Mercedes introduces the tiniest car in the whole USA - Kansas City Star

[JohnG]

Mercedes introduces the tiniest car in the whole USA (http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/2-0&fd=R&url=http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/columnists/hearne_christopher_jr/story/294918.html&cid=0&ei=iPYNR7WCB5f20QGu4ZjTCQ)
Kansas City Star, MO - 6 hours ago
By HEARNE CHRISTOPHER The funnest transportation device to hit the Cowtown since the Segway: Would you believe the 2008 Smart Fortwo automobile? ...



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[pam]

Ha, something like the Segway smile?
Pam

[GadgetmanKen]

Those Smart cars are awesome. They are about half the size of a mini cooper, but taller and about as wide. A two seater. I saw one of those foreign models not deemed safe by U.S. standards touring a year or so ago. They have a three cylinder, something like 70 something cc's if I recall. Yet they have plenty of leg room, but not much storage. I believe they are also working on an electric version as well. I would love to own one.

[ryan_walters]

Those Smart cars are awesome. They are about half the size of a mini cooper, but taller and about as wide. A two seater. I saw one of those foreign models not deemed safe by U.S. standards touring a year or so ago. They have a three cylinder, something like 70 something cc's if I recall.

They've been available in Canada for about two years I think. I don't even bat an eye at seeing them around the city.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jm/fortwo.htm

799 (800?) cc direct-injection diesel.

A cute picture in the above url: A smart parked sideways in a normal parking spot.. Kind of funny.

Great on fuel too. 63.5 mpg (us) on the highway. 51 mpg (us) in the city. And diesel is usually slightly cheaper than gasoline.

[wwhopper]

Which is coming early next year has a gas engine and is not as thrifty on fuel.

They are cute, but they are not the greatest drive around, the transmission is clunky. When you shut the doors it sounds like Barbi's dream car - it is very plastic feeling.

We have our order in for one, but will probably cancel.

[Sharkie]

Which is coming early next year has a gas engine and is not as thrifty on fuel.

They are cute, but they are not the greatest drive around, the transmission is clunky. When you shut the doors it sounds like Barbi's dream car - it is very plastic feeling.

We have our order in for one, but will probably cancel.

Well, having ridden in one, I have to disagree strongly here. A buddy of mine has one, and it's a very solid feeling car. The ride is unbelievable! I expected it to be very "choppy" as any short wheelbase car is, but it's NOT. On the highway, it rides better than many of todays "luxury" cars. The transmission is not my favorite, and my buddy had a little difficulty getting used to it, but now that he is used to it, it works just fine. Even if you don't consider the low price and the great fuel economy, this is a great little car for what it is designed. The average person is going to have to change their thought process over the next few years anyway. The huge gas guzzling SUV with one person in it is going to be a thing of the past. As I frequently say, the only thing that doesn't resist change is a wet baby!

Jim