Smart Thoughts



Greg and I went to Wal-Mart the other day and saw our first Smart Car. I thought it was adorable! It’s like a toy car, which is partly a concern given the rate of car accidents and the Smart Car would crush like a bug.

Did you know that the Smart Car has two motors? An electric and a gasoline powered motor, which some might say just means more parts to break and need repair!

That said, the gasoline motor comes in handy, because when the battery charge is low, it will start automatically and charges the battery! The joys of a hybrid ~ never needs to be plugged into an outlet.

Pro and Con ~ it’s a complex system. It’s good in that, it’s new technology and green. The Con ~ the computer that controls the car still suffers from failures ~ more time in the shop and larger repair bills.

Definitely a pro ~ saves on gas! And at the rate gas prices are going, that’s a big thing. The Con ~ the car isn’t exactly cheap.

Me, personally ~ I’d buy one if I had the money. I like the size and hey, parallel parking would be a breeze!

Comments

GypsiAdventure said…
It's a cute car but I don't know about the 'crush' factor. I drive a car, but that one seems so tiny. I don't think I'm ready to go that small yet...
~K
Anonymous said…
It would be perfect for me living in DC--I could park ANYWHERE!
Aleta said…
Hi Kel ~ I think if I did buy one, I'd only use it for driving around the area. Then again, I don't drive much and I can't stand driving the Interstate, so it's probably a good car for someone like me. Lol.

Hi Jen ~ DC ~ Woah, I've been there quite a lot in my life. I have cousins that I'm close to that live in Maryland. Those DC drivers are something else! I think DC should require all drivers get a Smart Car for the space. Hehe..
Laurel said…
I guess it couldn't fit our carseats and monster double stroller.
Aleta said…
Hi Mommy ~ Ah, the things a person doesn't consider when they don't have children! Excellent point!
K.C. said…
My first smart car too. If gas prices keep doing their thing, we may just all be driving them.

Thanks so much for your comments. It really does keep me encouraged. Kayce
Vikki North said…
They’re very European- or even Japanese in appearance. In other countries, our big moose cars are the odd ones out.

Now it’s just my opinion, but I’m going to wait and see what happens over the next 5 or more years. With the present panic to come up with a new energy sources there’s a lot of companies (right now) coming out with kits to make our present cars use pure available sources like propane or different methane concoctions.

In fact, I recently had some work done on my car and the owner of the company was telling me about a kit for $3000 available for my car. (As expensive as that sounds most people are spending more than that annually at the gas pump.) I have a propane tank in the back yard that heats my pool spa. They could simply hook up feed for my car. (Propane runs $2 per gallon)

I just heard on the news that the present cost for gasoline in Saudi Arabia is 49 cents a gallon.
Vikki
The car looks cute. In India we've had a similar launch, the NANO, which is supposedly very affordable. It's not on the market yet, but many are worried about the accident factor.
Aleta said…
Hi Kayce, Something things to give with the gas prices. I think the gas prices will lower, once the companies realize there is a serious push to find alternative fuel. It's all about the need and demand of the people. Eventually something will open up and make the change.


Hi Vikki, I agree with you. It's a wait and see and the people are doing just that. We're urging on something new and waiting for the companies to make a breakthrough that is reasonable in cost. I like the idea about a kit to use other sources. There should be more talk about this. 3000 might be expensive, but a Smart Car has a hefty price tag.


Hi Sucharita Sarkar, I haven't seen the NANO. I'll have to look it up. If it's affordable, then they could make a good profit in the States. If more and more people go with smaller cars, the accident factor dimishes too, (in the way that if a small car is hit by another small car, it's not the same as damage from an SUV to a small vehicle)....


Something I've been considering is how the SUV's came out. It became the "status symbol" in the States. You have the bigger, better more comfortable SUV and it said something about you. (Not for those who need such for work, there's a difference in need).

Me ~ I always kept to the small cars, because it's easier to drive.

People in the States were suckered into buying the SUV status and now when there are more SUV's on the road than cars, then the gas price goes up. Those same folks have contracts for 5 years and the gas is high and the SUVs guzzle gas. Maybe I'm paranoid, but you have to wonder....
K.C. said…
I was just talking to my husband last night about the gas prices. I believe what you are saying, too.

I think that something will have to give on that as well.

Your comments were completely inspiring. It's hard in the moment to realize how everyone is doing what they can for you. But, this "journey" that I have put myself is really forcing me to notice those things. It has been life changing.

