Smart as Dune Buggy?

[BEAVR]

There are alot of dirt trails around here, white sand, nothing too deep, not too much mud, not illegal to drive on, just trails. How would you figure the smart would do as a trail car? I've taken VW beetles out on similar trails as well as honda civics and 240z's, and of course, ATV's without trouble. this little thing looks small and lightweight enough to be a blast. any experienced joy riders out there? Is it possible to hook a winch somewhere in case I get stuck?

[smartune]

Tires are too skinny.

You might also have a few issues with the transmission (shifting) unless you just wring it out in 2nd or 3rd.

-Dan

[torqueaholic]

You would also likely want some type of locking differential.

But if the cars you mentioned did fine, the Fortwo should do fine too.

[burtandnancy]

It absolutely, positively, won't work in the dirt. I ventured onto a dirt parking lot and got stuck immediately. Those skinny little tires cut right in to the hubs. Forget it...

[jefferios]

Why not bike on the trial? Isn't that more fun?

[BEAVR]

Originally Posted by jefferios

Why not bike on the trial? Isn't that more fun?

Isn't that why people invented motors?

Really though? tires too skinny?

[angel]

My concern would be the high center of gravity.

[oldbike]

Although I have not seen any figures, I don't believe that it has a high center of gravity. Most of its weight is carried quite low. Someone must have calculated it out by now.

Also, I had mine out to the farm last week and had no problem with limited driving on dirt trails. The plastic body panels sure do attract dust!

[blackbeagle]

Why would you want to take this thing dune buggying? It's urban transportation. It's a blast to drive on the streets but I would imagine it would be a nightmare off-road. Your back would kill you alone from the bumps. The tires are not off-road tires. The struts/springs are not built for such extreme travel. The transmissions is not made for it. There are tons of reasons.

Would you take a Geo Metro off road? How about a Yaris (for all those Yaris owners on this site)? NO!!!

[Big Panda]

i LIKE the concept.....take all the body panels off, get a set of 'Pure' wheels and put some A/T tires on them and OFF YA GO!!! :woohoo