Perfect car for TV?

[Russ_Boston]

How about this car from Mercedes now available in the US (if you've been to Europe you've probably seen these before):

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2008/smart/fortwo/100888153/researchlanding.html#

Might be perfect for TV - smaller than a Prius - almost as good gas milage - 10K cheaper - park in a golf cart space or golf cart garage space.

[JohnN]

Russ, smart car is not a Ford concept. It's available now and it's a Mercedes product. Been in Europe for years, just now in the USA. It will fit in a 1/2 car garage spot and when I move to TV (fingers crossed for about a year) I plan to look at 'em. It's road legal, roomy for two, gas mileage about 40 mpg (which isn't that great).

[Russ_Boston]

Thanks John - Brain overload - I corrected it.

[JohnN]

Russ, LOL, happens to me about, oh, 20 times a day.
I've researched these a bit. One review says they're a novelty and more like riding a lawnmower, but I think for the size, it may be a great TV car. As I said, worth a look.
Take care, bud

[Russ_Boston]

One issue with this car (and others) might be if there is a dealership in the area. I asked this question in an earlier post but no one really answered me. What dealerships (for service especially) are near TV?

[JohnN]

it's just out so there's not an extensive dealership chain. I believe there is one in Orlando. Otherwise, I can't imagine much maintenance, but ya' never know so that's a consideration.

I think that edmunds link has a forum where a few folks have commented on their experience thus far

[JohnN]

smartusa.com is the link for dealerships, etc. Roger Penske (race car driver and Penske Racing) owns the US rights, so I'd guess there's some money behind this venture to make it a success

[SteveFromNY]

I thought the golf car was the perfect "car" for TV?

I only expect to use my "real" car when I go someplace outside TV. At other times it will be gathering dust in my garage while I zip around in my GC. I would not feel real comfortable driving a Samrt car on the FL TPK or I-75, or even 27/441.

I saw them in England and thought "How cute", but not for me. I took a picture of my wife next to one just to give it some perspective on size. It's really, really tiny. In London, where there are LOTS of small cars, it stood out for being soooo small.

[Hancle704]

Visited website and saw 3 different 3 cylinder models selling for $11-16K and hidden in the specs is the requirement for these cars to use Premium Grade Fuel. This is true of many European cars. They need to burn higher octane fuel to get the performance. Seems to me, you could purchase a small Toyota, Nissan 4 Cylinder car, have seating for 4, get decent mileage, have a trunk for not much more money.

Of course there is the early adaptor, novelty factor which seems to guide many in their purchase decisions here in TV.

[Russ_Boston]

I think I agree Hancle. But the size did intrigue me for TV (garage wise esp). I've seen them in London and Italy and thought they may have a place in TV.

[SteveFromNY]

Here's a shot of my lovely wife standing next to a smart car.

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/42467/2182057990031661047S500x500Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2182057990031661047eRqgkv)

[The Great Fumar]

STEVE..
Its tough to make a decision when you only show us half of the car.......WAIT A MINUTE !! your not telling me that thats the whole car ?????? If I put that into my garage I would have room for another bedroom......which would mean more company , more food to buy, more furniture , etc, etc. No thanks , I think I'll look for an old Edsel..
low profile fumar ;D ;D ;D

[SteveFromNY]

Fumar - that was my reaction to the first one I saw too! We were on the touris bus in Londo and we passed one. It looked like 1/2 a car. There is basically a smal car that ends at the back of the front seats.
There are too many larger cars and trucks on the American roads for me to park my fat :edit: in that! That is, if I could fit my fat :edit: into it to begin with!

;D

[JohnN]

Granted it's small LOL, but that's the point, it WOULD fit in the 1/2 car garage, where the civics, corollas, etc wouldn't. I would choose this , if I did, for zipping around florida as a second car

[jjdees]

It's about as long as a motorcycle. I saw them all over Italy and they park them alongside the bikes and they take up the space of 2 bikes.

[chuckinca]

I saw them in Rome last Oct and many times they were parked perpendicular with back in at parallel parking spots

[Sidney Lanier]

We have seen countless Smart cars on trips to different part of Europe. They are indeed small two-seaters, are supposed to be very reliable, and are pretty good on gas mileage. Of course, we have to remember that we might complain about gas prices, but in Europe they routinely pay considerably more for gas than we do--and always have.... We're pretty happy with our Prius which seats 4 comfortably with lots of head- and leg-room in the back, 5 a little less comfortably, gets excellent gas mileage, is (for lack of a better way to put it) 'Toyota reliable,' and when the rear seats are down we can carry (as we did a couple days ago) a chest of drawers, a TV, and a host of smaller items. Notwithstanding costing more than a Smart car, which IS a good car, we'd still prefer our Prius.

[Villages Kahuna]

...held at Lake Miona Center. The guy who said he had the local dealership had one on display. I was very impressed with the amount of room inside what looked to be a tiny car on the outside. I'm a bug guy and I fit in there just fine. They're also quite wide, so you're not "squished" with your passenger. If there is any downside it's that there is almost no storage space. The "trunk", a small space behind the seats and the rear deck lid, might hold a couple of grocery bags...and I mean MIGHT. A weekly grocery shopping for two wouldn't come close to fitting.

I recall the fellow saying that his dealership was going to be in a strip mall on 301 just south of CR 466 but north f Wildwood. I've driven past there a couple of times recently and see no sign of a dealership. Maybe Orlando is the closest.

I called the Orlando dealership and while they have a car or two to test drive, there is a 6-8 month waiting period for those who order a car with a $99 downpayment. The order is cancellable and refundable, so may it might be worth a try. They say the dealership is near Millennium Mall. Recommended service is every year and you would have to drive to Orlando to have the SmartCar serviced.

[Donna]

From a Paramedics point of view, if this car is involved in an accident, there will be no need to call 9-1-1...`

A death trap if I ever saw one..OMG

[chuckinca]

From a Paramedics point of view, if this car is involved in an accident, there will be no need to call 9-1-1...`

A death trap if I ever saw one..OMG



I feel the same way driving a golf cart down Morse Blvd

[renielarson]

Here's a Smart Car crash video...the cage holds up well but the passengers wouldn't survive.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s&search=Smart+Car+Crash

[renielarson]

Here are the newest crash test ratings for the Smart Car issued May 14, 2008, by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr051408.html

[BUC]

My wife just bought a motor scooter about 100 mpg, she only drives about 1.5 miles to work but she really wanted one, and I always try to give my wife whatever she wants, but they scarre me. she'll only ride on the back road but I pray that she doesn't get hurt, please pray for her safety and my sanity.