Photoblogging!

[elfs]

Hydraulic Ram

You know how human beings anthropomorphize just about anything? We see hands in the clouds, the grill of a car with the lights and the logo seems to make a face, and so on? Some guys, when they see something like this, see something else entirely. That's one well-hung bulldozer.

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Smart Car

On the other hand, I spotted this adorable little SmartCar in Belltown near my office. It was parked outside a retirement village, although it could easily have belonged to someone visiting the antiques or wine shops across the street. I never realized just how small they were; it does take up only half the parking space alloted. It has a logo on the back that reads "Fortwo," and they'd better be a Euro small two, not an American supersize two.

Comments

[resonant.livejournal.com]

The US version of the SmartCar that goes on sale next year is going to be larger than the Canadian and European versions (it'll also be gasoline-only, rather than the traditional diesel).

[ladyallyn.livejournal.com]

With the seat all the way back to the tailgate and all the way down on the floor you could /possibly/ fold yourself into it. The next question in my mind would be "Why"? I'm all behind eco-responsible and all that, but for some people it just can't possibly be practical. To say nothing of not kid safe.

[whipartist.livejournal.com]

Why?

- You spend a lot of time in a big city-- it's easy to park
- You often transport yourself or yourself plus one other person, and you don't haul a lot of stuff beyond groceries and the like
- You think it's cute

For some people, it can be eminently practical. I've loved the Smart car for years, and I might well buy one.

[ladyallyn.livejournal.com]

My thoughts on the 'some peole' have been picked up and run with here. Elf doesn't have the /mass/ of most of the men in my life, but he's close to the high end of the curve on tall. I'm guessing the *practical* height for one is ~5'10" or less. I'm less than that but have extreme orthopedic issues -- there's no way I can get comfy in one. Just guessing,from my limited experience, but the comments of others below seem to bear that out. /Some people/ just aren't going to fit -- I'm pretty sure Elf is one of them.

[lisakit.livejournal.com]

But why does it have to fit for everyone? Elf has his opinion and it won't work for him. The car will be bought by the people it will work for.

[halloranelder.livejournal.com]

I tried sitting in a Smart Car last year at the car show.

I don't fit, I'm too tall. Grr!

[mo-hair.livejournal.com]

i laugh every time i see one of those things. even if i were to ignore the need to fit 2 kids int he car with me, or the high likelyhood that at some point whatever i am driving is going to make impact with a humongous american suv or an 18 wheeler, dh is simply 6'8", and can he count the number of cars he can comfortably drive on one hand. for giggles he went to test drive a land rover discovery a few years ago when we were in the market for a new car. test drive never happened- with the seat all the way back and down, his head didn't clear the roof!

[woggie.livejournal.com]

It would be nice if I could fit into a car like that. Of course, it'd also be nice if it were electric. Sadly, neither is true.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[lisakit.livejournal.com]

Weighing in on the Smart Car issue...

My Gram Tyler would have loved one. Her favorite car was the Dodge Colt she had in the 70's 'cause it was little enough for her to reach the pedals and still see over the steering wheel. There's lots of people who would appreciate a smaller car, especially in an eclectic (and racially mixed) area like Seattle. And what about little people?

With the amount of crap I haul around in my car (especially the camping gear in the trunk) it's probably not useful for me, but I bet I'd be comfortable driving it. I can barely bring my seat forward far enough in my Toyota Corolla and that's almost too big a car for me.

- from the 5' 4 3/4" tall girl.

[ewhac.livejournal.com]

I'm in the market for a car just now (I ruined my previous one), and trinsf's Y.C. thinks the SmartCar is just the keee-yootest thing. And if it were just me in the house, I might agree.

Alas, there's me, trinsf, Y.C., with six-foot-two O.C. occasionally visiting from college. And even if it were still just me, there's no way you could get home anything from IKEA in it. So I need something bigger.

The 1997 Honda Civic EX coupe I ruined was remarkably flexible, well nigh ideal for my needs. Sadly, I don't fit in the 2008 EX coupe. And an EX sedan somehow seems, "boring." I've looked at the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic Hybrid (stylistically indistinguishable from the other Civics), the Nissan Altima Hybrid ($$$!), and the MINI Cooper S. The Cooper is clearly the cutest and most fun, but I'm uncertain how appropriate it would be as the car for the household. The Prius might be a slam-dunk, except you can't get one with a moonroof -- you have to get it aftermarket (and it probably would void the warranty).

No clear solution is emerging. Frankly, I'm at a loss...

SMART

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

The SMART is hugely popular here in the UK. The 'Fortwo' is available as a convertible (very sweet :o) and there is a 'forfour' four seater version also now available. I believe there is also a SMART sports model out there too! Safety wise they score remarkably well and are just ideal for city driving. A friend of mine owns the fortwo and being 5'6" I have no problems with fitting in. Me? I'll stick to two wheels- Triumph for preference altho Harley is also acceptable but the problem with the latter is having the stength to lift it! :o)

Chiara