the smart car...

[bluemonq]

i've been looking at these for a long time...
http://www.thesmart.co.uk/

now it appear they're coming to north america really soon...
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/microcar.html
http://www.zapworld.com/cars/smartCar.asp

any thoughts? as for safety, /.'s already got it covered (as well as inane commentary)
http://slashdot.org/articles/04/10/08/216215.shtml?tid=126&tid=1

EDIT: wow, i think this is only my second auto post...

[stunninglyAsian]

Not a big fan of it- it's owned by Mercedes (aka Daimler Chrysler) and I don't like Mercedes.

The smallest car I would consider would be the BMW Mini.

You know, that car won't sell over here. We love SUVs... it's fun to intimidate other drivers, you can drive a bit more recklessly because other drivers will swerve out the way for you.

[bluemonq]

well... smart has been pretty much its own company since day one; i remember hearing about the fines they gave at the company for employees referring to themselves as part of mercedes (harsh). frankly, besides technology like esp, i don't really see their influence on the car. do you?

[mrazntre]

I'm impressed by the collision tests.

I'd buy one if i worked close to home, but I don't so....i'm not buying one.
I think cars like that will be very useful in downtowns like L.A., SF and Manhattan.

[stunninglyAsian]

Well to make a long story short, somebody I hate really loves Mercedes. She thinks she the Queen of Asia and prentends to be rich by saying her Nissian is as expensive as a top of the line Mercedes and loves to put people who aren't rich down. So for me, the Mercedes symbolizes the ultimate automotive status symbol.

It's a bit too small for me...

[truMp]

I like it, some of them actually look good also.

[missmeow]

I've seen them around. I'd only do it if I worked close to home or did not have to drive a lot. They don't look particularly comfortable.

[bluemonq]

ive actually had the chance to sit in one. they're not that bad, like a corolla or civic, the hatchback ones.