[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]

Originally Posted by 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)

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

"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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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!)

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]

Originally Posted by Altavia

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


WHAT FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION ARE ALLOWED ON THE PATHS

"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.

And insurance may not cover accidents for off road use.

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

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by 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)

No.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by JGibson

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???

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by 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!)

Should have hung it off motorcycle rack….

[MrFlorida]

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

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by 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!)

Should have hung it off motorcycle rack…. 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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.
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.