When gas jumped to more than $3 back in 2008, the first smart car was delivered in the United States and grabbed the attention of a public reeling from fuel price sticker shock.
Now some are taking a second look, despite initial impressions that its tiny size precludes comfort and safety in any kind of collision.
Seeing one on the street brings to mind one of those tiny cars a dozen clowns crawl out of at the circus or a golf cart with a body makeover.
"To...
| This story has expired! You can purchase the full text in our news archives. |
If you encounter other problems, please email nlundskow@capitalgazette.com and include your name, username, and any errors or messages that are displayed. The more information you can provide, the better able we will be to assist you.
In order to post or vote on a comment, you must be signed in with a hometownannapolis account.
Take a look at a summary of Commenting Guidelines.
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
0
Mike Morgan - 2010-06-06 02:27:15
Read your earlier post and we must be driving Two Different Honda Civics because I have a 2010 LX and I can't get over 300 miles on a Full Tank.
I Highly Doubt you're getting 40 MPG.
I've owned 4 cars:
1991 Fort Escort (Crap)
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier (Replaced One Transmission,Two Timing Belts,and 5 Brake Pad Changes) Good Old American Made.
2005 Toyota Corolla- The Best Car I've Ever Driven so it only makes sense that when I was ready to purchase my 2010 Corolla they had the Largest Safety Recall In U.S. History.
Current Car-2010 Honda Civic LX
Verdict: The Worst Gas Mileage of Any car I've had,Too Small,and definitely doesn't perform like a car with 140 HP
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Steve Gundersen - Annapolis, Md - Karma: Terrible
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
1
I owned one so, - 2010-06-03 17:34:41
I had my beloved smart for 2 years, I sent her on to her next owner this past Sunday. I only sold her because I have a short attention span and it was time for something new.
I see no one here has owned a smart, so, allow me to comment.
I did months of extensive research on smarts before I ordered mine. I am well aware of the laws of physics and it is NEVER preferable to be in an accident with ANYthing... however, I was confident in my lil smartie's ability to protect me based on her remarkable engineering and forward-thinking safety features.
I suggest that before you condemn something about which you know little, do a bit of research to educate yourself;
Look at www.safeandsmart.com and do a Google on "tridion safety cell"
Smarts are safer and have more safety features than similarly sized vehicles like the Yaris and the Accent.
Thanks for being open-minded. :o)
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
H R - , - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
0
Cars - 2010-06-03 15:59:24
I sense we're moving into a "my car is better than your car" debate that can run along with our never ending "I'm a better driver than you" debate.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Nick Lundskow - Annapolis, MD Staff
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 1
1
Ford - 2010-06-03 15:19:46
What does Ford make on the production line, that can complete against the Vette? Nothing. You can take the hottest Mustang, but you have to compare that to the Camaro and the Camaro wins hands down.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Rick M - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 1
1
car - 2010-06-03 14:57:41
I don't know what planet you are on but a CORVETTE looks nothing like a viper and cost about 30,000 dollars under the price of a viper, some ways it might not out preform the viper but not overall read reports in motor trend and car and driver or any other mag. h.p.mag out there. I will say 0 TO 80 and heck , am still in third gear ,top speed bout 186 and than stop in about 150 ft NO! oh and where is the VIPER now? corvette has been here since 1953,viper nowhere to be found!
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
jim pearson - seaford, de - Karma: Terrible
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
1
Jim - 2010-06-03 13:50:59
I wonder how the smart cars were in the 3 blizzards we had this winter? I was out on route 50 one night, just me and the plows.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Rick M - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
0
Someone please check my math - 2010-06-03 13:43:01
Our family of four spent last week in Rehoboth. We loaded up the Nissan Pathfinder, one of those evil SUVs, which gets 15 MPG highway. For the 90-mile trip, that's 6 gallons of gas. We could have taken the family minivan, which is slightly less evil and gets 20 MPG highway. That would have been 4.5 gallons of gas.
Or we could have loaded everything into a Smart Car (if ever a contradiction of terms) with its over-priced premium-fueled 40 MPG and burned 2.25 gallons of gas. I'm getting giddy just thinking of all the fuel I'm saving. But wait, there are four of us so we would have had to drive two of them which would have burned 4.5 gallons of gas. But wait again, we also had luggage and a weeks-worth of junk to take with us so we would have had to have our 15-year-old illegally drive a third one with all of our stuff so we would have burned a total of 6.75 gallons of gas, not to mention the horrors of an inexperienced driver navigating the back roads of rural Delaware. But, hey, 40 MPG is 40 MPG.
Sure Smart Cars seem like they are the answer to all our fuel problems but it doesn't always work when you translate theory to practice. The most fuel-efficient vehicle on the road is the commuter bus that gets 3 MPG but moves me and 60 other people from Annapolis to DC and back every day.
