Topic: I test drove one of those Smart cars. (Read 1072 times)

Ironzey · « **on:** October 05, 2006, 12:12:28 PM »

They are over at McCloskey.

All in all I'd have to say that I was impressed. The 3 cylinder engine is in the back. It has a 6 speed transmision. The salesman kept calling it a tiptronic which I don't think is the right term for it, Auto stick would probably be a better name.

The tranmision has two modes Full automatic and shift it yourself. Unlike most autos you can REALLY feel when the car shifts gears. It feels like someone else is 1. releasing the gas 2. pressing the clutch 3. shifting to the next gear 4. releasing the clutch 5. finally pressing the gas. this happens through every gear. At first it feels like there is someone else in the car doing all the fun stuff for you. In shift it yourself mode it's the same thing but you get to select which gear you want.

Inside the car is roomy for 2 passengers, I'm 6'3' and it didn't feel squished at all. While driving the car doesn't feel as small as it is. It takes crappy roads well and feels nimble right out of the box. The tiny engine puts out enough power to make the car accelerate with ease. The salesman told me that the top speed was governed to 80mph.

I didn't see an EPA sticker on the car but the salesman told me 40ish city and 70ish Hwy. With a non-negotiable price of $27k I think I'll have to pass. Some quick calculating, on my truck I average about 20 MPG, last month I spent about $131.46 on gas. If I were driving this car I would have saved about $60 on gas. That's about $720 a year in fuel savings.
IMO not worth it.

Cool car though.

Lindsey · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2006, 12:15:50 PM »

That car looks too little for ME! I'm impressed that you fit and didn't feel cramped... too bad it's so fugly.

Ironzey · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2006, 12:34:28 PM »

They definatly have a look it kind of reminds me of

Currie · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2006, 12:42:37 PM »

Quote from: "Ironzey"

They definatly have a look it kind of reminds me of

hehehe, that is exactly what I was thinking! What is the main appeal for this car? Is it suppose to be better for the enviroment?

Nickle · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2006, 12:57:21 PM »

Quote from: "Ironzey"

With a non-negotiable price of $27k I think I'll have to pass.

Holy crap that's a lot of pennies for something that can be parked in my bedroom. :shock:

Ironzey · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2006, 01:09:34 PM »

I though tit was cool. Kind of like the ANTI hummer. With a price tag that close to 30k it's too much to spend on such a little car to make a statment. I ain't that rich.

You can fit 2 of them in a parking spot. That's handy for (real) city dwellers.

Nickle · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2006, 01:10:58 PM »

Quote from: "Ironzey"

I though tit was cool. Kind of like the ANTI hummer. With a price tag that close to 30k it's too much to spend on such a little car to make a statment. I ain't that rich.

You can fit 2 of them in a parking spot. That's handy for (real) city dwellers.

Yeah, but when the meter runs out, which one of you pays the parking ticket?

CRAP · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2006, 01:13:52 PM »

That would suck getting one of those stuck in my tire tread. I will gladly put up with 18mpg not to be gay

Lindsey · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2006, 01:41:09 PM »

Quote from: "CRAP"

That would suck getting one of those stuck in my tire tread. I will gladly put up with 18mpg not to be gay

:agree:

Nemesis · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2006, 02:32:36 PM »

$27K!!! Are they serious? I was thinking I could maybe deal with the gayness to save a little money for like $2,000 or something. My MK1 was $800, gets amazing gas mileage, and is not NEAR as gay.

Gallep · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2006, 02:46:55 PM »

I won't drive anything with 3 lug nuts per wheel, jesus trailers have at least four

Nemesis · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2006, 02:49:07 PM »

Quote from: "Gallep"

I won't drive anything with 3 lug nuts per wheel, jesus trailers have at least four

I think that's how it works, 3cyl = 3 lugs :mrgreen:

Mininger · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2006, 05:34:50 PM »

Quote from: "Lindsey"

That car looks too little for ME! I'm impressed that you fit and didn't feel cramped... too bad it's so fugly.

