Smart car questions

[margaretmattson]

A new neighbor wants to buy a used smart car instead of a golf cart. Will he be able to use anywhere if he keeps under the speed limit of 20 mph? He doesn't see much difference in the size of a smart car vrs a golf cart. I told him NO! Too hazardous! He responded that he is willing to modify. Then came a round of more and more oppositions. You can use street legal carts anywhere. They will fit easily into parking spaces,. They are not bigger than some 4 seaters carts he has seen. His questions were why, why, why? I told him maybe weight or width of the smart car? Illegal by Florida law? He doesn't seem to understand the hazard and safety issue. I also told him they are called GOLF CART paths. He corrected me, MMP paths! (The things some people can think of)

[MSchad]

A new neighbor wants to buy a used smart car instead of a golf cart. Will he be able to use anywhere if he keeps under the speed limit of 20 mph? He doesn't see much difference in the size of a smart car vrs a golf cart. I told him NO! Too hazardous! He responded that he is willing to modify. Then came a round of more and more oppositions. You can use street legal carts anywhere. They will fit easily into parking spaces,. They are not bigger than some 4 seaters carts he has seen. His questions were why, why, why? I told him maybe weight or width of the smart car? Illegal by Florida law? He doesn't seem to understand the hazard and safety issue. I also told him they are called GOLF CART paths. He corrected me, MMP paths! (The things some people can think of)
It is an automobile… period. No it can’t be driven on MMP or in golf cart lanes or on golf courses.

[Altavia]

Basically, not permitted if the vehicle can be licensed to use on public roads.


WHAT FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION ARE ALLOWED ON THE PATHS (https://www.districtgov.org/PdfView/PdfView.aspx?path=%27/PdfUpload/Multi-Modal%20Memo%20-%20Valerie%20Fuchs.pdf%27&ql=standard)

"Who is allowed to use the multi-modal paths throughout The Villages?”

This is a question that the District receives on a regular basis.

The multi-modal paths are for use by NON-AUTOMOTIVE traffic such as bicycles, golf carts, pedestrians, and skaters.

It is not legal…nor is it smart…to drive vehicles such as smart cars, motorcycles, or mopeds on any of the multi-modal paths in The Villages. "

Multi-Modal Path Information and Safety (https://www.districtgov.org/community/MultiModal.aspx#:~:text=Share%20the%20Path&text=The%20multi%2Dmodal%20paths%20are,modal%20pat hs%20in%20The%20Villages).

And insurance may not cover accidents for off road use.

[Blueblaze]

I used to tow a Smart car behind my RV. It was a lousy choice, even for that application. The new ones cost more than a real car and can't even be towed. You certainly can't drive one on a golf course!

I foolishly didn't confirm that my $3000 toad came with a spare key. Turns out the only place you can buy a spare is the Mercedes dealer and they're $500 a copy. Then, the coolant fan went out, and the Mercedes dealer wanted $4000 to replace it -- or $2500 at my usual mechanic. Why? Because you had to remove the BODY to get to the $120 part! But good news everybody! It was designed to run without one! In fact, the European version didn't even come with one. So we made do by watching the temp gauge and pulling over to let it cool down when the gauge hit 250. It took two hours to get back to the RV camp from the Parthenon one July day in Nashville. What a piece of junk!

Tell your friend he's better off buying a used golf cart than a Smart Car (especially for the golf course, for crying out loud!)

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I used to tow a Smart car behind my RV. It was a lousy choice, even for that application. The new ones cost more than a real car and can't even be towed. You certainly can't drive one on a golf course!

I foolishly didn't confirm that my $3000 toad came with a spare key. Turns out the only place you can buy a spare is the Mercedes dealer and they're $500 a copy. Then, the coolant fan went out, and the Mercedes dealer wanted $4000 to replace it -- or $2500 at my usual mechanic. Why? Because you had to remove the BODY to get to the $120 part! But good news everybody! It was designed to run without one! In fact, the European version didn't even come with one. So we made do by watching the temp gauge and pulling over to let it cool down when the gauge hit 250. It took two hours to get back to the RV camp from the Parthenon one July day in Nashville. What a piece of junk!

Tell your friend he's better off buying a used golf cart than a Smart Car (especially for the golf course, for crying out loud!)

and many young guns think that us old dudes are resistant to technological changes just because we are old. . . nah, its called experience which they don't have yet.

