Smart car, stupid driver

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I saw a Smart car being driven around town for the first time today--as it was pulling right out in front of me from a side street, forcing me to hit the brakes on a possibly slick, snow-covered street.

I followed the Smart car to an intersection with a stop sign. Smart car does a California stop and turns left--at the same time an oncoming semi is turning right onto the same street.

Result: Smart car has to stop in the middle of the intersection so the semi can complete its turn, forcing cross traffic on the other street to stop, even though it isn't supposed to.

Geez, if you're going to drive a shoebox, you'd better be a damn good driver. Otherwise you'll end up as street pizza if an SUV, truck or 18-wheeler nails you.

[Nashida]

Heck, Preggers could flatten one of those sardine cans on wheels. I've seen a couple up here on occasion, and I feel like it's an oversized Hot Wheels car.

[CaroPhoenix]

Yeah, my BIL#1 used to have one. As of Friday, it's no longer. He was driving home from work, hit a patch of black ice, and hit a telephone pole.

He hit his arm and head but he's fine.

The car was totaled though. I don't think he had it for a full year either.

[Bloodsoul]

Everytime I see one of those I mentally replace "Smart" with "Clown."

[Magpie]

Everytime I see one of those I mentally replace "Smart" with "Clown."

And this would be why 1.97 hubby would be very amused if we got one. He has said before that if we get a car, he wants to see if he'll fit into a Smart. (yes, we live in a city, but I may end up with a job that requires me to get a car, given my field, and since beggars can't be choosers we would then go and buy a car, provided the job paid enough more to justify the incredible expense).

[pitmonkey]

It is so funny to watch one of them going down the freeway with two or three semis. Ever hear the adage Lets squish the ity bitty little bug? They are the ones that like to drive in a trucks blind spots.

[mikoyan29]

It is so funny to watch one of them going down the freeway with two or three semis. Ever hear the adage Lets squish the ity bitty little bug? They are the ones that like to drive in a trucks blind spots.

Hell, I think they would fit in a Neon's blind spot.

[Sientara]

And this would be why 1.97 hubby would be very amused if we got one. He has said before that if we get a car, he wants to see if he'll fit into a Smart.

Lets see . . . 1.97m = about 6'5". I'd say he'd fit, but be incredibly uncomfortable.

[Salted Grump]

My dad always called Smart cars 'Pregnant Rollerskates' I have to agree with the term.

As for drivers thinking 'I'm in a Smart Car, I'll be fine' I'd like to point out the laws of Inertia don't care about your fuel economy.

(I did see one video of a Smart being smacked by an 18-wheeler, once. Impressive amount of flips and tumbles when it came down from its impromptu flight. No doubt that the crash test dummy would look at a Tilt-a-whirl with no fear afterwards)

[wolfie]

My dad always called Smart cars 'Pregnant Rollerskates' I have to agree with the term.

Actually, pregnant rollerskate refers to the VW beetle (original air-cooled, not the "new beetle").

[Salted Grump]

Actually, pregnant rollerskate refers to the VW beetle (original air-cooled, not the "new beetle").

Yeah, I know, but my Dad called 'em that anyhow, because, really, Look at 'em. It fits.

[tropicsgoddess]

No way would SO fit in those Smart cars, let alone the Tango.

[Ironclad Alibi]

How long before we hear about a carry out of some hugh TV or other large item that has to be put into a Smart Car?

[Boggles]

As someone who is over 6' 3" and rather rotund and drove a Smart car for some years, I think you would be amazed at what you can fit in a Smart.

My favourite would have to be one of three moments. Either the time I bought 3 wardrobes from Ikea, asked for help taking them to the car and amazed the staff by fitting them in (I had measured the boxes befoer buying!)

Or the time i bought a new freezer from Comet - standard single unit sized one, they told me delivery would be an extra £25 so i wheeled it out to the Smart and made it fit.

Or possibly, the time I went to the tip. I asked for help unloading something and the guys workign there made various comments about had i got a lot of matchboxes in it or something? I calmly began lifting out a tumble dryer and listened to the sound of jaws dropping.

And i have to say, it is one of the few cars I have driven over the years where my head hasn't met the roof with every bump and where I have felt to have a lot of space.

[dalesys]

As someone who is over 6' 3" and rather rotund and drove a Smart car for some years, I think you would be amazed at what you can fit in a Smart.

(As attested in another thread somewhere)