I noticed this Smart car parked outside the Grand Event Center a few weeks ago and didn’t have my camera ready. Today, I caught it on film…or in pixels.
I saw my first Smart Car a little over five years ago. My family and I were traveling in Italy and we saw one pull up in front of the sidewalk cafe where we were dining in Siena. At first I thought it was some kind of experimental vehicle.
Later, when we were in Rome, I saw at least a dozen of them. I was really impressed that they were about the same length as a motorcycle and so could park perpendicular to the curbs, basically taking up half the space of a typical car.
If you haven’t seen one up close yet, keep your eyes open for this one. Apparently, it’s in Northfield, at least now and then.
Do me a favor, if you see the driver, ask about the mileage.
I can’t help but suspect that the main appeal of the Smart is the visual/personal statement that it makes. According to the company, the little thing is only supposed to get 34 mpg city / 41 highway.
http://www.smartusa.com/smart-car-faq.aspx
We already get 36-37 on the highway in our 1999 Toyota Corolla, and it’s a four door sedan.
If you’re looking for fuel economy, a hybrid, a diesel, or an electric golf cart would seem to make more sense than the Smart.
I have seen a few smart cars around St Cloud.
bUt I remember when Sean O’leary first told me about them. The crash tests that they’ve done are pretty crazy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnVNUvixWUQ&feature=related
Smart cars originated in Europe where they make a lot of sense. Cities tend to be more densely populated, roads are narrower and parking is a real hassle.
Smart cars will make sense in larger cities here. Beyond that I am not sure if I want to sit in them in a windstorm or winter storm on 35W in MN.