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Hatchbacks Smart Car Smart Fortwo
491 messages, Last post on Oct 07, 2009 at 6:46 AM
You are in the Smart Car Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer
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Everyone gets passionate about the cars they like, but how many times are we going to hear, "This is the FUTURE"? A good product is going to fulfill the needs and wants of the consumer. The smart simply doesn't fulfill the needs of a large portion of the car buying public. Yes, I could use the smart for a lot of my day to day transportation, but certainly not all of it, so I have to make a choice as I can't afford to buy multiple vehicles to perform different jobs. Maybe it would help to hear what a smart fan thinks the niche of the smart is. Because right now the only smarts I've seen on the road fit the pattern that I've seen over and over with many vehicles... It's new, it's different, and *I* have the latest fad vehicle.
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Replying to: pf_flyer (Nov 21, 2008 6:36 am) An example of good friends of mine... They are building a green sustainable house jumping through regulation hoops in order to get grants to cover a portion of the costs. They live in a small town and drive a smart not only for the mileage, but because it uses fewer resources to build a whole car. They have just ordered a second one. They are the kind of people who couldn't care less what others think of what they drive. Another friend, a developer, drives his (probably his fourth or fifth vehicle) has it for fun drives between job sites. I don't know what the smart niche is either. I don't think there is any homogenous group that goes after it. Rather, it is a niche vehicle because of its very specialized nature. The actual reasons people choose a very low volume vehicle (relatively speaking) will be about as varied as the number of buyers. Sure, there are people who will buy it because it is cute. As well as other reasons. |
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Replying to: priggly (Nov 21, 2008 1:11 am)
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Replying to: joshuag (Nov 21, 2008 11:14 am) |
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Replying to: pf_flyer (Nov 21, 2008 6:36 am) The reality of it is is the Smart does indeed fulfill the needs of a large portion of the car buying public, especially those with multiple cars in the household. Tell me how many two (or more) car families have one car that doesn't really need a back seat? When our kids were little there was no reason that either me or the wife couldn't have been driving a car like the Smart. Sure we needed a car with more room and a back seat but we didn't need two of them. Next time you commute to work look around and see how many cars only have one occupant. Please do not confuse what people think they need with what the actually need. |
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Replying to: joshuag (Nov 21, 2008 11:14 am) According to the EPA its 34 MPG, just one MPG better than the Smart in city driving and 8MPG less than the Smart on the highway. Try again. the Saturn Astra gets about 38, Again according to the EPA the Astra gets 32 MPG highway. Try again Ford is putting out the new Fiesta in about 6 months and it gets identical gas mileage and it's cheaper. We can talk about the Fiesta when it gets here. Yes it gets identical gas mileage but thats in Europe. If it comes with the same engine expect the mileage to drop once it gets US emissions. Expect it to drop even more if it gets a more powerful engine. They are running about 18-21k. I believe they start at around 11K. Sorry I don't see any non hybrids getting anywhere near what the Smart does. |
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Replying to: pf_flyer (Nov 21, 2008 6:36 am)
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The Smart only makes sense in an urban environment where parking space is at a premium, and parallel parking is the norm. They don't make sense for most of America, or even in most American cities. Dallas, (where the Lokki's roam) is a large city, but as is typical in American cities, different locales in the city are reached by high-speed transit on the expressways. The Smart gives no advantage here. Nor does it give an advantage in parking since most Americans are never required to parallel park, and a Smart takes up a whole 'head-in' parking space. I have some personal knowledge and experience in this area because of my time spent in Japan. In Japan, the (tiny) Smart car concept makes sense. Distances are short, speeds are low, parking is always a problem. The Japanese make an entire class of cars that are 'Smart' competitors - the Kei class. They're quite efficient and comfortable. However, they're not intended for high speed work and generally don't attempt it. Her's an example from Toyota that I'd prefer to a Smart, I think, for use in the Same circumstances. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_iQ The Smart car is really only suited to a few niche markets in the states - New York City, San Francisco, and perhaps (the old) New Orleans. As far as the environmental impact, the fact that the Smart is recyclable is rather irrelevant in the states, since it won't be. In fact, since the United States IS set up to recycle steel cars and not plastic cars, the Smart is LESS likely to be recycled. Having said all this, I like cars, and I like innovation. If I were in a location where a Smart was at all practical, I'd consider one....they're very cool... but in truth, I'd much rather have a Suzuki Cappuccino cause it's closer to who I am. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Cappuccino |
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I have had a Smart car in Denver, Colorado now for a year and it is great on the highways!. I reguarly run 80 to 90 mph on my way to work and it is smooth and stabile. It is the best commuter car I have ever had. I average 43 to 45 mpg every week. Always the same. I pass many cars on the hills and they can't believe it when I shoot by them especially if they have a BMW or some sport car. You do not have a Smart car if you are knocking them because you have never drove them for along period of time to see what a great car they are. The Toyota IQ is just a shortened FWD Yaris that they will charge $20K for. The Smart is rear wheel drive, it has Stability Control, ABS, traction control, and of course the Tridion Safety cage construction. The Smart is also a foot shorter than the IQ. Being small is a BIG advantage. You really do not need a two ton car to carry your butt to work. Take my word for it. Americans need to wake up! Dennis |
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Replying to: priggly (Nov 21, 2008 6:10 pm) |
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