I think I saw an electric car yesterday?

LauraMax

LauraMax

Cathlete
In my neighborhood, I saw this teeny tiny little thing in someone's driveway, so I slowed as I passed & it had "smart" across the hatchback. I thought these were all sent to a graveyard by Ford or Chevy or one of those companies (I saw the movie but can't remember). I guess whoever bought this must've been one of the first?

I'd love to own one of those. I'm a perfect candidate--I don't drive more than 40 miles a week much less in a day, & I have a wired garage.

EXCEPT they look so unsafe! The padding in my bra would give me more protection than that little bitty thing if it got in an accident.......:eek: I suppose it has to be that size so the electricity isn't drained too quickly by pulling a heavier load, but still, it is kinda scary..........
 
My friends have a smart car. Yes, not only is it tiny, but they say it blows around like crazy on the freeway. Turns out they are expecting a baby in December, so they're going to have to sell the smart car for something with a backseat.

Right down the street from where I work they have tons of smart cars I guess available for rental. It's strange to see them all, but I'm seeing more and more on the road (of course, with parking what it is in San Francisco, you do tend to see more cars like that in the greater bay area).

-Beth
 
Ooh I've been seeing those around lately, I think they are adorable!! Not very practical for anyone with kids, but super cute. I think they run around 8-10k, so if it's just you driving then pretty affordable. Although I would be scared out of my mind to drive one of those things next to a semi!!
 
There are 2 of them in our town. Look great for just going around town or a few miles down the road but not on the thruway.
 
They are actually gas driven. They supposably get about 40 miles to the gallon. Of course I don't know where you would put a gas tank. Parking would be convenient. You could just leave it on the side walk or if someone parked one in your spot, just pick it up and move it.

Jean
 
dreamyjeanie said:
They are actually gas driven. They supposably get about 40 miles to the gallon. Of course I don't know where you would put a gas tank. Parking would be convenient. You could just leave it on the side walk or if someone parked one in your spot, just pick it up and move it.

Jean
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Well see, this is another rather scary thing about the car. A thief does not need a key to steal it! :eek:

So it is gas powered huh? Then there really is no electric car in production. Oh well, my interest in it just decreased significantly.
 
I saw these in France several years ago when we were there. In fact most of the cars there were of the small variety. I have a funny picture of a row of smart cars and a hummer parked along the street - where the hummer actually looks out of place.
 
Someone in our office complex drives a yellow one. Looks like a little bee. I don't know how its going to do on Illinois roads in winter.

Nan
 
The smart car is all the rave here too...Amazingly they're pretty roomy...I don't know how comfy they are...a loaded one is still under 20, but yeah...your right...here on the beltway...semi's and hundreds of car accidents a day...I think I'd rather drive my mini van...I might have a better chance.

The Mini gets 54 miles per gallon...and I think it's cuter...
 
I don't think all the Smart cars in the US are electric: most are hybrid (and Priuses supposedly get better gas mileage than the hybrid Smarts).

I saw quite a few of them in Paris this past summer. (they are manufactured in France).

They definitely look strange!

They also look unsafe for American roads, where you have to share with huge vehicles. I wouldn't feel safe driving around on the highways with them, next to semis! They fit better in Paris, as vehicles are much smaller (thankfully so, as I was hit by a taxi!).

A great idea, though, for a second car just to tool around town, especially the electric versions.
 
These pedal operated tins cans are quite convenient in the sense that should one get in an accident the car doubles as a coffin in which one can be buried (ore recycled into a Martha Stewart trashcan). ;)
 
Not only do they run on gas but they take premium. We looked into getting one but got a Yaris instead. The Yaris gets almost as good gas mileage and runs on regular and it has a back seat. I also read that you can't even get two suit cases in the back of a Smart car. They are however incredibly cute. I turn to look every time one goes by.
 
Beavs said:
BTW, I am baffled as to how anyone can find one of those trash cans "cute"
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I actually think some trash cans are cute too. Like the old fashioned metal ones.

Anyways as far as cars go hybrids, Smart cars.... They all kind of piss me off. Give me 100 mpg or give me electric. None of this 40 mpg stuff.
 
Jaffas said:
Give me 100 mpg or give me electric. None of this 40 mpg stuff.
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I agree!

I was surprised when I read that Priuses get better mileage than the Smart car (and have a LOT more room to boot!). (Although I was ticked off when I found that the originally estimated mpg of the Prius--52 on the highway, 60 in city--was not accurate. I do get around 49-51 on the highway, especially on 55 mph roads, that I drive at 58--but 'city' mileage is quite a bit lower than estimated, and new estimates reflect that. Makes me wonder how many mph the huge gas guzzlers are getting around this little town?)

The electric Smart cars do get better mileage, but I don't know if there are any in the US.
 
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