I think most people are under estimating the smart...

[VinceLA]

By pple, I mean other non-smart drivers (even Yaris!). I have been "cut" several times on the highway and on the streets. A freaking Geo Metro tried to slice me up today. I get the feeling that they look at smart and think "that toy has no power to accelerate". It's getting quite annoying now.

At times I really want to show them that the smart can be a quick little bugger. But technically I am still in the break-in period. So things have to be really toned down before the 1k mark.

Anyone else experience something similar?

[JoeyCrack]

Originally Posted by VinceLA

By pple, I mean other non-smart drivers (even Yaris!). I have been "cut" several times on the highway and on the streets. A freaking Geo Metro tried to slice me up today. I get the feeling that they look at smart and think "that toy has no power to accelerate". It's getting quite annoying now.

At times I really want to show them that the smart can be a quick little bugger. But technically I am still in the break-in period. So things have to be really toned down before the 1k mark.

Anyone else experience something similar?

When I am driving my 600+ whp race car people try to race me at every light. I ignore them if you worry about what other people do too much it drives ya crazy after all you bought the car for you to enjoy who cares about other people

[curtis]

I notice that too. so many douche bags think they just have to pass you because they have a bigger car. I have had cars floor it at stop signs just to pass me even though I am keeping up with traffic..

[Dunerunner]

Took a 450SEL off the line at a lighted intersection, they were too busy on the phone and processing the morning e-mail on the open laptop on the passanger seat to realize the light had changed. The guy passed me, I was at 65mph; at 90 and cut in front of me as quickly as he could - twit. There is a car full of income for some shrink!!

[Springlering]

Originally Posted by VinceLA

Anyone else experience something similar?

Yeah, at least once a mile. Doesn't matter how close I am to the car in front, some fool has to squeeze in in front of me.

I just try to smile and tell myself, either underendowed, or awfully jealous.

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by VinceLA

At times I really want to show them that the smart can be a quick little bugger.

I think you've inadvertently hit on something else interesting...

I'll bet you that smart drivers tend to be more aggressive than most, in order to show others on the road that we can be AS fast and AS capable as other cars on the road. Look how many modifications are being done to make the smart look/drive tough, mean, truck-like, racer-like.

Compensation? Insecurity? Mayyyyybeeeee...

Look no further than any tiny yappy dog! It's usually the runt (no offense!) that has something to prove. This is ONLY a generalization... but normally a big dog couldn't care less about a pesky yapper.

Hehe, just kidding... trying to stir up a fun post.

For self-defense (to VinceLA), you might try a personalized plate: NVINCBL.

[saskdiesel]

Is the Smart the slowest car sold new?
Anyone have a 1/4 mile time??

[Piccola]

I call it ego-driving. The only part I care about is if they hit my little car and maybe hurt me..have had two close calls with big suv's. The ego-drivers can waste all the gas they want - just don't touch the car!

[Dave Van]

I drive faster in my Smart than I do in my Chyrlser Concorde.....(no cruise on the Smart) but I get passed more often in the Smart? I too think it's the 'I'm faster than that thing' or something along those lines.

[JPaul]

Someone (Probably Angel) did say that driving a smart can be compared to riding a motorbike.
Likewise, respect and safe-distance from other drivers are about the same: "this little thing better get out of the way", "move over, I'm bigger", "what are you doing, you don't count"...
So, I try to stay on the defensive, driving defensively.

But, now and then, and more often than when I'm in a regular sized car, I see others squeeze in "my" space up front, just to stop at the next intersection. And I'm not talking about rubber burners, but even sedate "mom going to school in a van" types. I like Piccola naming them "ego-drivers".
That can be, is, frustrating.

To compensate, I try to savour the feeling I get when I manage to squeeze in a tight space when the frustrated driver of a regularly sized car is watching and still waits to get a "larger" fit space...