Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Not So "Smart" Car (was Tulsa Event)

[Britt2Asa (Britt2Asa]

All  well. but why would you then advocate the same vehicle in an   
environment where traffic speeds are high ( like 70 - 80 mph on the   
freeways). there are no congestion charges or road taxes and no nose-  
in parking is permitted. Fwiw I think an F350  dualie would be a  Dumb  
vehicle to drive in inner London or Paris but it makes perfect  sense  
here for many folks.

I can imagine the horror of the  effete French if Ford pickups were  
introduced, don't be too hard on  us for recoiling when we see a  
Smart. Our roads have already been  infested with the mobile chicanes  
known as a  "Prius".



Hey, I am not saying I advocate it for everywhere but plenty of places in  
the USA as over here have short travel trips and commutes day to day. What I am 
 
really saying is LIVE A LITTLE and don't blanket dismiss an interesting 
little  car based on the fact you MAY get hit head on by a truck. I actually 
think 
any  Ferrari getting hit head on by a truck is going to be an uncomfortable 
ride for  the occupants and having had one lucky escape in a bad accident in my 
328GTS I  can personally attest to the fact that surviving is a bit of luck in 
HOW and  WHERE you are hit as much as WHAT you are in.
 
The EU tests vehicles to a higher standard than the US and you would be  
amazed how poorly a lot of American cars perform in these crashes. Pickup a 
copy  
of Top Gear magazine and have a read....
 
Point is people will buy what they like, what they want to be seen in, what  
they can afford, and what makes them feel good and it seems silly based on 
what  most of us drive day to day or on weekends, to dismiss a Smart car 
because 
it is  a deathtrap.
BTW as a native Floridian and being personally well aware of S Florida  
traffic styles and driving techniques I can fully excuse Dan from ever having 
to  
drive a small car/Smart Car! He is risking life and limb alone just by DRIVING  
in S. Florida regardless of what he is in.
 
Britt
 
 

 
BR in the  UK
1986 328GTS (LHD 89,940km) Died August 19, 2006 Shrewsbury UK
1980 400i  (RHD 72,000 miles)
Searching for the right 512TR
2003 BMW 530d
1991  Alfa Spider S4