! Here's another picture...I beleive it's called the Tridon Saftety System. Here's inside the van. The thing you see in the picture is the steel cage that surrounds the passengers. The van with the little "museum" type set up inside. YAY Smartcar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 horray!! more cars that I can easily plow over in the SUV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piers Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 OMFG, smart cars are the bain of my life! Its like a vibrator with wheels! I know its exciting for you though so congrats, your hair is pretty cool. Maybe people will mistake you for Victoria Beckham as you cruise around in your matchbox, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 ^ Flawless Victory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manny In England Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I think Piers should get plus fifty Cool Points for that. I really dislike Smart Cars with a burning vengeance simply because they think they're better than they actually are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStig Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I think that my 190 could eat one of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefitness Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share Posted October 29, 2007 Wow, and I thought I was good at tearing people apart... The Smartcar if definitely not for everyone, but I had no idea someone could hate a car with a "burning vengeance". Anyone care to say why they hate it? Just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scaparri Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I don't really get what there is to like about them. -They are impractical. It only seats two people with practically no storage space (forget about weekend coaster trips) and it's NOT a $100,000 sports car. -It's like driving a motorcycle. You're asking for death. If you get into a wreck with a hatchback, you are going to come out the loser. -It's yet another economy-environment friendly car that screams just that. Look at it, the Toyota Prius, and the Honda Insight. They all are ugly as hell and scream "I"m saving the environment." I'd rather fork out the extra cash for a hybrid Accord; something that is safe, comfortably fits more than two people, and actually has space to store/haul stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStig Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Dude, just look at it, the thing is goofy to the max. If you want a car that size, get a Mini. Keep in mind that Smartcars are intended to be used on little European roads which have little European parking spots and little European speed limits. So if your little European car comes to the big roads of the US, chances are that everyone will laugh at you. If they dont laugh at you, the first accident you get in will surely be with an SUV and take your head off. So in otherwords, if you want to die and the main reason being "He was driving a Smartcar", go for it. Otherwise, get something a little more "American-sized". Trust me, you'd be much happier with a VW GTi, Honda Civic, Mini-cooper or even a friggin Ford Focus then you ever would be with this car. Also, take a look at this, make sure you watch the ENTIRE THING and listen to what it says: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefitness Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share Posted October 29, 2007 Thanks for explaining yourselves, you both have valid points. I don't really get what there is to like about them. -They are impractical. It only seats two people with practically no storage space (forget about weekend coaster trips) and it's NOT a $100,000 sports car. -It's like driving a motorcycle. You're asking for death. If you get into a wreck with a hatchback, you are going to come out the loser. -It's yet another economy-environment friendly car that screams just that. Look at it, the Toyota Prius, and the Honda Insight. They all are ugly as hell and scream "I"m saving the environment." I'd rather fork out the extra cash for a hybrid Accord; something that is safe, comfortably fits more than two people, and actually has space to store/haul stuff. -I'm only 16! The only places I'll be driving is to school, or to meet friends somewhere. It's not like I'll be taking road trips. -Do some research and you'll find that it is just as safe as any other "small car". -What's wrong with being environmentally friendly? I see where you’re coming from, but I think this will be the perfect car for what I am going to need it for. Also, take a look at this, make sure you watch the ENTIRE THING and listen to what it says: I actually have seen that video. The Smartcar sales people even mentioned it to people curious about the safety. That was the 1st generation of them, the 2nd generation is safer. The car was designed with safety in mind, if it wasn't no one in the US would buy one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStig Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 ^Of COURSE they are going to tell you that, they are trying to both sell you the car AND bring it to America! You know what, go ahead and buy one, see what happens when you are driving down I-75 and get a flat, careen off the side of the road and die. You're 16, you are bound to get into an accident and this isn't the car to do it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubberduck Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Hmm, well I'm not American so I'm not sure what other small cars you can buy in American otherwise I would recommend a nice new 5 star Euro NCAP safety rated Renault Clio...but seeing as you Americans don't get Renaults I don't think and the high import costs, low residual rates and tax etc., when in America a Clio doesn't seem like such a good idea... ...And there isn't enough chrome "Chrome makes it look like a luxury Product" Dodge Director..I wouldn't more agree there I mean is a towel rail a luxury product...? Have a look at this...Youtube Top Gear Test of Smart Car! What car makers do you buy from in America...I don't think you get Peugeot, or Citroen right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groteslurf Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I didn't know the Smart cars are not on the market yet in the USA. We in Europe, are quite used to see those cars on the street since a few years now. Although they are so handy to park (especially in Germany you see lots of Smarts parked in the width of the parking space, between bigger cars which left 2 meters of space in between), I think Smarts are still weird looking, not to say it looks a bit stupid sitting in a car of 2meter long. I rented a Smart Forfour (extended version with 4 doors) in Italy earlier this year and I must say it was driving quite well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefitness Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share Posted October 29, 2007 ^Of COURSE they are going to tell you that, they are trying to both sell you the car AND bring it to America! You know what, go ahead and buy one, see what happens when you are driving down I-75 and get a flat, careen off the side of the road and die. You're 16, you are bound to get into an accident and this isn't the car to do it in. I will not be driving interstate, as I said earlier. I do agree, by looking at the car it looks like a deathtrap. If you read about the design of the car, then you'll see where I'm coming from. I’m not saying it’s the safest car in the world either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubberduck Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 That car is hideous...what is it? It's a Dodge something I think...any ideas. I've thought of another good reason not to buy a smart car....Top Gear Review. Hold on...how much money is a smart car worth in 5 years time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scaparri Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Thanks for explaining yourselves, you both have valid points. No problem. -I'm only 16! The only places I'll be driving is to school, or to meet friends somewhere. It's not like I'll be taking road trips.