Young Kids Don't Get It - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

vanslam · 02-18-2008, 09:54 PM

So I took my kids to see the smart car at Edison. All are in their teens and they just could not see why I was so crazy about the smart. The 2 boys just could not get it and walked to the Porsche dealer and drooled over the 911 Turbos. Anything that doesn't have 300 hp or better doesn't hold their interest.

My daughter just could not except the smart, she didn't even want a test drive in it. She has hopes of driving my Vette, her idea of a daddy cool car and thinks the Smart is so uncool.

Needless to say she went to the Porsche dealer and was looking at the boxsters. I was left alone at the Smart dealer with Danny discussing delivery date (reserve # 1488 so this is way off) and considering the orphan option.

Oh well generation gap strikes again. Oh yeah I ended up at the Porsche dealer as well. I must say the 911 Turbos do look nice.

angel · 02-18-2008, 09:56 PM

And in my book the kids could have a 911 Tubro Porsche just as soon as they could afford it AND the insurance.

smartune · 02-18-2008, 10:03 PM

The new p-cars are a little to...civilized.

I like the older ones better, but then again I also like my little ForTwo ;)

PassionforPassionCT · 02-18-2008, 10:09 PM

I'm 20, I certainly get it. Once they have to start paying for things, they will get it too. Dont get me wrong, I would love a Porsche, but their is this thing called money, and I dont have much. I think I can have just as much fun in this car, as a Porsche! (for now at least, I am owning one of those cars before I die, thats a promise!!!)

CruzinSusan · 02-18-2008, 10:50 PM

"Anything that doesn't have 300 hp or better doesn't hold their interest. "

How true. Read about some awful crashes of really fast cars driven by very inexperienced drivers...and thought about the ads aimed at the youthful drivers...sex and speed.

Tim the Wheelman, my late husband, (over 25 years ago) thought student drivers should take his "Junkyard Tour for Tots." You seasoned folk can fill in the syllabus. (Anyone remember "Signal 30?" Bet they don't show that anymore. And, if they do, odds are it will need a parental signature, or an 'opt their kid out' form. Can't get too graphic, you know. With real life.)

Seems to me, until mass marketing 'gets' that there is a social responsibility built in to its immence power, and stops glorifying the need for speed (via sex,) the kids won't get it.

When all is said and done, I predict the smart will follow its big brother, the VW Beetle, and grow a compliment following over the years. Copycats will follow, as Toyota foreshadows, as the race for space goes on, and America's thirst for greener and safer technology is greatly influenced by the marketing forces.

The smart campaign is brilliant, and even with all of the waiting, the delicious anticipation, I've got hope.

Orphan, come to Mama.

SmartAzz · 02-18-2008, 11:11 PM

Kids (in general) are very status oriented, it simply boils down to prestige and the cute little Smart doesn't measure up in that way for them. With hope they'll grow out of it and not worry so much about how others judge them based on status symbols

{Along the same lines but the flip side of it, just because you have something like a Porsche doesn't mean you like it for how others perceive it, for me the preconceived perception of 'prestige' brands put me off them, well that was until I couldn't resist how much fun some were to drive ;) }

CruzinSusan · 02-18-2008, 11:18 PM

Yeah, I got off on a thing...

<chuckle> Just thinking back on 'how many college kids fit into a VW? Moot point with a smart...

**jediknight36** · 02-19-2008, 05:19 AM

Im 23 and understand perfectly. But I drive a school bus and for the most part they dont care about it. My elementary kids think Wii car, while a handful of my high school kids love it, bus most ask how fast and how much horse power. I try to explain to them about gas consumption, the enviroment, congestion, ect but they dont care.

CruisingAZ · 02-19-2008, 05:23 AM

Double post

CruisingAZ · 02-19-2008, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susie 1382

"Anyone remember "Signal 30?" Bet they don't show that anymore. And, if they do, odds are it will need a parental signature, or an 'opt their kid out' form. Can't get too graphic, you know. With real life.

http://www.archive.org/details/Signal301959

Never saw that, but did see the original "Red Asphalt".

YouTube - RED ASPHALT TeenDrivingSchool.com