DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
#226
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
Jim Yanik wrote:
> "Edwin Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net> wrote in
> news:36bqg.115206$H71.94816@newssvr13.news.prodigy .com:
>
>
>>"JXStern" <JXSternChangeX2R@gte.net> wrote in message
>>
>>>All I know is, I had to maneuver in the parking lot yesterday around
>>>some idiot in their extra-cab Ford 150 that stuck its *** halfway
>>>across the narrow lane, got past that only to see an even bigger Ford
>>>350 4WD, parked outside the Wild Oats store where these two citizens
>>>had gone to buy their non-fat lattes and cartons of sprouts. There
>>>just gots to be a better way.
>>
>>But the drivers of those vehicles "need" them. Just ask and they will
>>tell you.
>
>
> Most of the time,they could just RENT the large vehicle when needed,and
> save a lot of money.
>
>
>>While you can get into conversations about constitutional
>>rights to drive whatever you want, the fact is, few really need the
>>size vehicle they drive. I have a Regal and a LeSabre, but could
>>really get by with a Civic or Yaris about 99% of the time. Outside of
>>North America, you just don't see the huge trucks and yet people
>>manage to get their jobs done and commute to work.
>>
>>I do like a lot of goodies in a car. I've been re-thinking my
>>priorities. I was about ready to spring for a Lucerne, but I may just
>>wait and make a larger down payment of a Cobalt, Civic or Corolla
>>instead. There is more to life than a big car.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> Small cars (Civic size)are SO much easier to drive and PARK.
> More fun,too.
>
amen, amen.
> "Edwin Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net> wrote in
> news:36bqg.115206$H71.94816@newssvr13.news.prodigy .com:
>
>
>>"JXStern" <JXSternChangeX2R@gte.net> wrote in message
>>
>>>All I know is, I had to maneuver in the parking lot yesterday around
>>>some idiot in their extra-cab Ford 150 that stuck its *** halfway
>>>across the narrow lane, got past that only to see an even bigger Ford
>>>350 4WD, parked outside the Wild Oats store where these two citizens
>>>had gone to buy their non-fat lattes and cartons of sprouts. There
>>>just gots to be a better way.
>>
>>But the drivers of those vehicles "need" them. Just ask and they will
>>tell you.
>
>
> Most of the time,they could just RENT the large vehicle when needed,and
> save a lot of money.
>
>
>>While you can get into conversations about constitutional
>>rights to drive whatever you want, the fact is, few really need the
>>size vehicle they drive. I have a Regal and a LeSabre, but could
>>really get by with a Civic or Yaris about 99% of the time. Outside of
>>North America, you just don't see the huge trucks and yet people
>>manage to get their jobs done and commute to work.
>>
>>I do like a lot of goodies in a car. I've been re-thinking my
>>priorities. I was about ready to spring for a Lucerne, but I may just
>>wait and make a larger down payment of a Cobalt, Civic or Corolla
>>instead. There is more to life than a big car.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> Small cars (Civic size)are SO much easier to drive and PARK.
> More fun,too.
>
amen, amen.
#227
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in
news:Q8mdnUmJfeeV3zrZnZ2dnUVZ_uydnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message
> news:VvOdne76RoD6FjvZnZ2dnUVZ_s2dnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
>> Mike Hunter wrote:
>>> They apparently use your skeleton in lue of crumple zones
>>
>> fud
>>
> Really, the physics of crumple zones is not rocket science. The
> stiffness of the zone determines the amount of force applied to
> occupants while the depth of the zone (for a given stiffness)
> determines the maximum impact speed the zone can absorb. Short zones
> work just fine, but become ineffective at lower speeds than longer
> zones.
>
> IIRC there is considerable disagreement on how much deceleration a
> human body can safely withstand, and air bags complicate that. The
> major concern is aortic rupture, and air bags alone have been known to
> cause aortic rupture at speeds as low as 10 mph. It still doesn't
> change the shape of things - longer crumple distances are effective to
> higher speeds than shorter ones. Where the cutoff is for the SMART car
> is something I couldn't find.
>
My point exactly.