Tech bros want to take over the world because they think they can . . . like the developer buying 100s of acres of adjacent farm land because there are no limits to growth. .

everything works until it doesn't

[JGibson]

Basically, not permitted if the vehicle can be licensed to use on public roads.


WHAT FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION ARE ALLOWED ON THE PATHS (https://www.districtgov.org/PdfView/PdfView.aspx?path=%27/PdfUpload/Multi-Modal%20Memo%20-%20Valerie%20Fuchs.pdf%27&ql=standard)

"Who is allowed to use the multi-modal paths throughout The Villages?”

This is a question that the District receives on a regular basis.

The multi-modal paths are for use by NON-AUTOMOTIVE traffic such as bicycles, golf carts, pedestrians, and skaters.

It is not legal…nor is it smart…to drive vehicles such as smart cars, motorcycles, or mopeds on any of the multi-modal paths in The Villages. "

Multi-Modal Path Information and Safety (https://www.districtgov.org/community/MultiModal.aspx#:~:text=Share%20the%20Path&text=The%20multi%2Dmodal%20paths%20are,modal%20pat hs%20in%20The%20Villages).

And insurance may not cover accidents for off road use.

I see plenty of street legal carts on MMP and golf courses.

[Topspinmo]

A new neighbor wants to buy a used smart car instead of a golf cart. Will he be able to use anywhere if he keeps under the speed limit of 20 mph? He doesn't see much difference in the size of a smart car vrs a golf cart. I told him NO! Too hazardous! He responded that he is willing to modify. Then came a round of more and more oppositions. You can use street legal carts anywhere. They will fit easily into parking spaces,. They are not bigger than some 4 seaters carts he has seen. His questions were why, why, why? I told him maybe weight or width of the smart car? Illegal by Florida law? He doesn't seem to understand the hazard and safety issue. I also told him they are called GOLF CART paths. He corrected me, MMP paths! (The things some people can think of)

No.

[Topspinmo]

I see plenty of street legal carts on MMP and golf courses.

IMO That was allowed due to when previous two administrations had clunkers for cash give away. ThE LSV in villages allowed them on MMPs which Bs IMO. They are too wide and long for MMP which back them my had been golf cart path???:highfive:

[Topspinmo]

I used to tow a Smart car behind my RV. It was a lousy choice, even for that application. The new ones cost more than a real car and can't even be towed. You certainly can't drive one on a golf course!

I foolishly didn't confirm that my $3000 toad came with a spare key. Turns out the only place you can buy a spare is the Mercedes dealer and they're $500 a copy. Then, the coolant fan went out, and the Mercedes dealer wanted $4000 to replace it -- or $2500 at my usual mechanic. Why? Because you had to remove the BODY to get to the $120 part! But good news everybody! It was designed to run without one! In fact, the European version didn't even come with one. So we made do by watching the temp gauge and pulling over to let it cool down when the gauge hit 250. It took two hours to get back to the RV camp from the Parthenon one July day in Nashville. What a piece of junk!

Tell your friend he's better off buying a used golf cart than a Smart Car (especially for the golf course, for crying out loud!)

Should have hung it off motorcycle rack….:highfive:

[MrFlorida]

No, it's a car not a golf cart.

[Topspinmo]

I used to tow a Smart car behind my RV. It was a lousy choice, even for that application. The new ones cost more than a real car and can't even be towed. You certainly can't drive one on a golf course!

I foolishly didn't confirm that my $3000 toad came with a spare key. Turns out the only place you can buy a spare is the Mercedes dealer and they're $500 a copy. Then, the coolant fan went out, and the Mercedes dealer wanted $4000 to replace it -- or $2500 at my usual mechanic. Why? Because you had to remove the BODY to get to the $120 part! But good news everybody! It was designed to run without one! In fact, the European version didn't even come with one. So we made do by watching the temp gauge and pulling over to let it cool down when the gauge hit 250. It took two hours to get back to the RV camp from the Parthenon one July day in Nashville. What a piece of junk!

Tell your friend he's better off buying a used golf cart than a Smart Car (especially for the golf course, for crying out loud!)

Should have hung it off motorcycle rack….:highfive: well MB is quality and that come with price and up charge.

[SIRE1]

Do you mean a Smart Car or an Atomic Golf Cart?

A Smart Car is built by Mercedes Benz and is a fully functioning automobile capable of driving on the interstate & turnpike. It is small, but it is a car and not a golf cart.

