SMART n MONDIs

Yes I've noticed a trend here I have to say. I'm a Lotus man so I like light cars and bought my first Smart in 1998 much to the discord of all my racing buddies who thought I was mad.......that is until they went out in it!! Being racing guys they quickly realised that although it's not a fast car in accelleration terms (unless you get a Brabus!) you can corner really quickly and brake massively late. In fact my Smart will easily out brake the Ferrari and not by just a few feet but by many yards. Then there is that 3 cyl engine which to me has that V12 yowl at certain rpm then add in rear wheel drive, a 6 speed paddle shift gearbox and a turbo and you just can't beat this little pocket rocket!
I love ém

 

I enjoyed the smart I had as a rental years ago. And it was far more useful to me than the Fiat 500. My suitcase fit perfectly on the back shelf of the Smart, with the Fiat I had to fold down seats and it really wasn't convenient. I also found the Smart to be much more comfortable. Great seats and driving position.

I look at them but it's hard to justify when I don't really need a car at all, and I have three.

 

I want those doors! And then I'm going to paint mine Lamborghini orange and put a Lambo badge on the nose.

 

You can put the Smart badges on the Lambo as well.

I remember the first time I saw a Smart Roadster Coupé in South Ken. I just stared at it, amazed -- thought it was some kind of new Lotus It's a shame we never got those in the US. When they're 25 years old they'll be eligible for import without a lot of headache.

Long time Lotus fan here as well. It helped that my friend's dad had a never-ending supply of Sevens, Elans and Europas. (he owned the only Lotus dealership for miles).

 

Now that I have Astrid, the cavernous van to carry all my "stuff", I think I'll put Ms Audi on the block. ......... and check out the Smart Brabus !!

Looks like fun - -

Hank
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In the land of SUV's and pickup trucks I've always felt you wouldn't stand a chance in an accident.

My 911's, 914, MG's or Triumphs are as small as I care to get ��

 

Yes I understand that with the small size, but hit the net and you will find out they are very strong and safe.

 

Bill, I believe that "official" testing has shown the Smart car to be much safer than we would imagine. None of the cars you mention, have a "pod" interior like the Smart does - and that's a major key to survival. Does "roll cage" ring a bell ??

Cheers,

Hank

 

Yes I also have a Smart, tons of fun!! Mine has beefed up suspension, intake and exhaust mods, and electronic mods for even better power. And a roof top wing for added down force. It handles unreal but rides stiff. I am 6' 2" and can not drive it with the seat all the way back, that is how roomy it is inside.
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SMARTS are very safe, put it this way I have major concerns about the appaling side impact safety of the Ferrari and thats pretty much any Ferrari as there are no side impact tubes at all on any of them even the 458!... The B post even on the coupe is like paper and don't even look at the cabro, if that went over the best thing would be to hope you got thrown clear from the car I'm afraid, sorry cabrio guys.
My Lotus from the same era is lighter and yet has the biggest side impact ''GIRDERS'' in the doors that I have ever seen on any car even a 4x4. Couple the Lotus' side impact protection with the way that mates with the roll over cage and sill cage ang you are well.....pretty much in a massively strong cage....the Ferrari doesn't have this kind of protection at all. I did think about trying to copy the Lotus design and retro fit it to the Ferrari but the weakness in the B posts remain the biggest stumbling block to that solution. For anyone really interested in this subject I can provide photos to show what I mean. For now I just try not to think about it....:-(
Anyway back to the Smart car and here is a video of quite a few being crash tested
Enjoy!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnI-LiKCtuE
Wow, impressive huh?
Regards Bell

 

That is the #1 thing to get for more power. Go to www.smartmadness.com you will be amazed of all the things they have, yes some are pricey but well worth it.

 

I caught the bug a month ago. I forgot Mike had one until stumbled across him on a smart forum (trader!!) . I can't explain how the smart entered into my sub conscious but it did and I scoured the net until I found the right one. I started with Brabus but IMHO, I feel the Smart looks best in light colors and the Brabus comes only in Black or silver in cabrio, which was another must have. You can always turn a basic Smart into a Brabus clone. Lots of AM parts.


I love this thing. My wife, not so much. I used it in the rain, the cold and to drive my daughter to school each day. I named it 'Rosie' since I have a white skinned, little red haired daughter too. . The lullaby shifting takes some getting used to but all things considered, it's a great little go getter. And I like spending only $20 to fill and getting 330 miles
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No junk in this trunk
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Wow Guys, the ultimate!!

 

Here is our Smart car it's done 110,000 miles+ and both our new bikes fit in the rear no problem. We got the bikes in London a few months ago, they also fit in the Ferrari trunk, they fold/unfold up in seconds, great fun.
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Funny enough, I don't know much about smart cars but I was recently amazed by the good safety ratings in the smallest fiats. I had no idea-but the issue around here is snow, and this yr especially is crazy. A year ago I traded one of our jeep grand Cherokees that wouldn't die (they never die) for an AWD 3 series bimmer. It's no jeep, but the bimmer is surprisingly good in snow

 

Small Cars. Wow.

1956 MG TF.
1959 Triumpth TR-3
1969 Fiat 850 Spyder.

Road going go-karts are a lot of fun. But then I got old and degenerated to an old Phart Pherarri sort of guy. Smart cars? I am old and dumb so I will pass.

 

Hey Rapalyea, fun is fun at any age ;-)