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That infamous Smart Car crash test video

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Sherlock

Sherlock

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I'm sure you've all seen the news story about the crash test results for the Smart Car... If you haven't yet... https://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/618555

Just curious to get your thoughts, I think it's somewhat over-hyped. I think a Smart Car would be excellent as an urban runabout, but I really don't think I would ever want to go on the highway with it, certainly not here in Alberta. To me a Smart Car is best used as a second vehicle, where you have a larger one for travels further abroad.
 
Well Duh....

Why don't they also give us comparisons of headons with motorcycles and limousiness....


Common sense often goes the way of the wounded when it comes to media "reporting"..
 
Makes you wonder ... if you're going to be driving with "the big boys" on highways at 45+mph, would you really choose to buy a lighweight, tiny car?

Ya gotta consider how/where you'll use it, before you sign the purchase.

Tom
PS - I don't have a problem with the video at all. It's just another "test", like thousands of others done. But I sure hope the persons viewing the video use some common sense.
 
Agreed... My concern is how they are almost fear mongering with that video... okay, there is a small disclaimer that you almost miss reading...
 
Art - thanks for posting that link. Really sums up much of the situation: the car may very well "survive" a 70mph impact - at least in a recognizable shape - but the occupants wouldn't.

Tom
 
Even if it were as agile as an LBC I ~STILL~ wouldn't buy a car wot looks like a toaster.

I doubt it's so, but it *appears* the roll center of those things is about at occupants eye level to me. feh.
 
While the "not so" smart car is not my idea of fine cheap transpo, I am willing to bet, like most small cars, they would probably be able to miss the accident in the first place. Think of a spriget. I would not want to have a 30 or 40 MPH crash into a benz in one of those either. BUT, they have the ability to miss the dolt in the first place. If you look, the NSS car did fairly well all things considered. It was not slammed shut on the passenger compartment. The reality is, if you want to survive every possible meeting on the highway, get an F650, and stay in the driveway. Or learn how to DRIVE, not just point a car.
 
That may be true - but the drivers of them I've seen around here don't appear as if they're really completely aware of what planet they're on, nevermind what side of the street they're on. That goes triple for the "smart" car drive that was doing 60 in a 70 zone in the far-left lane (4th one over) on I95.

ok, I'm done :smile:
 
I would buy a motorcycle, but I'd understand and accept the risk associated. I agree that the Smart car would be a great second vehicle. I'f I lived in town and could commute without getting on the highway, I'd probably consider one.
 
basil, yes i feel for just skootin round town to pick up the dry cleaning, a jar of mustard etc. it would be o.k. but highway driving? not for me, my brother in law (is that one word?)..bought one in dec. and he drives it on I-95, he asked if id like to take a ride one afternoon but i declined, strange thing is he does very well and could afford a bugatti, aston martin or any other vehicle, he feels its a novel idea to own a "smart car", will see how he feels if heaven forbid he gets in a wreck.
 
Or after a few years of ownership. :smirk:

I'd ride a pushbike if I lived close to "work".

...Oh wait! I did that! :jester:
 
I wonder how an old VW Beetle would do? Or an old Fiat 4-600?

I can see these little cars used in the city, in 25-35MPH speed zones, but even then, a head on at 35 would certainly ruin ones day.
 
Thats the way I drive my Bugeye as a side by side motorcycle and just assume nobody sees you and everybody is aimed at you. I also try and stay on secondary roads. Its also easy to forget that it does not stop as good as modern cars so I stay way back. I had a mercedes 120? in switzerland tiny little thing but its not so bad when almost everyone else is your size.I met a jeep cherokee on a cit street coning toward me and it look like an H3 in compareson to everything else.Size matters but if we were all down sized...
 
:iagree: with Chris...and, in terms of the crash-test videos, how often does one come across a concrete barrier spanning a major highway and then run into it at full tilt? In real-world situations, those tests really don't mean a lot other than to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the structures! Survivability in a real-world situations rests solely with the operator, his awareness (or lack thereof!).
 
Small cars, as we all know, have been around for years and will be around for years to come. The major problem as I see it is, due to better highways, the speed has increased over the years, which naturally causes more serious accidents.
I remember when I was a kid, I think about 7, I was riding with my aunt and uncle when my aunt chewed my uncle out for speeding. He was doing 45 miles per hr. seems funny now, but wasn't then.
I really don't know where they get the name <span style="font-weight: bold">"Smart Car"</span>, as it's only as smart as the nut behind the wheel!
Folks have been riding motorcycles for years with out any accidents because they are careful and know a mistake can be disastrous. But a lot of them when they get behind a closed door on 4 wheels, tissue paper or bullet proof, they loose their sense of fear along with their common sense.
I have nothing against small cars and their owners and respect their right to be on the road as I hope they respect my right also. Even if I'm in my LBC or big truck.
Bottom line for me is; I'd rather be cruising along at 5,000 feet above looking down at the rat race, than being in it!
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Just my unsolicited old far_ opinion.

<span style="font-family: 'Fixedsys'"> It's a shame I can't fly from my house to the airport. Bummer.</span>
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PAUL161 said:
<span style="font-family: 'Fixedsys'"> It's a shame I can't fly from my house to the airport. Bummer.</span>
Click to expand...
Maybe you need to move here Paul. A whole neighborhood where you can taxi from your garage to the runway.
 
They're all over the place, lots around here. Some better than others.
 
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