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The Smat Car
Posted by: Rod ()
Date: April 15, 2008 09:30PM

I stopped briefly at a Mercedes Benz dealer in Tysons to look at and sit in this car. I had previously seen it in the European version which brave souls had on thier own imported and gone through the hassle of getting it modified to meed US emissions. It was quite conferable for my 6' 1'. The sticker was about 17 thousand how would that compare to a small four seat-er Toyota? It'll certainly be easy to park and most people drive alone so two seats will fit a lot of needs. I think most who buy one will be Smart car fans in much the same way hybrid buyer are hybrid fans. 33 mpg. I was so intrigued by the first one I saw which was a diesel this one is a gas engine. Maybe this is the was cars will go as long as we still have some gas.

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Re: The Smat Car
Posted by: Old man ()
Date: April 15, 2008 09:36PM

they didn't have to go through too much trouble.

The SmartCar has been available in Canada for a few years.
(but only with a diesel engine)

my anonymous neighbor has owned one since December 2006. He bought it
and registered it in Toronton, under his friend's name. Then he drove
it back to Virginia. All he had to do was to drive it across to border
back into Canada every 11 months and 29 days, to comply with the regulations.

If you ever saw a black/silver SmartCar driving aroundin Reston
since December 2006, then you have met my anonymous neighbor.
(a middle-aged man who wear teenage clothes)

Rod Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
I had
> previously seen it in the European version which
> brave souls had on thier own imported and gone
> through the hassle of getting it modified to meed
> US emissions.

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Re: The Smat Car
Posted by: Old man ()
Date: April 15, 2008 09:39PM

to follow up on the above post... he has since sold his old SmartCar back
in Canada. He bought a new US-spec SmartCar from the Tysons Corner dealer
you mentioned. (it's a black/yellow color with a license plate that says
"SMARTY *" * is a letter)

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Re: The Smat Car
Posted by: Gravis ()
Date: April 16, 2008 01:34PM

Rod Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I stopped briefly at a Mercedes Benz dealer in
> Tysons to look at and sit in this car. I had
> previously seen it in the European version which
> brave souls had on thier own imported and gone
> through the hassle of getting it modified to meed
> US emissions. It was quite conferable for my 6'
> 1'. The sticker was about 17 thousand how would
> that compare to a small four seat-er Toyota?
> It'll certainly be easy to park and most people
> drive alone so two seats will fit a lot of needs.


> I think most who buy one will be Smart car fans in
> much the same way hybrid buyer are hybrid fans. 33
> mpg. I was so intrigued by the first one I saw
> which was a diesel this one is a gas engine. Maybe
> this is the was cars will go as long as we still
> have some gas.
  1. we have plenty of gas... and just found MUCH more: http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2008/3021/pdf/FS08-3021_508.pdf (html version: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=html&cd=9&url=http%3A%2F%2F64.233.169.104%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dcache%3Ak3lDc_5SfGYJ%3Apubs.usgs.gov%2Ffs%2F2008%2F3021%2Fpdf%2FFS08-3021_508.pdf%2BBakken%2BFormation%2BOil%2BReserves%26hl%3Den%26ct%3Dclnk%26cd%3D9%26gl%3Dus%26client%3Dfirefox-a&ei=FC8GSOPmJIagediq9J0E&usg=AFQjCNHrG1qBKGQDNqn-WYdAl7w7OD6x4Q&sig2=k1tr17_6qMSPkzvyU-_v6g )
  2. 33 mpg is really shitty: (2000 Honda Insight (51 mpg)) -> http://asymptoticlife.com/2008/03/12/high-mpg-used-cars.aspx
  3. hybrids have ALWAYS been a gimmick that idiots bought into as there was no actually fuel savings due to their deceptive mpg testing
  4. it's not very safe, your passenger is going to buy the farm: http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/03/autos/smart_crash_test/index.htm?postversion=2008040317 and a video to go with it http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/smart-car-crash-tested/
  5. let's not forget you will totally get pwned if you get hit by another car.
you are such a sucker for advertising.


"the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."095042938540

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Re: The Smat Car
Posted by: sidewind ()
Date: April 16, 2008 01:42PM

Rod Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I stopped briefly at a Mercedes Benz dealer in


Problem is that they have a very narrow wheelbase, tiny wheels and straight sides

Apparently it can be a bit scary in side winds - so okay if you're pottering around ffx but not sure how you'd feel on 95 with the 18 wheelers

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Re: The Smat Car
Posted by: old man ()
Date: April 16, 2008 01:56PM

there's only so much that automotive engineering can do... the laws of physics
will always win. Until someone finds a way to incorporate force fields around
cars...

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Re: The Smat Car
Posted by: sidewind ()
Date: April 16, 2008 02:44PM

old man Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> there's only so much that automotive engineering
> can do... the laws of physics
> will always win. Until someone finds a way to
> incorporate force fields around
> cars...


or small black holes to scatter in front of the car to drag you forward


Curse you, laws of physics!

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Re: The Smat Car
Posted by: Gravis ()
Date: April 16, 2008 05:34PM

old man Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> there's only so much that automotive engineering
> can do...


and this car isnt it.


"the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."095042938540

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Re: The Smat Car
Posted by: Rod ()
Date: April 16, 2008 06:14PM

I looked at the small Chevy's today while getting a part. They get 24/35 and cost between 9 and 12 Thousand have four seats, so there's some competition. There's some apeal for the Smart car as there is for golf carts and off road utility veichles for some reason. There were a number of small European two seaters back in the fifties. One looked and maybe was made out of a airplane buble, another opened fromm the front.

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