So you Want a smart Car - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kknudson · #1 08-19-2009, 09:07 PM

Below is a photo of a wreck in Jefferson Parish, LA (near New Orleans ) between two trucks and a Smart Car. Think I'll pass on the Smart Car.

Matt L · #2 08-19-2009, 09:10 PM

This was on Snopes this week. Not a smart car at all, but I don't recall what it was.

It looks worse from that side, and would have been worse if there had been someone in the right-hand seat. The driver of the car survived the wreck.

Smarts are actually much safer than many econo-boxes. More expensive, though.

pawoSD · #3 08-19-2009, 09:15 PM

Those look a bit more like the standard wheels on a chevy aveo than the wheels on a smart car.

lietuviai · #4 08-19-2009, 09:26 PM

A Smart car would probably not have done any better in that same situation.

Eskimo · #5 08-19-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

This was on Snopes this week. Not a smart car at all, but I don't recall what it was.

It looks worse from that side, and would have been worse if there had been someone in the right-hand seat. The driver of the car survived the wreck.

I'll take the duty on this one:

The Snopes article claims it was a Ford Escape.

lietuviai · #6 08-19-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskimo

I'll take the duty on this one:

The Snopes article claims it was a Ford Escape.

That car is mis-named. The occupant's certainly didn't escape that one.

Ara T. · #7 08-19-2009, 09:42 PM

Umm.. pretty much any car would be screwed in that situation. Crumple zones only go so far, and no car is really designed to be in that sort of collision. I think the smart car is useless though, unless you perhaps live in san francisco or a hellish city like that. In which case I probably wouldn't even bother with a car. They really should have brought the diesels over instead of the crappy Mitsubishi gassers, and should also have either made it a CVT or a a regular stick shift.

Fulcrum525 · #8 08-19-2009, 09:44 PM

Trucks always win no matter what car your in. Avoid being close to them at all time.

tankdriver · #9 08-19-2009, 09:47 PM

Yeah, if you're looking for a car that won't get crushed between two trucks, get a truck.

cscmc1 · #10 08-19-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ara T.

They really should have brought the diesels over instead of the crappy Mitsubishi gassers, and should also have either made it a CVT or a a regular stick shift.

Digg. They really screwed the pooch with the current (US market) drivetrain.

pawoSD · #11 08-19-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cscmc1

Digg. They really screwed the pooch with the current (US market) drivetrain.

Nah, Mitsubishi engines are not that bad....my sister's van has the 3.0 V6 Mitsubishi engine, and it won't die.

Smart cars have a very rigid safety cell, it does not even collapse hitting a wall at 70mph. The violent impact on a person's internal organs causes death in that instance, not being crushed.

The engine in a smart is so small you could probably just lift it out (by hand

) and lower in a new one if it dies.

MTI · #12 08-19-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lietuviai

That car is mis-named. The occupant's certainly didn't escape that one.

According to the article . . . nevermind, read it yourself.

cscmc1 · #13 08-19-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Nah, Mitsubishi engines are not that bad....my sister's van has the 3.0 V6 Mitsubishi engine, and it won't die.

Smart cars have a very rigid safety cell, it does not even collapse hitting a wall at 70mph. The violent impact on a person's internal organs causes death in that instance, not being crushed.

The engine in a smart is so small you could probably just lift it out (by hand

) and lower in a new one if it dies.

I have no argument with the quality of the engine, but it gets crap mileage. My Jetta does as well (or better). Why would I sacrifice 2 doors and a trunk with no gain in economy whatsoever? Don't the diesels get close to 70mpg? Now THAT would be worthwhile!