Interstate Travel

[jediknight36]

Originally Posted by jetfuel

...no need to worry about messing your hair up....

jetfuel

Hey, you know... I cut my hair this way because its easier to take care of! At least, that used to be my reason...

[jetfuel]

Originally Posted by jediknight36

... I cut my hair

..you don't prune a dead tree ...do you?

jetfuel

[smartHHO]

Cabrio is the way to go, you can open the top a little, medium, or go full Top down and flaunt it. It does stay pretty warm in the winter, so no worry there about cold coming thru. Engine keeps it pretty warm.

[jediknight36]

Originally Posted by jetfuel

..you don't prune a dead tree ...do you?

jetfuel

Not dead.... the branches are not growing as much... and the airflow is great!

[jetfuel]

..then..I strongly suggest not to comb it either...the tangle will hold most of them in..

jetfuel

[sheureka]

Originally Posted by Krootie

The idea of a Cabrio (by Jetfuel) gave me a giggle as I always laugh at grey haired men in those sport convertibles. That would be me in a Cabrio as I'm letting my gray grow out!

Almost 70 here (and very, very gray) - love my cabrio! - sheureka

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by Krootie

Great suggestions from all! As a 60+ year old female who drove a Bug in the late 1960s, I'd love returning to the feel of the road. I'm currently driving a loaded '97 Linc. Cont. that gets decent mileage which surprises me compared to the recent produced American cars. But I want to turn green with my next car. The idea of a Cabrio (by Jetfuel) gave me a giggle as I always laugh at grey haired men in those sport convertibles. That would be me in a Cabrio as I'm letting my gray grow out! LOL But I'm sold on the 2009 blue metallic fortwo coupe if I order. That would be a dream come true. Hubby says, there are local dealers - might just need to take a test drive and decide soon. A year is a long time to wait.

We're in the same generation. I just got back from a 250 mile round trip out of state in a pure. Everything was fine & I enjoyed the ride. Not my first such trip & I haven't had a problem regardless of the weather.

My wife complains that the ride is too bumpy. Not a problem for me, but to each, his own.

Not everyone feels as comfortable as the next person in the same seats in any car. I find the seats comfortable, but that doesn't mean that you will.

So, test drive one & make sure that the ride & the seats work for you.

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by Krootie

Most of my driving would be in and around a small hilly town in WV. But on a rare occasion I need to travel on the Interstate to a large city - Pittsburgh, PA; Steeler Country to be exact. GO STEELERS! Total miles round trip would be less than 70 miles.

What model Smart Car would best serve me?

Hello, fellow mountaineer! I live in small, hilly town in Clay County, but work in Charleston and drive a Passion coupe. I thought about the cabrio, but the security issue (easy to break into), higher insurance, fear of water leaks, and higher initial price steered me toward the coupe. The completely see through plastic roof on the coupe compensates somewhat, but it's not 'wind in your hair'. Anyway, those are some things to consider. But, if you like convertibles and have no problem with the cons, then go for it and don't look back!

As far as Interstate travel goes, we took ours to NJ, then to DE, and on to MD before returning to WV over a week and half. This was mostly interstate on I-79, I-68, I-95 around DC and Baltimore, etc. and didn't have any problems. The smart is subject to wind gusts and some buffeting by large trucks, so it will definitely feel different than the Lincoln. Just make sure you're prepared for that.

Also, the ride compared to your Lincoln is going to be dramatically different. The smart is a firm ride and you will definitely 'feel the road' more than you're accustomed. Potholes, road constructions, etc. will be more pronounced. So, take notice of these things in a long, long, test drive and make sure it's what you want before taking the plunge.

Speaking of Pittsburgh, my wife and I are headed to the Pittsburgh Auto Show this weekend to see the smart display! Stop by the show if you're in town and into those kinds of things.

Good luck!

[smartHHO]

Also, you might want to test drive with electric streering and without. I did and I didn't get the electronic steering. Glad I did not. I have read how a lot of ppl are all over the road when a wind gust hits them. Well, I don't feel much wind at all. Feels just like my Kia Rio did . And it has a lot more weight then the Smart. I am thinking that since the steering is much more on the stiff side. You tend to not over correct with the easy electronic steering. But that is just me. Hope this might help you in other ways other then just highway travel. Good luck.

[phillysmart]

One secret of doing highway travel in the smart is the area451 cruise control.

Last saturday I drove from Philly up to CT and back - about 350 miles round trip - all highway above (sometimes way above) 60mph.

Cruise control made it an easy drive - set it at the 'flow' speed and pay attention.

BTW - my configuration is a stock cabrio (with K&N air filter), but cc fits any model.