The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
news:Q8mdnUmJfeeV3zrZnZ2dnUVZ_uydnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message
> news:VvOdne76RoD6FjvZnZ2dnUVZ_s2dnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
>> Mike Hunter wrote:
>>> They apparently use your skeleton in lue of crumple zones
>>
>> fud
>>
> Really, the physics of crumple zones is not rocket science. The
> stiffness of the zone determines the amount of force applied to
> occupants while the depth of the zone (for a given stiffness)
> determines the maximum impact speed the zone can absorb. Short zones
> work just fine, but become ineffective at lower speeds than longer
> zones.
>
> IIRC there is considerable disagreement on how much deceleration a
> human body can safely withstand, and air bags complicate that. The
> major concern is aortic rupture, and air bags alone have been known to
> cause aortic rupture at speeds as low as 10 mph. It still doesn't
> change the shape of things - longer crumple distances are effective to
> higher speeds than shorter ones. Where the cutoff is for the SMART car
> is something I couldn't find.
>
My point exactly.
The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
#228
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in
news:Q8mdnUmJfeeV3zrZnZ2dnUVZ_uydnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message
> news:VvOdne76RoD6FjvZnZ2dnUVZ_s2dnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
>> Mike Hunter wrote:
>>> They apparently use your skeleton in lue of crumple zones
>>
>> fud
>>
> Really, the physics of crumple zones is not rocket science. The
> stiffness of the zone determines the amount of force applied to
> occupants while the depth of the zone (for a given stiffness)
> determines the maximum impact speed the zone can absorb. Short zones
> work just fine, but become ineffective at lower speeds than longer
> zones.
>
> IIRC there is considerable disagreement on how much deceleration a
> human body can safely withstand, and air bags complicate that. The
> major concern is aortic rupture, and air bags alone have been known to
> cause aortic rupture at speeds as low as 10 mph. It still doesn't
> change the shape of things - longer crumple distances are effective to
> higher speeds than shorter ones. Where the cutoff is for the SMART car
> is something I couldn't find.
>
My point exactly.
The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
news:Q8mdnUmJfeeV3zrZnZ2dnUVZ_uydnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message
> news:VvOdne76RoD6FjvZnZ2dnUVZ_s2dnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
>> Mike Hunter wrote:
>>> They apparently use your skeleton in lue of crumple zones
>>
>> fud
>>
> Really, the physics of crumple zones is not rocket science. The
> stiffness of the zone determines the amount of force applied to
> occupants while the depth of the zone (for a given stiffness)
> determines the maximum impact speed the zone can absorb. Short zones
> work just fine, but become ineffective at lower speeds than longer
> zones.
>
> IIRC there is considerable disagreement on how much deceleration a
> human body can safely withstand, and air bags complicate that. The
> major concern is aortic rupture, and air bags alone have been known to
> cause aortic rupture at speeds as low as 10 mph. It still doesn't
> change the shape of things - longer crumple distances are effective to
> higher speeds than shorter ones. Where the cutoff is for the SMART car
> is something I couldn't find.
>
My point exactly.
The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
#229
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in
news:Q8mdnUmJfeeV3zrZnZ2dnUVZ_uydnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message
> news:VvOdne76RoD6FjvZnZ2dnUVZ_s2dnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
>> Mike Hunter wrote:
>>> They apparently use your skeleton in lue of crumple zones
>>
>> fud
>>
> Really, the physics of crumple zones is not rocket science. The
> stiffness of the zone determines the amount of force applied to
> occupants while the depth of the zone (for a given stiffness)
> determines the maximum impact speed the zone can absorb. Short zones
> work just fine, but become ineffective at lower speeds than longer
> zones.
>
> IIRC there is considerable disagreement on how much deceleration a
> human body can safely withstand, and air bags complicate that. The
> major concern is aortic rupture, and air bags alone have been known to
> cause aortic rupture at speeds as low as 10 mph. It still doesn't
> change the shape of things - longer crumple distances are effective to
> higher speeds than shorter ones. Where the cutoff is for the SMART car
> is something I couldn't find.
>
My point exactly.
The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
news:Q8mdnUmJfeeV3zrZnZ2dnUVZ_uydnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message
> news:VvOdne76RoD6FjvZnZ2dnUVZ_s2dnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
>> Mike Hunter wrote:
>>> They apparently use your skeleton in lue of crumple zones
>>
>> fud
>>
> Really, the physics of crumple zones is not rocket science. The
> stiffness of the zone determines the amount of force applied to
> occupants while the depth of the zone (for a given stiffness)
> determines the maximum impact speed the zone can absorb. Short zones
> work just fine, but become ineffective at lower speeds than longer
> zones.
