They got pretty good crash test ratings but to me it don't look very safe. I have a friend that works for a petroleum company and he says that the gas price might hit 5 dollars by the end of this year.

 

Deisel here soared past 5 already....5.19 and still going. We are expecting gas (regular) to be around 4.50 in the next 4-5 days. As of tonight 76 hit 4.30

 

Holy crap thats alot. I'm in Oregon and we are just reaching 4.00. Not sure if i wanna drive down to cali any time soon.

 

one, they are over price. two, despite the crash test rating, they are not as safe as the tests may imply. And you don't need a degree in Physics (like I do) to figure that out. The g force from an impact with a larger vehicle would be extremely high, much higher than in a standard compact car. Think Newton's Three Laws of Motions, they are not in the Smart Cars favor, if it hits an SUV.

 

x2

 

i just realized that that picture ^ that truck didnt hit a smart car. Thats a random compact hatchback. look at the tail lights.... the ones on the new and old smart are circular

not only that, they have a small window by the hatch, that one doesnt.

 

it doesn't matter if it's Smart Car or not, the outcome would be the same if it was. look at the youtube video below....the smart car didn't even held up against an S class. There's a big difference between getting a bump, bruise, or a scratch, and needing to be air lifted.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=02eghIfyHP0

 

i actually got to talk to a guy that had one and looked at it, its odd looking but they seem pretty nice, i've even seen a few flying down the highway before.

 

That picture really says nothing-I saw a full size van that had a head on wih a semi and t was just as bad.

The most important thing is avoiding the accident in the first place and a small, light car has a better chance of manouvering out of the way.

 

but I do agree with you, that avoiding an accident in the 1st place is most important. but stuff happens......light cars (excluding sports car) usually have cheap crappy suspension and small low power engines. so maneuvering out of the way, isn't always possible. also, driver skill plays a part in getting out of trouble.

it never hurts to go with the safest car possible.

 

totally agree. Bigger things are always going to win. whether they be trucks, pickups or even heavy ___ "S" class MB's...

The smart car is trying to make room here, even tho everything around it is bigger, could be bad for it.. however in Europe, majority of them have small cars, less risk.

Either way its common sense that the smart wont match up to a semi or anything bigger than its size.

How about we go smaller? Motorcycle? Gets even better gas mileage, its smaller and still takes premium (in most models)

 

btw how are they overpriced? they start at 11k

 

I think for what they are and who makes them I think they are a great bargain.

I would like to have one as a commuter and a reliable car for the days when I finally have the box taken apart for the supercharger install-would probable buy a yaris 2 door hatch instead though...

 

I've heard the transmission could be a deal breaker. It's not as fluid compared to other econoboxes such as the Yaris or Fit. I prefer the Toyota iQ, Fiat 500 or Alfa Romeo MiTo.

 

Can you put a turbo into one of those? Maybe even a twin? I'd like to see one. The power to weight ratio should be pretty awesome. Stock is 70HP. One of my friend has a EG that has around 70HP.

 

Well im sure you can find one, its not a MB engine, its a Mitsubishi engine..

 

Then again, you can switch out the engine with a Busa or GSXR 1000 engine and kick anyones ___

 

They start at 11,500, you don't get power steering, AC, a radio, etc.

A Yaris starts at the same price price, it's millage may not be better, however, it's more practical.

 

i was very interested in a smart car... and researched it heavily. i spent a lot of time on smartcarofamerica.com forums as well. there are lots of problems coming up with the transmission that local dealerships dont fully know how to fix yet. not to mention all of the other unrefined things going wrong. i test drove one, and its like riding with someone whos never drove a stick before.

and sure its got that 'safe' tridon safety cell, but it boils down to simple physics - the car may survive the impact, but because it weighs so little, you probably wont withstand the additional g forces.

as for gas mileage, its getting about 3-7 more mpg than my xD is... but appearently, according to the owners manual, it requires premium fuel. so wheres the savings? with an engine of only 1.0L and 70hp, it should be getting better than what it is.

if you want to get all of the options scions come standard with, youre looking at an $18k smart car.

dont even get me started on the 2yr/24k mile warranty that has a deductible of $100 for everytime you bring it into the shop... and if you get the extended warranty, its through a third party company. wow, what a great way to stand behind your product! what did you say?? i have to wait two years to even get my hands on one?

scion rocks

 

are you kidding me?