I just realized how long it’s been since I did much blogging. On 5/31 I received an orphaned smart fortwo. It isn’t yellow like the one I wanted, but it did fit all the other criteria. I have about 2000 miles on it, it runs great, better all the time.

I’ll try to get some pictures posted.

BTW, it’s silver/black.

According to the Detroit News, General Motors is cutting back on expensive events and advertising.

For example, there is an event called GM Style. It’s described as a “…celebrity-studded soiree that takes place just before the North American International Auto Show.” I’ve never been invited.

They go on to talk about GM reducing or it’s budget around other high-visibility events as well. Between the Emmy’s and the Oscar’s, GM spent $16.4 million last year alone. Not to mention all of the vehicles it provided for the stars to arrive in.

GM will continue to sponsor the Grammys, Golden Globes and Country Music Awards, so I guess it’s not a total loss. Not that I watch any of these. But, it’s nice to know that I could catch a GM ad if I wanted to.

There is also a USA Today article that talks about GM reducing its NASCAR budget. It makes me wonder…what would NASCAR be like without sponsors? Imaging a team having to pay for their own cars and equipment out of race winnings. Wouldn’t that be fun?

Anyway, I think GM should get away from the award shows, advertise in other places. Or, maybe just take all that advertising money and invest in more research so it can produce vehicles that don’t run on fossil fuels and are affordable.

For those of you that didn’t already know, I ordered a smart fortwo. Put in the reservation in July, 2007.

First you place a $99 reservation. When your number comes up…meaning they are about to put your car into the production process…you go through the configuration process.

In the configuration process you select the model and options you want. This way, they can build exactly what you want.

I configured on March 23, I’m getting a yellow/black Cabrio (convertible). I’m very excited.

From this point, there is a bit of a mixed message. Initially, the story was that it’s typically about 90 days from configuration to delivery. That would put me in late June. I’m still perty excited.

smart launched their Dynamic Delivery Estimator (DDE) at about the same time I configured. The idea with this service is that they can tell you within a three month window when you will be getting your car (based on your reservation).

Based on the DDE…I’ll be getting my care between November 2008 and January 2009. Now, I’m not so excited anymore.

I came across the TomCar recently. They were originally designed for the Isrealy military, now available as a street legal vehicle here in the US.

The TomCar has a one liter, three-cylinder engine and a CVT transmission and looks like a cross between a jeep and a dune-buggy. It’s available in three models. Two seats, four seats and more of a truck.

TomCar – Anywhere and Back

I’m a big fan of FuelEconomy.gov. I think it’s great that you can see real mileage experiences right next to the EPA numbers.

I’m particularly interested in the real-world numbers for the smart fortwo. One brave soul has posted their mileage on the site. It’s 37.4 MPG with 90% stop & go and 10% highway.

The estimated combined mileage is 36. I would say that the smart fortwo is clearly above that. It will be interesting to see that the numbers look like after some additional owners post.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

I’ll beat the bushes and see if I can get some additional people to post.

I talked to the folks at the Smart Center of Laguna Niguel (the local Smart dealer). They are getting factory trained on January 12 and expect to have their demo cars delivered then. The cars should be available for test drives on the 15th.

They also said that they’ll be hooked up to the corporate computers and think they’ll be able to look up reservations to see how far down the list someone is.

Perty cool, I’m very excited. I see a Smart fortwo in my future…

I came across an interesting comparison…back in the early ’90s, Chevrolet came out with the Geo Metro (also called the Chevy Sprint, but I think Suzuki actually manufactured them). This was a small hatch-back with a three cylinder engine. It was rated at about 50mpg, a truly great rating.

These were fairly successful, I still see them on the road from time-to-time. I’ve often wondered why nobody has created something similar…especially with our current gas pricing.

As Smart USA is about to release it’s fortwo in the US, I found it interesting that somebody (Soren) created a comparison of the two vehicles.

You can find the comparison at http://shocauto.com/blog/2007/12/15/08-smart-fortwo-vs-92-geo-metro/.

I made a couple if interesting observations in the comparison. First, even though the engines are about the same size, the fortwo has about 40% more horse power, and 20% more torque. The fortwo’s mileage is lower.

The other thing I find interesting is the performance. One of the topics that comes up in every fortwo review I’ve read is the low acceleration. Yet, the Metro is slower on both the 0-60 and 1/4 mile.

Anyway, I think the Smart fortwo is going to do fine. I’m still looking forward to mine…

I found some videos on the fortwo from smart usa

smart ride along with Anders Jensen

environmental benefits of smart

smart USA President, Dave Schembri provides a brief overview

I’ve been thinking about cars a lot lately. My current daily driver is a GMC Suburban. I love my Suburban, but gas prices really make the 10-12 mpg a real bummer. Not to mention filling a 42 gallon tank.

I can’t just sell the Suburban and get a Prius. I need the Suburban for towing, cargo and people moving. But, that’s really only on the weekends. I could use a different car during the week.

Here’s my problem. I want a small fun car that gets good mileage. I’m thinking about a smart fortwo Cabrio. But, I can’t even look at one yet. They aren’t scheduled to arrive until January.

I’ve thought about some other options…a Honda Element (only 20/25 mpg), a Mini ($30k). And there are others, all with various problems.

Ya know what I’d really like? I had a Suzuki Sidekick convertible for a while. I was getting the better part of 30 mpg with it and it was fun to drive. I bet a Volkswagen Thing would be fun as well. Nobody makes cars like these anymore.

Here’s the deal. The car companies are making small strides into more efficient vehicles. But, thinks the American market is still interested in muscle cars, SUVs and trucks. I don’t see TV very often, but these are what’s being advertised. Instead of pitching 300hp, why can’t they compete on mileage?

Over the years I’ve had cars with very small engines (how’s a Fiat 600 for small?) and they are perfectly drivable and get better mileage.

Why can’t we get more of the small vehicles that are so popular in Japan and Europe?

So, here’s my challenge to the Auto industry. Give me a minimalist hybrid with a rag top. I’m talking a Volkswagen Thing that gets 50mpg.