Seems like that evil SUV isn't so bad, either. I'll let you decide how smart the Smart Car really is, especially if you're behind my commuter bus. choking on the fumes.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Jim Denora - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 1
1
c7 - 2010-06-03 09:48:56
real original, looks like a viper.
Ford stood up and said we will go it on our own, don't need your bailout money.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Pat Magnum - Arnold, MD - Karma: Bad
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 2
1
car - 2010-06-02 15:09:32
Buy G.M. the only way to fly,only way ford works is bring back a 20+ year old design to sell to kids,does there engeering dept know how do do something? I can't wait for the c7 CORVETTE. I will be there!
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
jim pearson - seaford, de - Karma: Terrible
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
2
Ford - 2010-06-02 14:58:35
Ford only has two models are built on American Soil with more than 75% American built parts, the F-150 and the Tarus. Ford is depending on more and more Canadian supplied parts.
To round out the list, supplied by cars.com.
Chevy has 3, Honda has 1 and Toyota has 4.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Rick M - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
1
American Cars... - 2010-06-02 14:33:03
"...Ford, mainly American parts without taking ANY government bailout. Try to find another vehicle with more Americn built parts. I would not purchase a government motors car..."
Personally, I'd like to find an American car I can buy without the stench of union waste built into it.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Fred Davis - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
2
Dumb Car - 2010-06-02 14:16:31
I never understood what the appeal is for this car. It's ugly as hell and there are plenty of other cars that get equal mileage and aren't death traps. I don't have any statistics, but imagine being rear ended with your head already against the rear window. Looks to me like a failed effort to mock the Tata Nano from India. My Civic gets 40 MPG highway and will still hold its resale value well. (not as ugly either)
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Mike Morgan - annapolis, md - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
1
Rick - 2010-06-02 14:06:22
It was pointed out that GM paid back their bailout money from the proceeds of another government loan. You just have to watch the right news program, I guess.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Russ Patterson - Stevensville, MD - Karma: Neutral
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
1
Jim - 2010-06-02 13:39:09
I agree with you on this one. My chevy gets 30-31 and my buick gets 31-32 and both seat 5 people. Try that with this little thing.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Rick M - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
2
GM - 2010-06-02 13:37:11
paid back all of its government bailout money. Fords are built on American soil with parts from Mexico and Canada.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Rick M - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
0
What? - 2010-06-02 13:23:49
Boru Vodka, a product of Ireland.
Ford, mainly American parts without taking ANY government bailout. Try to find another vehicle with more Americn built parts. I would not purchase a government motors car.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Robin Stanek - Churchton, MD - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 2
1
car - 2010-06-02 13:21:19
my boat,so to speak buick gets about 30-32 mpg on the road, why would I want this,I willalso keep my HARLEY! GOOD LUCK WHEN YOU TRY TO SELL IT! and my corvette gets about 30 on the road at 70mph.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
jim pearson - seaford, de - Karma: Terrible
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
1
American Built Ford - 2010-06-02 12:05:10
Hard to find such a beast. When you do, most of the parts come from overseas.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Rick M - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
0
What? - 2010-06-02 11:54:33
Irish Vodka?
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Salvatorre Bagatelli - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 1
1
Made in France - 2010-06-02 09:46:37
I'll opt for California Wine, Irish Vodka and an automobile built by Ford in America. The French are not our allies when the times get tough and my dollars will continue to be spent elsewhere.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Robin Stanek - Churchton, MD - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 1
1
How Many.... - 2010-06-01 00:48:47
Clowns can you fit into this car and don't say Including Me.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Steve Gundersen - Annapolis, Md - Karma: Terrible
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 4
2
Tyler - 2010-05-30 18:42:19
Emmaline - 2010-05-30 13:07:50
"Do you have the test reports/statistics to back that up?"
I certaily do. It's called the Laws of Physics.
Look it up.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Emmaline Giles - West River, MD - Karma: Terrible
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 1
1
Living Proof...... - 2010-05-30 17:10:59
That you can turn a Golf Cart into anything.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Steve Gundersen - Annapolis, Md - Karma: Terrible
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
2
What we all need... - 2010-05-30 13:14:26
...to drive are battering rams that can go through buildings:
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/for/2010/05/29-01/Driver-crashes-SUV-into-West-Street-building.html?ne=1
I would argue that big, heavy cars are more dangerous to everyone around them, with the exception of the occupants - barring a roll over, than small, light cars.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Tyler Durden - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0
3
Emmaline - 2010-05-30 13:07:50
Do you have the test reports/statistics to back that up?
Nobody is making you buy one, so what do you care?
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Tyler Durden - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 3
1
In a crash? - 2010-05-30 10:05:11
Underpowered, undersised and in a crash with anything bigger than a skateboard you get killed.
unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?
Emmaline Giles - West River, MD - Karma: Terrible
If you encounter other problems, please email nlundskow@capitalgazette.com and include your name, username, and any errors or messages that are displayed. The more information you can provide, the better able we will be to assist you.