ypelchat 0 #26 June 27, 2008 Quote Vskydiver fell in love with Le Smart car years ago in France. It got 80 mpg on diesel, but you could not bring one into the U.S. The new version in bigger, heavier, and gets worse mileage. Like you said, why bother. My Ford econobox (Escort) get over 35 mpg combined, and can carry up to 5 people (one passenger must midget or contortionist), and have room enough for 3-4 skydivers' gear in the trunk. Canada still has the original version available, but you have to sign a "no export" document if you buy one North of the border. We checked. The new Smart (the one sold in USA) will be about a foot longer than the original Smart, and does not have the turbo diesel engine that the original Smart had. The new Smart has a 70hp gas engine, hence the decreased fuel economy. The turbo diesel would have been a little out of breath, hauling big asses around. Yves. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #27 June 27, 2008 The short answer is if it has more then 50cc then you have to have a motorcycle endorsement and you have to wear a helmet. You have a defense to prosecution if you get the form back from DPS (MSF course is one of the requirements) and/or have $10k in personal health insurance on your motorcycle insurance. That goes for the passenger too! So instead of your typical biker chicks wearing a leather thong and chaps and riding on the back of a motorcycle, it was dudes?--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #28 June 28, 2008 QuoteIIRC, as long as it's under a certain size engine (I believe it's 50cc) there is no motorcycle license required. This used to be true in CA, but no more. Guess it didn't work out very well. We still have two classes of M endorsements, < and > 150cc, which is close to missing the point. Scooters go up to 500cc these days. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #29 June 28, 2008 Quote Quote IIRC, as long as it's under a certain size engine (I believe it's 50cc) there is no motorcycle license required. This used to be true in CA, but no more. Guess it didn't work out very well. We still have two classes of M endorsements, 150cc, which is close to missing the point. Scooters go up to 500cc these days. People flying down the 405 (or whatever Cali highway) on their Vespas.... that's either suicidally brave, or suicidally stupid...I'm not sure which!! Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ypelchat 0 #30 June 28, 2008 Take a look at this one. http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-iq.html Yves. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #31 June 28, 2008 Quote Quote Canada still has the original version available, but you have to sign a "no export" document if you buy one North of the border. We checked. And who enforces that agreement? Why are they not allowed for export? The Dept. of Transportation is the oversight for that. Non-US conforming cars are pretty difficult to import and DOT doesn't need to enforce it so much, as when you might try to register the vehicle with your local DMV and they can't pull specs on it, not to mention your insurance carrier who won't know what it is either...So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 14 #32 June 28, 2008 Quote The turbo diesel would have been a little out of breath, hauling big asses around. You obviously have not met Vskydiver.But yes, being American, we have to supersize it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #33 June 28, 2008 I wonder if you could back two of these into a single parallel parking spot? Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ypelchat 0 #34 June 28, 2008 Quote I just drove past the local Blackjack Pizzeria a mile from home and noticed they have a Smart for home deliveries parked out in front, all decked out with the Blackjack logos and pictures of pizza all over it. Poor little car. Yeah, but the pizza is still hot when it arrives. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPQIizRp9ck Yves. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #35 June 28, 2008 Quote Quote Poor little car. Yeah, but the pizza is still hot when it arrives. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPQIizRp9ck Yves. That one looks (and sounds) like 2 lawn mowers tooling around each other. Made me shake my head. However, this one just made me burst out laughing...Monster Smart ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdvr 200 #36 June 28, 2008 Quote Quote Quote Poor little car. Yeah, but the pizza is still hot when it arrives. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPQIizRp9ck Yves. That one looks (and sounds) like 2 lawn mowers tooling around each other. Made me shake my head. However, this one just made me burst out laughing...Monster Smart ltdiver Did ya notice the little wind-up keys...too funny.Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
