Home News Models Alternatives
 
Smart Car of America - America's Largest Smart Fortwo Enthusiast Community   Smart Fortwo, smart car, smartcar
HOME FORUMS GALLERY

Go Back   Smart Car of America Forums > Smart Car Community > Smart Car General Discussion

Notices

» Supporting Partner
» Recent Threads
View Poll Results: Have you been involved in smart rage?
Yes, and I drive like a normal driver. 14 26.42%
Yes, and I drive like a miser. 0 0%
No, and I drive like a normal driver. 36 67.92%
No, and I drive like a miser. 3 5.66%
Voters: 53. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-15-2008, 12:47 PM   #1 (permalink)
My little snowshoe
SCOA Club
 
mdfortwoguy's Avatar
 
Location: North Bethesda, Maryland (DC)
Drive: '02 VUE, '08 Passion Coupe
My SCOA Gallery
Have you had any issues with other drivers on the road?

I've read some posts on here about people shoving them around on the road and cutting them off and such, and I wonder just how much this happens.

I live in the DC metro area - not a forgiving place to be driving. I've had my smart about 2.5 weeks, and have covered 590 miles so far. Not once have I had someone give me a hard time or drive like a jackass around me. if anything, people seem to be friendly and let me in in traffic and such. There are a decent amount of smarts on the road around here (compared to other areas from what I understand), so I'm curious as to when the novelty will wear off for other drivers.

That being said, at 6'2 and 220 lbs, I'm quite obviously a member of the big guy in a small car category - so I'm not sure if that has something to do with it or not. I drive it like a normal car... on the highway I'm usually in the middle to left lane and doing 75+ MPH, I have always been one to signal all of the time, and while I am bring friendly to my engine, I get up to speed quickly, and I don't abuse the small size of my car.

Just out of curiosity - how many of you have been the subject of smart rage?

mdfortwoguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2008, 01:19 PM   #2 (permalink)
 
Arch's Avatar
 
Location: Katy, TX
Drive: Misc. motos & cars.
Been riding motorcycles for about 40 years, so I'm used to having people tailgate, because that's just what people do when they can easily see right past the vehicle in front of them. Not saying I like it, but such is life. Small vehicles, the smart included, are safest when travelling through traffic, as opposed to crawling along and languishing along with it. My wife rides, too, so the both of us tend to drive our fortwo accordingly: most always a bit quicker.

No problems with others, unless one counts the usual smiles, waves, picture taking and questions.

Arch

Arch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2008, 02:04 PM   #3 (permalink)
 
Location: Kitigan Zibi
Yeah.. I'm in the DC area also. Mostly I get smiles, stares and for some reason young women are always waving at me. I'm also a long time motorcycle rider and we have a tendency to drive proactively.

Rick3bears is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2008, 02:20 PM   #4 (permalink)
SCOA Club
 
Old smart's Avatar
 
Location: City of Williamsburg, VA
Drive: μ-BENZ
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdfortwoguy View Post
... Just out of curiosity - how many of you have been the subject of smart rage?
Me, not at all.

Old smart is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2008, 02:56 PM   #5 (permalink)
SCOA Club
 
MCMarathoner's Avatar
 
Location: Reston VA
Drive: Vette, Miata, Silverado
My SCOA Gallery
Sometimes...

People overlook that though it's small, it is moving! I've had several people pull out in front of me while clearly underestimating my speed. The look of surprise on their faces has been amusing.

Does laughter and pointing count as rage?

26.2

MCMarathoner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2008, 03:11 PM   #6 (permalink)
My little snowshoe
SCOA Club
 
mdfortwoguy's Avatar
 
Location: North Bethesda, Maryland (DC)
Drive: '02 VUE, '08 Passion Coupe
My SCOA Gallery
I got the laughter and pointing from some woman near my old apartment, as she was getting into her Cadillac Cimarron. I think I got the last laugh out of that deal. I've had nothing but complements and questions...

My car is actually going to be featured in a photo op for my company newsletter's "Green Scene" section this month - to complement an article from last month on the smart. Incidentially, the girl who wrote the article's fiancee is the one who PDI'd my smart

~D.J.~

mdfortwoguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2008, 06:00 PM   #7 (permalink)
small - the new large
SCOA Club
 
gbryers's Avatar
 
Location: South Carolina
Drive: smart Passion/Saturn wagon
My SCOA Gallery
Two common themes for me:
1) rubber-necking/site-seeing, which generally happens while they pass in the left lane (and invariably lock me in the right behind a semi going up-hill)
2) "sleeping" drivers - I shoot past them doing 70 or so, and they realize they weren't paying attention, slowed down, and just got passed by a golf-cart... I see them shortly after, passing me doing 80 or so...

gbryers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2008, 06:23 PM   #8 (permalink)
Cushing's Patient
SCOA Club
 
jediknight36's Avatar
 
Location: Lewisville TX
Drive: Blue/Silver R2D2 Smart 42!
My SCOA Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbryers View Post
Two common themes for me:
1) rubber-necking/site-seeing, which generally happens while they pass in the left lane (and invariably lock me in the right behind a semi going up-hill)
2) "sleeping" drivers - I shoot past them doing 70 or so, and they realize they weren't paying attention, slowed down, and just got passed by a golf-cart... I see them shortly after, passing me doing 80 or so...
OMG! Classic!


jediknight36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2008, 07:41 PM   #9 (permalink)
 
yuckmoon's Avatar
 
Location: Alexandria, VA
Drive: Yellow/Silver Passion
My SCOA Gallery
I travel up and down 395 from the mixing bowl to the airport every day. The trouble I've had is people rubberneckin and not realizing that I need to get over.

As for driving up the highway (I don't count 395 during rush hour highway driving) I love the what the F*%#@ was that and holy s*&^ it just passed me look I get. Some times I even yell MEEP MEEP when I pass them. Hee Hee. I'm rotten I know.

Other than that I just mainly get smiles, thumbs up and waves. And I noticed guys winking at me a lot more than they did when I drove my old car. .

yuckmoon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2008, 05:46 AM   #10 (permalink)
 
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
Drive: Passion Coupe
Out in the Los Angeles area I've been surprised by the additional courtesy I've received. Particularly on the freeway and freeway entrance. It is almost like the car is expected to be slow by the other drivers and they have typically given me more space. Plus I think this car is just flat out respected for what it represents. Thumbs up L.A. appreciate it !

ex300SRT8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Today
 


This ad will not be shown if you are logged in.

Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Handicapped drivers? PeteW Smart Car General Discussion 6 09-12-2008 09:39 AM
bad reactions from other drivers? aslusers Smart Car General Discussion 35 05-11-2008 11:19 AM
Drivers Armrest PassionforPassionCT Interior & Exterior 13 02-13-2008 10:29 AM
Mini Drivers - kindred spirits kmeinhold Smart Car General Discussion 16 01-31-2008 08:21 AM
Mini to the max: Will the Smart car grow on U.S. drivers spdickey Smart Car News & Rumors 14 11-08-2007 10:11 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.0.1

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:22 PM.


Smart Cars of America, LLC is not affiliated with, authorized by, associated with or have any connection with G&K, Zap, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz AMG, Mercedes-Benz McLaren Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, smart Canada Division, DaimlerChrysler, Chrysler LLC, DaimlerChrysler AG, Maybach, smart gmbh, a division of Mercedes Benz LLC, the manufacturer of SMART automobiles, smart USA Distributor, LLC, a division of Penske Automotive Group, Inc, the exclusive authorized U.S. importer and distributor of the smart vehicle or any of their official dealerships


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.2
Ad Management by RedTyger