Earlier in the week, I heard that Keeler Smart Center Latham was hosting a Smart Car test drive at Crossgates yesterday and today. I found out about it through Keeler’s tweets encouraging people to stop down. So yesterday, Rose and I stopped down to check it out. I had always wanted to drive one of the Smart cars, but never had the chance.
I had seen them for years before they came to the states a few years ago. In my travels to Europe, and at Lime Rock in Connecticut. The car at Lime Rock was most likely brought to the states and converted to US EPA standards. That was way back in the late 90s or early 2000s, long before they began importing them for sale here.
Recently, I had seen them on the road here and there in the Capital District, and even see one up the street at a neighbor’s house every day. It is bright yellow. You can’t miss it.
Two of the people at the event were marketing reps for Smart USA, and I also met John Sterrett from the Latham Smart Center. He went with me on my test drive. Great guy! We discussed the Smart car as well as sports cars and motorcycles. Who could ask for a better co-pilot? I got to drive the Smart ForTwo Passion Cabriolet in Blue Metallic and Rose drove the Smart ForTwo Passion Coupe in Red.
Here is the common misconception about these cars – they are incredibly roomy inside. The car had lots of legroom and quite a bit of headroom. There was even a decent amount of storage behind the seats for luggage or groceries, whichever you may be hauling. They come equipped with a 1.0 L, 71 HP, 3 cylinder engine. It’s not the fastest car you will ever drive, but it will pay off at the gas pump, as they get 41 miles per gallon according to the Smart USA website. With gas now back to over $3 a gallon, that plays a huge factor in many people’s decision of which new car to buy.
The other question a lot of people ask is about the safety of such a small car. The Smart ForTwo cars have a very high 5-star safety rating per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That is pretty impressive in itself. I would feel very safe in this car. heck, it can’t be any worse that being on a motorcycle in traffic. At least people might see you in the car.
The event is going on tomorrow as well. Make sure you stop down and check them out. Sorry about the crappy pics. All I had with me was my cell and was shooting into the sun. I tweaked them a touch in Photoshop to make them little better. See ya soon!
I’ve heard of a handful of folks over here who have them and either garaged them or sold them once winter hit. They are reportedly horrible in snow. About five or six drove around in the good weather months and all disappeared for winter. What I cannot wait for is the hybrid Porsche is working on, the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid concept. It gets 78 mpg and reaches 62 mph in 3.2 seconds. Now, that is a car I would love for you to test drive and report back to us about!
Oh goodness! Now you’re speaking my language Lil! I would love to drive that one!!
The smart is great in the snow
See http://www.safeandsmart.com/stories/248 for details
Thank you, Forest for passing that story along!
I like both photographs, but you know, my preference is the HDR processed one the best! The colors pop!
They are not horrible in snow. I wish people would quit making up stories to try to make the care be bad. I have one and drove it in the winter in some pretty good snow 4 to 6 inches. I handled beautifully in the deep snow. Its not a 4×4 it was not fun in that much snow but I made it home either anyhow.
Tom, I think people assume that because of the small tires and the size of the car, it naturally would be bad in the snow. Thanks for giving us some feedback on how they really handle in the snow. Glad you made it home safely that day. Thanks for stopping by!
In response to those that have heard the smart is not so great in the snow or that have concerns about it – please check out this link: http://www.carguideweb.com/articles/7037/
Thank you Angela! That is a great read. Hopefully some of the winter questions will be answered with this blog.
I ordered a white smart passion 3 years ago it came in last year and I couldn’t get it financed
everything fell apart for me and america, I would have loved to have the smart I ordered but now i’m now going to buy one, they are cute and fun to drive but I will have to die without ever own one
Sorry to hear of your misfortune, David. I hope you get your smart very soon.