# Saw my first "Smart" car in America today **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 7, 2007, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568 "2007-11-07T18:11:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/21 "2007-11-07T21:11:41Z")
[QUOTE=Darryl Lict] I had heard that you can actually park it perpendicular to the curb, which would make it an ideal car for San Francisco. Can any one tell me if this is true? [/QUOTE] That’s just what I was thinking. Manhattan, SF… sounds awesome. Not like you can top 45 mph around here anyway. Who needs power? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/22 "2007-11-07T21:29:12Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I don’t understand the Smart Car, the 1989 Honda CRX got 55 mpg (for real, we had one) and was a nicer looking and better handling car. [/QUOTE] And it would never pass emissions standards today. I’m not sure how many changes you’d have to make to the car to make it pass, but I’m guessing you’d need a different engine. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/23 "2007-11-07T21:32:26Z")
[QUOTE=Telemark] And it would never pass emissions standards today. I’m not sure how many changes you’d have to make to the car to make it pass, but I’m guessing you’d need a different engine. [/QUOTE] You could be right, I would be out of my depth claiming otherwise. I just assumed that they could duplicate it with new emissions technology if they wanted to. ---
**Author:** ![Yeeter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/96bed5/32.png) [@Yeeter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeeter)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/24 "2007-11-07T21:44:39Z")
A few years back, when I was working at DaimlerChrysler, we got one of the Smart cars from the vehicle development group, and we were allowed to take it out overnight. Because of the incomplete NHTSA testing they told us not to take it on the highways. We disobeyed and took it downtown Detroit for a baseball game. It did well, and parking was a dream. the interior space was very good for such a small car, and a 3 cylinder engine was just fine, not powerful, but good enough. We had a lot of people looking at us the whole time. I imagine owning one the “fun” aspect would wear off, but the good gas mileage would keep you pretty happy. ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/25 "2007-11-07T22:15:37Z")
[QUOTE=anamnesis] Surprisingly enough, [they are remarkably sturdy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s). This video is quite old, showing the last generation model, but it still comes as a surprise even to me just how strong that chassis is for its size. I can only imagine the newer models are even better. [/QUOTE] My major problem with the smart car safety design is that is was designed by European designers to address safety risks faced in Europe. I think they have overlooked the issue of collisions with much higher-bumpered vehicles common in North-America like pick-up trucks and SUVs. In the video above, the collision is with concrete blocks extending from the ground up, thus engaging the very front of the Smart car’s bumper. I think the bumper of a jacked up Ford F-150 or Dodge Ram pickup would either remove the roof & decapitate the occupants, or crush the Smart car like a can of soft drink and wedge it under the truck’s axle. ---
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/26 "2007-11-07T22:27:28Z")
> [@](#): > > My major problem with the smart car safety design is that is was designed by European designers to address safety risks faced in Europe. I think they have overlooked the issue of collisions with much higher-bumpered vehicles common in North-America like pick-up trucks and SUVs. In the video above, the collision is with concrete blocks extending from the ground up, thus engaging the very front of the Smart car’s bumper. I think the bumper of a jacked up Ford F-150 or Dodge Ram pickup would either remove the roof & decapitate the occupants, or crush the Smart car like a can of soft drink and wedge it under the truck’s axle.Reply With Quote The SMART car was specifically designed for this - it is very short, but much, much taller than past small cars (original Mini anyone?), and actually taller than some small cars already sold in the US, so that it would not be simply run over by larger vehicles. This is also the reason why it handles so poorly compared to other small cars that are lower and closer to the ground, as it is rather top heavy by way of this design compromise. The one sold in Canada is also a diesel, while the one being brought to the US is gas powered, to meet California emmisions regulations ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2007, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/27 "2007-11-07T22:32:47Z")
Unless you’re driving a semi truck, there’s always going to be something bigger than you out there - even if you drive a pick-up or SUV. I saw a Smart car the other day, finally something smaller than my Mini! ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2007, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/28 "2007-11-08T12:40:23Z")
The standard Smart is known at the for-2, the four door as the for-4. The for-4 is really just a re-styled Mitsubishi Colt. Both the for-4 and the roadsters have been discontinued. Smart is a joint venture between Mercedes (engineering) and Swatch (yes, the Swiss watch company). The 1st generations had 600cc turbocharged petrol and 700cc turbo-diesel engines. The diesels get around 90mpg. The next generation had 700cc turbo petrol. The latest (and the ones going to North America) have 1 litre petrol engines developed by Mitsubishi. There will be both turbo and non-turbo versions. The handling does take some getting used to. With such a short car any oversteer is very hard for an average driver to deal with. So they design in understeer by fitting front tyres that are about half the width of the rears. Many enthusiasts will fit after-market wheels, springs, and brake rotors to sort out the handling and braking. They are quite tall, I’m 6’5" and fit mine happily. There’s more headroom that in a 3-series BMW. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2007, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/29 "2007-11-08T12:42:57Z")
How does the car handle in a stiff breeze? ---
