I've been surprised by all the reactions to our new Smart.
Most of the reactions are smiles, pointing, touching and people asking friendly questions.
However...
My husband got the finger yesterday, and I've had two people shaking their head in disgust as they pass me.
Please help me understand these negative reactions. Are these fast drivers who cant handle our moderate acceleration from stoplights? Are these people reacting to their assumption that the car is too small to be safe?
I've been surprised by all the reactions to our new Smart.
Most of the reactions are smiles, pointing, touching and people asking friendly questions.
However...
My husband got the finger yesterday, and I've had two people shaking their head in disgust as they pass me.
Please help me understand these negative reactions. Are these fast drivers who cant handle our moderate acceleration from stoplights? Are these people reacting to their assumption that the car is too small to be safe?
I can't figure it out!
Shake your head in disgust and give the NY Wave to every Escalade and Hummer you encounter and call it even.
I'm still waiting for my car, but I've already been bombarded with friends telling me I'm crazy. Well they're all driving big Detroit SUV's and trucks, so I think they're just trying to make themselves feel better about their gas guzzlers? (Mind you, my other car is a Volvo SUV, but I hope it will sit in the garage most of the time, waiting for a Scout campout or something.)
Those SUV/truck guys would be the same ones who couldn't sell them now if they wanted to. Just smile and wave...... as you pass them whilst they turn into the gas station.
I've been surprised by all the reactions to our new Smart.
Most of the reactions are smiles, pointing, touching and people asking friendly questions.
However...
My husband got the finger yesterday, and I've had two people shaking their head in disgust as they pass me.
Please help me understand these negative reactions. Are these fast drivers who cant handle our moderate acceleration from stoplights? Are these people reacting to their assumption that the car is too small to be safe?
I can't figure it out!
Could it be your driving? What were the circumstances at the time? Hopefully neither of you is holding up traffic in the left lane in your Smart.
I have a hunch there are more than a few Smart owners having difficulty with adjusting to driving such a small car - either because of the lack of power, or the short wheelbase/tall profile makes them feel like they need to drive more slowly than they would in another car. For these folks, who might otherwise be the type that tend to make a bee-line for the left lane (old habits die hard, after all) I could see a potential issue with pissing off other drivers. It would seem that as long as you are driving as fast or faster than the flow of traffic and promptly give way to faster moving cars, there is no reason for anyone to give you the finger or shake a fist.
Unless maybe you have some crazy bumper sticker or something...
** DavidV
Disclaimer: I am in no way condoning or justifying people's impolite and boorish reactions.
just think, the money they (gas guzzler owners) have lost in resale since the oil prices have hit 4.00 gallon, they could own outright a smart... so, it's just sour grapes... we're on the right side of a trend line that unfortunately isn't going to get any better - no new oil finds in decades... we're at least doing our part, and for that, I dig my smart... (to take a 60's line)
I'm still waiting for my car, but I've already been bombarded with friends telling me I'm crazy. Well they're all driving big Detroit SUV's and trucks, so I think they're just trying to make themselves feel better about their gas guzzlers? (Mind you, my other car is a Volvo SUV, but I hope it will sit in the garage most of the time, waiting for a Scout campout or something.)
I believe in safe cars and I used to own a volve XC-90 ,I loved it but as gas started to go a couple of years ago ,I bought a mercedes diesel ,the only thing I've had happen to me with the smart car is ,I find more people pull out in front of me,I guess think think they will be the winner if thier hit
Several times I have been on the freeway @ 70 or so in line with all the other lemmings when some guy (always it's a guy) comes zooming through traffic, pulls into my blind spot for a second or two, and than zooms past cutting into my lane and coming within a yard of my front fender. The first time I thought it was just a random jerk but, after the 5th or 6th time, I think there must be something else going on. Usually it's a Fast & Furious kid in a lowered Honda, but sometimes Ferrari's and Porsches too.
It's like the mere presence of such a sensible unassuming yet cool car acts like a red flag to a bull. Like I was the one flipping THEM off in a figurative way. I have taken to calling this "dive bombing" .....
Several times I have been on the freeway @ 70 or so in line with all the other lemmings when some guy (always it's a guy) comes zooming through traffic, pulls into my blind spot for a second or two, and than zooms past cutting into my lane and coming within a yard of my front fender. The first time I thought it was just a random jerk but, after the 5th or 6th time, I think there must be something else going on. Usually it's a Fast & Furious kid in a lowered Honda, but sometimes Ferrari's and Porsches too.
It's like the mere presence of such a sensible unassuming yet cool car acts like a red flag to a bull. Like I was the one flipping THEM off in a figurative way. I have taken to calling this "dive bombing" .....
Same way the peacock shows its tail feathers... They are showing off. Fluffing their egos... I generally memorize their license plate number and call it into the state police, so they know we have some stupid people on the roads...
It could also be a die hard conservative thinking you purchased it to be green... There is a lot of tension there these days.... Who really knows...
Last edited by bradgarbus; 05-10-2008 at 11:18 AM.
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