In the news today

[tvordlj]

A class 3 hurricane traveled up the eastern coast but missed us by miles. The memory of the violence and destruction of class 2 Hurricane Juan 10 months ago is still fresh in our minds here. All we got was a bit of rain this time.

Bill Clinton is touring to promote his book. Women are lining up for a look, a hug and a kiss! A 21 year old is quoted as saying he was "hot". Sheesh. No comment. And did you see the final conclusion on steer's promiscuity poll again? ;)

The "Smart Car", a mini vehicle by Mercedes Benz has arrived on the shores of Halifax this week, to be sold in North America only in Canada according to the paper. Base price $16,000 CAD. They really do look like little toy cars but can park in unorthodox places and the gas mileage is fantastic. It will be interesting to see if they become popular or not. The one we were driving around the UK last year certainly got some odd looks, especially when we rounded a corner and passed two white stretch limos going the other way. Pedestrians watching the scene were doubled over in giggles! Probably could have fit the smart in the limo's gas tank!

Comments

YAY

[trixiedelarue.livejournal.com]

I have a smart car :)

[sendingsmiles.livejournal.com]

Definitely not made for a family of 4, with a dog, esp not after having done groceries for two "teens" LOL.

Cute tho. in their own way. If I were on my own, I wonder if I would go for one of them ??

Re: YAY

[steer.livejournal.com]

Smart cars totally rock. And there's the sports version now as well.

Re: YAY

[trixiedelarue.livejournal.com]

The Roadster, they are nice! mine is nearly 3 years old now and left hand drive but I love it.

Smart have just brought out a "family" car too a Smart ForFour, I am tempted to get one I miss having a back seat ;)

here is a picture of mine

www.wattys.btinternet.co.uk/likenew.jpg

Re: YAY

[tvor.livejournal.com]

There's a surprising amount of leg and head room in them too and they go like stink! We zipped up the M6 bending the needle past the maximum registered 70 mph and still got from Manchester to Glasgow on a tank of gas for 20 quid.

[lola-is-naughty.livejournal.com]

I think these cars are an awesome idea. I saw them in France last summer from our rental Mercedes. They're great for some of those small mountain passes and those narrow European streets. Don't know if I'd want one for long distance driving though, but you can't beat the gas mileage. Even my little Geo gets amazing mileage, and considering the cost of gas these days, I'll take every bit of savings I can.

[gracefruit.livejournal.com]

We passed a smashed one on the motorway on our way to the airport this morning. :( They don't hold up well in an accident. (ack, I'm Miss Gloomy-Doomy)

[tvor.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't think so, no. Even though on the smart site they say that in a side on hit, because they are so small, the wheels would likely be hit and absorb more of it than a regular car would. Uh. so? the engine is underneath so there isn't even that to stand in the way. I think they're fun and ok for jigging around the city but a bit too small for me to be comfortable in to actually own one.

awww

[trixiedelarue.livejournal.com]

poor smashed smartie I hope the driver was ok (and passenger) Smarts are as safe if not safer than anything else of a similar size, as per the ncap findings :)

I looked into it very thoroughly before I bought one, because I would be transporting my most precious possession in it, my son!

The engine is in the back Tvor in the boot/trunk

Re: awww

[tvor.livejournal.com]

There is a bit of a boot, enough for one suitcase and a carry bag so the engine must be beneath it, and, i think, along underneath it as well, which is why you sit up fairly high in it.

Re: awww

[gracefruit.livejournal.com]

I drive a tiny car, too -- a Toyota Yaris, so I'm quite sensitive to little cars on the road. Smarts are very popular here in the UK and have been for some time. Of course, when you're paying over $5.00 a gallon for gas, it makes sense!

[gramie-dee.livejournal.com]

My old Fiat Uno was as small as I am prepared to go. I really wouldn't fancy my chances in a Smart car if I was in a collision.

I'm glad the hurrican missed you hun. :)

[trixiedelarue.livejournal.com]

you'd be safer in a Smart than a Fiat uno that's for sure gramie ;) I've seen pictures of what a Smart can do to a Fiat in a 30 mph head on crash

I used to have a Fiat 126, now THAT was small, but it did have a back seat lol

[gramie-dee.livejournal.com]

I'd be hard to convince LOL. My old Fiat had a LOT of bumps and colisions (it was an unlucky car) and I never even got a scratch from any of them. Smart cars just don't look big enough to withstand a knock from a baby carriage. ;)

I hasten to add none of the accidents were my fault... except maybe the snow + parked car incident. Can only blame myself or the weather for that one lol.

[trixiedelarue.livejournal.com]

Sorry to harp on but if I know I am right I have to prove a point. Was the smartie you saw smashed up on the way to the airport----this one "there was a very bad accident on the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow " (sorry I don't know how to do italics for quoting etc)
"but apparently the driver is ok, it rolled several times and police say the tridion saved his life"

Good job they are tough :)

[gracefruit.livejournal.com]

The one we saw wasn't on the bridge, but that doesn't mean they'd not pulled it from there to free up traffic. I'd guess it was a good mile or so away on the airport side.

There was a lorry involved. Did the article say anything about that? If so, that's probably the one. The little Smart Car was badly dented, but it was sitting right side up. I couldn't say for sure if it had rolled over or not. I tend not to look at wrecks. They scare and depress me.