Smart Cars for racers (OT)

Dick Monahan · 11/14/08, 3:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racephoto1

I've seen a few here in Indy. Wouldn't catch me in one on the interstate. Semi hits you, and you wouldn't even be a speed bump.

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.

Charles Nungester · 11/14/08, 3:42 PM

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

Larryoracing · 11/14/08, 3:42 PM

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

Daddyo · 11/14/08, 4:01 PM

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

Seadog · 11/14/08, 5:38 PM

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

TQ97 · 11/14/08, 8:52 PM

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.

TQ29m · 11/15/08, 4:43 PM

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

11/14/08, 3:42 PM	#12 Re: Smart Cars for racers (OT)
Charles Nungester Senior Member Race Count This Year: 6 Race Count Last Year: 14 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 22,256	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 __________________ Charles Nungester _________________________________________________ Last edited by Charles Nungester; 11/14/08 at 3:46 PM.

11/14/08, 3:42 PM	#13 Re: Smart Cars for racers (OT)
Larryoracing Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 380	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 _________________________________________________ Last edited by Larryoracing; 11/14/08 at 3:46 PM.

11/14/08, 4:01 PM	#14 Re: Smart Cars for racers (OT)
Daddyo Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 78	I'm thinking another new class for "Fun Fest" 2009!

11/14/08, 5:38 PM	#15 Re: Smart Cars for racers (OT)
Seadog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,136	:idea:I wonder about an open wheel starter class using some sort of Smart Car "crate engine". Cheaper than Focus?

11/14/08, 8:52 PM	#16 Re: Smart Cars for racers (OT)
TQ97 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,114	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.

11/15/08, 4:43 PM	#17 Re: Smart Cars for racers (OT)
TQ29m Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 6,677	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