Originally Posted By beamerdog LOL! I'm seeing more and more of these around town. I do like the concept of a "covered" motorcycle. It looks about as safe as one. Can't say that it would survive very well with a crash with an 18-wheeler like I had in my sports car.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Something like this makes all the sense in the world for many families as a "second vehicle." You have the primary vehicle if the whole family is going someplace together or for long trips of any kind; but you also have one of these is a single person is just driving a few miles to pick up some groceries or something. In Brooklyn, where parking is a premium, I can't tell you how many times I've come across parking spaces too small for our car that I wished I had something like this.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones "This is how we've gotten in trouble. Most Americans buy a vehicle big enough to carry the maximum amount of stuff they think they might someday need to carry." People usually drive alone. The average occupancy of a personal automobile is 1.1 during rush hour and 1.6 all other times. Considering the average car holds 4-5 people (vans even more), cars are often practically empty. Yet people still complain when they see a bus half-full ("Why are my tax dollars going to a bus that is empty?!") What's funny is that traffic and air pollution could be solved by people simply increasing the occupancy of their vehicles, but people can organize a carpool to save their lives.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Here is Consumer Reports take on the Smart Car. They don't like it. <a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/video-hub/cars/convertibles--coupes/smart-fortwo-review/14644277001/1819737988/" target="_blank">http://www.consumerreports.org...9737988/</a>
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Apparently it requires Premium fuel. Consumer Reports REALLY doesn't like it.
Originally Posted By EdisYoda Well, considering the number I see on the road here in Columbus... SOMEONE likes the Smart Car. But I also think that Consumer Reports is missing the point (so what else is new) in that they're making those recommendations as a primary car. I see the smart car as a secondary car, which makes much more sense.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Yeah, I wouldn't get it as a primary vehicle either. But as a secondary, "go the the market to get a couple of bags of groceries" car, I'd consider it. The fuel economy isn't as good as a Prius, but I imagine it's cheaper. I'd think of it more as a "covered motorcycle" as someone said.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney AT least they like the sunroof!!! But why make this a secondary car? I mean, he said for the price and fuel economy, the Honda Fit is a much better car. And what family wants a second car that only fits two people?? Maybe it would make a good second car for a single person. But as far as using to run to the grocery store, apparently you better not be buying many groceries!
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< But as a secondary, "go the the market to get a couple of bags of groceries" car, I'd consider it. >>> <<< And what family wants a second car that only fits two people?? >>> Or, how about a primary commuter car? Even families that have lots of kids and buy lots of groceries often have at least one parent that drives to work by themselves, and rarely picks up 2x4's on the way home.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney True. It would make a great commuter car, as long as you don't have to go on the freeway!!!
Originally Posted By DAR It's still not a practical vehicle. Then again those that likely own it live in an apartment or condo and wouldn't need a bigger vehicle, because they're not required to do home repairs.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones It seems like a good car for people who primarily take public transit, but want a backup in case they want to go somewhere at a time when transit is sparse.
Originally Posted By Ursula I need to defend those who here are blamed for not being able to organize a carpool. It isn't easy. I carpool with my husband every day. Our work hours are different by a half-hour. It is very hard to just work out the carpool with the two of us. Adding in a third person or even a fourth (considering their emergency-needs days, their days where they just have to work longer, or earlier, or any other thing) would make us not get home until 9 pm. That's just insane and I refuse to do it.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones It isn't easy. That's what I was saying. My girlfriend carpooled to UCLA for a year or so. Sometimes the driver was a you-know-what and left early, leaving her stranded in West LA. It sucks and that's why people don't do it. That's why she stopped doing it. And that's why there is traffic and pollution. Six or seven people riding in a van is the most fuel efficient form of transportation there is. But people just can't get it together.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Or, how about a primary commuter car? Even families that have lots of kids and buy lots of groceries often have at least one parent that drives to work by themselves, and rarely picks up 2x4's on the way home.> Yes, plus if you're buying groceries by yourself, you could fit quite a few bags in the trunk, passenger seat, and passenger seat floor. If you're just going to the pharmacy, say, obviously even easier. To me, the determinate could be the price. How much does this thing cost? If it's comparable to a small CAR-car (like a Honda), I'd just as soon have the Honda. If it's less expensive in the first place, that could be an important consideration.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney Brand new it's between $12,000 and $16,000. But, who needs brand new. Get the Honda, just buy used, and you'll always have a little extra room.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>To me, the determinate could be the price. How much does this thing cost? If it's comparable to a small CAR-car (like a Honda), I'd just as soon have the Honda. If it's less expensive in the first place, that could be an important consideration.<< I looked it up last night and the MSRP is like $16,900. Nowhere near worth it to me. My Honda Civic wasn't much more than that. I really expected to look this thing up and see it cost something like $10,000=12,000. $17,000? Wow!
