TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:06 pm

I was looking at the new Smart Car at a local dealer here and got that same feeling of when I bought my first VW back in the early 80s. Could these new Smart Cars be the next new generation VWs? I am seriously thinking about buying one!

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://imag...n%26sa%3DG

Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:10 pm

They look somewhat out of place on American highways, but I say go for it, they are really safe and very efficient. Go for it, and get one in a really obnoxious color, too.

Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:15 pm

I was actually thinking of getting the convertible model in lime green!

Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:17 pm

Automobile magazine had a nice article on them in the last issue.
Sorry, I don't have a link - it may still be available at the newstand.
(February 2008 issue, with the Audi R8 Automobile of the Year on the cover.)

Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:19 pm

66busman wrote: They look somewhat out of place on American highways, but I say go for it, they are really safe and very efficient. Go for it, and get one in a really obnoxious color, too.

If I remember right the VW was also out of place when it came out. I remember my folks saying it was a death trap and that it would never make it in America. Boy were they wrong!

Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:54 pm

I like their tires :wink:

Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:24 pm

My first VW was taken out by the three miles of 1957 Chrysler chrome, way back when. Not much difference between a smart car and 8 tons of Escalade. Go for it! :wink:

Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:50 pm

It has a 4 star safety rating. This crash footage is pretty impressive:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJHpUO-S0i8

Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:55 pm

I dont really like them , but to each his own right. :wink:

Sat Jan 26, 2008 5:02 pm

coad wrote: It has a 4 star safety rating. This crash footage is pretty impressive:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJHpUO-S0i8
Hell yeah that is impressive. I see a lot of those things driving around, maybe becuase there is a dealer down the street.

Sat Jan 26, 2008 5:03 pm

coad wrote: It has a 4 star safety rating. This crash footage is pretty impressive:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJHpUO-S0i8

Well it looks safer than i thought it was.

Needs to be a little lower to the ground tho.

Sat Jan 26, 2008 5:10 pm

coad wrote: It has a 4 star safety rating. This crash footage is pretty impressive:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJHpUO-S0i8

And the passenger door still opens and closes! Didn't even look like he was using too much to do it too either.

Sat Jan 26, 2008 5:10 pm

Better. Wait for the German guy to explain the safety features about a minute in:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnVNUvixWUQ&feature=related

Sat Jan 26, 2008 5:13 pm

Looks really safe but ill stick with my VW.

Sat Jan 26, 2008 5:35 pm

Dayum, $25,000!!!

Sat Jan 26, 2008 5:38 pm

Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:28 pm

Bugs'n'Pugs wrote:

I didn't know 8 spokes came in 3 lug :lol:

Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:42 pm

I see them almost daily in Vancouver (been available in Canada for a couple years now). Great for daily commutes IMO, especially if you work in the city. I think it's great it's finally coming to US. We need smaller cars here again.

I'm more excited about the new Fiat 500 that's supposedly marketed for US:

And am still waiting for the slightly longer SMART roadster that's been available in Europe for awhile now:

Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:44 pm

Kubel Nick wrote: But I'm more excited about the new Fiat 500 that's supposedly marketed for US:

Fixed.

Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:44 pm

I don't think I could fit in a SMART Car. Just like the Beetle I am way to big for small cars, thats why I drive a Bus and my wife drives the Beetle.