Vs. a Smart Car

[TopL3ssSS]

Thought this one would be interesting.

Took a 100 mile road trip to do a little shopping in Knoxville on Saturday, and saw a Camaro 1Lt convertible in Inferno Orange on the Mercedes-Benz lot, and stopped in to take a look. I find it's kinda fun now, having just bought a 2011 Camaro SS Convertible 2 months ago, to test drive about anything without the fear of wanting it...

Was leaving the lot, and noticed that the dealership had a full complement of Smart cars on the lot. Stopped, jumped out to take a look, and decided to take one for a spin, since I'd likely never see these people again. :-), so any embarrassment would be short lived.

My daughter & I ready to head out into traffic...

Took it around the block & hit it pretty hard. Acceleration was SSSLOWWW... Passenger compartment was ok, even for someone 6'4". Golf cart describes it best. The engine was a 3cylinder gasoline engine, making 70HP, with a 5 speed 'automated manual' transmission. Gear changing was accomplished by running up the RPMs, letting off the gas, and hitting the gas again. Kinda strange, but got used to it quickly. 8 airbags surround the passenger compartment. Options included a radio, A/C, power locks & windows, and panoramic sunroof. Daughter loved it. Brought it back to the dealership lot, and did a few doughnuts with salesmen watching & laughing. While I wouldn't buy one (there's more to life, than gas mileage), I can see the cult-like following that they have.

Have always wondered how easy they would be to tip over, and asked the salesman. He laughed and said, wondered the same thing ourselves, 'they won't, we've tried...'

Comparison table is below:

Camaro SS L99. SmartCar ForTwo
Displacement: 6.2L (376) V-8. Vs. 1L (61) straight 3
Transmission: 6-speed auto. Vs. 5-speed automated manual
HP: 400. Vs. 70
0-60: 4.7 secs. Vs. 12.8 secs
Quarter mile: 12.8 secs @ 108mph. Vs.20 secs @ 68mph
Turning radius: ?who cares? Vs. 28 feet
Weight: 4000 lbs. vs. 1840 lbs.

Thanks for playing along.

[mikeyg36]

Now I want to go test drive one.

[trewyn15]

you should have hit something to see if they're actually safe.

[302-412]

There one out there on the internet with a Hayabusa engine How safe is that!

[Normagene]

It's called a "Smart Car" because they know only an idiot would buy one. The idiots actually think they're smart for doing so. I love when I pass one in my ZL1 and I always seem to accidentally stomp on the pedal as I go by. I like the way it makes them change lanes without turning the steering wheel. The car just sort of blows over into the other lane.

[Gibroni]

I think they're pretty cool and have their place. Good city car where traffic flows light to light, block to block. I we don't pay attention to gas mileage, there will be no life. Only an idiot denies climate change.

[PeeBee]

You're saying?

(Just HAD to, seeing this on an MB lot, when dropping off a colleague to get his car)

[mikeyg36]

Originally Posted by Gibroni

I think they're pretty cool and have their place. Good city car where traffic flows light to light, block to block. I we don't pay attention to gas mileage, there will be no life. Only an idiot denies climate change.

I deny global warming. That's all I'm saying. No politics.

[RubyCamaro]

I really just don't get that car. I call them Stupid cars. Just looks like a little death trap going down the road to me. I can't even imagine being on the same road with 18 wheelers in that thing. I don't care how many stinkin air bags they put in it, that car vs 18 wheeler would would just = death. I was in a horrible single car crash in a Chrisler LeBaron Coupe Turbo at 55 MPH. The car was totally unrecognizable except for the rear bumper. It looked so bad someone passed the scene & went to my place of employment & told them I was dead. My worst injury was a broken knee. I just want a little metal between me & other things when I am driving down the road. Just IMHO. Sounds like it might be a fun toy though (not on open roads).

[hrpiii]

you can't knock a car that is "dishwasher safe".

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

Originally Posted by Normagene

It's called a "Smart Car" because they know only an idiot would buy one. The idiots actually think they're smart for doing so. I love when I pass one in my ZL1 and I always seem to accidentally stomp on the pedal as I go by. I like the way it makes them change lanes without turning the steering wheel. The car just sort of blows over into the other lane.

there is so much prejudice and ignorance in this post it is unbelievable.

While I will agree that for the most part the SMART has no place in America, it is perfect in a lot of places around the world that still have cobblestone streets that are barely wide enough for mopeds and bicycles, plus countries that pay north of $8/gallon for petrol.


The SMART is smart for those people in those areas..

Way to think outside the box and beyond the end of your small unimpressive and obviously narrow minded world.

[fielderLS3]

Smart car is the most pointless car on the road. They are a novelty that is fun as a joke on day one, but the novelty quickly wears off. For the same money, there are cars that are nearly twice as big, twice as powerful, more refined, better contented, actually get better mileage, and run on regular.

It's only redeeming quality is it can fit in tiny spaces, though surely other vehicles can do the same for much less money.

[hapisok]

words to live by...thanks MR INCREDIBLE. it was camaro vs smart car, not smart car vs the world. in a world where both smart cars and camaros live... camaro 1, smart car 0.

thanks for sharing op

[Habu]

You know they gotta be fast. the one around the corner from me has duel exhaust. Time for a--->