Everyone think happy thoughts!!
(Let's all try to get along!)

I have read some info on Smart cars as well, and they certainly are interesting! I think the styling of the roadster is VERY cool!! (I could see myself driving that car)

I think the general population thinks a small car . . . is a small car . . . is a small car. But most small vehicle owners tend to get persnikity (did I spell that one right?) when people try the compare their vehcile with another. I guess it's a little self defense thing.

No worries, people can compare my soon to arrive Mini with whatever -- it won't bother me one bit. :smile:

 

I saw a review of the new smart on topgear and they seemed to like it. They actually spent 24 hours in it (such a great car show). Different car compared to the mini (which i guess had already been covered thoroughly heh), but they do seem like nice cars. Apparently the smart forfour is based on the same platform as the mitsubishi colt.

 

I got a chance to drive the Smart Car for Two for an extended period during the Target Smart Car tours. Because of my experience and the work I did for Target, they now put me in charge of recruiting drivers in the Los Angeles area. So anyone that's interested in test driving one, should respond to my inquiries when I post them that I'm in search of drivers. Response is usually pretty poor here on NAM. Thankfully, I have a core group that is normally interested.

As far as comparing a MINI to the Smart Car for Two---I would never trade my MINI in for one. The Smart Cars are very cheaply built and extremely sparse when compared to a base MC. After driving a Smart Car all day, and then getting into my MINI to go home, it's a night and day difference---the MC feels like a Ferrari.

The Smart Cars are indeed fun to drive, but they lack power. They are extremely nimble and agile--much more so than the MINI, but that just makes them a bit harrier when taking turns. The most fun was driving in manual mode where I controlled the shifts. The engine had a tendency to shift too early causing very poor acceleration, but of course better fuel economy.

The single best feature of the Smart Car is that two Smart Car's can park end to end in a normal parking space that 1 car would take. Just as well, you could park one against the curb like Motorcycles do---perpendicular. As a city car, they are great little things. But my MINI is so much more fun, cushy, exciting, powerful, and beautiful!!!!

See pics here:
http://www.c3club.org/2/gallery/inte...24&galleryID=8

 

I first became aware of Smart Cars when I saw one in a movie that my wife or daughter rented, maybe early last spring. Can't remember what it was called. I seem to remember that it was a comedy about two American teenaged girls traveling around Europe? (Or a boy and a girl?) They rented one. Totally fell in love with the car, even tough it was kind of the butt of some jokes in the film.

Can't remember what the movie was. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

 

I'd seriously look at the Roadster if they'd bring them to the states. Its shape reminds me a lot of my old Honda Del Sol (I loved that car).

 

I agree - love those Roadsters! I understand the body panels are plastic, inexpensive, and easily removeable, so you can mix and match different colors to your heart's content. (Also easy to replace in case of minor damage.)

More "you-ification"! How about black and orange for Halloween? Red and green at Christmas? Orange, blue, green, purple, and pink at Easter?

I read a road test of one that sounds like it's quite a lot of fun to drive. Not a hell of a lot of HP, but very light and nimble.

And cute!

 

I drove one for a week when I was in the UK last summer. They were kinda fun, obviously great to park. Definately took awhile to get up and go getting on the motorway. I think I'll opt for the Peugot 407 next time tho'

MB has been doing "guerilla marketing" w/ 'em to prep for next year's launch. They used them as the "pace" car at last year's Boston Marathon.

I think I read recently that Zipcar, a temporary car hire service started here in Boston, will offer them. Zipcar's pretty cool, they let you walk up to any car in their stable (which does include MINIs), swipe your car and drive off to the grocery store, beach, etc. and then just leave it. When you book your reservation online, you're told where to "pick" the car up. For an area like Boston, the ForFour is gonna be outstanding. I think Zipcar is expanding to Chicago and other big cities in the near future.