I don't think ANY car in the world is to little for you girly. JK :mrgreen:

VWO4L · « **Reply #13 on:** October 05, 2006, 05:39:42 PM »

Yeah, I remember seeing a few Samrt cars at the Denver Auto Show in March. They showed MSRP's of $27K then too. I can't see very many people paying that. At least you can get a Prius for around $20K and it's much bigger. Unless they can find a way to cut the cost at least in half, I don't see them being offered here for very long.

Mininger · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2006, 05:44:48 PM »

Hello, we are a VW club right. What happened to performance and MPG = TDI.

:agree:

MistressAnne · « **Reply #15 on:** October 05, 2006, 06:43:39 PM »

Quote from: "Nickle"

Quote from: "Ironzey"
I though tit was cool. Kind of like the ANTI hummer. With a price tag that close to 30k it's too much to spend on such a little car to make a statement. I ain't that rich.

You can fit 2 of them in a parking spot. That's handy for (real) city dwellers.

Yeah, but when the meter runs out, which one of you pays the parking ticket?

On that same note, who pays for the meter?

But seriously... with all of the gigantor soccer mom suv's we have here would you feel safe? Sometimes i don't feel safe in my car.. But knowing that i can out maneuver and get out of their way makes me feel better.

Giggidy · « **Reply #16 on:** October 05, 2006, 06:47:12 PM »

I don't know if you'll feel so smart after YOU die from a head on collision with a golf cart.

Mininger · « **Reply #17 on:** October 05, 2006, 07:23:44 PM »

Quote from: "Giggidy"

I don't know if you'll feel so smart after YOU die from a head on collision with a golf cart.

Well put, "Daniel Son." You are learning.

Lindsey · « **Reply #18 on:** October 05, 2006, 08:35:58 PM »

Quote from: "Giggidy"

I don't know if you'll feel so smart after YOU die from a head on collision with a golf cart.

Or a fucking tricycle for that matter!...

Hey Chad... paybacks are a fucking bitch - especially from me... recall?

Barbie · « **Reply #19 on:** October 05, 2006, 08:45:50 PM »

That is exactly why I have hung onto my Durango, I feel safer driving around in that with the boys vs my paseo, which on the other hand was free and gets 38mpg!! Don't need to spend 27K for Fred Flintstones car that gets 20 mpg!!

Cosmobug · « **Reply #20 on:** October 05, 2006, 08:52:27 PM »

They start at only $12K (equivalant) or so in Europe...I think the dealers here are either suffering from the terrible exchange rate or milking the market since they are not "officially" on the market here yet. Last I heard, they were officially coming to this market for the 08 model year.

Personally, I think they are pretty cool and pretty safe, but there's no way they'd stand up against the big american iron behemoths around here...crash with a regular car you'd be OK. I'll stick with my TDI!

As for the parking thing, you can park them straight to the curb instead of parallel and they won't poke out...just like a motorcycle. It's length is roughly equivalent to the typical car width here.

They also have some other versions of this thing...one is a roadster

themoneypit · « **Reply #21 on:** October 05, 2006, 09:06:05 PM »

played

Giggidy · « **Reply #22 on:** October 05, 2006, 10:01:37 PM »

Quote from: "Lindsey"

Quote from: "Giggidy"
I don't know if you'll feel so smart after YOU die from a head on collision with a golf cart.
Or a fucking tricycle for that matter!...

Hey Chad... paybacks are a fucking bitch - especially from me... recall?

UH-OH........ Sounds like fightin words, I'm in :twisted:

Rukh · « **Reply #23 on:** October 05, 2006, 10:31:08 PM »

I almost got one in Germany, it was cool. They're small, but large enough for two people. They're also very safe, I wouldn't feel nervous driving one around in the US.

I'd rather have a classic Mini though.

Mininger · « **Reply #24 on:** October 06, 2006, 05:11:11 AM »

Quote from: "Lindsey"

Quote from: "Giggidy"
I don't know if you'll feel so smart after YOU die from a head on collision with a golf cart.
Or a fucking tricycle for that matter!...

Hey Chad... paybacks are a fucking bitch - especially from me... recall?

Um, Hello Guns and $hit. :sly:

News:

Author Topic: I test drove one of those Smart cars. (Read 1072 times)

Lindsey

Currie

Nickle

Nickle

Lindsey

Mininger

Mininger

MistressAnne

Mininger

Lindsey

Barbie

themoneypit

Mininger