The Four Two is proof that some people are plain old stupid.

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
StageLeft

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
You know the car, the 1800 lb two seater that is the shortest, tiniest little car on the road. Now it's available in North America. Trendyness aside, this car makes NO sense at all.

I thought this thing was silly already but was reading the Car & Driver review of it and some refreshing numbers for you: gas mileage of 32 mpg average. Ok, not terrible, but same ballpark as a yaris, fit, versa, etc. Oh, crap, that's on 91 (wtf). At least it's good at the lights. No it isn't, 14.4 0-60 are you kidding me? I can push my car up at hill to 60 quicker than that. Passengers? Only one! Cargo area? Sucks! Price? Not very good! A hair under the yaris and others (its base price doesn't include AC, so is not worth considering).

So compared to any of the sub micro little things available now, this gets about the same gas mileage, is much slower, has no cargo room or passenger space. I don't want to say it with certainty, but I believe its warranty is quite short, too.

Oh, and you look like a complete muppet. This car fails.
 
X

Xyclone

Lifer
Aug 24, 2004
10,312
0
76
I've always thought the only reason these cars were popular was because Europeans, who have to deal with horrid space (parking) issues compared to most of the U.S., parked them head in into the curb (perpendicular), instead of parallel with it. This practice was banned, though, because you can't see the reverse lights/realize the car is on from a side view (from other drivers on the street). The length of a Smart car is the same as the width of an average SUV. Think about that, lol.
 
Fenixgoon

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
33,419
13,039
136
apparently it's called the "smart" because the entire factory is automated.. or so i've been told.

also, i'd imagine the european version >>> US version (they probably get uber efficient diesels/gas ones)
 
T

thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
1
0
The only situation in which it could make sense is in San Francisco or New York City if you didn't have a garage. You park it perpendicular, and it is short enough to fit in sections of curb that wouldn't allow a normal car.

But if raw size is not your first concern, there is no reason to buy one. It's less economical than cars that are superior in every way.
 
A

andylawcc

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
18,183
3
81
It's a fashion statement.

and, it's also like comparing the $499 Celeron equipped, 7 inch monitor-ed Asus EEE vs a low end Dell, with twice the processing power and viewing estate.
 
PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
Originally posted by: Xyclone
I've always thought the only reason these cars were popular was because Europeans, who have to deal with horrid space (parking) issues compared to most of the U.S., parked them head in into the curb (perpendicular), instead of parallel with it. This practice was banned, though, because you can't see the reverse lights/realize the car is on from a side view (from other drivers on the street). The length of a Smart car is the same as the width of an average SUV. Think about that, lol.
Click to expand...

Banned where? I've been seeing it parked that way all over Germany the last few months...
 
Colt45

Colt45

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
19,720
1
0
Golf is much more practical... I don't think I'd go smaller than that, maybe a polo. smart is far too small with no benefit.
 
Demon-Xanth

Demon-Xanth

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
20,551
2
81
Yeah, the European version is great. 50MPH gas, 70MPG diesel. In the US the Mercedes engines couldn't pass emissions so they put a Mitsubishi engine in, and it's gas mileage is good, but not great.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
The US version indeed is an epic failure.

(1)- High price
(2)- Shitty economy
(3)- Shitty warranty
(4)- Shitty performance
(5)- Joe Shitpacker in his 3 Ton SUV can't see your hippie ass, so he proceeds to smash you like a bug under his 22"s.
 
Aharami

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
the only place I see this car selling well is cities like NYC. If you've ever had to park in midtown on a Saturday evening, you know how much of a pain it is.
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
Originally posted by: Aharami
the only place I see this car selling well is cities like NYC. If you've ever had to park in midtown on a Saturday evening, you know how much of a pain it is.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but I'd have to think that a decent % of those types would be better off with a $5k motorcycle that gets 60mpg, is more reliable, and actually attracts members of the opposite sex :)
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,586
986
126
You could park six of them in your garage though. :p

Personally, I think it's about as practical as a motorcycle.
 
StageLeft

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
You could park six of them in your garage though. :p

Personally, I think it's about as practical as a motorcycle.
Click to expand...
Your icon. NOOOOOO!!

 
geokilla

geokilla

Platinum Member
Oct 14, 2006
2,012
3
81
I like the Smart FourTwo, espicially the previous gen one that used the Diesel engine and not the current gasoline one. These cars are NOT meant to go on the highway as you can tell from the slow acceleration, they are best used in city driving espicially when it's rush hour where traffic congestion is horrible.

The other day however, I saw the first generation Smart on the 401, I saw a Smart going about 110 to 120km/h. I don't know for sure how fast he was going but he was definitely driving at around 110km/h.
 
DivideBYZero

DivideBYZero

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
2
0
overst33r

overst33r

Diamond Member
Oct 3, 2004
5,761
12
81
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: mariok2006
NHTSA cites safety concern after crash testing smart fortwo

FAIL
Click to expand...

Did you read it? No, so let me help you:

Daimler was confident that the fortwo would perform well in federal crash tests, and it actually did earning four stars in the front crash test for both the driver and passenger and five stars in the side crash test, the highest number the federal agency gives.
Click to expand...

Concern != fail.
Click to expand...

I posted the wrong link. I meant to post MotorAuthority's version instead.

http://www.motorauthority.com/...performance-customers/

Incredible demand has created a waiting list for buyers trying to get their hands on a Smart ForTwo in its first year of official U.S. sales. Strong fuel efficiency, easy urban maneuverability and a very positive image have all contributed to the sales success, but now that the NHTSA?s first round of tests are out, the Smart?s image may no longer be an asset.

The results show the ForTwo scores four of five stars for driver protection in a frontal impact, but only three stars for the passenger. Worse, the rating is based on a collision with a similarly-sized car - a near impossibility, statistically, on American roads. The results would almost certainly be much worse against a larger vehicle, reports CNN.

Not that three stars is particularly good, even against another Smart - the rating equates to a 21 to 35 percent chance of serious injury.

Side-impact ratings are a perfect five stars, however, despite the door popping open during the test. Getting thrown from the car is a dangerous proposition, but the ForTwo protects the occupants well up to that point.

Roll-over resistance scores a mere three stars again, likely thanks to its short, narrow wheelbase and high center of gravity. The three-star rating puts it in the company of SUVs and tall trucks and indicates a 21 percent likelihood of tipping in a crash - not exactly confidence inspiring.
Click to expand...

So you conveniently left out the ratings for the passenger and the fact that the door opens during the crash. That's not exactly what you want in a collision. You're right, I didn't read Autoblogs version, I read MotorAuthority's.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom