Saw my first Smart car...

[Chopper]

Well it's official. The Smart car has made its way to central Fla.. While it looks ok in a European (or Asian) urban setting, all I could think was, "You are out of your f*^#%@* mind." Neighborhoods here are all interconnected by 50mph (means everyone does 60 plus) flat straight four lanes. No stops or lights. The main roads are posted 65...78 will get you a ticket. Not the environment for a Smart...or a Prius. TDI's, the new Subaru oilers...Xa's,Yari on and on all get the same or much better mileage....are far more comfortable...and undoubtedly safer. Up close it even looks kind of crappy...like a bad Fiat. Like the folks in their Prius, that blast past me at lights....I shake my head in amazement, and wonder...."Why in the world did you buy THAT?" To me, the Smart looks pretty damn stupid.

[Ldub]

Not your most glowing recommendation ...can't imagine one of those "tin can roller skates" would fare well (more like farewell) in an altercation with anything larger than a bird.
Tangle with an 18-wheeler, notify next of kin.

[Chopper]

Not your most glowing recommendation ...can't imagine one of those "tin can roller skates" would fare well (more like farewell) in an altercation with anything larger than a bird.
Tangle with an 18-wheeler, notify next of kin.

Tangle with an Echo...notify next of kin

[CrnCnn]

I was downtown last night was stopped at a red light next to a Zap car. I dont know who got more heads turning...

[MSHardeman]

There are a couple of "Smart" Cars here in the Aspen Valley, but then again we're all granola crunching, save-the-planet, tree huggers out here. I think we might have more Prii per capita than anywhere else in the world and that little roller skate (read Smart Car) looks out of place. It's a pretty cool idea, but just like Chopper in Florida, everything is spread out around here and connected by highways where the legal speed limit is 70 mph. I can't imagine one of those things being very good at going up and down hair pin turn mountain passes in the winter with 40 ton (OK, that might be a little exageration) snow plows coming the other way.

[mdwyer]

There are a couple of "Smart" Cars here in the Aspen Valley, but then again we're all granola crunching, save-the-planet, tree huggers out here.

It's worse in my corner of the state. I work in the vicinity of Boulder. In this part of Colorado, you get a free Subaru with your state tax return. It seems that way, at least. Part of the reason I had to buy the VX was because I was sick and tired of driving the same car as everyone else!

But the Smart? Yeah, they'd be great city cars. They fit in great in Munich when I was there. They go well with the new urbanism ideas, too. I can see it as being the PERFECT literal grocery-getter.

But otherwise, I'm very unimpressed with the mileage numbers. As much as I really like the SMART and want to support the idea of smaller fricken cars in the USA, I don't think that's the car that's gonna do it for me.

[Scott Harness]

I wanted a smart car until I saw one in person.TINY death trap. They are just too small for american roads. Maybe if you just stayed on the side streets.I think the reason they look cheap is because the body panels basically snap on. You can make them look alot of different ways with different doors and t-tops,fender panels ect.

[cyronman]

I passed one last week on the freeway on my Ducati and felt safer! Colder, but safer.
It was like passing a meter-maid going 75.

[WormGod]

The little buggers have been all over the place here since Jan. I admit, if I didnt have to take the highway at all, I might consider one. There is NO WAY IN HELL I would drive one on a highway. I see a few here on my daily commute doing it though. Either they are fearless, scared fecal-less, or just plain stupid.

[Chopper]

The little buggers have been all over the place here since Jan. I admit, if I didnt have to take the highway at all, I might consider one. There is NO WAY IN HELL I would drive one on a highway. I see a few here on my daily commute doing it though. Either they are fearless, scared fecal-less, or just plain stupid.

It's an idea I would like to like...but the milage numbers just don't justify it. Too many better alternatives. Send me the new Fiat 500!