Bronsin Drives A Smart Car

[bronsin]

Saw and drove the SmartCar yesterday. I like the car because it is SMALL and has a one liter engine which is the direction I think we need to be going in. The car was at a VERY upscale Mercedes dealer. Gosh there was NO ONE there! HAd the whole place to myself. They had a VERY expensive place all for the Smart in the showroom. It was deserted. They had a stripped down frame to show you the "safe" construction. What a mistake! It was a piece of TIN! They had the wimpy steel thin as tissue paper beams painted red and blue to supposedly denote the "safety cage". Who are they trying to kid here? I guess IQs have dropped sharply nowadays. Get this one of the safety features they touted was the occupants sit up high so as to avoid monster SUV bumpers intruding on the passanger compartment!
Did you know the engine was made by Mitsubishi? It doesnt get as good fuel economy as the one made in Germany. (which only Euros get) This car supposedly made by Diamler is actually made in FRANCE by a company Diamler bought.
AC is not standard even on the mid grade model. I would say the average price on the stickers I saw was $17-18K. Almost everything including the colors other than red white and black is an option.
The car was nice to drive very sporty. A little slow though much slower than the ECHO/Yaris. I like the smallness! It seemed well put together. Although the front "hood" is like a removable plastic panel not on hinges that looks like it would get non functional pretty quick!
Dont like the price though. Especially with the mileage no better than the Yaris. The Yaris has room for four and a lot more practical space to put stuff in. I didnt see much evidence that the cars were flying out the door. I cant figger out why you would spend more money for a car a lot less versitile than the Yaris and more $$$$ too. I wish Toyotas would start getting SMALLER rather than BIGGER!