Torn on the compact car issue.
 

I'm rather torn on the whole gas saving compact car issue as of late. I normally wouldn't consider a compact car, but this new SMART car has me reconsidering my decision.

What do you guys think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi_CgGGDglY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPQIi...eature=related

Whaddya figure the tow rating is on something like that?:you:

couple more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5S1N...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDU5B...eature=related

I worked as a service advisor for a Mercedes-Benz / Smart dealer until 2 months ago (found a better job w/ Porsche). The smart car is good for around town, a little small for my tastes on the highway. With the rear engine right behind the seats, it can start to get a little warm inside the car after about 45 minutes on the highway. Highway fuel milage is around 40, not as good as you would expect for a car of it's size. It's not a bad car but it's real strength is its size, which is not nearly the advantage here in the US that it is in Europe. It certainly has the image of being a 'green' car, but the reallity is that you can do just as well in something a little bigger. If you buy one, be prepared to spend time explaining to onlookers what it is your driving.

If 40's all they're gettin' that ain't good enough for me to get into somethin' THAT small...I just got an 03 2 litre Jetta 5 spd...rides great on the highway and gets about 31 or so...

my wifes a s s is about as big as that car.

:you::zip:
My daughters' Corolla gets 35mpg and is a lot bigger than the SmartCar

:thre:

I couldn't resist:you:

Smart turbo
 

I agree with the the issues of small size verses only "good" fuel economy of the Smart car. If you live in a congested city it may make good sense? I am working on a project with Mercedes now to develop a Turbo verson, this would help with the lack sporty performance and add some driving fun.

I'm in if you are Ferm. Can we squeze a big block in there or are we stuck with a 350?

I'd wait a year and get a plug in electric for around town.....they say energy costs on those will be 3 cents/mile.

But no telling how much the car will cost.

Until the price of electric is deregulated.

It's deregulated in Texas. Initially lowered the price but I believe its responsible for rising costs now. When it was regulated profits were steady and made large, expensive, efficient projects with long payoffs a sound investment. Now it's harder for companies to make the decision to drop the money for those projects and we end up with initially cheaper but less efficient power plants.

And the hippies need to shut up about "dirty coal".

I would really like to see "clean coal"

that is one of oximorons, like government intelligence.
Growing up in Pa. really close to teh coal regions,
I have yet to see clean coal.

Clean coal, clean diesel, I just say:


:bsflag::bsflag::bsflag::bsflag:

we should go all nuclear and store all the waste, and when the space elevator is complete we can ship it into outer space and pollute the solar system.