Some years back, I visited Alamogordo, New Mexico. If you've been there, you know that the climate is really, really dry. Anything metal tends to last for a pretty long time, including signs. I was working at a sign shop at the time, so was intrigued by all the signs which dated from the 1950's and '60's. Lots of outer-space themes; planets, stars, satellites, orbits, rockets. Geometric and amoeba-shaped designs, too, were popular.
Have you noticed the price of gas lately? Well, of course you have. It's going down, but still a bit high for us Americans, yes? We live in a big, big country and need our cars. That's not to say that one shouldn't use public transportation, if at all possible. The DC-metropolitan area has an excellent public transportation system. Trains, buses, subways. I know. I used it for years. Walk to bus stop, take bus to subway, take subway to City, walk to office. Return same.
Oh, sure, you may not get to listen to the radio or leisurely sip your coffee at a stop light in the comfort of your own car, but if you like to surreptitiously watch other people, daydream, enjoy the urban scenery, or get some extra work or reading done, there's no place like the bus or subway to do it. Just don't look anyone in the eye for too long. Or fall asleep. Sleeping in public is just NOT a good idea on so many levels, ya know?
I've seen quite a few of these little cars around lately. Smart cars. By quite a few, I mean maybe a half dozen, tops, down here in Calvert County. How about you? Have you spotted any? They're still a rarity, but numbers are on the rise.
The same year I visited Alamogordo, I also spent some time in Germany, mostly in Heidelberg and Munich. I tagged along with my husband, who was traveling on business. We had a very busy time, without a wasted minute, thanks to the superior organizational skills of the Germans. But I digress.
We first saw these Smart cars there, in 2001. They were almost brand new on the European market back then, and had been developed through a partnership between Swatch (yes, the Swiss watch company) and Mercedes-Benz.
We couldn't help but stop and stare and marvel. These cars are so small that they can be parked perpendicular to the curb!
Their tiny size and jewel colors make them seem like little fuel-efficient, festively-wrapped presents that you can drive. We could really, really reduce our oil consumption if we all had one of these babies, wouldn't you think?
Let me provide a few Smart car facts for you (2008 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe):
Seats: 2
Weight: 1,815 lbs. (Just a little less than me.)
Length: 106"
Height: 61"
Width: 61"
Tire measurement: 15"
Engine fuel requirement: 91 octane
Mileage: 32 mpg (Huh?)
Smart Fortwo Pure basic model (no a/c or radio!): $12,235
Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe: $14,235
Smart Fortwo Passion convertible: $17,235
Well, let's see . . . 32 mpg? I drive a Ford Focus station wagon which gets about 30 mpg on the highway. My car seats 5 comfortably and has lots of room for storage and hauling. In addition, I can fill my tank with a lower-octane, less-expensive fuel.
I wonder how well the Smart cars will do in the U.S.
I got my information from www.caranddriver.com
To quote my good friend, Miz S ,
"I'm just sayin'."
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