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  #1  
Old 10-10-2002, 03:41 PM
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Location: Northumberland, UK
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Got a Smart car for the night (pics)

My car went to the dealer for a service today; i asked for a Smart car to run around it. They weren't finished with my vehicle when I went by tonight, so I'm holding onto the Smart. It is totally cool.

My model is a Smart & Passion (yeah, sounds like a health drink) convertible. I've been driving round all day, roof down. It has a tiny three cylinder turbocharged engine. The turbo lag is amazing: off the line it creeps up to about 2,500 rpm (this gives you cause to piss yourself when pulling in to heavy traffic) then explodes (well, it feels that way). It has a great exhaust note, like half a 911. The box is a six speed sequential manual. The action needs to be sped up as shifts take about 1.5 seconds from hitting the lever to getting going in the next gear. If you anticipate the delay, though, it is OK. It has an automatic programme, too.

It is a great drive, really nippy once you get used to the killer understeer. You can also surprise other road users with its low gear turn of speed. I passed an Aston Martin Vanquish flat out at 85, roof down, too. Obviously he wasn't trying.

Men do not like the car. Bus drivers think they can abuse you. But women... women love it. I got loads of smiles, winks and thumbs up from babes. It has a really cute horn, too, so when any babes waved at me I'd give them a honk.

The roof action is really cool, too. The full length sunroof opens electronically; then you can drop the rear section manually; then you can remove the side rails and store them in the boot.

Anyway, here are the pics. Sorry, but it was dark by the time I came home from the boozer: it is almost winter here (note to all you guys in "SoCal": winter happens once a year in other parts of the world and lasts for ages; it gets really cold and dark).













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  #2  
Old 10-10-2002, 03:47 PM
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That thing is a full three feet long, what do you mean understeer?!?!? It looks like a pretty cool zip around car. Is it sidewalk legal?

Kuan
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  #3  
Old 10-10-2002, 04:10 PM
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Cute commute car!

Probably gets a zillion miles per gallon too!

Unfortunately, it wouldn't be "Smart" driving that on Texas highways with all of the crazies in their monster pickups and SUVs!!!
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  #4  
Old 10-10-2002, 05:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by w126
Odd little thing. Maybe in NYC, LA or some such city, but most American roads it would be scary experience. Though interesting...

I could put it in a the trunk of my '69 Caddy Fleetwood, along with Ben "Lefty Guns" Ruggiero and Jimmy "The Turk" Torello.
Cool 69' Fleetwood..... I have a 57' Caddy Fleetwood...things a freeken boat

greetings,
Albert S.
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  #5  
Old 10-10-2002, 06:55 PM
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JJ,
Your driver's seat is on the wrong side of the car!!

(Just thought I'd warn you.)


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  #6  
Old 10-10-2002, 07:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by w126


Wow Albert, I thought *I* had a diverse taste in cars. 500E and a Fleetwood!! To cool. I have to say, your yellow Benz rocks.

As you know, you THROW these Caddies into a turn, not just simply move the wheel. In reality, you can make tons of mods to '68-72 (pre smogger 472/500 ci) Cads. It isn't too expensive or difficult to get 500 net HP out of them and it'll embarrass a rat motor powered Camaro easily. You know what they say about Camaro's, they're like -----holes, everybody has one. Now a Caddy doing the 1/4 mile in 10 secs, that's freakin different.

http://www.cad500parts.com/_newpics/wheelsup.JPG

I can only admire your independence in motoring taste, esp. for a younger person.

Thanks man...I've been re-building it for abt 5years no...still not done I need to re-wire the entire car...everything is messed up...need to find a electrition within these few years or so so I can finish up the car...

Thanks,
Albert S.
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  #7  
Old 10-12-2002, 05:43 PM
mbz380se
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From the pics, it looks like the Smart's 3-cylinder has about a 5800 rpm redline. Funny, I'd expect it to be up in Japanese sportbike territory (for that small of an engine!)

-Sam
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  #8  
Old 10-13-2002, 12:00 AM
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Quote:
Originally posted by David C Klasse
JJ,
Your driver's seat is on the wrong side of the car!!
Dangit!! You beat me to the punch!
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  #9  
Old 10-13-2002, 06:14 AM
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It runs on petrol and yes, the redline is 5,800 rpm. It only has about 50hp, but then it doesn't weigh very much.

They have a Smart Crossblade in the dealers (exactly like the one below), no doors, no roof, no windscreen, and an 81bhp motor. And just for you, David, the wheel is where it should be! It comes with two branded waterproof suits and skull caps for the the British climate!
Attached Thumbnails
Got a Smart car for the night (pics)-smart_crossblade-2-.jpg  
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  #10  
Old 10-13-2002, 11:48 AM
Diesel Power
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Quote:
Originally posted by G-Benz
Cute commute car!

Probably gets a zillion miles per gallon too!

Unfortunately, it wouldn't be "Smart" driving that on Texas highways with all of the crazies in their monster pickups and SUVs!!!
G-Benz, I'm crazy enough to do it. I would love to have one of those for buzzing to and from work.

I'd put a tag on the back:

Warning - Thermonuclear imapact protection. Detonates on imact!!
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  #11  
Old 10-13-2002, 05:21 PM
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Location: At Sea
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Quote:
Originally posted by tkamiya
I wonder cars like this will pass the Federal mandate for the crash protection.... I want one, though.
i seriously doubt it. you can get one here in the states but you'll never get clear title for it. they are usually here through diplomatic exemptions and the like, which are sort of like a permit to drive such a vehicle at your own peril. i've heard that the a-class might be introduced into canada, i could be wrong about that...
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  #12  
Old 10-13-2002, 06:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by tkamiya
I wonder cars like this will pass the Federal mandate for the crash protection.... I want one, though.
I'd rather have a smash in a Smart car than in a GM or Ford econobox. They pass all of the euro-legislation with flying colours, and that is getting tougher than the US standard.

Here are some quotes:

"... (The smart™) affords the greatest chances of survival (in small cars) ..."
Source: AutoBild No. 41/98

"Unbelievable - a car only 2.5 metres long speeds into an obstacle at 64 km/h and flattens its nose a mere 20 centimetres. It bounces back like a medicine ball and comes to a stop next to the barrier after a 180 degree spin. Not even the front windscreen is smashed, and the crash dummies are still sitting properly in their seats. First rescue attempts reveal the driver and passenger doors can be opened manually. Buckling in the car door area is a mere two centimetres..."
Source: Autobild No. 41/98

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Last edited by jjrodger; 10-13-2002 at 06:34 PM.
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