Alberick

An article I found at our company's Intranet news section :
Did somebody notice that the people in Smarts drive like *****?

LONDON, May 8 (Reuters) - Flashy car drivers - sit up and listen...to the roar
of the tiny Smart car overtaking you.
The Smart, with its distinctive snub-nosed appearance, has one of the worst
records for speeding in Britain - despite only doing a top speed of 85 mph.

Fifty-nine percent of ``Smart'' drivers said they had been flashed by speed
cameras, according to a survey of 15,000 drivers for Auto Express magazine
released on Wednesday.

Even though the 600cc Smart needs a noisy 17.2 seconds to get from zero to 60
mph, drivers of the DaimlerChrysler car appear determined not to be left behind
at the traffic lights.

Only the 163 mph Porsche Boxster and the 155 mph Saab 9-5 came out worse in the
survey, with 78 percent and 70 percent of drivers saying they had been flashed.

Martingb

They're just Lego bricks with wheels and an engine!

Martin.

steve jackson

iTrader: (2)

So you have never driven one then martin?
I have a scoob and a smart, try it before u knock it m8

SJ

Luke

Silver or grey. looks great. Take the stupid "Pods" off the dash and get leather. Yes please!!

johnfelstead

i like smarties

Ralf

I don't like these warts.

But at least they are smaller than my car



Ralf

RT

I love the concept and idea.



Haven't had a chance to try it tho...

skiddusmarkus

Would love my girlfriend to get one so I can razz around in it,pushing in queues,park where I want and still get 3000 mpg.

johnfelstead

just dont have a big crash in it.

P1Fanatic

Atrocious looking car - especially the pansy at my work who drives around in a bright orange one...They maye be practical, cheap, econonomincal etc but it doesnt stop them from looking like an OAPs electric card with a shell on top.

JKJ2

One of those small concepts that got into production, but really begged the question, why ? They proved to be too expensive, costing the same as cars like the Fiesta/Polo..etc which actually drive better in the town and on longer trips, plus they carry 4 people and their luggage. The ride was OK but let down by an atrocious gear change that lunges the car between gears, with performance up there with the Sinclair C5.

One of its perceived selling points was the fact that it could be parked nose first into the kerb, where other cars could ease up to them and totally block all access from the doors...hmmm. Bottom line is they offer no advantage over the conventional small car being offered by the main stream manufacturers, in terms of cost both purchase and running, and considerable disadvantage in terms of performance and accomadation.

Adam_K

try driving a barabus conversion though. now that would be fun. over 80bhp in something that weighs as much as an empty packet of crisps

RT

Thats an idea! Maybe the next Smart will have Lambo-type doors!

Brendan Hughes

JF - funny you should say that, I was looking at the NCAP summaries the other day. Smart ain't wonderful, but ain't awful either. Now a Fiat Seicento, Lancia Y10, or Alfa 147 on the other hand...

Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

The Power Engineering one is pretty funky looking

RobinSherwood

Hi Guys,

I think it really is a case oy you have to try one to understand. We are now on our second Smartie having chopped our LHD import in for a RHD. Clearly we wouldn't have bought a second one if we were not impressed with the first and importantly the second one is a VAST improvement over the first. Build, gearchange and lots of design niggles have all been improved. Also it doesn't have to look like a cartoon car, ours is special order (for a Passion) all black, which with the Brabus wheels looks great.

True it is not great on long journeys but have used it on long journeys when it was the only car in the house available and actually quite enjoyed it.

It'll be going in for the Brabus conversion when it is run in, then it should be really interesting

Wouldn't swap the Scoob for one, but they are great little cars. As a matter of interest we also have a New Mini Cooper in the family and whilst it is clearly better to drive than the Smart, the day to day usability of the design for town use is definitely inferior.

Cheers

Robin

[Edited by RobinSherwood - 5/14/2002 10:09:06 AM]

simon_prickett

I rented one (the Pulse) over the last Bank Holiday weekend and did 681 miles in it including trips from Southampton to Silverstone and Donington Park.

Loved it.

You really do have to try one before mouthing off.

Thrifty Car Rental rent them very cheap.

Simon.

BT52b

I was sceptical, but after trying one we just had to get one.
They are great fun. Don't put it down until you've driven it.

carpet

Bennet cars !!!

they look like the owners, bent !

scoobypig

Got stuck behind one of these wheelbarrows going up a long hill recently.
Try asking any of the 20 or so drivers in the tailback what they thought of it!
Fine in town but on the open road i reckon they're a menace.

BT52b

"A menace" ???
You have clearly never driven one have you, otherwise you wouldn't have come out with such a stupid statement. There are plenty of much slower cars/vans/lorries etc... around.

Ooh I saw a Subaru Impreza doing 20mph once, therefore they are all dangerously slow... Hmm?

And as for...
"Bennet cars !!!
they look like the owners, bent ! "

What the hell is that supposed to mean?



[Edited by BT52b - 5/17/2002 9:20:20 AM]

cheeseboy

brilliant little cars - top speed is really quite high too Uses bugger all fuel, which here in europe costs WAY too much anyhow. Here in germany they dont cost anywhere near what you guys have to pay, and for a town + to and from work + etc + etc it really is a great car. those who knock it - try it first.

subevo

me got a passion.no worries about it getting stolen.no worries about bacofoil doors as the plastic pops back to its normal shape.have you got a 6 speed sequential gearbox with auto mode answer no.ive owned impretzas,lotus esprits etc the smart car is thebest fun car you will own.so there.

P1Fanatic

Subevo - you forgot the all import "if your a bird or hair dresser" statement on the end of that sentence.

Moose the MOT man

chip 'em up tweek them too. Its a racing series waiting to happen!

johnfelstead

i supose something should be introduced that is slower than the 2CV's.

Not sure i fancy taking craner curves in a smart. Bet it would be a right laugh though, even if a bit