An Atomic Golf cart is what you see riding around The Villages on the MMPs that looks like a small car. I believe it can be licensed as a street legal LSV or left as an unlicensed golf cart. I think this is true, but need to get confirmation with other Atomic Golf Cart owners or the Atomic dealer.

But before anyone can answer your original question, you have to be sure you are asking about the correct vehicle - Smart Car or an Atomic Golf Cart

[tophcfa]

It’s an oxymoron calling those things a “smart car”. I can think of lots of things to call them, but smart definitely isn’t one of them. And no, they are not allowed on the MMP’s.

[Topspinmo]

It’s an oxymoron calling those things a “smart car”. I can think of lots of things to call them, but smart definitely isn’t one of them. And no, they are not allowed on the MMP’s.

Agree, should be names half car.


If I was metropolitan dweller only I could see the purpose but not price. Going pay that much might as well get vehicle little bigger you drive down interstate.

[Two Bills]

Do you mean a Smart Car or an Atomic Golf Cart?

A Smart Car is built by Mercedes Benz and is a fully functioning automobile capable of driving on the interstate & turnpike. It is small, but it is a car and not a golf cart.
But before anyone can answer your original question, you have to be sure you are asking about the correct vehicle - Smart Car or an Atomic Golf Cart

I know I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I cannot see any ambiguity regarding what vehicle is the subject in the opening post.:shrug:

[biker1]

Smart cars are popular in Europe where parking is a premium (and they are very small). They are no longer sold in the US.

It’s an oxymoron calling those things a “smart car”. I can think of lots of things to call them, but smart definitely isn’t one of them. And no, they are not allowed on the MMP’s.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

and many young guns think that us old dudes are resistant to technological changes just because we are old. . . nah, its called experience which they don't have yet.

Tech bros want to take over the world because they think they can . . . like the developer buying 100s of acres of adjacent farm land because there are no limits to growth. .

everything works until it doesn't

VW never should have retired the original Beetle. Worst decision a car manufacturer could have ever made.

[tophcfa]

I love both our car and golf cart, but they are both very different and each are designed for separate uses. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why people keep trying to merge the two vehicles into one unit that is a half hearted compromise and is inferior to the specific uses of each individual vehicle?

[MorTech]

At minimum you would have to hard program it to not exceed 20 mph.
There might be weight restrictions on the MMP(?)

[biker1]

It became increasingly more difficult to meet US emissions standards with the air cooled engine in the original Beetle. The sales started decreasing in the 70s and VW stopped selling the car in the US in the late 70s. VW had already introduced a far superior replacement to the original Beetle with the Rabbit, which featured a modern liquid cooled engine and a front engine layout. Several models from Japanese automakers were far superior which is one of the reasons why sales tanked and VW ceased selling the car in the US. While VW did continue to manufacture and sell the car outside the US for about another 20 years, it could not compete in the US. The name was eventually resurrected in the new Beetle which was a modern liquid-cooled, front engine design which shared nothing other than the basic shape and name with the original Beetle.

VW never should have retired the original Beetle. Worst decision a car manufacturer could have ever made.

[Topspinmo]

At minimum you would have to hard program it to not exceed 20 mph.
There might be weight restrictions on the MMP(?)

“hard program it for 20 MPH? Why majority take governor’s out or get high speed motors and gears. Village ready Yamahas will run about 38 MPH wide open par and star carts probably hit 40 MPH.

[Topspinmo]

It became increasingly more difficult to meet US emissions standards with the air cooled engine in the original Beetle. The sales started decreasing in the 70s and VW stopped selling the car in the US in the late 70s. VW had already introduced a far superior replacement to the original Beetle with the Rabbit, which featured a modern liquid cooled engine and a front engine layout. Several models from Japanese automakers were far superior which is one of the reasons why sales tanked and VW ceased selling the car in the US. While VW did continue to manufacture and sell the car outside the US for about another 20 years, it could not compete in the US. The name was eventually resurrected in the new Beetle which was a modern liquid-cooled, front engine design which shared nothing other than the basic shape and name with the original Beetle.

The old beetle was find if wasn’t in hurry to get anywhere and didn’t need to take some stuff.

Funny how other countries has lower emissions than this country with all emissions standards isn’t it? Those countries don’t have all the starving lawyers. :crap2:

[MrChip72]

A base model Smart Fortwo does 100MPH. It's also much wider than any golf cart. That would never be allowed on the MMPs.