Smart ForTwo Goes Nowhere Fast, and Not Because of Its Engine
We all know that you’re not bombing down the freeway with great speed or acceleration in Daimler’s Smart ForTwo, but Peter Valdes-Dapena at CNN Money says it’s not the car that’ll slow you down. It’s the gawkers.
He said, “The problem is that every time you take it out, a mass of people appears with a lot of questions. Or they'll just stand in front of it to take their pictures.
Comments
JN
So you’ll slow down. Then they’ll slow down. Then you’ll speed up. And they’ll speed up
This is standard procedure in DFW. I don't drive anything special, people are just stupid.
ronr
I've got one of these and have almost hit 2 different people on the highway who were lurking in my blind spot gawking.
BTW, not to many people blow by since I really don't have any problem driving at highway speeds... it's governed to 90mph.
Jeb
How poorly...er, how does it corner?
a_meehan
I had the exact same problems when I received delivery of one of the first new-gen MINI Coopers in Philly. It was summertime and every red light meant striking up a conversation with someone in the car next to me, for months.
The best was the guy who asked me, while I was filling the tank at a gas station, if it was "one of them electric cars".
I'm pretty sure the look on my face answered his question.
Cicero
When I saw one where I live in Texas, the only "gawkers" were the people pointing and laughing
smart142
''But, there’s no doubt that the novelty of the Smart Car will wear eventually''
and then I'll be left with a safe,innovative,eco-friendly,85%recycyclable,most efficient non-hybrib vehicle that is easy on the pocket book!
I'll have the last laugh at the gus pump!
Ducati Minor
Texans aren't known intelligence, Cic. I still love you, though. Just return those nude photos of me and we can go on with our lives.
a_meehan's story is authentic to me. The Mini drew a sensation--a different kind from the New Beetle, T'Bird, and PT Cruiser. The Mini is a tiny car, and I heared all sorts of opinions ranging from mockery to fascination.
There are negative opinions about the Smart, but there is a huge level of interest in this little thing. My grandparents and their friends fell in love with it. The price tag has been the only thing to dissuade them from putting a down payment on one. I suspect that will change when they see more Smarts on the road or test drive one. They only travell locally, so it'll be fine.
Jeb, I know of a BMW owner who purchased one of these, loving it after driving it. In spite of having a fairly new 335i, he found the ForTwo to be respectfully capable on highways and in handling. This isn't a Porsche, after all.
needapedia
This car was designed to swerve in and out of traffic in the streets of London or Paris. It's hard to imagine this car side-by-side a hummer on the freeway in the United States. However, the autobahn is a different story. It wouldn't surprise me if the Smart cruises there at it's max 90 mph.
BillyBob
" It’s hard to imagine this car side-by-side a hummer on the freeway in the United States"
Isn't it all relative? I mean a Big Pickup next to a double trailer 18 wheel sleeper is about the same....
Jim
Stopped at the nearest Smart dealer last week to look at it. Surprising amount of room, probably more front seat space than my C-class Benz and you sit a bit higher and more upright. At least that's how it felt. Plenty of room behind the seat of the coupe for 3-4 bags of groceries or a couple of overnight bags.
Given that it was the peak of rush hour and a test drive would have meant creeping along a 5 mph for a few miles I deferred the drive till a later date.
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