>
> IIRC there is considerable disagreement on how much deceleration a
> human body can safely withstand, and air bags complicate that. The
> major concern is aortic rupture, and air bags alone have been known to
> cause aortic rupture at speeds as low as 10 mph. It still doesn't
> change the shape of things - longer crumple distances are effective to
> higher speeds than shorter ones. Where the cutoff is for the SMART car
> is something I couldn't find.
>
My point exactly.
The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
#230
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote in
news:Q8mdnUmJfeeV3zrZnZ2dnUVZ_uydnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message
> news:VvOdne76RoD6FjvZnZ2dnUVZ_s2dnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
>> Mike Hunter wrote:
>>> They apparently use your skeleton in lue of crumple zones
>>
>> fud
>>
> Really, the physics of crumple zones is not rocket science. The
> stiffness of the zone determines the amount of force applied to
> occupants while the depth of the zone (for a given stiffness)
> determines the maximum impact speed the zone can absorb. Short zones
> work just fine, but become ineffective at lower speeds than longer
> zones.
>
> IIRC there is considerable disagreement on how much deceleration a
> human body can safely withstand, and air bags complicate that. The
> major concern is aortic rupture, and air bags alone have been known to
> cause aortic rupture at speeds as low as 10 mph. It still doesn't
> change the shape of things - longer crumple distances are effective to
> higher speeds than shorter ones. Where the cutoff is for the SMART car
> is something I couldn't find.
>
My point exactly.
The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
news:Q8mdnUmJfeeV3zrZnZ2dnUVZ_uydnZ2d@sedona.net:
> "jim beam" <nospam@example.net> wrote in message
> news:VvOdne76RoD6FjvZnZ2dnUVZ_s2dnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
>> Mike Hunter wrote:
>>> They apparently use your skeleton in lue of crumple zones
>>
>> fud
>>
> Really, the physics of crumple zones is not rocket science. The
> stiffness of the zone determines the amount of force applied to
> occupants while the depth of the zone (for a given stiffness)
> determines the maximum impact speed the zone can absorb. Short zones
> work just fine, but become ineffective at lower speeds than longer
> zones.
>
> IIRC there is considerable disagreement on how much deceleration a
> human body can safely withstand, and air bags complicate that. The
> major concern is aortic rupture, and air bags alone have been known to
> cause aortic rupture at speeds as low as 10 mph. It still doesn't
> change the shape of things - longer crumple distances are effective to
> higher speeds than shorter ones. Where the cutoff is for the SMART car
> is something I couldn't find.
>
My point exactly.
The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
--
TeGGeR®
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
#231
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
In article <Xns97F6EEAB13A82tegger@207.14.116.130>,
"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote:
> The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
> reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
Or a dumb cost / benefit ratio.
"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote:
> The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
> reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
Or a dumb cost / benefit ratio.
#232
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
In article <Xns97F6EEAB13A82tegger@207.14.116.130>,
"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote:
> The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
> reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
Or a dumb cost / benefit ratio.
"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote:
> The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
> reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
Or a dumb cost / benefit ratio.
#233
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
In article <Xns97F6EEAB13A82tegger@207.14.116.130>,
"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote:
> The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
> reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
Or a dumb cost / benefit ratio.
"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote:
> The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
> reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
Or a dumb cost / benefit ratio.
#234
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
In article <Xns97F6EEAB13A82tegger@207.14.116.130>,
"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote:
> The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
> reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
Or a dumb cost / benefit ratio.
"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote:
> The "Smart" is a political vehicle. It is manufactured for political
> reasons. Politics is a poor substitute for physics.
Or a dumb cost / benefit ratio.
#235
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
TeGGeR® wrote:
> "F. H." <connectu2@verizon.net> wrote in
> There are forty inches (I checked) between the front bumper and the top of
> the steering wheel. You wanna bash into something while driving a "Smart"?
> Go check how many inches separate *your* steering wheel top from *your*
> front bumper.
>
> You know why "Smarts" are officially "safe"? Because there are too many
> dollars between you and the other vehicles.
