SMART car coming to US...

[rh77]

At $15,000 and an FE of 40/70, will it sell in the US? Daimler Chrysler is reported to bring it to the US within the next 2 years to hopefully make a profit for the car line. My take -- a step in the right direction, but there are a whole host of vehicles from Europe that equal or rival the SMART's mileage, but doesn't have the "looks".

-RH77

[GasSavers_civicminded]

I like it - if I was in the market for a new small commuter, this would be at the top of the list. The thing looks great IMO.

Only time will tell how the US recieves it though - my thoughts many times don't line up with mainstream America.

My $.02

[SVOboy]

i think most of the appeal of the car is the "hey look at me I drive a fuel efficient car I'm so cool" type of thing that seems to be popular with all these prius owners that get 40mpg and make no effort to drive efficiently (such as one girl in my class who would get high 30s and be ever so happy).

Anyway, for the people that won't abuse it, it's nice,

[budomove]

I still can't imagine how it'll meet safety standards? Doesn't it have to pass a crash test? Prius owners do tend to not drive efficiently, I must agree. I get passed by them everyday.

[SVOboy]

i'm sure the smart can pass crash testing, crumple zones and airbags and all that stuff they have these days. prolly as safe as our cars.

[budomove]

the human body is the crumple zone in that car. I'd feel safer in an n600 surrounded by escalades

[LincolnW]

I'm 100% sure that Smart cars are more safe than the 1990 Civic that I drive around in.

Aren't they turbo? I remember reading about one a while back that had a 3 cylinder turbo engine.

[budomove]

I think we are overestimating the ability of safety equipment to compensate for little material between the driver and the front of the car. or from any angle for that matter. I agree my 91 civic feels like a deathtrap, but at least we have a some room.

[GasSavers_civicminded]

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=smart+car

It actually doen't do as bad as one might think. Still a mess if you hit and Excursion. As 90CivciStandard stated though, probably about as safe or safer than the older Civics (my 92 included).

[Matt Timion]

I saw one of these parked the other day by Home Depot. i'm thinking of driving my n600 there today to see if it's still there. If it is I'll try to get some side-by-side pictures.