A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

[Falcon67]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

I figure it'll run a 10.50 with my 351C 4V in it. Cute as hell - I'd be a scared rabbit on the freeway here. This here be west Texas, our extended cab Ranger is a "small car". F150 minimum to play LOL.

[JRoberts]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

My son and I saw a Smart Car on I-85 between Greensboro and Salisbury (NC). It was going the opposite direction, but was cruising right along w/traffic in the middle lane, which means it was probably going at least 75mph. I figured the driver was pretty gutsy.

[HillbillySailor]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

They say the top speed is 90 MPH. I wonder how she' respond to nitrous? ;)

[scamp360]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

Had Smart Cars in Canada for 2 or 3 years. Friends of mine drive one as a company car winter and summer. Only complaint is that getting parts takes forever that include the tiny oil filter.

[Jim Rockford]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

yea those things hold up well to a crash test , they put on into a concrete divider at a high speed , totaled the car , but you could still open the drivers door with little effort , i guess that was the vid that was linked i know top gear did one.
i prefer my commuter 05 gti 1.8 turbo

[Brian Lohnes]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

They are very fun to drive, even though it feels like you are in a little capsule instead of a car.

Some guy is sticking Hyabusa engines in them I think.

As someone mentioned above, you'd be shocked at how comfortable a normal humanoid fits into the thing (I'm slightly rounder than normal and I fit nicely).

Obviously, their physical size puts them at a disadvantage in a wreck, but they have passed all the necessary safety standards here.

I dig 'em more than a Prius.

Brian

[DanStokes]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

Yeah, Brian, but the Prius is butt ugly! In this month's SAE mag (I'm a member) they had an article on the little guys. They'll be coming out with a 3 cylinder turbo Diesel Mitsu in the fanny later this year. Of course, it'll meet the new emissions standards for Diesels. I'd wait a year or two for the bugs to get worked out, but might make a great around-town car for the bride. The SAE article also mentioned a turbo gas engine, which I think they said is available in Europe now. I'd go check the mag, but it's already in the recycle bin.

Later
Dan

[joebogey]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

I think it's cool, but with the amount of Excursion's and F250's running around @ 60 mph (85 mph+ on the hwy) I'd be a little scared. I'd like to see a crash test with an F250/2500HD and see what's left.

[Brian Lohnes]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

It's funny, with all the talk about the Smart car I forgot that my son just purchased one.



Brian

[fahrenschnell]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

Good Looking Kid Brian.




Must take after his mother. ;D


Seth

[olbuddybob]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

The dealership in Bloomfield Hills, Mi has a boat load of them and they don't seem to be moving that well. I have seen way more Challengers on the road than Smartcars. I followed one down South BLVD the other day which runs along a stretch of GM plants. The road is in terrible shape due to all the truck traffic. Anyway we are doing about 40mph and once that Smartcar started hitting the rough patches it was all over the road and he slowed to about 15-20mph to keep it on the road. I need to stop by and take one for a ride soon and see for myself how it handles.

[Fordplay0621]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

They are really cool with a Hyabusa Engine in them. Check You Tube for the Videos.

[SpiderGearsMan]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

what will win a drag race - a smart car vs an 84 chevy sprint ?

[Brian Lohnes]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

Spider....is there really a "winner" of that race? ;D

Brian

[Monster]

Re: A New Car Dealership in Hampton Roads...

Here's a Smart car crash test...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s

"The occupants most likely wouldn't have survived" !