we all be driving one of these soon

[renovation]

see one of my neighbors just got one.After months of planning and preparation, the new smart USA dealership on Telegraph in Bloomfield Township has delivered its first automobile to a genuine customer.
Roger Stam, 60, of White Lake Township took delivery Thursday of a brand-new smart convertible, with a sticker price of $17,895. Stam had put down a $99 reservation fee in March 2007 and waited.

The smart USA gets 33 miles per gallon in city driving and 41 miles per gallon on the highway and has a distinctive European flair, Schembri said. Schembri, said smart Center in Bloomfield Township is the flagship for a network of premier dealerships across the United States. smart expects to have 74 dealerships in operation by June and the company's sales and logistics operations will be directed from its tiny headquarters tucked in behind the small showroom, housing a staff of about 20.http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stori...80118201.shtml
the dam cars to small for my liking and it also looks like it be a death trap even if tap by a VW bug !
for a better view of this car and the companys web site http://www.smartusa.com/smart-fortwo-safety-design.aspx

You might have noticed that the smart fortwo has a pretty short wheelbase, but you probably haven't thought of that as a safety feature. If you suffer a side impact in your smart fortwo, chances are that the car hitting you will hit the wheels and tires of your car. Those wheels and tires are connected to either longitudinal structural members or axles that help to displace the crash energy. Each door also has a side brace installed.

they design it so for side protection the tires are to work as your side impact protection .(that sure make me feel good ) seeing this car has to be so light it. just roll on its side and keep rolling till you are exjected or comes to rest to a stop on a larger object .(disclaimer just my personal thoughts no )
also wouldn't drive it over the big mac bridge !

[EvilHorace]

For something that small and obviously not crash worthy against an F250, it doesn't really get that good mileage. I'm simply not impressed.

[renovation]

Safety
Full-size driver and passenger airbags
Head/Neck side airbags
esp - electronic stability program with hill start assist
Anti-lock braking system (abs) with electronic brake force distribution
Hydraulic dual-circuit brake system
Integral safety seats
Seat belts with belt tensioner and belt-force limiter
Drive lock - auto-activation of the central locking when driving
Top Tether for child restraint system
Panic button on key
Tire repair kit
(what great safety features)
look at
line 3- last line
esp - electronic stability program with hill start assist.
Tire repair kit-must be a tube repair kit .

and

[Err]

Great. It's nice to know that if I get rear-ended it's certain death. The people who think everyone should be driving these need to spend 3 hours a day in one. I know several members here that are in a car as much as I am every day. At highway speeds, this thing couldn't be comfortable. Plus there's no room for anything. The Bug had a back seat.

[renovation]

How fast does the smart fortwo go?
The top speed of the smart fortwo is 90 mph (Electronically limited).

better have a rudder and landing gears

[wvjohn]

not me.......i'd rather drive one of these

[EvilHorace]

I don't care how many so-called built in safety devices they've included. The reality is that when in a real world crash in that thing, you might as well be on a motorcycle.
I see often on TV where small cars are involved in serious accidents and you see the deployed airbags yet the car was totally crushed, everyone inside died.
There are larger cars than that available now that get similar mileage yet 4 people can sit in them plus luggage too.

Are todays average people even really all that concerned about mileage anyway? I don't see that as many still buy big trucks and SUVs for their daily drivers. It's not like '74 when everyone freaked out over $.50 per gallon gas and started buying Toyota's.

[Shadow250]

seems pricey for its size. 5k would be a reasonable price

[renovation]

seems pricey for its size. 5k would be a reasonable price

a motorcycle will cost you 5 grand and more min .new now a days

[Shadow250]

yeah a motorcycle is a recreational vehicle. you always pay more for recreational stuff. i wouldnt pay 17 k for that dinky car.

[Gillbot]

i wanted one but i'm also unimpressed with it's mileage rating.

[eGoCeNTRoNiX]

I couldn't fit in one comfortably at 6'5" They never make any cool cars with tall people in mind ;\

[EvilHorace]

There's a dealer nearby that's been selling those since last summer although I have yet to actually see one on the road. They're incredibly small, like 1/2 the size of a VW bug or less with no body protection in the event of an accident, something that anyone driving a car in traffic needs to consider. A motorcycle is dangerous enough but you know all that and take that risk whenever you're driving one too.
Before seeing the mileage specs, I thought they did much better. If they got over 60 mpg and you didn't mind the notion of possibly dying in one, AND if they were cheaper yet, then maybe (for some), but all things considered, no way. I'll bet that if they ever get popular, we'll soon start seeing the fatalities once people start crashing them and it's inevitable.
For ~$15-$20K, you can still buy a real car that fit several people, luggage, get similar mileage and be safer on the road.
Also, having been in the car business for 30 yrs now, I've seen more than my fair share of mechanical junk and odds are good that those things probably aren't one of the best built, better quality vehicles out there. In other words, once the warranty expires, it's probably not something you'ld want to keep.

[DoPeY5007]

Too small for me

I rather drive the Volt when it comes out


http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/?s ... ectric_car

[renovation]

now EvilHorace let put a nitro burning full blown turbo charged v-8 in this roller skate and see what kinds of looks and times it get on the 1/4 mile