We test drove one last week, and second many of your comments. Our expectations of peppiness, though, are diminished after our lengthy minivan experience, so we felt fine about many of the things you were disappointed in.

How tall are you? For me, at 6'2", there was plenty of headroom, and it felt much roomier than the Mini that I've been in a couple times (especially for the passenger- the Mini's front passenger legroom is like being in a coffin IMO, whereas the Smart was like sitting in a nice comfortable chair), but the deal-killer was the nasty rear view mirror being right in the center of the windshield from my driving visual perspective, with no way to adjust it upward (according to the Service Manager of the local dealership). That is an unbelievably bonehead move AFAIC.

Other negatives: no spare tire (even if there was space to have one, you'd have to have two, as the front and rear tires are different); new tires are $190 each according to the dealer; it only runs on Premium gas; the standard no-cost color selection is rather limited (red is an extra cost option); lowest price model doesn't have a radio ($350 option); and maybe one or two other little things.

Still, it was fun to drive, easy to park, kept up on the freeway, and felt like a much bigger car than it is. If we really, really needed to get another car right now (we don't), I would saw off the rear view mirror and replace it with another one that sits up at the roof, and be happy with it as an additional car that is useful for going to meetings or to a show or something where parking agility and relative energy efficiency are important.

And the base model is $11,500 or so, plus $650 delivery (to my area), plus $350 for a radio plus taxes licensing, etc. So for $12,500 or so I've got a new car that is cute and can do what I'm buying it for, which is to get my butt from here to there in reasonable comfort and safety.

I agree with the poster (maybe the original author?) who said that this is the equivalent of the first iPod, and that surely there will be other versions by other manufacturers or the same mfr. which take this transportation model and refine and improve it.

In a way, this type of vehicle is like the first cell phones: the premise was that there is one per family, and somehow everyone benefits by sharing. In fact, everyone realized how nice it was for each person to have their own, and be instantly reachable at any time as well as be able to reach out any time any place.

With the Smart car model, each person in the family can have their own little car which takes up very little driveway space when not in use, but is always available when that person needs to go somewhere now. In a way, it's like a weatherproof, more comfortable motorcycle that does not necessarily have a fatal penalty when some other driver turns into your path, and is more easily visible than a motorcycle as well.

If it could only more closely approach the mpg capability of a motorcycle, the world would change. And the plug-in electric version, at this kind of price, will create a revolution.

"Know nothing about the genre?" I'm sorry, I think you mistook this for a music publication. I'm not talking about a subculture which requires initiation rites and a special pass; I'm talking about *driving a car,* one of the most universal pastimes we have. But you know, I'm sure there's a market for expert assessments of the "poop on a stick" variety. Don't despair.

As one of the people who took advantage of the Manjoo Taxi Service, I was impressed with the car. So much so, I spent the money to add myself to the waiting list here in Sacramento. I found the car more fun to drive than the Mini and more comfortable on the inside. The Niello dealership let me drive about in one for just less than an hour, and I didn't have a complaint. The transmission on my Honda Accord is going and this seems like a good replacement. I wouldn't drive to LA on I-5 with the car, but for commuting, it seemed perfect.

Manjoo is fun to meet in person, too, btw. For such a youngster, he's rather well read.

So for the same money a base Honda Civic gets you two more seats, better mileage, a trunk and, oh yeah, A Honda! Honda, like in runs forever and holds its value Honda. Want good mileage and look cute? get a Vespa.

I had a 1986 Toyota Celica that got 35 mpg highway/33 normal - automatic transmission. I loved that car - I knew the day that I sold it, I was making a mistake - and it wasn't the size of pebble and it sure didn't drive like one. That was one sporty normal-sized car. Sorry, but the auto industry can and has done a whole lot better.

Oh, and Ken Erfourth, I had a Subaru Legacy Outback (1999) and it was an AUTOMATIC and it got 29 mpg. I have to have an automatic because of bad knees. A stick shift doesn't necessarily mean better gas mileage.

"or one person and a child's car seat; it's the ideal car for the single parent"

Child car seats should NEVER be in a front seat. A deployed airbag can kill or seriously injure an infant or toddler, even if deployed accidentally.

Its OK, Mr. Manjoo; I didn't know any of this stuff until I had my kid. You know: its a seat, I've got a car seat, what's the problem?

You should correct it though. Thanks!

The main selling point of the Smart Car is PARKING, nothing else. There are more efficient, more practical, more sensible choices out there. But if you live in a dense urban area where parking is always a time-consuming, aggravating event, this car is a godsend. I used to ride motorcycles, and the ease of being able to stop and park almost anywhere definitely gives you a great sense of freedom. For people who wants this freedom but can't or don't want to ride a bike, this car makes a lot of sense.