I thought you all would like this

[jamesgang]

It has to be a deisel version, he said it got 60mpg. The US version is only supposed to get 33-40. I really thought these little things would get better than that. I'll stick with my Altima Hybrid and 33mpg.

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by jamesgang

It has to be a deisel version, he said it got 60mpg. The US version is only supposed to get 33-40. I really thought these little things would get better than that. I'll stick with my Altima Hybrid and 33mpg.

Probably twice the $$$$ for that car, you very well should keep it. It will take you twice as long to recoup the extra cost for that car in saved fuel expense vs a smartie. That 33-40mpg BS is only a guideline gas mileage, too. Lots of us on here are getting low to mid 40's. I for one just got 41.5 on a mixed combination of 60%hiway, 40% city....so there.... LOLOL No malintent taken, please.....

John

[stevenvillatoro]

It's an old video of a 450. YMMV.

[Evilution]

Originally Posted by the guy on the video

SUVs like this Chevvy Suburban won't fit on European roads, they have narrow streets and limited parking, you'll wind up getting stuck between two old buildings or something.

spoken by someone who has clearly never left the States.

Yeah, some of our small villages may be like this but most of them predate the discovery and occupation of America by the English and the Irish.

We have big rigs and articulated lorries over here and they have no problems with our roads, simply because 98% of them are just like American roads.

[Fredvon4]

I had no trouble in any of Europe's cities and towns driving my Army 5 ton truck, M88 tank recovery vehicle or persona F250 4x4 long bed... sure there are some inner city 1000 year old plus sections that are barely wide enough for a donkey and cart but not much driving is done in the real tight areas and exactly as Kane saz... they have the same or bigger buses, delivery vans, cement trucks, etc as we do and in some cases their construction and deliver stuff makes most of ours seem small....

Europe is mostly hyper on ecology, economy, fuel use, congestion, and parking...like our massive metro areas, there is a LOT of dense-packed people in high rise apartments, multi level shopping centers, and businesses... parking is a real serious problem

The smart car, is one of about two dozen real little cars popular for PARKING reasons NOT drivability on narrow tiny streets

Kane I think most of my country men get these perceptions from the cinimatic exposure (pun intended) of inner city Rome, Frankfurt, London, Prague, etc in car chase movies

[imcquade]

Hello All,

Roads in Europe are not like roads in America on several levels - (I have driven hundreds of thousands of miles State Side and in Europe.)

Originally from North England and spent a load of time traveling with my dad through 23 countries I have seen many, many roads.

Last year I watched a bloke try and navigate a side road of Old Marylebone Rd in London and then attempt to park his motor.

His choice of car - A Toyota Pickup truck (4 door) - just watching it was hilarious - he gave up after a few stressful minutes and buggered of else where. - It wasn't even a FULL sized truck.

Basingstoke - I was there 3 years ago on business for a week; I had rented a small VW Polo which sorted me out just fine - anyone that knows this area would know navigating around in a Suburban would plain suck. - Good luck EVER parking the bloody thing.

S****horpe, North Lincs - Well - on one hand why would you go here, It is where I am from :-) - on the other could you imagine driving through, Alkborough, Thealby, Corby, Winteringham, Winterton, in a big truck - the roads aren't sorted for it - people park on BOTH sides of the narrow roads - getting through would not be fun.

Birmingham - first of driving here is awful and in a big truck - yuck!

Kirten Linsey; Huddersfield; Cheltenham - the list goes on of places I have driven and wouldnt want a larger car.

Also - European Lorries - They just don't seem as big as the things zipping around here (note: I work in America now)

Ignoring the above; the bloke in the video mis-stated a few things - he was right with regards our cars as a whole - I see people every day in huge vehicles with only them in the car

Note also - people whinge about petrol prices - but happily pay 5 bills for Coffee; even more for cigarettes - seems to be a priority tilt somewhere.

We in England, have paid loads for petrol ever since I started driving in 1987; I am pretty sure the rest of Europe is just as bad.

Though I think Exxon making 40+ billion profit is insane - no one promised cheap fuel, and it certainly isnt a right - why isn't any one picketing Star Bucks over stupid coffee prices....

I bought a Smart (Passion) and I really like it; I drive it more cautiouslly and give it the respect its diminutive size deserves (No flipping of the geezer in his H2, with a mobile in one hand, a Dunkin Donuts Coffee in the other, brain up his arse and common sense out the window!!) (No disrespect to those who drive huge pointless vehicles)

Also - I am averaging 44.5 mpg; 50/50 city/highway

Cheers