Everyone Looks at the smart !!

[Neonspinnazz]

I admit that I stare...

Whenever I see that Red/Silver local smart (IDK where she lives, she just drives by on her morning commute) pass by I lock my eyes onto it and I can't let go until the car disappears on the horizon...

[jetfuel]

...envy or lust?

jetfuel

[sandalscout]

I find that most bikers are at least amused by it, but I've had a few seem genuinely interested in it. I actually parked near the entrance to a grocery store the other day while my wife was inside, and I sat on the bench out front. I watched at least 4 people make detours on the way to their cars to check mine out... it's kind of cool.

[NCC1701]

I went to a liquor store this evening to buy a bottle of wine. Hit the lock button on the fob, and heard a female voice, unintelligible. Walked over to the large pickup truck. The gal in the passenger seat had a beer in her hand (illegal in Florida). She asked something about being worried about being in a collision, and asked to see my car. I briefly explained about the safety features. The male driver didn't seem to have any control of her, and she needed it.
I let her sit in the car. Her first action was to try to move the seat forward, I drive with it pretty much all the way back.

She was looking for the key hole on the steering column, and asking where the key went. That would be cute if she wasn't obviously under the influence, and I was at that time questioning my own sanity in letting her sit in my car. She wanted to drive the car forward (just to the space in front of the car, she said). By then, her man was there (apparently not inebriated) and wisely agreed with me that she shouldn't drive the car, even 10 feet. By then, she figured out where the ignition switch was and was by that fired up about driving the car 10 feet. Didn't happen.
But, I did let the man sit in the car as well. BIG guy, a head taller than me. They were both impressed with the room in the car, even if she was a bit screwed up.

Owner for more than 13 months. It doesn't end.

[Neonspinnazz]

Whew, it sounded like that story was going to have a bad ending!

[NeWave]

I've noted bikers tend to like this car as well. I had a fellow just the other night ask me about the car...

And to add: Yesterday at a stoplight, A guy in a new smallish convertable (I think a mazda) was behind me with his top down. My windows were cracked and I heard the guy in the lane next to him comment quite loudly "I bet you thought you were pretty smart until you saw that!" As the light turned green, the guy behind me looked at him and said nothing then drove on.
I didn't know weather to jeer at the horrible pun that I've heard one too many times, or laugh at the convertable guys reaction...

[fortow]

Originally Posted by NeWave

And to add: Yesterday at a stoplight, A guy in a new smallish convertable (I think a mazda) was behind me with his top down. My windows were cracked and I heard the guy in the lane next to him comment quite loudly "I bet you thought you were pretty smart until you saw that!" As the light turned green, the guy behind me looked at him and said nothing then drove on.
I didn't know weather to jeer at the horrible pun that I've heard one too many times, or laugh at the convertable guys reaction...

That "convertible guy" may have just thought the situation was ridiculous and not worth a response. I also drive a "smallish" Mazda convertible - a Miata - and would also not react to someone making that sort of comment. The Miata is much superior to the smart in many ways. I drive both and can appreciate the qualities of each. But for driving pleasure and performance there is no comparison - the Miata wins 'hands down'.

By the way, I recently towed the car on a trip to the U.S. Here in Canada there is not so much unusual interest being directed at the car since they have been avaiilable here for the past 6 years or so. But it is a phenomenon in the U.S. I was frequently asked about the car while in Indiana. People would visibly smile at its appearance and drive or walk over to talk with me when I either entered or exited the car. The most frequent question was related to gas mileage. Even though the cost of gas is almost half of what we pay in Canada, it would appear that Americans are very concerned about the modest increase they have had lately.
We did not buy the smart because of its good gas mileage - it was purchased to be a tow car behind the motorhome. It's light weight, small size, and the fact that it could be towed four down were the factors of interest, those and also the unique and enjoyable manual shift. The automated aspect of this manual is a real detriment, however, as well as the quirky electronics.

[ckgonska]

I was in my Smart at lunch today and I passed another Smart! I had to look!

[ckgonska]

Originally Posted by fortow

That "convertible guy" may have just thought the situation was ridiculous and not worth a response. I also drive a "smallish" Mazda convertible - a Miata - and would also not react to someone making that sort of comment. The Miata is much superior to the smart in many ways. I drive both and can appreciate the qualities of each. But for driving pleasure and performance there is no comparison - the Miata wins 'hands down'.

Is your Smart a Convertible? It's a whole different vehicle!