01-14-2008, 06:46 PM
I have never driven the Smart forTwo but I have driven the forFour in a couple of versions. I found the manual pretty decent but hated the semi-automatic (two pedals but with an electric clutch if I understand correctly) - particularly aweful in snow.
However, the smart and the yaris or similar cars are the answer to the US fuel issues. By that I mean, a) they use less and b) if the drivers began to demand that parking (very expensive in Chicago) was charged by square foot instead of per vehicle there would be a huge incentive to downside vehicles. In Europe our $7 a gallon fuel helps ensure more efficient vehicles but as that is tax based it is a non-runner for the US. However, charging for parking per square foot is pure free-market and therefore an ideal solution for US urban areas. All other space is charged per square foot, why not parking?
If you ever see a new Smart forTwo (the current model is bigger than the original) beside an original VW golf (Rabbit) you might be surprised that the Smart is actually nor all that smaller - its higher and about as wide. Anyone remember the original mini? or maybe even the Austin A7? (showing my age here) or and original jeep compared to what is called a jeep today.
However, the smart and the yaris or similar cars are the answer to the US fuel issues. By that I mean, a) they use less and b) if the drivers began to demand that parking (very expensive in Chicago) was charged by square foot instead of per vehicle there would be a huge incentive to downside vehicles. In Europe our $7 a gallon fuel helps ensure more efficient vehicles but as that is tax based it is a non-runner for the US. However, charging for parking per square foot is pure free-market and therefore an ideal solution for US urban areas. All other space is charged per square foot, why not parking?
If you ever see a new Smart forTwo (the current model is bigger than the original) beside an original VW golf (Rabbit) you might be surprised that the Smart is actually nor all that smaller - its higher and about as wide. Anyone remember the original mini? or maybe even the Austin A7? (showing my age here) or and original jeep compared to what is called a jeep today.