Quote :

"you cant deny the simple physics "

Oh right, physics. This just in....things are not always as they seem. Ever seen 1400lb F1 car smash into to the wall at 180mph and driver walks away? Try doing that in your average car and see what difference does cockpit rigidity makes. Smart car cockpit is incredibly strong because it is short, it is almost like a little triangle or arch, which are the strongest geometric shapes. Actually, forget 35mph crash - Slam any other car into the wall at 70mph like in that first video and see what happens to A-pillar.

10/3/2011 1:15:19 PM

so you're saying the smart has a carbon fiber drivers pod modeled after that of a f16?

or you're once again defending a stupid point.

10/3/2011 1:18:52 PM

or you could just consider what is going to happen to your soft body when your "car" gets drop kicked by literally anything else on the road (except a motorcycle).

its not built like an f1 car and even if it was youre still not synched-in tightly enough to avoid serious injury.



wwwhhheeeeeeeee!

oh god. please dont let that be a bmw 3-series in that photo. i dont know if i can stand to here ahmet say anything else on the subject.

10/3/2011 1:32:10 PM

So the obvious answer is for everyone to purchase a brand new F-350. Maybe even a dump truck, because your F-350 may be crushed by a dump truck, since those also belong on public roads. Yes, dump trucks for everyone.

10/3/2011 1:44:53 PM

Tow a F350 behind your dump truck= winner

10/3/2011 1:47:15 PM

Quote :

"so you're saying the smart has a carbon fiber drivers pod modeled after that of a f16? or you're once again defending a stupid point. "

I didn't know the carbon fiber drivers pod modeled after that of a f16 was the only structurally sound design ever created. Thx for the info!!!!!111

10/3/2011 2:06:11 PM

.... he was comparing it to the F1 car...

its not the most but that's where they got their driver pod from originally. (a long long time ago)

10/3/2011 2:35:48 PM

^5 pretty obvious that's a Mercedes-Benz C class.

10/3/2011 3:21:59 PM

Quote :

"or you could just consider what is going to happen to your soft body when your "car" gets drop kicked by literally anything else on the road (except a motorcycle). its not built like an f1 car and even if it was youre still not synched-in tightly enough to avoid serious injury. "

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24599768/ns/business-autos/t/smart-car-gets-highest-score-crash-tests/

Your opinion on what happens means zero. TESTS AND DATA clearly show Smart has excellent safety features, and exceptionally strong cockpit. This is isn’t an opinion, but internationally acknowledged set of tests and standards that adhere to strict regulations. These are the same people that have a “yay or nay” on what cars get imported, based on what you think might be trivial, like bumper height.

I wasn’t making a direct comparison to F1 car, but gave you an analogy where a car with 3x less weight can have 10x better safety net. Most people die in car accidents because crumple zones are not adequate (A-pillar collapsing bringing head closer to steering column or common femur breakage due to poor leg protection).

10/3/2011 4:18:14 PM

but wait what about your body getting all "scrambled egged" in there? bet those stupid tests don't take that into account

10/3/2011 4:22:16 PM

Quote :

".... he was comparing it to the F1 car... its not the most but that's where they got their driver pod from originally. (a long long time ago)"

The Smart cabin is probably closer to a race car than just about anything else on the road. The steel cage is cloaked by body panels, but it is incredibly strong by comparison to most other vehicles.

If there are any questions about the strength of the Smart cabin just watch this video. Pretty amazing that they can still open and close the passenger door after such a collision (at 2:30).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s

Rapid deceleration will kill you in any vehicle, but the idea that Suburbans and Expeditions are going to be drop kicking Smart cars all over the highway is probably a pretty rare and exagerated scenario.

Besides, your Suburban is just going to trip over the Smart car, flip on it's roof, and cave in on you anyway.

Why am I the one defending this thing? I don't even like the Smart car and would not recommend it to anyone.

[Edited on October 3, 2011 at 5:06 PM. Reason : s]

10/3/2011 5:03:53 PM

isnt talking about how strong the car is a moot point?

if youll agree with me that a 1970 cadillac is a safe car then ill drop it.

10/3/2011 5:49:35 PM

Is that a joke or do I need to point out the terrible brakes, terrible suspension, terrible seatbelts, terrible seats, terrible head restraints, lack of crumple zones, etc? A giant cabin isn't going to help you when it folds up like a tin can with you in the middle.

10/3/2011 5:53:26 PM

Uh, speaking from someone who prices auto insurance, the car you drive certainly makes a big difference, but if we're talking major car-on-car crashes, the car you run into matters almost as much. When talking fatalities, it matters more.

10/3/2011 7:57:50 PM

Quote :

" You might be surprised. Understanding the dynamics of fuel consumption does wonders. "

haha, i understand it very thoroughly. my degree is in mechanical engineering. i just don't want to significantly have to alter my driving habits to capitalize on the hybrid/regen powertrain.

I go back and forth on whether I'd rather have a Prius or VW TDI.

10/3/2011 10:48:56 PM

^ That was my point. As a driving enthusiast, you understand the dynamics of fuel consumption better than the average driver, and are better prepared to exploit the fuel economy potential of a Prius.

And even if you don't, it gets pretty damn good mileage.

10/4/2011 12:35:00 AM

Right, I know the ways to exploit it and max-perform it in terms of fuel economy. The reality is that I suspect that I would drive it like a really, really slow Z06.

I just wonder if its economy then would suffer to the point of it not being worthwhile (for me) over a TDI or even something like a Fit. Maybe I need to see if I can rent one or get a Toyota dealer to let me try one out for a couple of days.

