10th Annual Cruisin' Downriver - MI

Mr. Incredible · 06-29-2009, 11:08 PM

On Saturday evening, June 27, 2009 my wife and I headed to the 10th Annual Cruisin' Downriver and WHAT an experience... and will not be going back again!

The plan was to cruise up and down Fort Street a few times and dinner at a local restaurant. Well… some of it did happen. My wife and I had dinner at the Ram's Horn Restaurant, the food and service was good. But we only cruised Fort Street only one-and-a-half times. Why? I was not prepared for the crude comments from the spectators along the route. They are a different breed at the Cruisin' Downriver! I have been to the Woodward Dream Cruise, Clinton Twp Gratiot Cruise, Cruisin’ Michigan Avenue, Port Huron Cruise Night and the Grand Rapids Metro Cruise and the spectators at those events have been courteous and friendly.

Even when I passed in front of the WOMC display at Meijer's caught me by surprise. A woman, on the microphone and speaker system, shouted out, "Hey there goes a smart car... I wouldn’t want to be in THAT in an accident." She must not have a college degree. I do hope she drives a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Pickup Truck with air bags.

If you go to the Consumer's Report website and watch the actual crash videos. The smart car does better than the Silverado in the same side impact crash test.

Big Panda · 06-30-2009, 02:54 AM

If I had attended an event like that and was treated as such, you can bet that I would be contacting the promoters/organizers about it.

While I'm sure, being in Michigan, there are a lot of people upset due to GM and Chrysler plant closings, but that's no excuse for such rude behavior.

Big Panda · 06-30-2009, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Panda

If I had attended an event like that and was treated as such, you can bet that I would be contacting the promoters/organizers about it.

While I'm sure, being in Michigan, there are a lot of people upset due to GM and Chrysler plant closings, but that's no excuse for such rude behavior.

Bloomfield Hills? Hell, that's in Penske's OWN BACK YARD! How embarrassing for him and his organization. Maybe a well placed email to PAG might do some good too.

wiltjk · 06-30-2009, 03:58 AM

Come-on over to Grand Rapids. What you cite is one of the reasons why we call ourselves "West Michigan" and not just Michigan.

Ironically, their lead Photos to Buy is a smart!

jimvw57 · 06-30-2009, 05:03 AM

She obviously does not know her crowd. I'm sure the laughter you heard was at HER ignorance. I would approach the group that hosted the event.

Sounds like a good oppurtunity to flood the next cruise with a bunch of Smart cars. Nothing makes a statement like numbers.

On a side note, She most likely was not a true auto enthusiast. A true Auto maniac does not judge other rides, even though they have their favorites. I can still appreciate the efforts and attention to details on even the cars I don't care for (I don't think there are any but I'll leave that to future debate)

wiltjk · 06-30-2009, 05:57 AM

Makes me think of my son's story when visiting his college friends yesterday.

They found 4-week old kitten and brought it to their apartment. The video of the kitten was typical playfulness unaware of the world around it as she played. Their 2 year-old cat walked up, observed, hissed, and walked away.

The smart, like the kitten, is harmless, playful, and fun. Yet, it is very threatening to others for some reason. They have to hiss out some statement, usually about safety as that's all their assumptive thinking can conjure up.

I would advise to simply ignore it and get back to playing and having fun. After all, smarts are fun. High mileage and safety are extra bonuses!

Mr. Incredible · 06-30-2009, 07:24 PM

I don't know what contacting the organizers would do. It was the spectators comments, not one or two but more than several along the route. There was no offensive language involved. The comments were directed to make me feel unwanted since it was a "foreign" car. And it work... I can spend my money someplace else.

Side Note:
I work at Chrysler and when I ordered my smart car at the time Daimler owned Chrysler. I still liked the car so I took delivery in January 08. My smart car still has all the stickers that read DaimlerChrysler.

nonuro · 06-30-2009, 10:04 PM

Sorry about your experience.Are you or any others doing the Grand Rapids Metor cruise this year? I planned my vacation around it and will be there for the Saturday and Sunday of the event.

Mr. Incredible · 06-30-2009, 10:19 PM

For the 28th Street Metro Cruise, I am 50/50 right now.

I would watch the West sMUG group for information.

I am sure there will be an organized for that event.

cassini75 · 06-30-2009, 11:44 PM

i should make it out to some of your cruise nights, im in Sarnia, only a small hop across to port huron and Detroit