I Have Seen the Future...?
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
I Have Seen the Future...?
The people over in C2 are discussing the MB/Chrysler Smart car. It was introduced to Canada several weeks ago and is (at least initially) a big hit. I thought the folks here might have some opinions on what may be an urban car for the future.
I drove one in Paris several years ago and it is an ideal car for city conditions. Cheap to run (diesel powered), easy to park and just plain fun to drive. With the price and uncertain supplies of gasoline it may just make sense for some owners. While manufacturers pursue alternate fuel (e.g. hydrogen) and hybrid designs (e.g. Toyota Prius), it is an interesting option. Not sure I would want to get hit in one by a Ford Explorer....
As background, here is an article from a local newspaper.
http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawac...8-0cd5247df94d
I drove one in Paris several years ago and it is an ideal car for city conditions. Cheap to run (diesel powered), easy to park and just plain fun to drive. With the price and uncertain supplies of gasoline it may just make sense for some owners. While manufacturers pursue alternate fuel (e.g. hydrogen) and hybrid designs (e.g. Toyota Prius), it is an interesting option. Not sure I would want to get hit in one by a Ford Explorer....
As background, here is an article from a local newspaper.
http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawac...8-0cd5247df94d
Last edited by Paul L; Oct 15, 2004 at 08:28 AM.
Senior Member since 1492
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Cute, but wait till they start getting crushed by SUV's. It'll be all over the news. Big suv's picking on little cars. 
Race Director
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Junk cars. No one in his right mind here drives them either, they are usually bough for marketing reasons, so about 99% of them that run around have decals on them from various businesses. The reason is, they are hugely impractical and they are expensive. There's more than 1 smart, they also have a roadster, same deal there, and a forfour which is a 4 seater.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Diesel powered? I thought I saw on the news, just yesterday, that truckers were complaining about how diesel fuel in now 10 cents per gallon more expensive than reg gas? 
Isn't diesel fuel a by product of oil refining?
If it doesn't have a V8, I'm not interested.
With the price and uncertain supplies of gasoline it may just make sense for some owners.
If it doesn't have a V8, I'm not interested.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Obviously, you've never lived in Texas. Because down here, the answer appears to be "yes."
We traded in a perfectly good '97 Cougar for an F150 just so we'd have something all those people in F350's would at least notice. I'm not kidding! (I'd much rather be driving a car...)
We traded in a perfectly good '97 Cougar for an F150 just so we'd have something all those people in F350's would at least notice. I'm not kidding! (I'd much rather be driving a car...)
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Spring, Texas
Originally Posted by page62
Yessir...I can just see those on the freeways of South Texas...getting squashed like bugs by all the F350's people use as commuter cars down here! 
Team Owner
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From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
My "urban" car is a Toyota Camry 4 cyl. I think of it as a oversized golf cart. I would not want to get any smaller.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
It's true, owning something big when you drive in Texas is pure self defense. I drive my son 50 miles round trip twice a day to school and back, and I very seriously considered a high milage little car, but they feel WAY too much like deathtraps when you're surrounded by big-azz dualies and crew-cabs and soccer moms in Suburbans and Expeditions. So I drive a truck, too--with a standard tranny and the smallest V-6 Chevy puts in a pickup for gas milage--so I'm at least looking 'em in the eye when they run me down.
JB
JB
Last edited by JB; Oct 15, 2004 at 10:48 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Mansfield Ohio
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
Junk cars. No one in his right mind here drives them either, they are usually bough for marketing reasons, so about 99% of them that run around have decals on them from various businesses. The reason is, they are hugely impractical and they are expensive. There's more than 1 smart, they also have a roadster, same deal there, and a forfour which is a 4 seater.
Wouldn't trade one for the 'vette though!!
Last edited by exdrag77; Oct 15, 2004 at 10:52 AM.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 315
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From: North Richland Hills TX
Thats the prob, more and more trucks in Texas...ladies just seem to buy them to feel more powerful or sit higher or something..can't tell you how many times they abuse that and think they can do anything just because their in a truck, aka swiftly change lanes and bully their way in...women.. 
Race Director
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From: Plano TX
Originally Posted by Brettmc
Do women drive big trucks cause they have small noobies?
Brett
Brett
I do take pleasure in watching soccer mom trying to park her suburban. They have discovered the 30-point turn.
Race Director
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Originally Posted by exdrag77
I've been over there several times and although they do use some as moving billboards, I would say more like 10% from what I saw. My friend over in Germany also told me they were made by a division of Mercedes, cost around $15,000 US and get 50 miles to the gallon. Not to mention that two can park lengthwise in a parking space on a city street which is pretty cool! On the Autobahn going 240KPH (approx 160mph) in our Mercedes diesel station wagon, we passed several that were running at over 100 mph. I do have a feeling that if they show up here, we won't get the diesel one and it will cost much more as well.
Wouldn't trade one for the 'vette though!!
Wouldn't trade one for the 'vette though!!