**Author:** ![Br\_er\_Lapin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Br\_er\_Lapin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Br_er_Lapin)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2007, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/30 "2007-11-08T12:50:48Z")
[QUOTE=Telemark] And it would never pass emissions standards today. I’m not sure how many changes you’d have to make to the car to make it pass, [/QUOTE] In the case of my boyfriend’s '89 CRX last week, it took some minor tweaking. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2007, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/31 "2007-11-08T12:52:46Z")
I get the logic of Smart cars being great for city use, but they just look so _silly_. Mind you, in a crash between a bus and a Smart, you’d come out better in the Smart 'cos it would probably fit right under the bus and come out the other side unscathed. Must go and check the Top Gear archives, I’d love to know what Jeremy Clarkson had to say about them. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2007, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/32 "2007-11-08T13:14:22Z")
[QUOTE=Br’er Lapin] In the case of my boyfriend’s '89 CRX last week, it took some minor tweaking. YMMV. [/QUOTE] But it could never be sold as a new car. The restrictions on new cars are much more strict. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2007, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/33 "2007-11-08T13:18:38Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] How does the car handle in a stiff breeze? [/QUOTE] It takes some concentration to drive in high winds on the motorway, but it’s not as bad as, say, an empty van. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2007, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/34 "2007-11-08T13:26:59Z")
[QUOTE=ScareyFaerie] Must go and check the Top Gear archives, I’d love to know what Jeremy Clarkson had to say about them. [/QUOTE] I have a feeling he hasn’t been quite so harsh on them as might be expected. He tends to go in really hard on cars that are trying to pitch themselves as something greater than they actually are, but he’s often quite forgiving of cars that are honest about their own shortcomings. For example, he was quite nice (in a way) about the Peel P50 (the smallest production car ever) [http://www.hemmy.net/2007/11/02/smallest-production-car/](http://www.hemmy.net/2007/11/02/smallest-production-car/) ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2007, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/35 "2007-11-08T19:43:39Z")
[QUOTE=Darryl Lict] I had heard that you can actually park it perpendicular to the curb, which would make it an ideal car for San Francisco. Can any one tell me if this is true? [/QUOTE] There’s a local apartment building that has two of them parked one behind the other in the same parking slot. I’ve seen pictures of them parked perpendicularly to the curb on the street, but don’t know if it’s feasable in reality (plus there’s probably a municipal ordinance requiring parallel parking that some tightarse bylaw officer would gladly ticket you for). [QUOTE=trupa] My major problem with the smart car safety design is that is was designed by European designers to address safety risks faced in Europe. I think they have overlooked the issue of collisions with much higher-bumpered vehicles common in North-America like pick-up trucks and SUVs. In the video above, the collision is with concrete blocks extending from the ground up, thus engaging the very front of the Smart car’s bumper. I think the bumper of a jacked up Ford F-150 or Dodge Ram pickup would either remove the roof & decapitate the occupants, or crush the Smart car like a can of soft drink and wedge it under the truck’s axle. [/QUOTE] With reference to their crashworthiness, I saw some photos of one that had apparently been in a head-on collision with a big truck (looked like a 5-ton or bigger). The Smart car was, not unexpectedly, totalled (as was the driver), but the front axle of the truck had been pushed back about two feet. They’re not exactly egg cartons. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2007, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/36 "2007-11-08T21:11:26Z")
Isn’t that what the Wii guys drive? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2007, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/37 "2007-11-08T21:24:12Z")
[QUOTE=Duke of Rat] Isn’t that what the Wii guys drive? [/QUOTE] [http://kotaku.com/gaming/oh-canada/wii-smart-car-fleet-269629.php](http://kotaku.com/gaming/oh-canada/wii-smart-car-fleet-269629.php) ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2007, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/38 "2007-11-08T21:44:40Z")
[QUOTE=trupa] My major problem with the smart car safety design is that is was designed by European designers to address safety risks faced in Europe. I think they have overlooked the issue of collisions with much higher-bumpered vehicles common in North-America like pick-up trucks and SUVs. [/QUOTE] We do have big vehicles here, too, you know :rolleyes: [QUOTE=Mangetout] I have a feeling he hasn’t been quite so harsh on them as might be expected. He tends to go in really hard on cars that are trying to pitch themselves as something greater than they actually are, but he’s often quite forgiving of cars that are honest about their own shortcomings. For example, he was quite nice (in a way) about the Peel P50 (the smallest production car ever) [http://www.hemmy.net/2007/11/02/smallest-production-car/](http://www.hemmy.net/2007/11/02/smallest-production-car/) [/QUOTE] IIRC the Smart Roadster got a good review on the show, at least. And yeah, that segment on the P50 was great! ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2007, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/39 "2007-11-08T23:25:04Z")
There is an [EV company](http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars) based downtown. I think they were converting the Smart cars at one time. They’ve got the cutest cars themselves though. I’ve seen a couple dozen or so tooling around or parked downtown. They seem pretty popular in this area. I’d love to buy one myself. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2007, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568/40 "2007-11-09T15:22:40Z")
Living in a small college town in the Great Lakes Region, I was surprised to see that our local police force purchased one to use for parking enforment. The other parking enforcement vehicle is a Jeep Wrangler. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-smart-car-in-america-today/425568.md?page=3)