Smart Car

[CleanNeon98]

OK so this might be old news but im kinda excited that smart cars are finally coming to the US..dont know how big of a hit they will be but apparently over 20,000 of them have already been reserved. Hell they start at like 11k and change for the base model with automatic...kinda disappointed that there isnt a manual option. Some info from the site on the basic model..this is a copy and paste if u dont wana look for it there. site is

http://smartusa.com/



starting at $11,590*

All 2008 smart fortwos come packed with standard safety features that are more likely to be found in luxury vehicles. This includes the protective "tridion safety cell", developed especially for the smart to help ensure crash compatibility with larger passenger cars, electronic stability program (ESP®), anti-lock braking system (abs), and four airbags, to name a few.

The base pure model comes standard with convenience features such as a 5-speed automated manual transmission with manual or automatic mode, central remote locking system, 2-spoke leather steering wheel, and more. Be sure to check out the passion coupe and passion cabriolet that offer more standard features at an outstanding value.

To see the smart fortwo in every color, click here.

Standard Equipment

Engine / drivetrain
1.0 L, 71 HP, 3 cylinder engine
5 speed automated manual transmission

Wheels / tires
Steel wheels with front tires: 155/60 R15; rear tires 175/55 R15
Tire pressure control system

Exterior
Solid roof
Projector beam halogen headlights
Side indicators in yellow
Exterior mirror cap in tridion color

Interior
2-spoke leather steering wheel and leather gearshift knob
Basic seat with weight detection and seatbelt recognition
Flat folding passenger seat with backrest adjustment
Storage areas beside the steering wheel and in both doors
Coin holder
Dome light
Mirror in passenger sun visor

Storage
Lockable glove compartment

Audio
Provision for radio installation (incl. antenna, 2 speakers, aux input jack for mp3 device)

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

Functional / electrical equipment
Manual windows
Manual side mirrors
Central locking system with remote control
Instrument cluster with multifunctional display (fuel-level indicator, coolant-level indicator, residual fuel indicator, service interval indicator, trip mileage indicator, clock)
Outside temperature indicator
Indicators with lane changer function
Front windshield wiper with speed-dependent interval wiping and wiper-/wash function
Intermittent rear windshield wiper with wiper-/wash function
Electric rear window defroster
Electric tailgate release
Locking gas cap
12-volt socket, with cover


Factory installed options:
Air conditioning with automatic temperature control (incl. dust, pollen filter) $600
Metallic paint (metallic red, metallic blue, metallic silver) $225
Silver metallic tridion safety cell $175
Alarm system $160
Panorama roof (sun screen included) $350
Power steering $450
Heated seats $220
smart radio (AM/FM, single CD; incl. 2 speakers, aux input jack for mp3 device [radio 9]) $350
smart premium radio (AM/FM, mp3-compatible 6 disc CD changer; incl. 2 speakers, aux input jack for mp3 device [radio 10]) $495

For those of you who dont know what a smart car is, its this.

http://jschumacher.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/judy_smart_car.jpg
And here is a nice way to park them
http://www.gulker.com/blog/wp-content/2007/05/smart_car.jpg
http://parisparfait.typepad.com/paris_parfait/images/2007/04/01/creative_parking.jpg
Hopefully they will become widespread, and with the estimated 40+mpg and the price, I dont see why they wouldnt be a hit. Would you buy one??

[NOPSTNS]

no i wouldnt buy one.

that looks like a good car for someone who lives in a city with big population. bc its wicked small. but me being in suburbs, and dont need to park anywhere closed in....i prefer my 13 mpg 6 speed manual 4 door

[MPowerKai]

There have been several threads about this car already. They've been available in Canada for a couple of years already. That thing is so not safe it's unbelievable. The car gives to a gust of wind. I'd rather have a low mpg vehicle but a high in safety.

[whitezenki]

Stupid for any kind of highway driving.

What would usually cause whiplash would kill with this car.

[CleanNeon98]

There have been several threads about this car already. They've been available in Canada for a couple of years already. That thing is so not safe it's unbelievable. The car gives to a gust of wind. I'd rather have a low mpg vehicle but a high in safety.
Do you know it gives to a gust of wind? I really wana know
Stupid for any kind of highway driving.

What would usually cause whiplash would kill with this car.
I disagree

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s

[MPowerKai]

Do you know it gives to a gust of wind? I really wana know

I disagree

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s

Yes, I've driven one in canada, my friend owns one. Great for local around town cruise, sucks on highway. its got a 3kish redline, 3 cylinders, crazy mpg but meh. Even my friend says he doesn't feel safe on the canadian highways, just imagine the US highways.

[CleanNeon98]

Yes, I've driven one in canada, my friend owns one. Great for local around town cruise, sucks on highway. its got a 3kish redline, 3 cylinders, crazy mpg but meh. Even my friend says he doesn't feel safe on the canadian highways, just imagine the US highways.
Yea I was kinda thinking its a good car for people that live in the city and just have to get around. Here is another one, the safety cell thing seems to hold up well

http://youtube.com/watch?v=auRQwzyY1Ws

[whitezenki]

No crumple zone = Dead. He even said at the end of the video the car can take a lot, but the passengers would be ****ed.

The steel frame can take 50 to 0 in a millisecond, your body cant. Who gives a **** about how the car takes the crash if your organs are goo when all is said and done.

And imagine gettin hit from the side, youd be dead again. Youd eat the grill of whatever hit you. Plus no power, and so small, means your like a ****ty bike on the highway, no one sees you, and you dont even have the power to save yourself.

[CleanNeon98]

No crumple zone = Dead. He even said at the end of the video the car can take a lot, but the passengers would be ****ed.

The steel frame can take 50 to 0 in a millisecond, your body cant. Who gives a **** about how the car takes the crash if your organs are goo when all is said and done.

And imagine gettin hit from the side, youd be dead again. Youd eat the grill of whatever hit you. Plus no power, and so small, means your like a ****ty bike on the highway, no one sees you, and you dont even have the power to save yourself.
I see what you mean. It was originally designed for europe so that alone explains a lot about the car. Apparently the US model is 20cm longer for more crumple zones but i dont think thats gona do a whole lot. Seems like a decent car though for the money

[whitezenki]

Thats less than a foot. Still dead.

Its good if your never gonna leave the city, but then, how driving is in the city here I still question how it would even fare then.