A classic " moment"
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Washington State
A classic " moment"
FOXNews.com - Small Cars Get Poor Marks in Collision Tests - Auto
Most folks could have just looked at the car and knew what they determined.
Most folks could have just looked at the car and knew what they determined.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
FOXNews.com - Small Cars Get Poor Marks in Collision Tests - Auto
Most folks could have just looked at the car and knew what they determined.
Most folks could have just looked at the car and knew what they determined.
Tim
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
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From: Frequently frozen MN
Best part was when they pointed out that slightly larger cars -- including a Ford ( Fusion / Focus?) -- got nearly the same mileage and were much safer.
The article I saw also quoted actual accident statistics showing that the little buggers aren't that safe. Kind of counters the arguement that the test wasn't realistic.
Smart that!
The article I saw also quoted actual accident statistics showing that the little buggers aren't that safe. Kind of counters the arguement that the test wasn't realistic.
Smart that!
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: SW Virginia
Our local Fod dealership had a Smart Car on the lot. I sat down in it and had loads of legroom. That's when my left foot hit something. Wasn't sure what it was and turned out to be the left headlight. Those things are ridiculous. And, they don't get the mileage that everyone expected either. Daimler said that the Euro version gets nearly 50 MPG but said that they had to option out the U.S. cars because the stripper Euro version wouldn't sell here. The added weight of the options negated the fuel savings. While sitting in it, I also noticed that my head was about a foot from the back window (hatch). You don't get in those cars, you put them on.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 963
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From: wichita kansas
Didn't they say that the smart car did pretty decent in the crash test? I know a guy that has one and he loves it, and he drivers about 50 miles one way to work. For me it isn't one that I would like, but just going by what he says about it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
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From: Lafayette, IN
Best part was when they pointed out that slightly larger cars -- including a Ford ( Fusion / Focus?) -- got nearly the same mileage and were much safer.
The article I saw also quoted actual accident statistics showing that the little buggers aren't that safe. Kind of counters the arguement that the test wasn't realistic.
Smart that!
The article I saw also quoted actual accident statistics showing that the little buggers aren't that safe. Kind of counters the arguement that the test wasn't realistic.
Smart that!
Which is better (in terms of the ecological impact)--4 guys each driving motorcycles that get 50 MPG, or all 4 guys in one car getting 25 MPG?
Jason
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
If y'all think this puppy is unsafe...how many remember the 2 passenger BMW Isetta that was sold here in the US in the late 1950's?
Entry was thru the front door...which was at the front of the car. When it was opened, the steering column came along with it.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 783
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From: Chicago Area, Illinois
I see quite a few of those "smart" cars around here. I parked next to one the other day. Next to my truck it looked like a big kid verson of a "power wheels" kiddie car!! Someone that drives one of those things takes their life in their own hands. If i was single and gave a crap about economy, I'd get a motorcycle and if i wore a helmet it would be safer than that lol!
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Joe Kucinski
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From: north shore, minnesota
The European version of the Smart cannot be sold in the US because it does not meet EPA emissions and NHTSB safety standards.
If y'all think this puppy is unsafe...how many remember the 2 passenger BMW Isetta that was sold here in the US in the late 1950's?
Entry was thru the front door...which was at the front of the car. When it was opened, the steering column came along with it.
If y'all think this puppy is unsafe...how many remember the 2 passenger BMW Isetta that was sold here in the US in the late 1950's?
Entry was thru the front door...which was at the front of the car. When it was opened, the steering column came along with it.
The American Smart Cars get 35 mpg, and so did my '93 Escort Wagon loaded full of gear driving 18 hours across the midwest.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
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The car literally explodes with plastic pieces flying everywhere and leaps about 5 feet off the ground. The amazing thing to me, is a test engineer coming over and opening and closing both doors-illustrating minimal frame distortion despite a heavy impact. I have a friend whose Jeep was bumped in a parking lot that could not open his driver side door afterward. Now, I'm wondering if the aforementioned "tests" were simply staged to boast consumer confidence in this midget car.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,009
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From: Maine, Virginia
Our local Fod dealership had a Smart Car on the lot. I sat down in it and had loads of legroom. That's when my left foot hit something. Wasn't sure what it was and turned out to be the left headlight. Those things are ridiculous. And, they don't get the mileage that everyone expected either. Daimler said that the Euro version gets nearly 50 MPG but said that they had to option out the U.S. cars because the stripper Euro version wouldn't sell here. The added weight of the options negated the fuel savings. While sitting in it, I also noticed that my head was about a foot from the back window (hatch). You don't get in those cars, you put them on.
My friend, you've made me smile again! I think it's a little small for my taste too.
Tim
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
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From: SW Virginia
Yes, I know. My point was that Daimler had to option the U.S. Model differently than the Euro version. The Euro version is a no frills car with very little in the way of luxury. Daimler said that unless they included more of the creature comforts than they did on the Euro version, the U.S. version wouldn't sell. They essentially said that Americans were so spoiled, they couldn't live without power windows, locks, etc.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
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From: SW Virginia
You're probably as confused as I am about this. I have seen twice, once on You Tube and something on TV (Discovery Channel??) a crash test of the Smart car that was impressive as all get out. Both times, the car hits a concrete barrier around 50 mph, much higher speed than required for testing.
The car literally explodes with plastic pieces flying everywhere and leaps about 5 feet off the ground. The amazing thing to me, is a test engineer coming over and opening and closing both doors-illustrating minimal frame distortion despite a heavy impact. I have a friend whose Jeep was bumped in a parking lot that could not open his driver side door afterward. Now, I'm wondering if the aforementioned "tests" were simply staged to boast consumer confidence in this midget car.
The car literally explodes with plastic pieces flying everywhere and leaps about 5 feet off the ground. The amazing thing to me, is a test engineer coming over and opening and closing both doors-illustrating minimal frame distortion despite a heavy impact. I have a friend whose Jeep was bumped in a parking lot that could not open his driver side door afterward. Now, I'm wondering if the aforementioned "tests" were simply staged to boast consumer confidence in this midget car.
IIHS news release
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 186
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It might look good but cars are supposed to have a crumple zone to take most of the impact for the driver. When you crash your organs hit your chest and a crumple zone helps to minimize this.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
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From: Faibanks Ak.
The European version of the Smart cannot be sold in the US because it does not meet EPA emissions and NHTSB safety standards.
If y'all think this puppy is unsafe...how many remember the 2 passenger BMW Isetta that was sold here in the US in the late 1950's?
Entry was thru the front door...which was at the front of the car. When it was opened, the steering column came along with it.
If y'all think this puppy is unsafe...how many remember the 2 passenger BMW Isetta that was sold here in the US in the late 1950's?
Entry was thru the front door...which was at the front of the car. When it was opened, the steering column came along with it.
It seems like he was in there for three days before he was noticed and my grandfather got a wrecker call, there wasn't even a window big enough for this guy to get out of so he was stuck in there even in a car without really any damage.