A few years ago, I was on a motorway between Vienna and Zurich. The traffic came to a complete stop. After a few minutes a helicopter lifted off about a mile ahead of us. Shortly thereafter, we started to move.

We came to the accident. As far as we could tell, a little car had gotten under a semi, which rolled it up into a ball. The ball seemed to be only about 4 feet in diameter. I can't imagine how they got someone out of it. And, those semis are smaller than ours.

Dick.

A couple years ago a lady turned left into my path driving a 2004 Honda Civic. I was going about fifty (Speed Limit) in my 95 GMC Safari. As soon as I seen her make the move I slammed the brakes but rain only had me down to about 35mph when I T boned her littlerally caving the passenger side of that car in three feet and sending that car for a tripple donut.

No doubt in my mind that if she had a passenger, They wouldn't be here today.

While these cars are designed to crumple under the driver (Unibody) in front or rear impacts, NOTHING TAKES a side impact better than good old american full bodied gas sucking METAL.

Thank God for Miracles.
Chuck

Everybody has valid concerns about the "Smart Car" and will it kill you
eventually...lol ?

Chances are you won't be killed in one, but who knows. Maybe it will be
your lucky day.

I have seen a few on the West Coast and your concerns are valid. I don't know how safe they are. I figure they must not be safe or everybody would have one,
right?

But taking that into account and trust me I have thought about these little
cars for a long time. Maybe another car like the "MINI" would be the way to go.

They get great mileage, have a small frontal area. And have been designed by
the "crouts" to be safe, strong and take a tremendous inpact.

Only bad thing is they will probably cost you twice the amount of a "Smart Car"
and get about 15% less fuel mileage.

Safety is not cheap, and thats why we can't afford our big SUV's and Trucks anymore.

Pretty soon we will have to walk, take a bike, bus or commuter train or maybe
not go anywhere. Just sit on the couch with a beer and cigarette and watch
Nascar TV, which is one of my favorite postions and most enjoyable pastimes of
all time.

If you want a beating. Go help a sprint car team for a night. Now is that fun,
will it cost you an Arm and leg for a pit pass and gas to get to the track?

Yes, it will so it's your choice and live with it.

Sincerely,

Larry Otani

P.S. I own a small Colarado Pickup, with a big four and it gets about 27 mpg.
Lifes a compromise...live with it!:kookoo

I'm thinking another new class for "Fun Fest" 2009!

:idea:I wonder about an open wheel starter class using some sort of Smart Car "crate engine". Cheaper than Focus?

My father in law has one and loves it. They have very good crash ratings. For 40 some mpg and $12-$13K, I ordered one as have 2 others in our family. The reason you don't see more of them has nothing to do with drivability, safety, etc. It's because there is a waiting period of almost 2 years to get the car.

I bought a new Ford Fusion, in June, and am quite happy with it. They can be bought for about that figure, and the mileage is there with the imports. The one I bought, was of course the higher dollar model. SEL, moon and tune,heated leather, Sirius, Sync, just about all the toys they had, and also the V6 with the 6 spd auto. It is rated at 18 and 26, but I'm getting 20+ and 34+, and thats on paper, not from the on board reading, plus it seats 5, comfortably, and has a huge trunk. I've talked to several, that bought the "base" model, 4cyl, and 5spd, and they are getting upwards of 38, on the road. I had really overlooked this car, I had been looking at the Smart Car,and the Focus, but had 2 to trade in, so had to upgrade, to get anything out of my trades. Bob