Smart Car gets US DOT approval

[Steelrat]

Oh, thats classic. They drive the smart display vehicle on the back of a hummer. Oh, the irony!

[Destructo6]

Or you could get a VW Jetta with a 1.9L Turbo Diesel and get 55mpg on a roadtrip..

If a diesel VW was available in CA, you would have a point. Unfortunately, they are not. I don't know of any passenger vehicle model that is currently offered in CA.

[Lohman446]

Of course they are "as safe as a Mercedes" at least the original ones were Mercedes (though not badged as such) so by definition they are as safe as that particular car made by Mercedes.

The dealer idea is awesome.. they come in little plastic or glass cases and can be stacked up, like the hotwheel cases. You test drive one, like it, you point out what one in the stack you want and they get it down for you..

Gotta be safer than taht BMW front door thing that was around for awhile LOL.

[GT]

crash stuff at borttom : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5217861/

they start at 12k, not going to survive at that price point. I have a bud in tawian that has the cnvertible.

[mcveighr]

PS- Agreed on the diesel, was looking for one myself... as it looked like a lot of people were about to do... more efficent, diesel cheaper then regular... then diesel became as expensive as super, wtf? Goddamn petroleum company conspiracy

Home Heating Oil, or furnace oil, is just dyed diesel, so in the fall and winter when demand for furnace oil goes up, so does the cost.

Supply and demand.

Oh, thats classic. They drive the smart display vehicle on the back of a hummer. Oh, the irony!

I was thinking that too.

[mcveighr]

Also, I am a firm supporter of turbo diesels, the turbo diesel hybrid idea, and better emissions.

As for the 12k price, is their any chance of getting a tax cut like with the prius?

[justjoshin590]

I think they even let them park perpendicular to the curb, which does a lot to alleviate the overcrowding of European cities.

American driving needs really demands a different sort of car than the average European would need.

i take it you havent been in rome on foot
at least i think thats what you meant

[Dubstar112]

so somone put a cbr 600 motor in a go cart frame and called it smart. hrm.

Id take one, boost it, and drag race it !

How well does it go through 3 feet of snow up here though? Im guessing it doesnt...

[mcveighr]

it is boosted.

I believe its a .9L three cylinder turbo diesel.

[HoppysMag]

Gotta be safer than taht BMW front door thing that was around for awhile LOL.

bmw iseta. its PIMP

but the smart cars are actualy mercedes/chrysler right?

[mcveighr]

Mercedes sells them up here.

[bofh]

I have no problems with an ugly car that is extremely efficient and environmentally friendly. But I DO have a problem with a car that can fit 2 smaller people at most, and that will get trashed in an accident. I don't care how "safe" it is supposed to be, but if that thing were to hit our F-150 it would be crushed like a tin can (or flying away).

I've actually driven a first gen smart car a few years ago. It can fit two big size humans. I'm on the high end of average (6'0" 220lbs) and I had lots of room.

Of course, how often do you drive with more than two people in the car? This car is purpose made commuting second car.

I already have a TDi VW beetle, so I have no need for fifth commuting car

[Python14]

How much cargo space does it have?

[Gambit1106]

Its a beefed up golf cart except I would not have a place for my clubs. I would love to try and see if my 6'4" butt could fit in that thing.

[bofh]

Its a beefed up golf cart except I would not have a place for my clubs. I would love to try and see if my 6'4" butt could fit in that thing.

You'd prolly fit well. I had a good amount of seat travel left, and quite a bit of head room. I think somebody would have to be really talk (ie. 6'8" or more) before then the car stopped fitting.

As far luggage room, not lots. maybe a 3 foot wide, by 1 foot depth, and maybe two feet high, area. Lots for groceries, not so much for a road trip. You could maybe fit a set of clubs, but it would get in your rear view vision.