Who all here likes the SmartCar? I would love it for bigcity driving, but not highway. I think Daimler was very smart to make it. What'cha think?

I do though the transmission is silly in full-auto mode (more like a lurch-o-matic than an auto-matic ). I also drove a Scion iQ and though the car was very neat.

Perfect for metro driving.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

here's what an S-Class thinks of the smartcar...

Mercedes S-Class vs. Smart - YouTube

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

Small cars aren't for wimps? News at 11. *yawn* Probably still safer than being nailed by the S-class while crossing the street on foot.

For such a small car the MPG is not that impressive, even the diesel version deliver almost the same as my 2002 Golf TDI and I am serious about that. The only HUGE advantage for the car (in Europe, not here in the US) is the size. Driving around Rome or Paris is great fun, some places even a Golf sized car feel "big" but the Smart is just a right around town. You could park the car in every small spot and for Europe this is a must.

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http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/scotflag.gif http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/v.../scot2flag.gif

"If women are so bloody perfect at multitasking how come they can't have a headache and sex at the same time?"
Billy Connolly

I want a manual transmission and a diesel engine in a Smart. Haven't driven the IQ but I look forward to it. Prices for either were out of line when I looked. They had a reasonable list price for the Smart but the dealers added $3K or so.

Once again i repeat that accidents are too unpredictable to take any comfort in anticipating that a vehicle will protect you.

For instance a buddy of mine drove through a fence years ago. It would have been something to laugh about except for a flimsy little fence rail came through the window like a spear and almost killed him. One of those "quarter of an inch to the right and you would have been dead" stories.

You are safer driving diligently in a Smart than carelessly in an 18 wheeler or whatever.

You may have read my posts advocating a spike in the middle of the steering wheel. Or the crash simulator for punishment posts. My latest theory is that if all new drivers had to put 10K miles on a motorcycle before they were allowed to drive anything larger we would all be better off for it.

I understand that in many places, you can pull straight in where other cars have to parallel park. That could be pretty convenient

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

I haven't driven one but I'd like to give a Smart a try. I'm not sure why.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

That may well be, but I still feel better having an S-Class defense in place.

__________________
On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

My latest theory is that if all new drivers had to put 10K miles on a motorcycle before they were allowed to drive anything larger we would all be better off for it.

That is an excellent point. Then we could get rid of all the multiple air bags that add to the cost, complexity, and weight of the average car, and be that much closer to real Eurpoean fuel economy numbers.

...and that is because you probably are safer.

This is one of those doublespeak propaganda logical fallacy things but in this forum it passes as logic.

You are far safer driving diligently in your S-class. Watch the video, believe your eyes. Still, a fence rail or a million other things can take you out in your S-class in what should be a fender bender. Always drive like you want everyone to get home safely tonight.

The life saving nature of Mercedes...

Crash - Mercedes-Benz High Speed Crash at the Autobahn - YouTube

__________________
On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

I wish the roadster version of the Smart had been imported to the USA. There's a Smart diesel for sale on Denver Craiglist. Linked in the Craigslist thread in the diesel forum.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

SMART will be focusing on all electric power; it will also be sharing some tech and engineering with Renault-Nissan.