I am completely humbled by it. I swear, I find my eyes watering all day long now. I guess it is 41 years of missing it all. It's OK, I guess it's just clearing out all the cobwebs... Thanks again... Kayce
Stacey said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stacey said…
Hi Aleta,
I really like these cars, really sweet looking and yes I bet great for parking!!!
Over here the petrol prices are getting outrageous, you can drive past a petrol station in the morning and see one price, and a few hours later drive past the same petrol station on your way back and they have increased the price, and this is on a daily basis..at the moment it is about £1.20 per litre, though saying this, this price is very rare to come across as most pertol stations charge a lot more than this, its just luck if you find a cheaper station. Hope your well, take care ;-D
Siddhartha said…
This car has its share of glory in The Da Vinci Code. But the accident factor as well as the capacity factor are things to consider. I wonder how will kids react to this car!
Preeti said…
One thing I've got to agree is that the car looks like a toy car and so is really cute! But safety, yea, now that's a concern...There is this battery-operated car here in India too which is called a Reva...U could look it up...Pretty good car but it has quite a bit of safety issues which is why it probably isn't so popular...

But considering the increasing gas prices, I'm assuming this would be the way to go...Or else, back to plain 'ol bicycling! Hehe..

P.S: I was just looking through your other posts and saw the one on your engagement! That's AWESOME! It always makes me smile and feel happy from inside to see people in love (i havent found that yet!) God bless the both of u...U look GREAT together! :)
Anonymous said…
I love em too but perhaps thats because Im a DRIVE AROUND TOWN'er and not a highway woman all that often?

Id love to have one as well.

Miz.
Aleta said…
Hi Kayce, It's important to notice the small things in life, especially when something big is happening, either in society or in our personal lives. It's the small things that will bring the smiles. I loved ready your blog and reminding me of those things!


Hi Stacey, We have the same thing here, with the prices changing during the day. Everyone is told to tank up in the morning. Lol. Prices are averaging right on the 4 dollar mark for gas. People are going back to carpooling to places and not taking as many vacations.


Hi Preeti, Thank you for visiting my site. I'll look up the Reva. I wonder if the small cars can be built with more safety in mind. That will be the large negative on buying the vehicle. And thank you for the congratulations! We're very happy!


Hi Mizfit, Nice to know I'm not the only one who is a drive around town'er. I love vacations, but not driving to them. Lol.
Jojo said…
Hi Aleta, thanks for stopping by today, I can' believe your grandmother was yelled at! Anyway, like mommy said, I don't think the Smart Car is very kid-friendly..with all the strollers, humongous car seats etc. I also just read your proposal post...HOW SWEET IS THAT MAN???? aaaw...
GypsiAdventure said…
Thanks for stopping by - I grew up on the beach and 'writing in the dunes' was something we did often. It was always fun to see if we would get a response.

Now, the kite thing..that sounds like fun, perhaps I'll try that one out (the hub LOVES flying kites) hehe
~K
Aleta said…
Hi Kel ~ Lol. It is fun. Both kites go up and then you try to see which one can bring down the other person's kite. It was a blast! Have fun!


Hi Jojo ~ Thank you for stopping by. Actually, I believe there was a law at some point in Louisiana early, early on that said you could not speak Cajun French. How things have changed with society!

And *smiles* Yes, a very sweet man!!
Sukku said…
Nice and cute car but I guess you would be bullied on the road with the bigger cars and in an accident you would be crushed easily. Having said that, I guess we have to look for a cheaper hybrid models to beat the fuel cost and reduce our dependence on fuel and the price of fuel would automatically drop which would inturn bring down the prices of essential goods to the normal realistic levels.
Jules said…
Hi Aleta!
There is a restaurant owner down the road that owns one. Boy it is small for sure. I have seen it left at the restaurant several times over night.
Now I wonder if it broke down?

They say when ya have to parallel park it you can just pull in face first in the spot. It is so short that it is no longer than a regular car is wide!

Now that's cool. I can't drive it .
I am 5'10 and have a hard time standing up after being in a low car. My knees are shot!

Cool post!!
Aleta said…
Hi Sukku ~ Something definitely has to give between "bigger and better" versus "high cost of gas" ~ either we tap a different source of fuel or we use our fuel in a wiser fashion.

Hi Jules ~ Lol, you'll have to let us know if the vehicle was broke down. One of the negatives is with the technology comes the higher price tag of repairs. I absolutely cannot stand to parallel park, so I think it's neat how this little car can do it all. Ahhhh, I'm short, so the car is perfect for me - barely making it to 5 feet tall. Yet another thing I didn't think about with the car ~ height considerations!
Sukku said…
Well I couldn't agree with you better...it's time we look at saving gas...but the sad thing is that there are these bigger vehicles on the road eg. like trucks and what not and they don't give a damn for the smaller fuel efficient vehicles and if we can overcome that, I am sure smaller is better.

Hope to see you at my blogs and I guess you must have been rather busy these days...

You take care and btw how is your Jury Duty getting along...do let me know.
Aleta said…
Hi Sukku,

I'm still waiting to find out when my Jury Duty will be rescheduled. I don't know if they will mail me something or if they will do another personal service of the Jury Duty paperwork, which is a little unnerving ~ having someone knock on your door and you think, "I wasn't expecting anyone!"