-Do some research and you'll find that it is just as safe as any other "small car". -What's wrong with being environmentally friendly? I see where you’re coming from, but I think this will be the perfect car for what I am going to need it for. -I know you're only 16, but that's exactly the point. You can only carry one friend around with you. Sure, I suppose you could just rely on other people to drive when you're hanging out in a bigger group, but I liked having that luxury when I was 16. Plus, I went on numerous road trips, including trips to Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, all before my 17th birthday. How long are you going to have this? If you plan on having it when you go off to college, it's not going to be very convenient. You're going to want to be able to haul stuff, even if it's just a few bags and half your clothes. -I've done the research, and physics says it all. The more 'junk' you have around you (such as a trunk or a normal sized front end/engine compartment) the safer you are, because that material will absorb energy. These bad boys have next to nothing. They can make these cars with stiff frames, but that's not going to help you much, especially when the thing only weighs 1700 lbs. -Nothing is wrong with being environmentally friendly. It just annoys me that half the time, when a company comes out with a more environmentally friendly car, they seem to try and make it as ugly as possible. Why can't they just make their normal cars only with the same eco-technology? I'm not necessarily trying to convince you not to get one. I'm just explaining why I would never want one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStig Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 ^^^Who says you arn't going to drive on the highway? Trust me, you are going to atleast once. I've seen Smartcars, I know about them and I know there are a ton safer car's out there. Hell, I bet even a Fiat Panda is safer than that thing! Im not going to say any more, because obviously its not getting through to you, but good luck. You will need it. What car makers do you buy from in America...I don't think you get Peugeot, or Citroen right? We dont get ANY of those! Im sure you can import them, and there might be a few dealerships, but you'd never see one commonly on the steets here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubberduck Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Just out of curiosity does America have spped cameras like we do? Sorry if this seems niave I just wondered.... How does Tax and insurance work on American vehicles as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefitness Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share Posted October 29, 2007 ^^^Who says you arn't going to drive on the highway? Trust me, you are going to atleast once. I've seen Smartcars, I know about them and I know there are a ton safer car's out there. Hell, I bet even a Fiat Panda is safer than that thing! Im not going to say any more, because obviously its not getting through to you, but good luck. You will need it. I'll let you know if I get one, so you can watch for me on the news then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 So basically, this is the BMW Isetta of the 21st century? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Isetta Dude, your better off just getting a decent car under $5000 like an older Honda Civic or something. Think of the future in mind, because I know well that one of these days you'll be driving Interstate, especially if you live in Tampa. Again, don't get a smart car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnage Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Smartcars have been in Canada for quite awhile. I've always thought they look stupid, and the people that drive them end up looking really weird. What's the ticket price going to be in the US? I'm fairly certain in Canada they push 20K-30K fully loaded. Who buys their teenager a car that expensive?? Teenagers drive their cars like crap. Better to get some cheap car that you can destroy. Then buy a good car after you've driven for a few years. Sure going to be a waste if you total it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStig Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 ^ $11,000 for the standard model, $16,500 for the delux super death box. Too effing much if you ask me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raptorcrew2002 Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 So the real question is who will be the first one to put an oversized exhaust pipe and race wing on it? Oh and forgot the “Got Nos” decal. I think I would be more worried about safety in one of those. Mini Cooper’s are one thing but they are really built pretty damn solid, but not so sure how these are going to hold up, if at all. All I know is I WILL NEVER ride in a small car from the one and only accident I had. Dumb chick in a Toyota Echo pulled out for a left hand turn while I was doing 55 down the road. Long story short I was able to cut the wheel just enough to miss her driver door by about 8 inches. The rest of her car was smashed in about 2.5-3 feet from driver door to back bumper, and her head still took out the side window. The cop even said she most likely would have been dead if I didn’t get that slight cut in the wheel. So think of that when you buy your first car. “kind of cool though, my front license plate survived and had her wheel well engraved though the center of it so I kept it” I even asked her later why in the hell would you do that in front of a full size car, her answer was she thought she could make it. I really miss my GTP, I loved that car. So be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RollerC Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I'd be embarrased to be caught in that thing! Looks like something my little sister would drive on the sidewalk. I'll stick to my small...chickish, yet gas efficient 07 Elantra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnage Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Whenever I see someone driving a Smartcar I get flash backs from Family Matters. This is who drives a Smartcar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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