- #428 of 491
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Re: We have one.. [dunepearl]
by jack137
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Mar 18, 2009 (12:04 pm)
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Replying to: dunepearl (Mar 18, 2009 11:38 am)
While I whole-heartedly agree with your choice of the Jetta TDI over the Smart, you paid a hefty mark-up for the VW diesel Jetta. My wife and I always rented Golf TDI's while traveling in Europe. These weigh 200 lbs. less than Jettas and get 43 mpg on the Autobahn while running all day at 160kph. The hatchback is perfect for four suitcases and many bulky gifts and is far easier to get into basement hotel garages (very narrow, twisty ramps) than the Jetta. Naturally, no Golf TDI's are being exported to the USA! Same problem with the Smart TDI. Strange, considering that over 50% of all new-car purchases in Europe are Trubo-Diesels.
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- #429 of 491
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"Safety Concern" according to NHTSA
by priggly
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Apr 28, 2009 (5:58 pm)
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"By analyzing crash test results published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as what hundreds of auto critics have written about today's most popular cars, we created a short list of dangerous vehicles that you should think twice about before buying for your young driver. And, in the interest of compromise, we provide a safer alternative that both of you can live with.
Smart Fortwo
Sure it's cute, cool, and economical, but the Smart Fortwo isn't safe for everyone -- let alone inexperienced drivers. Because it's much smaller and lighter than most vehicles on the road, auto critics doubt it can hold its own in a serious crash. Many also note that strong gusts of wind can make controlling the Smart on the highway a difficult task. And while the IIHS rates it well in both frontal offset and side impact crash tests, NHTSA has issued a "safety concern" for its poor performance in side impact testing, in which "the driver door unlatched and opened." What's more, the Fortwo's debut was mangled last year when Smart issued a recall after an adhesive problem caused some drivers' windshields to fall out.
A Safer Alternative: For a ride that's just as quirky-looking, but performs better in crash tests and features loads of standard safety equipment, consider the MINI Cooper. It's a bit more expensive, but is probably a safer bet for a new driver."
http://clubsmartcar.com/index.php?showtopic=17626
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- #430 of 491
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Re: "Safety Concern" according to NHTSA [priggly]
by stout7735
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Apr 28, 2009 (9:42 pm)
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Replying to: priggly (Apr 28, 2009 5:58 pm)
The Smart is much safer than a motorcycle and much cheaper than a Mini...In fact,Smart is a stylish Mercedes on a beer budget...Personally, I enjoyed watching the drama in the recent test when it went airborne,spun around , and bounced like a ping pong ball...I feel secure in my Smart with its built in crash cage and extremely low rate of vehicle insurance claims for collisions..We drive it safely and other drivers' maternal instincts not to hurt our baby car leads to fewer wrecks...Mini drivers have a dangerous tendency for more "sporty" driving.. 
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- #431 of 491
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Re: "Safety Concern" according to NHTSA [priggly]
by dstrom
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Apr 29, 2009 (5:01 am)
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Replying to: priggly (Apr 28, 2009 5:58 pm)
I respectfully disagree. I believe the smart IS one of the safest cars for everyone. Not only does it have all the Passive Safety features (help protect the occupants in the event of an accident) including air bags, seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters, the Tridion safety cell, etc, It also has a full compliment of Active Safety features (help prevent/avoid an accident) including ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, etc. It is significant to note that many of these important safety features, standard equipment on the smart, are either optional or not available on most other small cars.
And, while the "Safety Ratings" are excellent, the "real world" is the most important. I suggest that everyone check out the "Safe And Smart" website (http://www.safeandsmart.com) and read about the actual experiences from owners.
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- #432 of 491
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Re: "Safety Concern" according to NHTSA [dstrom]
by stout7735
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Apr 29, 2009 (6:05 am)
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Replying to: dstrom (Apr 29, 2009 5:01 am)
Mr Penske,
You can be quiet now.....
