Foo - Anyone Drive a SMART yet?

It looks like the tour has hit a few cities already, anyone have any feedback? I can't wait to see how they drive. It sounds like it'll be a hoot to drive in an, a'hem, "more spirited fashion"; with the paddle shifters and that short of wheelbase. Sucks that Seattle is one of the last stops on the tour, probably because we've reserved the most...

I rented one in Italy. No paddle shifters, awful gearbox actually. They handle about like a go-cart. If I was in the market for a car, I would not hesitate.

I've heard that about the transmission. The US market is getting Getrag 5psd model that is supposed to be an improvement. That's really my only real concern about it, well that and price. If dealers think I'm paying a dealer markup on one, they're dreaming.

I always drive smart. As to driving a smart car, sorry too cramped for my likings. Already feel cramped enough in the car that I have.

They are not cramped. They have a lot of room inside, just no back seat and no three body trunk. There was a whole lot more room in the front of the Smart than there is in my Miata. Comparable to a Ford Focus, a little smaller but close to it.

They are all over the place up in Vancouver and Victoria, BC, I think they look pretty interesting. A perfect urban or short commuter car.

I worked (schlepping really heavy stuff around :) ) on a project where they had one driven by a stunt driver. The very experienced stunt driver loved the thing and so did everyone who drove it. Basically, if a stunt driver gave it the thumbs up then they can't be all bad.

...and yes, having sat in it at 1.81m with plenty of room to spare in adjustment they're definitely more spacious than any other compact car I've seen. That and the boot/trunk is suprisingly spacious too.

There are courier companies here in Montreal that have started using them for delivering same-day document deliveries. Great, great mileage apprently, something like 3L/100km.

They were very trendy here about 8 years ago. Don't see many now though. I think thet are cute though, especially in the swatch colours.
Old one:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y214/giantcfr1/CARS%20etc%20in%20Japan/Cars/27April06007.jpg

Those things are everywhere around here. They sound like underpowered lawnmowers.

Here in Switzerland - and Europe really - they're all over the place. And to get around in the city they're the next best thing to a (bi-|motor-)cycle. You can get two of them in one parking space, and most car parks have designated spaces for them, some even at a special rate.

A friend of mine has had one for several years now, and drives it 100 miles to work every day - and she loves it to pieces. And from what crash tests I've seen they're even very secure for a car so small. See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbBo1UPbloI

The thing that annoys me... they've fixed the aerodynamics, but we don't get the diesel in the US. I've heard the new one can get 50 MPG highway... but if it were a diesel, it could do closer to, oh, 80 MPG.

I've seen a handful in San Francisco, since I think they've been available there to some extent for a while. The first time one pulled up next to my work truck (A big-ass Nissan Titan) at a light, I almost missed my turn from staring at it. Then a few days ago, I saw one driving down the road in some random small town in the midwest, which was surprising.

I'd love to at least give one a test drive someday. Especially if they eventually get around to importing the diesel version.

the city of portland has picked up a few. when I was in europe, there was also a roadster (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_Roadster) available, but it's been discontinued due to poor sales.

I have not seen any smarts out on the road, most the people around Indianapolis drive really stupid instead.

I'd hate to be in one of those if hit by either some yahoo with a six pack of Bud Light in a Z-71 [1], or a soccer mom with a Suburban yapping on her cellphone.

[1]: Austin is doing a lot to stop DWI, including having portable "BAT buses" which are mobile alcohol testing centers to get people's BAC tested quickly, but there is still that attitude with some people here of "get drunk, drive off the buzz".

I'd hate to be on a bike if hit by either some yahoo with a six pack of Bud Light in a Z-71 [1], or a soccer mom with a Suburban yapping on her cellphone.

Fixed that for you... except that doesn't stop a lot of people on here from riding bikes on the road. And, the Smart does extremely well in crash tests.

When I see one, all I can think is

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m106/Cypress818/IT_South_Park_The_Entity.jpeg.jpg

sure beats the airlines.

They are all over the place up in Vancouver and Victoria, BC, I think they look pretty interesting. A perfect urban or short commuter car.

I hate em. They are all over the place. Ugly and useless. That and yes, they are to small. At 6'5 they aren't exactly safe for me (as in I become the crumple zone).

I am always tempted to tackle one as it drive by though, so cute and innocent...BAM!!!

geo metro or suzuki whatever it was called got better mileage and cost less

Mael..is the Mushroom house still standing?

Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaa....you've been to whistler?...and yes it is hahahaha...

Nice, do you mean the chateau?....that was back in the day holy crap.

Things have definately changed here lately. But ya, still great riding all round, xc, djs, dh...a little flavour of everything

I have driven one, I quite liked it. It was a Canadian diesel semi manual model. I am 6' 2" and was quite roomy enough for me. I got a road bike in, with the wheels off, plus a load of shopping. It is plenty quick enough round town, on the highway it would not have a lot left at 110 kph so don't know about long distance. The funny thing was letting someone else try it, 6' 8" 330 lbs! He could fit in and drive it using the paddles, the stick shift was a bit hard to get at. Not comfy for him but better room than a civic.

110?

In Communist America, Semi-truck pwns you.

smart car