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Most embarrassing car in the world to drive?

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

AnnCardiff

AnnCardiff Report 26 Sep 2013 22:22

anyone got one in a more interesting colour ;-)

Sharron

Sharron Report 26 Sep 2013 22:06

It is a black diesel.

AnnCardiff

AnnCardiff Report 26 Sep 2013 21:50

what colour's yours Sharron? ;-)

Sharron

Sharron Report 26 Sep 2013 21:45

I don't know why but I thought you were in Australia. Now that really would be fuel economy!

ZZzzz

ZZzzz Report 26 Sep 2013 20:55

We have had powerful cars, E type Jags, skyline etc, our current smart car is the second one and I love them, been to Wales (near Barry) and back on £30 of petrol, on one occasion meeting my sister at a pub, the car park was full so parked my car sideways on to the back of hers, looked really funny when we came out of the pub as there were no other cars there.

JustJohn

JustJohn Report 26 Sep 2013 20:22

I have had my 13 year old Smart now for 6 years. It has 100,000 on clock (81,000 put there by me). I am big and a bit stiff in the joints and it is the roomiest and most supportive car I have ever had. Head room - lots. Seat - wrap round and very solid. And easiest for an old person to get in and out of. No pulling yourself up hanging onto coat hangers to exit car. And if you find a tiny parking space, you can park sideways quite legally.

The very early ones look a bit smaller and all were LHD. All German-made then, I think.

Will happily have another one when this one goes to Smart heaven - perhaps a Brabus coupe. Or a diesel. Diesel delivers 86.8mph and top speed of 85mph from 45bhp. Brabus has 100 bhp and is exceptionally nippy with top speed of about 104mph. But only 55mpg overall. One very sensible, one a lot of fun. :-D

ValerieM

ValerieM Report 26 Sep 2013 18:27

My OH has a Smart Car and loves it.

Sharron

Sharron Report 26 Sep 2013 15:48

As I explained, I am a big 'un and so is he 6'8" with a 54" waist( I nick some of his clothes too) and we have room. We were both surprised at the high driving position when we tried it on in the showroom.

You just have to accept that you are getting past it when you forgo the back seat! The seat is at bum height too, which makes getting in and out easier.

I believe it is almost impossible to turn a Smart over, they cling like limpets. It was the next Mercedes up that had the problem with the steering geometry and fell over on corners.

As wel as the most embarrassing car, they are also the safest I believe.

DazedConfused

DazedConfused Report 26 Sep 2013 15:28

Must say I like the look of the Smart car (especially the sporty model they put out a few years ago)

But they do not look roomy enough to take 2 hefty people like myself and OH. They look a bit to me like they would topple over!!

But as said before a car is a car and for most women is it a tool designed to get us from A-B.

I have recently changed my car via the Mobility Scheme. Now I did have a Ford Fusion (a slightly larger version of the Fiesta, which they now no longer make). But due to dodgy knees and shin can no longer get in and out of low cars.

So last week I picked my brand new Ford Kuga. it is HUGE. But for me it is suitable as I can get in and out with comparative ease. Still getting used to the length, but love the higher driving position.

But without the mobility scheme, I would still be struggling with my old and much loved Fusion.

:-D :-D

Sharron

Sharron Report 26 Sep 2013 14:40

I came home with two half cwt sacks in the back of the Smart yesterday and there was still room.

As for backing into trees, people think I horizontally between two cars outside our house just for the convenience of slotting it in there. Really, I started doing that because I can't, although I am better at it now, parallel park it because it is too short.

I once drove a 15cwt Bedford all week which I could slide in anywhere but when I came to drive the mini I owned at the time, I needed a field to park it.

RolloTheRed

RolloTheRed Report 26 Sep 2013 14:31

Porsche cars have the engine in the back.
It is designed that way 'cos the owners are often seen driving them engine first into trees and the like and it gives more protection.
The small luggage space in the front is for a hair dryer and a copy of the owner's will.

;-)

jax

jax Report 26 Sep 2013 14:29

Don't need to borrow the money, just don't want to pay for new tyres on a car that has done less than 10k in the 4 years I have had it. I don't drive anymore and HID has his own car, but should I want to go out his is no good...which is strange really as my last two cars before this one was the same as his Hyandai coupe

Sharron

Sharron Report 26 Sep 2013 14:23

I was working in a Rootes Group garage at the time but I still sobbed a bit. They were so frequent.

That was an engine not designed for road use anyway.

Porsche is not a man's car. My OH tried one on and there was no leg room, he couldn't drive it. We do tend to shout "Shortarse!" when we see one now!

RolloTheRed

RolloTheRed Report 26 Sep 2013 14:18

My first ex-wife had an Imp.
I used to cry when I got the repair bills.
So I bought her a new mini.
Cheaper.

Sharron

Sharron Report 26 Sep 2013 14:17

Don't really care what they look like, they are mighty fine value.

I have done all my arm out the window driving in company vehicles. High mpg on little wheels with no RFL is what I have always wanted. Considering it runs on a lawnmower engine, the kick down is adequate.

What would make me mildly embarrassed would make other people emigrate anyway!

RolloTheRed

RolloTheRed Report 26 Sep 2013 14:15

I had a SMART car in Paris. Perfect !!!!!!!!!!!!
Cannot see anything cringeworthy at all - for instance the SMART coupe has all the fun of the old frog eye sprite and much of the idosyncratic looks as well.

I would say that the Mercedes A series is cringeworthy. AFAICS it is for moderately well of idiots who cannot drive, possibly challenged in the vision dept. Give these plenty of room it will help your NCB.

I am not biased against large cars - my usual wheels are a V6 and I once owned a New Yorker. Even so here is the king of the cringeworthy, coming soon to a Harrod's near you

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-2110869/Bentley-unveils-4x4--set-140-000.html

The coolest car ever is a Lotus 7.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiNDmcSTxDk
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mir45UIvPL0
Top Gear will never feature it 'cos the plonker who runs the show cannot get into it.
Rollo cannot run to a Lotus7 ( sob ) but makes do with an Elan SE which is a fair bit cheaper and I can even hear the ICE up to about 60 mph.


Merlin

Merlin Report 26 Sep 2013 14:06

Jax, have a word with your Bank Manager, and Smile a lot. :-D :-D :-D

BrendafromWales

BrendafromWales Report 26 Sep 2013 14:05

I'm downsizing ...getting a Hyundai 120 on Monday....have a xsara Picasso 2000 till then...big change for me,but will be easier to get in my garage and to park.
Nothing wrong with a Smart Car.They look quite nice
I need a 4 door car for my trips to the jazz with my friends...they'll just have to understand it may not be quite as roomy,just hope it's as comfortable!

jax

jax Report 26 Sep 2013 14:01

My first car was a Hillman Imp, I passed my test in it as well...only car I have had that I cried when it went

I now have a Jeep Grand Cherokee which after it's MOT on Tuesday have been told it needs 4 new tyres at some stage....hate to guess what that is going to cost

Merlin

Merlin Report 26 Sep 2013 13:48

Sounds more like a "Tuc Tuc" :-D