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- #433 of 491
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Re: "Safety Concern" according to NHTSA [dstrom]
by plekto
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Apr 29, 2009 (4:28 pm)
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Replying to: dstrom (Apr 29, 2009 5:01 am)
If you note, the C300 that it was crashed into weighs about 90% more than the Smart - it was by far the largest weight difference in of the three tests. The real shocker was the Accord versus the Fit. Only a bit over a 700lb difference and it had the worst results of the three.
I wonder what the test would be with the Smart versus the Accord. I bet it would be ugly but easily survivable.
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- #434 of 491
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Re: "Safety Concern" according to NHTSA [plekto]
by gregg_vw
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Apr 29, 2009 (8:51 pm)
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Replying to: plekto (Apr 29, 2009 4:28 pm)
It is silly that people who don't care for the smart come here to argue their case or worse, try to save the poor smart owners from themselves. Many of these same people willingly rode in cars without airbags, cars without side protection or modern crumple zones, roll-prone SUVs, and many of these same people continue to risk their lives driving on roads clogged with 18 wheelers. I don't however see them pleading with cyclists to abandon their unsafe two-wheeled vehicles.
We all make our choices. Every situation has its drawbacks. Most accidents are not headon collisions, so people will draw their lines on vehicle size, mpg, footprint, and equipment in different places--based on probabilities, preferences, driving skill, needs, etc. Being in a smart is safer than being in a 2006 Aveo. Maybe all small cars and all cars without side airbags and stability control should be banned.
But on the other hand, so what? A certain type of car is no more likely to be banned than personal firearms, here in the US. This forum really is for owner discussion, not owner bashing. However, I doubt appealing to either reason or decorum will get these anti-smart crusaders to stop. Perhaps it is best to be amused by the behavior.
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- #435 of 491
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IIHS Reviews
by hockney
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May 25, 2009 (11:59 am)
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I am currently looking into buying a smart and seeing all the debate about its so uncalled "safety issues" made me go to a standard in the automotive industry...I know throw facts out there....really odd. Take a look at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website. http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=632 This gives really all you need to know about it.
Thanks!
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- #436 of 491
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Re: We have one.. [dunepearl]
by kelly1st
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May 29, 2009 (7:43 am)
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Replying to: dunepearl (Mar 18, 2009 11:38 am)
Say what you will about the Smart Car, but after our purchase about this time last year I have had nothing but a fine experience driving my Smart. Have just passed the ten thousand mile mark and all I can say is what a great buy! Handles fantastic, cruising down the highways of New England is a breeze with good pick up and passing ability, and the mileage I am getting is just incredible to say the least!! Did a Fall Foilage tour last October and we got 48.53 mile per gallon highway! During winter with snow tires and the cold weather I garnered an average of 42 miles per gallon. With the advent of warm weather and the regular tires on my last tank full I got an astounding 46.25 miles per gallon in the city, and I am not light on the pedal either. As for the safety concern I have had the big cars and still do, and have had a VW in the past as well. Even rolled a VW in front of the SF airport in California one time years ago and came out fine. I got hit in one of my large sedans and did get hurt so go figure. If one is going to run around in terror of this happening or that happening then keep hiding under the sheets as they say! Me I love my Smart and if I can I will purchase another one! One of the best buys I ever made in cars!! Sides with the threat of Oil climbing past $200 a barrel and with the mileage I am getting in my Smart I may just keep my Impala parked for many many moons in the drive. 
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- #437 of 491
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Re: We have one.. [kelly1st]
by gregg_vw
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May 29, 2009 (9:38 am)
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Replying to: kelly1st (May 29, 2009 7:43 am)
Isn't it amazing the number of smart haters who take the time to come here and try to save ignorant smart buyers from themselves? Enjoy your car. Those who hate the smart are not forced to buy it. Their arguments don't have much traction when the car fits a buyer's need or mere fancy. They have talked themselves out of the car. But doing more than that it is misguided crusading, and I'd recommend putting that energy into a more worthy cause.
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