"Smart" Car

[Christians4LessGvt]

Aftermath of a crash between a minivan and a "Smart" car.

Of course the environmental Nazi's want us all in these death traps.





http://www.cecildaily.com/news/local_news/article_6057c8e8-da54-59cd-9fc0-f9d8b4334a9d.html?mode=story

[Xavier_Onassis]

The Smart car is not such a good deal: one can buy a small Kia with four doors and a bigger engine and the same fuel economy for the same money.

I know of not one soul that wants to require everyone to drive a Smart car. Not one.

[kimba1]

require. no
highly suggest . yes

San Francisco has been trying for years but that town is also called pothole city and those tiny wheels just don`t hack it

[Xavier_Onassis]

The Smart Car has 15 inch wheels, which is the same size that nearly every American car had until the early 2000's.

There may be other reasons, but wheel size is probably not the problem.

[kimba1]

it`s one of the factors. but they do look like those donuts that's normally used as temporary spares

[Xavier_Onassis]

A short wheelbase will give a bumpier ride than a longer one, because the car will not recover from the first bounce before it gets a second bounce with the rear wheels.

I don't see why anyone would buy a Smart Car rather than something just as cheap, but with better mileage and more room like a Hyundai Accent. The Smart car has a 999 cc three cylinder engine in the rear. It is unusual enough to require special training, while anyone can understand a simple I-4 like the Hyundai Accent has.

[kimba1]

That is a very good point about price for such a small car it's pretty dam expensive and one would think hamve better mileage for it's size

[Plane]

I see a lot of Mini Cooper cars here.

Are these any good?

They are getting more popular.

[Xavier_Onassis]

Mini Coopers are tiny cars, but they are as reliable as a BMW and they have excellent handling.
They are overpriced, in my opinion.
There are Subarus, Nissans and Hondas that cost less, get about the same mileage and have more space. To some they are less cute.
I suspect people buy them because they are distinctive and European. Japanese cars are reliable, but they are far less likely to become "collectables".
I would take a Subaru WRX over a Mini Cooper, personally. Maintenance, according to Consumers Reports would cost less.