>
> --
> TeGGeR®
The smarts pass all safety checks in the european ncap tests with
flying colours, which includes passenger space intrusion, shock loading
etc regulations, better than a lot of larger cars. The reason they cost
more is because getting this kind of protection in a smaller lighter
vehicle takes a lot of hard work and design time, and testing.
Personally I wouldnt drive one, they're ugly, but for a city/suburbs
car they are ideal and perfectly safe, if not safer than the vast
majority of yank tanks.
J
#236
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
TeGGeR® wrote:
> "F. H." <connectu2@verizon.net> wrote in
> There are forty inches (I checked) between the front bumper and the top of
> the steering wheel. You wanna bash into something while driving a "Smart"?
> Go check how many inches separate *your* steering wheel top from *your*
> front bumper.
>
> You know why "Smarts" are officially "safe"? Because there are too many
> dollars between you and the other vehicles.
>
> --
> TeGGeR®
The smarts pass all safety checks in the european ncap tests with
flying colours, which includes passenger space intrusion, shock loading
etc regulations, better than a lot of larger cars. The reason they cost
more is because getting this kind of protection in a smaller lighter
vehicle takes a lot of hard work and design time, and testing.
Personally I wouldnt drive one, they're ugly, but for a city/suburbs
car they are ideal and perfectly safe, if not safer than the vast
majority of yank tanks.
J
#237
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
TeGGeR® wrote:
> "F. H." <connectu2@verizon.net> wrote in
> There are forty inches (I checked) between the front bumper and the top of
> the steering wheel. You wanna bash into something while driving a "Smart"?
> Go check how many inches separate *your* steering wheel top from *your*
> front bumper.
>
> You know why "Smarts" are officially "safe"? Because there are too many
> dollars between you and the other vehicles.
>
> --
> TeGGeR®
The smarts pass all safety checks in the european ncap tests with
flying colours, which includes passenger space intrusion, shock loading
etc regulations, better than a lot of larger cars. The reason they cost
more is because getting this kind of protection in a smaller lighter
vehicle takes a lot of hard work and design time, and testing.
Personally I wouldnt drive one, they're ugly, but for a city/suburbs
car they are ideal and perfectly safe, if not safer than the vast
majority of yank tanks.
J
#238
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
TeGGeR® wrote:
> "F. H." <connectu2@verizon.net> wrote in
> There are forty inches (I checked) between the front bumper and the top of
> the steering wheel. You wanna bash into something while driving a "Smart"?
> Go check how many inches separate *your* steering wheel top from *your*
> front bumper.
>
> You know why "Smarts" are officially "safe"? Because there are too many
> dollars between you and the other vehicles.
>
> --
> TeGGeR®
The smarts pass all safety checks in the european ncap tests with
flying colours, which includes passenger space intrusion, shock loading
etc regulations, better than a lot of larger cars. The reason they cost
more is because getting this kind of protection in a smaller lighter
vehicle takes a lot of hard work and design time, and testing.
Personally I wouldnt drive one, they're ugly, but for a city/suburbs
car they are ideal and perfectly safe, if not safer than the vast
majority of yank tanks.
J
#239
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
TeGGeR® wrote:
> My suspicion as to why the "Smart" shows low collision and injury rates?
> Because nobody under the age of 50 drives one. Nobody under the age of 50
> can AFFORD one. 50-year-olds have collision rates far below those of
> younger drivers.
Your suspicion is wrong, in the EU almost all of the drivers are young
professionals aged 25-35, certainly all the ones i see round the cities
ive visited, they arent THAT expensive here, just a little more than
compact car.
One of our car TV programs did a 50 or 70mph diagonal impact with a
concrete wall test in one, I'll see if i can find the video for our
viewing pleasure.
#240
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: DaimlerChrysler to Bring Teeny Two-Seater to U.S.
TeGGeR® wrote:
> My suspicion as to why the "Smart" shows low collision and injury rates?
> Because nobody under the age of 50 drives one. Nobody under the age of 50
> can AFFORD one. 50-year-olds have collision rates far below those of
> younger drivers.
Your suspicion is wrong, in the EU almost all of the drivers are young
professionals aged 25-35, certainly all the ones i see round the cities
ive visited, they arent THAT expensive here, just a little more than
compact car.
One of our car TV programs did a 50 or 70mph diagonal impact with a
concrete wall test in one, I'll see if i can find the video for our
viewing pleasure.