Wednesday, June 06, 2007

I Want One. In Pink.

I've always liked Smart cars. (Interlude: I just spent 20 minutes reading my January 2006 archives as I thought I'd written about Smarts after we came back from France. But no. However, I would like to point out that I have always made a big deal about the model names - in Europe, the little one is called a fortwo, and a big one is called a forfour. How can you not find that adorable?) It is an ultra compact car that always makes me think it's disposable - but in a good way. In the gets-75-mpg-highway kind of way. And you can park it just about anywhere, as it's only 8.8' x 5.1'.

Finally, though, this car is available in the US. Not widely available yet, it's scheduled to explode on the market in the first quarter of 2008.

BUT.

I saw one on Market Street, here in Akron today. And when I pulled up next to it at a stoplight, a snapped a cell phone picture:

Smart

I think that its wheels are relatively - but not actually - large, and that this makes it look like a little toy. That, and the fact its shape is reminiscent of an egg.

14 comments:

Jay said...

These things are becoming increasingly popular in Portland; more and more dealers seem to be carrying them. Every time I see one parked somewhere, I want to go pick it up like those guys from that Mentos commercial.

Don't front. You soooo know what I'm talking about.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you. The people that are saying they're too ugly to take of in the states are nuts. I think this thing is destined to be the VW Bug of the 21st century.

I wrote an article about the fortwo myself just a few days ago when I saw my first one driving down the interstate here in the Philly area. I can't wait to get one.

Found My New Car: The Smart Fortwo

I'm starting a fanclub site soon. I'll let you know when it's up and running if you'd like.

Great site by the way.

Frank

Kiki said...

I love the idea of the smart car. However, I do not love the idea of driving it on the highway. Could you imagine being in front of a soccer mom in a huge suburban drinking her Starbucks, talking on her cell and wrangling her children in the backseat? The thought just frightens me.

Anonymous said...

I can has smartcar?

SarahReznor said...

it's half a car!

Princess in Galoshes said...

Hee hee. In France, that's what you have to drive if you get a DUI. (Or if you have your license revoked for other reasons, too, I think.)

But I think they're awesome, too.

Anonymous said...

I'm trying to imagine how all of my groceries would fit in there!

Unknown said...

Yeah, I would love a car that could get 75 MPG, but the fact that I have to haul other people's kids around all damn day would make that dream an impossiblilty.

I'm sacrificing my checking account to BP and Halliburton for the sake of saving families!

Girl, Dislocated said...

It's sooo CUTE! I saw one of these once and wasn't sure if it was a real car. Now that I know it is, I want one. Right now.

Unknown said...

I've thought that it would be fabulous to have one of these also...though my husband wouldn't even begin to fit inside...ah well.

Anonymous said...

Wow . . . I kind of hate those cars. However, I'm seriously glad that someone likes them, because it means that there really is a market for them!

But no, I would not buy one.

v said...

Mentos. Lol@blogportland.

LolCars. Lol@miz shoes.

Yeah, this seems like a cute car for a girl. But, I'd still think one would have to investigate the car's safety profile. Hopefully it is safe.

Bobealia... said...

We've had them in Canada for a while. My husband loves them. They are a tad expensive (in Canada anyway) for what you get...
I think they are cute too, but what about in an accident with an SUV?
Also, you can't go grocery shopping...

Anonymous said...

My friend here in Canada has one, she loves it!! It's actually quite roomy, her husband is 5'7, and has lots of leg room. They get quite a bit of groceries in their car actually, and they drove from NS to Montreal (18 hour drive) and it cost them $54CAD in gas! And they are actually safer than you think.