While I agree the Smart was originally designed as a city car, the NA 451 was designed for North America with the kind of driving we do here in mind.
I currently own a 451, but I've driven 450 models on several occasions and find them to be just as competant for any type of driving. AND, the 450 is more efficient and has a better shift selector (I don't like the USA selector). I would have a 450 now, except being grey market they are much more expensive, and are not as practical for parts & service here.
OK Here is the problem with the City Car Concept in the U.S.
If I only plan on living and driving in a city, and I was truly trying to be green, then I would use public transportation and rent a car for those few trip out of town I would take a year. Why make car payments, Insurance payments (higher in the city), and pay for parking.
Where I live if you want to go from one city to another, you are going to drive over 1 hr. This is not City driving.
If They were planning on it only being a "City Car" in the EU sense than it would only be sold in Citys like Boston, DC, and Philly not Citys that require hyway driving like LA. And why in the world would we need dealers in places like Nebraska and Iowa.
But we need to remember, their has been almost no U.S. Advertising
Unless you dont live in LA or NYC. We have public transportation here, but its not funded well, and is unpractical when you need to set back 2 hrs of your day to get to work.
Unless you dont live in LA or NYC. We have public transportation here, but its not funded well, and is unpractical when you need to set back 2 hrs of your day to get to work.
Thanks! That needed to be said. I suspect it is true in most medium to small towns, including my own.
Unless you dont live in LA or NYC. We have public transportation here, but its not funded well, and is unpractical when you need to set back 2 hrs of your day to get to work.
Correction about LA. Public Trans sux in LA. If it takes you 2 hrs to drive to work in So Cal, it will take you almost 4 hrs by bus and the few rail lines we have.
My Smart works well as So Cal commuter. No city streets only driving here. Getting to work means suburb streets, freeway, urban streets, more freeway and crowded westside urban streets.
Correction about LA. Public Trans sux in LA. If it takes you 2 hrs to drive to work in So Cal, it will take you almost 4 hrs by bus and the few rail lines we have.
My Smart works well as So Cal commuter. No city streets only driving here. Getting to work means suburb streets, freeway, urban streets, more freeway and crowded westside urban streets.
Im glad you corrected our thought on LA public transit, but the point is still valid. And you are missing the point by splitting hairs separating metropolis, suburb, City, Township, ect. I think that for this application, they are the same especially here where I live. There is no visible stop from one city to the other other than the small green sign saying "Coppell city limits". Technically, there around 20 suburbs or more around here. So by saying its not a city car because you use it on the highway is not accurate. Its a city car, because its a Commuter Car. Not too many people commute to the country. It is built for the urban lifestyle. Easy to park, easy on fuel, very maneuverable. Not things you need the countryside. CAN it go on long trips? Sure, but so can a tractor. But the comparison comes in when you compare the city car to a truck, SUV, or even a sedan which can all tow boats, trailers, ect. You wouldn't tow those things in NYC normally. Thats why this is a city car.
Perhaps people confuse city car with NEV; neighborhood electric vehicle which is very limited. A NEV is limited to how fast it can go plus it is usually electric.
Im glad you corrected our thought on LA public transit, but the point is still valid. And you are missing the point by splitting hairs separating metropolis, suburb, City, Township, ect. I think that for this application, they are the same especially here where I live. There is no visible stop from one city to the other other than the small green sign saying "Coppell city limits". Technically, there around 20 suburbs or more around here. So by saying its not a city car because you use it on the highway is not accurate. Its a city car, because its a Commuter Car. Not too many people commute to the country. It is built for the urban lifestyle. Easy to park, easy on fuel, very maneuverable. Not things you need the countryside. CAN it go on long trips? Sure, but so can a tractor. But the comparison comes in when you compare the city car to a truck, SUV, or even a sedan which can all tow boats, trailers, ect. You wouldn't tow those things in NYC normally. Thats why this is a city car.
No point missed. I believe the additional term should be metro car. Traversing the greater LA metropolitan area does not mean you are driving through a downtown city setting. Even going to pleasure and shopping destinations, you may be using a variety of urban/suburban boulevards and streets, highways and overhead freeways to arrive at your destination. In this capacity, it makes a great transpo car. And it's not a bad car to take out of town by driving up or down the coast.
No point missed. I believe the additional term should be metro car. Traversing the greater LA metropolitan area does not mean you are driving through a downtown city setting. Even going to pleasure and shopping destinations, you may be using a variety of urban/suburban boulevards and streets, highways and overhead freeways to arrive at your destination. In this capacity, it makes a great transpo car. And it's not a bad car to take out of town by driving up or down the coast.
I like metro car. But its a good commuter car as well. But metro might be a bad thing now.
-edit: I am sorry about the picture. I was messaged by someone saying it may have offended someone and I apologize. It was not my intention.
Last edited by jediknight36; 11-15-2008 at 08:17 AM.
Reason: I think I offended some...
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