Well, the SmartCars have arrived in force. I've seen 4 in SE Connecitcut tooling about. While the specs, price and mileage do nothing to impress me, I couldn't help but feel a certain kindred spirit with the folks driving them. Afterall, and affinity for rediculously small cars can manifest itself in many ways. Today was the first time that I saw one coming toward me while I was driving. As soon as I noticed it coming, I couldn't help but give the driver a wave, which was returned more enthusiastically than the ones I gave to the two MINIs I also saw today.

 

Ha, ha. Kinderedness with Smart may exist if you drive a non-S MINI. I can tell you from experience that Smart two-seaters are nothing like MINI S (supercharger or turbo).

I'm accustomed to seeing them everywhere in my home city (Stuttgart). Haven't seen one in 2.5 years because I'm in California. But, three days ago I saw one in the small northern California town of Vacaville. Even though there is no comparison between Smart and MINI, I'm glad to see both of them here in the US now.

 

I live in Fairfield and work in SF. I see them all over the place. Especially in the city as the Mercedes dealership there has been carrying them for a while now.

 

Agreed. A move towards smaller, more fuel responsible cars and away from the 'Slades and etc of the past... 3 cheers for forward progress?

 

Smart car will never be MINI's, but they are very cool and I've been waiting to see them in the U.S since they're intro in Europe. I want one someday in addition to my MINI's as the people of U.S. will begin to realize how relevant these cars are in these days of $4+ dollar gas. If you see a Smart driver, don't be hatin' and give them a wave!

 

lol..I wouldn't have been hating yesterday if it weren't for the fact that as I was behind one, the driver decided to use his windshield washers which blew fluid all the way behind me. And I had just washed and waxed my car in the morning!! Needless to say, I blew past him..and then at the same time an Infinit g35 took that like I wanted to race him and started going side by side with me. WTH...I prob went just over 10mph the posted limit and then backed down..I was only trying to pass the Smart. Plus he had another car coming up in front of him and this twit didn't even seem to slow down before making a quick lane change on the right of the upcoming car.

 

While Smart cars are smart for in-city driving, they aren't something I'd be willing to take on the highway - and I'd like to consider myself pretty daring! I saw them in Europe, and one -- no kidding!! -- looked exactly like a cart on a roller coaster! It was a "convertible" - where it had no top, and only a thin little "arm" that rotated down as a "door!" Great for gas, NOT good on the highway. Minis have enough back end to keep them balanced - the Smart cars are essentially two seats on wheels! But like Spurvis said, "don't hate!" Just remind them they're only Mini's little brother.

 

Now if we could just get the rest of the micro cars from Europe. Pretty much every car maker that we have in the US makes a much smaller car that they do not sell in the US. I want Fiat 500's, the 1 series 3 -doors and the little Renault's and Citroen's to come to America.

 

to your post! I feel the same way, Every time I see one I have this urge to wave at the driver. Granted the Mini and the Smart are totally different cars, i like the fact that the number of small cars in the US are growing.

 

Smart = Overhyped piece of junk. Worst automatic transmission of any car in existence today. Terrible rollover ratings (3 stars). Puny 3 cyl 1 liter engine (70HP) and the thing can't break past 35 MPG, sometimes even less.

A novelty toy. Any car is better than a "Smart". For that money one can buy a Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and any number of other more roadworthy cars.

Biggest mistake Mercedes made was to stash a mediocre gasoline engine in the Smart. The Diesel version (That was sold in Canada for a while) returned 80MPG. That was more "Smart". But this sorry excuse of glorified golf cart? Please!

 

Ya, but keep in mind, kids...the Smart Car thing started in Europe, where parking is I N S A N E!!! I'd rather park my 4x4 in down-town Washington DC than my Mini in Paris, France. Covered or monitored parking is very expensive, too.

In Germany, German citizens are taxed YEARLY for each vehicle in the family. My landlady was paying something like 800 Euro (which at today's exchange rate is about $1,200!) PER YEAR for a vehicle that, just like here, depreciates as it rolls off the dealer lot. And she only had a Kia something and a little sedan car.

SO...over there, pay a little amount for a Smart car that has better gas efficiency, and who cares? Don't forget that their emissions standards etc. are much different than in the US. Someone more technically inclined than me can explain that - I just know that I couldn't buy one of the hybrid or diesel Minis (or any other variety) over there, and be able to bring it back with me to the US. It HAD to be US-Spec. But personally, no Smart Car will ever darken my parking spot.

 

I'm in Paris right now and Smarts are EVERYWHERE.... so are MINIs It's great. Tons of the MINIs I've seen have been the One but I've seen some really nice S's and Cooper's as well.

I was actually at the Smart dealership yesterday and the For Two on the showroom floor was over 17K Euro. Ouch!

They are absolutely perfect for parking here though I saw a little alley inlet thing that was about 15 feet deep and had a MINI, a Smart and a Lupo shoved in there all in a row. The Smart's park in tiny made up spaces at the ends of rows or in between other cars It's ideal.

 

I just took delivery of my Smart car a week and half ago. Bright yellow with red interior. Gotta be different!

It's a trip actually, a touch narrower than a mini but feels kinda the same, windshield far away, etc.

Sure the transmission sucks... too much lag between gears but the paddle shifting helps. Turn on the AC and you had better be on a rolling start down hill. Storage is pretty good, fold down the passengar seat and your good to go.

It serves it's purpose in my family. I have a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab to tow my other cars. My Mini is my fun car, the Lexus truck is for taking passengers.

Sure, it'll keep your attention driving at 75 on the highway and it can be a handful. Gas wise, it's an 8 gallon tank, the gas guage has 8 bars (each bar equls a gallon, neat huh?) and been averaging about 43mpg.

It's not a car for everyone but scooting around town, taking back roads to the shore, can't beat it.

I get more attenion in it than the Mini or any of my other 40+ year old cars. It's a strange feeling having your picture taken while motoring down the road.

So for you you Mini owners around Mt. Holly NJ, if ya wave at the bright yellow Smart Car, wave and I'll wave back.

 

I think we MINI owners should treat Smart Cars like little brothers. We love them and stick up for them but we still have to noogy them.

 

I feel some connection with anybody in a small car...somehow they must get that bigger isn't better. I've always driven small cars and so owning a MINI was natural. Even though there is a strong performance-minded contingent within MINIdom, there always will be a group that is into efficiency, adequate power, and small packaging. In the end, both perspectives are rightfully Mini. However, the former group will likely not get the Smart...the latter will. I will say that the Smart has some interesting features that Issigonis himself might have liked...it is a cleverly arranged car, and the fact that it meets safety requirements is pretty amazing!!

 

SO very true. Noogy.

 

At the Mini/Micro car show here in KC last month, a line of about 10 Smart cars showed up - one had the license plate that read "Maxwell"! Gotta love it!

 

That name is almost bigger/longer than the SmartCar itself!!!

 

I love seeing them! I admit I'd be a little wussy about driving them on the highway, but overall I love seeing Americans giving up the SUV/"my truck is bigger than yours" phase. Better for the environment and a host of other things.

 

I saw one on the highway between Wheeling WV and Columbus OH a few months ago, being driven about 70MPH by a German looking gentleman.

The car seemed to be saying WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE... but definitely not in a good way. Reminded me of the little minivan with the mattress on top from the Cars movie. It was really straining.... and looked it.

Brethren in smallness? Well, OK, I guess. Noogy? Definitely.

 

i test drive it and love it... but i would only use it as a commute to wokr....i have ot wait 1 year