I Want a Smart Car
Did a story today about a couple who purchased a smart car. From the 5 months I lived in London I fell in love with these cars. Never thought I'd see one in the United States because I'm not sure what a Semi/Hummer/Soccer Mom Mobile would due to one. But alas......in January it made its debut in America. And what do ya know....we found one in Springfield!
The couple who owned the car bought it to haul with them on the back of their full sized big rig when they go on long RV trips (they spent 3 months in Alaska). So they didn't exactly buy it to be green...but it sure is helping while they are at home.
Smart cars are pretty cool. Go 90 Miles per hour...get 45 MPG...and get that instant attention that we all dream of. The couple told me one woman crashed her car while looking at their smart car while aproaching stopped traffic.
Some downsides: High insurance. (althought the safety reports are surprisngly good...4/5 stars)
You have to put in "the good stuff" as far as gas goes.
Upsides: You look cool/foolish
No one else you know prolly has one
Originally, Car Experts did not think the smart car will survive in the US.....but according to my interviewees......there is a two year waiting list to buy one (they got theirs off Ebay).
If you saw my story.....here is a few other things I found out but did not have room for.
-When the car was originally designed....they were aiming to market towards young kids to buy "a cheap car to drive to the store and bring back a pack of beer with" (car costs between 11,000-18,000)
- While there are plenty of these in Europe....sales are slowing...and the car is not as popular as I was expecting before I researched my story.
-You can buy all new paneling for about $900 and change the color of your car.
-The entire top is basically one huge sun roof.
-The car is 3 feet shorter than a mini couper.
-One review says: "Smart will be hoping that it captures the imagination of environmentally friendly metrosexuals who fancy something different. Only time will tell if they're right."
I hope Smart does well.......cause I love funky things on the road. (My dad owns a bright yellow Aztec and I miss it.
And as for Dave's bike... that's great in many situations. But, for instance, my husband works maybe 10-15 miles away. Doable if it's over flat ground, but it's all up hill, and a rather steep hill at that. The Smart Car is a great alternative, though I don't think he's ready to give up his Mini.
There are quite a few of these around here. Unfortunately, it doesn't work for me as I am one of those "soccer" moms (although neither kid does soccer, but the idea is there).
I'm waiting to see how the Chevy Volt turns out but the Smart Car looks interesting. I wonder how many people in Springfield would decide not to buy one if they were told it makes them look "metrosexual.""