Next Time You See Vicky Butler-Henderson....

[Ferrina]

Re: Next Time You See Vicky Butler-Henderson....

Me no like her
She probably drives some gas guzzling hunk of junk !

She drives a Honda S2000.

[DaisyDuke]

Re: Next Time You See Vicky Butler-Henderson....

There's an echo in here

[MrPoo]

Re: Next Time You See Vicky Butler-Henderson....

No one is claiming it's untrue but it was largely irrelevant and unrealistic

It is designed as a single function car - to get 2 people round a city and save space.

She would have to be an idiot to complain that the ford Ka has 4 seats and a 42 only has two seats, or it only has a top speed of 84mph - 14 mph above the legal speed limit.

I put forward the opinion that the compromises were acceptable in a city car and you would seem to disagree.

By way of healthy debate, can you justify your (apparent) expectation that the original 42 should have had excellent handling, acceleration and a much higher top speed ?

The main downside to the fortwo (words, not numbers ) is that it's an appalling city car It needs to be far more 'squat' and have infinitely better suspension.

[Ferrina]

Re: Next Time You See Vicky Butler-Henderson....

I think if the fortwo has 'soft-roader' suspension, jacked up and soft with large bulbus tyres, it would work on city streets. I've always thought they were way to stiff. The de dion really makes it bad, if only it was independent.

[Thrumbleux]

Re: Next Time You See Vicky Butler-Henderson....

Independent rear suspension would be no better. The roll centre would be lower thus requiring stiffer springing to resist the roll.
It is always the case that a high built vehicle will have to be stiffly sprung to resist roll, or handle like soup on a fork. Smart chose high for visibility and the suspension had to be made to work with a high CofG.
Plenty low built cars out there for those seeking comfort.

[englebert]

Re: Next Time You See Vicky Butler-Henderson....

I'm mates with Vicki so feel like i should stick up for her!

Yes, it's an ideal city car, but in reality, as just a 'car', you have to admit the Smart isn't a good all rounder, and is expensive for what it is.

On paper, it doesn't quite add up, but for me it's invaluable as a city car. I also think it looks cute...which is something you can't really measure!

[NBC]

Re: Next Time You See Vicky Butler-Henderson....

Hello Humperdinck

I guess it is always a personal choice.

I'm on my second smart fortwo, coming up for 6 years now, as one of the two family cars. Started with a glass top, now on a cabrio, and for what I need from my car, I wouldn't trade it in for anything else! I still enjoy driving it wherever I am going.

On the other hand, it is heading in for a service on Monday, so watch this space!

[smartfart]

Re: Next Time You See Vicky Butler-Henderson....

The Smart hasn't become so popular for nothing. I've wanted one since the Smarts conception. Now I've got one and I love it. So have millions of others. Two years ago I bought a brand new( BMW) Cooper. A Pretend Mini ....Blooming awe full....Got rid 6 weeks later. Bought a Forfour, only because the mrs wanted a five door, sold it and got my dream in the end....A Fortwo......Long live the ForTwo. Soon will have a Forfour and a for two.

[englebert]

Re: Next Time You See Vicky Butler-Henderson....

I'm not putting the Smart down at all. Like i said, it fulfills it's role perfectly. It's just an all rounder. That is fine, because it isn't meant to be. But a road test in a magazine or on a tv show is going to cover all criteria, and the Smart won't fill them all!

Just for the record, i'm from a family who has had 6 of them!