Also necessary is some sort of penchant for self ridicule.
OK, Smart cars are more environmentally friendly, etc. but WHY oh WHY were they designed by someone completely devoid of any sense of aesthetic acceptability. Smart cars just look wrong.
And from an aerodynamic and hence fuel economy perspective, they are less than optimally efficient.
I certainly would not like to be in an accident in a smart car.
As nightmare said they are environmentally friendly but offer no protection whatever in a collision.
Besides, I wouldn't fit in one.
Manimal- you are confusing the Smart with the lightweight quadricycle class, which has things like the geewizz in it: the Smart is pretty lardy for it's size and so qualifies as a real car, despite it's looking like a toy.
I tell you what, the smart car is one of the safest cars to have an accident in, because you are sitting wthin a tridion the same as a formular one car, top gear put one through the crash test and even jeremy clark said he would feel safe in an accident with one, and thats saying something coming from that motor head.
Having seen many cars after accidents on the M25, and appreciating now what crumple zones and passengers cells do, you wouldn't catch me alive in a Smart car, let alone dead.
Manimal45.
If you are thinking of buying a Smart, ask someone who has one. Their opinion will be based on their like or dislike for the car and not the opinion of someone who would not be seen dead in one and presumably has never been in or driven one.
And no you cannot drive one alone on a provisional licence and if you were to pass a driving test in one, you would only be allowed to drive automatics.
i used to think the same, but my chappy got one and now i'm a complete convert!
they'r amazing! its like a go kart. so practical if ur only 1 person - apparently it goes slower if i'm in the car cheeky git - but he has lowered it and had the engine done, turbo etc. definately would recommend one!! paddle shift, heated leather seats, u name it the smarts got it!! even the size of the boot surpised me - we managed to get all the xmas shopping in it! haha
dusty is right i watched the top gear test, the done a simulated crash at 30 mph with a smart car and a 98 corsa, after the crashthey could still open the drivers door of the smart car whereas the corsa was absolutley obliterated!!!!!by the way the crash was into a brick wall!!!