Filed under: Car Buying, Economy, Green, Safety, SMART, UK
The Truth About Smart: fortwo rumors dispelled
Though Men's Vogue has already attempted to disprove the theory that only women can get away with driving one, it seems that smart has seen the need to dispel some rumors about the fortwo, their little urban runabout. Specifically, many people apparently question how large of a person the smart can easily handle, how safe a car this small could be, how much room there is for stuff and what features the fortwo is equipped with. In all honesty, the smart would probably work for a large percentage of the population of both the U.S. and the U.K., but certainly not for every situation likely to come up in everyday life. As a second car or strictly for commuting, we imagine that the smart would meet the needs of quite a few drivers who would never even consider a vehicle this small.
Just for fun, why not check out the truth about smart here. Even if you hate the car, you may enjoy seeing it mildly-mangled by a wrecking ball.
[Source: the truth about smart]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
John Johnson 6:08PM (5/02/2008)
Kill the italics!
I'd buy this car if it wasnt the price of a normal car that gets 40MPG.
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FSM 6:08PM (5/02/2008)
Unfortunately the average american ego is very fragile and can only picture itself in a car that will allow them to carry 6 imaginary friends and tow a boat over boulders and across stream beds. If the car is unable to do this then it is a chick car or for gays.
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Shiftright 6:46PM (5/02/2008)
So true, FSM... I drive daily in and out and around LA, and I see 95% of the cars on the road carrying one passenger, and rarely exceeding 50 MPH. Most of them do not need anything more than this car, stylistic preferences and personal prejudices aside. The rest of the world do just fine without hulking, ill handling gas sucking SUVs that are actually a danger to other road users.
Xcountryflyer 6:51PM (5/02/2008)
Agree, too bad people in America have such bad stereotypes about small cars.
Soccer Mom 6:18PM (5/02/2008)
One of the greatest promos I've seen. Way to go!
Good car, good marketing.
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IK47 6:25PM (5/02/2008)
I've sat in the smart car at the autoshow
it's spacious enough
but I hated the design
especially the gauges.
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IK47 6:28PM (5/02/2008)
what's with the italics
makes everything read sarcasticly
IK47 6:28PM (5/02/2008)
sarcastically
John Johnson 6:46PM (5/02/2008)
You're the best speller in the world.
Leaf 6:28PM (5/02/2008)
I still don't understand this car. It's just too small for it's own good. I like small cars, but this thing amounts to a heavily reinforced golf cart.
What can this car do that a used Civic can't do better?
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Cornholio 6:36PM (5/02/2008)
"What can this car do that a used Civic can't do better?"
Demonstrate a "gotta have it" factor?
This car is an emotional purchase more than it is a rational one, just like for the rest of us when we buy sports cars or big jacked-up pick-em-up trucks. To many potential buyers, this is "cool" in a way a Civic will never be, regardless of any economic/practicality benefit. I don't understand why people don't get this.
If all we did was buy what we needed instead of what we want, we'd all drive Corollas or some other boring transportation appliance.
Shiftright 6:53PM (5/02/2008)
The advantage of this car is its very small footprint which makes it extremely maneuverable in tight city confines and alleys, parking lots, etc. It can also park in many spots even a small car like a Civic can't.
John 10:25PM (5/02/2008)
Agreed. It's no different than a Prius - just a fashion statement to get some attention.
I'd take a Civic any day of the week over one of these clown cars.
howard 12:32AM (5/03/2008)
It can't trace it lineage back to a JAP!
Pat 6:33PM (5/02/2008)
If I didn't know how much cost to service and finance one of those suckers I'd glad choose that as my run-about car ... but alas. MB Canada doesn't make it too accessible
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MUSASHI66 6:45PM (5/02/2008)
Fit is better on so many levels, although I kinda like these little buggers
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Chocolate 6:52PM (5/02/2008)
So is an Impala
CarbonBlack 7:11PM (5/02/2008)
I'd agree with the FIT comment.
I still like the car (even as a 6foot 5 straight male :-)
ed 6:49PM (5/02/2008)
Why would you hate the smart?
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DP 7:04PM (5/02/2008)
the smart is a great car. It works for most of my needs in town, and on the highway. Drove 600 miles @ 70 - 80 mph with no problem, except wished it had cruise.
it doesn't get astronomical mileage, but in truth, very few cars available now do. I think it is the highest mpg non-hybrid in the USA.
Looking forward to the other upcoming small cars like Toyota iQ, VW up! Etc.
Finally some cool, interesting small cars! Not just econoboxes.
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