10/4/2011 1:00:17 AM

you're in the military man. you could be dead in your 30s and have a much higher chance of that happening than most of us. it's gas and it's cheap, buy what makes you happy when you drive it as any car you buy you'll spend more time driving than filling. if I was in your situation with your value for performance and need for something practical, I'd have a turbo cayenne, a trailer, and a collection of track toys. I've got a 15 year old car that barely makes 300hp and it's just enough to keep me entertained, but honestly I only care about having enough power to pass whenever I see fit. 15mpg? who gives a fuck? we're not poor and an extra $2-500/yr in fuel savings won't mean shit in the grand budget.

[Edited on October 4, 2011 at 9:00 AM. Reason : tl;dr, enjoy it while you can.]

10/4/2011 8:59:15 AM

Quote :

"even something like a Fit"

Fit doesn't get the mileage you think it would. 35 highway--less than the Civic actually.

10/4/2011 3:16:06 PM

^ yeah, but it's a lot cheaper than a TDI or Prius, too, in terms of initial buy-in.

^^ it's a lot more than $200-500/year. The difference between a Prius and an E92 ///M would be probably $2500/year. Of course, the ///M would be a shitload more fun to drive day to day. On the other hand, having a totally lame, efficient DD opens the door to having something totally berserk as a toy.

10/4/2011 9:21:49 PM

I did the whole 2 cars thing and never again. At one point it was DD ('94 accord) and M3. Ended up driving accord 80% of the time, while still paying insurance for M3 and not driving it. Not to mention that '94 accord insurance rate was higher than M3 because of theft rate. It was stupid.
From now on I just buy what I like and don't worry how many miles I put on it. I put 17k on 335 in 6 months.

Life is too short to drive around in shitboxes. I remember when I bought E39 M5...used to enjoy that all leather dashboard and top alcantara as much as I enjoyed the engine. It had no useful purpose, but look and feel just made driving enjoyable.

[Edited on October 5, 2011 at 1:05 AM. Reason : .]

10/5/2011 1:04:33 AM

^ i agree.

I've put 50k on the subaru and haven't even had it a year.

But every time i press the go pedal it puts a smile on my face.

10/5/2011 8:16:47 AM

^^alcantara actually does have a purpose

10/5/2011 8:27:48 AM

10/5/2011 8:33:02 AM

Quote :

"I did the whole 2 cars thing and never again. At one point it was DD ('94 accord) and M3. Ended up driving accord 80% of the time, while still paying insurance for M3 and not driving it. Not to mention that '94 accord insurance rate was higher than M3 because of theft rate. It was stupid. From now on I just buy what I like and don't worry how many miles I put on it. I put 17k on 335 in 6 months. Life is too short to drive around in shitboxes. I remember when I bought E39 M5...used to enjoy that all leather dashboard and top alcantara as much as I enjoyed the engine. It had no useful purpose, but look and feel just made driving enjoyable. "

I have 3 that I drive on the regular (it's fun to walk outside and say "what do I want to drive today")

91 civic with 200k
99 dakota
95 cummins

But I will say that I tend to drive the civic more often than not to maintain ~$300/mth fuel expenditure.

10/5/2011 9:02:32 AM

Yeah I have 2 cars as well. I drive the S2000 prob 75% of the time and use the Integra when I need the additional room, the weather's slippery or I just wanna keep the miles down on the S2000. Other than the extra insurance and state fee costs (about $400 altogether per year) I don't see what the big deal is about 2 cars. Probably helps that even the Integra is somewhat entertaining to drive.

10/5/2011 9:44:43 AM

always nice to have another option when one breaks down

10/5/2011 11:31:00 AM

Quote :

"I've put 50k on the subaru and haven't even had it a year. "

How do did you pull that off?

10/5/2011 11:50:35 AM

for a while there it was our only good car, so whomever drove farther took the good car.
and right now i'm driving to either charlotte or cherry point nc once per week .

not to mention i drive around the triangle a lot for my job too.

(btw its within a month of 1 year because my inspection is due)


[Edited on October 5, 2011 at 2:19 PM. Reason : .]

10/5/2011 2:18:49 PM

Win a Chevy Sonic!

Quote :

"It's no secret that the ads are targeted at millenials, just like the car itself. General Motors would really like the Sonic to be a hit with the kids, rather than just appealing to people who want the cheapest car they can find. Chevy's ad director told Automotive News that GM is hoping to connect with young people who don't "have the history necessarily or even the baggage you might say that a lot of the more traditional consumers might have." To that end, GM is also bankrolling a 10-car giveaway through a social media game. To win, participants have to do wacky stuff like "working out in the middle of a grocery store or donating blood dressed as a vampire" then upload proof of their deeds. Chevy is calling it the "Game of Firsts," no doubt inspired by having finally built its first credible compact."

Sonic skydiving

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JpwiqBCSN10

10/21/2011 3:25:05 PM

This month's car and driver tests the Fit, Yaris, Accent, Versa, Rio, and Sonic against one another. Probably worth the read if anyone is looking at these cars. Fit Sport won with the Chevy Sonic Turbo in second and the Yaris SE in third.

I didn't read it or anything, but I saw it when I was flipping through the pages.

[Edited on October 21, 2011 at 4:53 PM. Reason : l]

10/21/2011 4:49:01 PM

I miss having a spare car. It was 20$ a month in insurance and the property tax was super low. Oh well .

If my car breaks down ( lol its a honda, come on) I can just ride my bike.

10/22/2011 9:13:21 AM