Article Comments: 2008 Smart Fortwo First Look and Drive

65 messages, Last post on Jun 22, 2008 at 7:42 AM

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Article comments for First Look: 2008 Smart Fortwo - Americans' newfound love affair with small cars is about to be tested with the arrival of the 2008 Smart Fortwo. (more)

First Drive: 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion - Once you get some momentum together, it's a pleasure to drive the Smart. Despite its short 73.5-inch wheelbase, the Fortwo absorbs bumps and potholes quite well. The ride quality isn't exactly as supple as a Maybach, but the motions are surprisingly gentle. (more)

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#15 of 65 Re: Smart and Expensive [74apollo] by swordsman Dec 26, 2006 (1:35 pm)
Replying to: 74apollo (Dec 22, 2006 8:44 am) 74apollo, it was probably a couple of the ZAP retrofits. ZAP has been importing them for awhile and making them street legal for the US, but the price absolutely skyrockets to the point of being insane. Only crazy rich people that love to be trendy and brag about their "environmental conscientiousness" would ever pay that price. Again, to those groaning about MPG, the smartusa.com website has stated that the 40mpg mentioned is the minimum combined city/highway average to expect. Not too shabby.
#16 of 65 Re: Article Comments: 2008 Smart Fortwo First Look [KarenS] by scoville Dec 27, 2006 (11:47 am)
Replying to: KarenS (Nov 21, 2006 7:08 am) does anyone have info on the tridion frames? it looks like its made of steel. any talk of an aluminum chassis? the one thing we see more of than snow in the north east is road salt. its got to be a diesel for me or not at all.
#17 of 65 Re: Geez, give 'em a break already! [swordsman] by msuman52 Dec 28, 2006 (6:44 pm)
Replying to: swordsman (Dec 04, 2006 8:27 am) Dude. I totally agree with you. People should do a little research about a car before they start talking about the bad that isnt even there.
#18 of 65 i think it will work. by inaudible Jan 11, 2007 (6:13 am)
if anyone has driven the old honda civics from the 92-95 era, this kind of engine should be familiar already... honda had a 70hp engine in the CX. i drove one for several months last year (waiting for the fit to come out) and i had no problem driving from chicago to detroit and back... even with the 70mph limit in michigan. 75hp is PLENTY for any driver who is not hauling cargo. especially in a car that can barely brak the 1000lb mark. the saftey of a vehicle has been proven, time and time again, to be the result of good or bad design... not proportion.
#19 of 65 Re: Article Comments: 2008 Smart Fortwo First Look [KarenS] by zeniff Jan 11, 2007 (10:42 am)
Replying to: KarenS (Nov 21, 2006 7:08 am) No, I can't see myself driving one of these. The fact that they are being sold thru Daimler Chrysler just means that it's a false front towards environmental protection. You want to save the earth with your car? Buy one from a company that gives a rip about the earth. Check out the following sites that give Daimler/Chrysler's own words about their thoughts along these lines: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=119166 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6247371.stm?ls http://www.inform.kz/showarticle.php?lang=eng&id=147616 Replies to this message: gypsy_tech (Feb 20, 2007 11:09 am)
#20 of 65 M.R. O'Brien by merryruth Jan 21, 2007 (8:35 am)
I first saw these cars in France 3 years ago and fell in love with the look as well as the thought of great fuel efficiency. I have since followed the research and almost extinction. When I heard they were going to be released in the U.S. it stirred my attention again and I for one can't wait to test drive one. I am really thinking about a future purchase. Fuel economy is on everyones mind these days, I am just waiting to hear more about safety standards in comparison.
#21 of 65 Re: Half the size, 10% better fuel economy [sanfrandan] by merryruth Jan 21, 2007 (8:44 am)
Replying to: sanfrandan (Nov 21, 2006 10:48 am) You'll be waiting till hell freezes over to find what you're looking for, the auto dealears wouldn't make a dime on your model, go broke and we'd be stuck with a car that couldn't be serviced! But then in a utopia, who would need service. You might get your wish, the weather is changing globally!!
#22 of 65 Re: Geez, give 'em a break already! [swordsman] by merryruth Jan 21, 2007 (9:37 am)
Replying to: swordsman (Dec 04, 2006 8:27 am) Good return, I'm with you. Can't wait to try them myself. Replies to this message: edf4 (Jan 21, 2007 7:02 pm)
#23 of 65 Re: Geez, give 'em a break already! [merryruth] by edf4 Jan 21, 2007 (7:02 pm)
Replying to: merryruth (Jan 21, 2007 9:37 am) Likewise. As for those who say they'd never drive it on the highway or would be afraid of being hit by an SUV or whatever, then I suppose they have never enjoyed driving or riding a motorcycle. Clearly the SMART is tons safer than a motorcycle, but how many thousands of people drive those, many without helmets? For most people, like me, their vehicle choice is not solely based on safety, but enjoyment: just ask a biker, or other small car driver. I like the SMART. I have read about its safety innovations and preliminary crash test results and I am impressed. I will test drive one and may even buy one. Life to to be enjoyed, and the SMART is unique, practical, fun, inexpensive for what you get, and the mileage is pretty good too. Oh, and an added bonus; it's sales will support American workers.
#24 of 65 Don't Worry by plekto Jan 21, 2007 (11:12 pm)
The Smart will be a good thing. All of the delivery and messenger services as well as pizza delivery and so on - guess what car they will all buy? 50+mpg highway and no hybrid nonsense(or higher price) - it'll sell well just based upon that alone. And it's worlds safer than a Geo Metro was in a crash - or a Ford Aspire/Mazda 3/Kia Rio/etc(same family/design - the 2 door egg shaped sub combact). People drive their little Aveos around all the time as well and it's not seen as too unsafe to drive(though it's definately no winner vs a SUV) Motorcycle MPG, can fit two people(like a bigger bike), but has AC, ABS, an is dry in the rain. Essentially, it's a 4 wheel enclosed Goldwing or simmilar. I'm certainly going to buy one. Of course, I lived a mile or two from one of two models that were driven in California a few years back as a test. So I got to see it in person every few days and let me tell you - it has the same cuteness, alure, and fit and finish qualities as a Mini. People constantly were asking the owner what it was and how they could get one/if it was coming to the U.S. anytime soon.