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What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
Ariel Atom vs. REVA G-Wiz in London

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Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
I saw plenty of Smarts on the autobahn and French autoroutes. They could keep up with traffic and seemed content enough driving between cities. And Euro trucks are just enormous. They should be fine here. They have to be safer and more confidence inspiring than an Elise or old Morgan.
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junkman
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
I just returned from Athens, Greece; a city with 5,000,000 people in a country with a total population of 12,000,000. The Smart and its tiny brethren are the only cars that should be allowed in that urban environment. On the other hand, anyone driving a Smart in any part of my home state of Ohio is strictly a fashion victim with a death wish.
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Leeeeena the Jalopchick
04/17/09

@junkman: I don't think anyone is really denying their practicality in most parts of Europe. That's the environment they were developed for, and that's (mostly) the environment they should stay in.

Actually, they do serve at least one purpose here in the states. I giggle whenever I see one. Humor is a valid reason, right?
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junkman
04/17/09

@Leeeeena the Jalopchick: Absolutely; humor is one of the best reasons for anything to exist. Unfortunately, I just pity the owner when I see one over here.
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Michael J Backus
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
Again, micro cars exist because they create no threat at all to Caterhams, Atoms, Porsche Spyders or any other real sports car.

James Dean would have walked away from his crash if he'd been hit by a Smart car instead of a '50 Ford.
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Leeeeena the Jalopchick
04/17/09

@Michael J Backus: Wait a second... is your argument seriously that microcars were developed to create a safe environment for Caterhams/Atoms/X-Bows/Se7ens/insert-street-legal-track-car-here... to drive in?

I think I need some coffee...
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Mobius
04/17/09

@Leeeeena the Jalopchick: I think I personally need something a lot stronger than coffee to understand him.
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Boosted Lego Wagon
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
I like to think that the guy on the bicycle has just finished his long week's work and is heading home. He can't afford parking and gas, and had considered getting a G-Wiz for the tight urban environment.

His daily rides have left him in better shape, with lots of energy when he gets home: enough to play with the kids, make dinner, and then make mad, passionate monkey love to his wife.

Then, on Saturday morning, he gets up, makes a big pot of tea and heads out to the garage, where a 1970 240Z with a specialty-imported LS1, Volks, race suspension, and JDM flares is ready to go out and kick heads at the track all weekend.

In contrast, the G-Wiz guy spends all weekend alone watching Tivo'd shows and talking to his mom. He then argues on an eco-forum about climate change, and reads Jeremy Clarkson's column in the Daily Telegraph, just so he can get really mad.

The guy who owns the MGB GT arrives with a box of tools on Saturday morning. He is wearing a hair shirt and is flogging himself with birch branches.
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Serious Mopar Jones- Incurable
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
Anything smaller (in dimension and in displacement) than a 2.2 Plymouth Horizon is not only pointless, but a deathtrap. But then, I'm just a stupid American who lives in a town of 2200 people.
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Leeeeena the Jalopchick
04/17/09

@Slaaaaant, the Jalopsick: Is there a new name-meme playing off my handle?
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RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
04/17/09

@Leeeeena the Jalopchick:

I could become "the Jalopdick".
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Serious Mopar Jones- Incurable
04/17/09

@Leeeeena the Jalopchick: No, the last few days I've been adapting the names of Jalops I admire for my own purposes.. Yesterday I was "Slant Saleanin", before that "SlantySickbroom", etc. I don't think it counts as a "meme" if I'm the only one doing it. Don't worry, I'll run out of imagination soon.
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Serious Mopar Jones- Incurable
04/17/09

@rlj676-Carbon Footprint Size - Clownshoe: Have no fear, dude, you already are. ;)
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Leeeeena the Jalopchick
04/17/09

@rlj676-Carbon Footprint Size - Clownshoe: LOL, go for it! See if Ray sends you an angry PM like he did to me yesterday.
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Leeeeena the Jalopchick
04/17/09

@Slaaaaant, the Jalopsick: awww, okay. I just thought it was funny when I saw Slaaaaant the Jalopsick and Pleco the JalopNick in close proximity to Leeeeena the Jalopchick.
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A strolling player
04/17/09

@Slaaaaant, the Jalopsick: Man, I hope you can keep this going forever! I have an .rtf file I'm compiling with the names you've been using because they're awesome.
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Serious Mopar Jones- Incurable
04/17/09

@Gutpunch McRodbender, a strolling player's understudy: Heh- no pressure, I guess.. It won't be a matter of running out of Jalops to emulate, that's for sure.. but, I'm just not that bright.
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RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
04/17/09

@Leeeeena the Jalopchick:

Wait, there's PM's here?
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Leeeeena the Jalopchick
04/19/09

@rlj676-Carbon Footprint Size - Clownshoe: if you navigate to someone's page, click on their message tab and you can write a personal message, which by default is private unless you click the box to make it public. If you keep it private, though, it will not be visible to anybody except the recipient, even including the sender.
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sos10
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
Why buy more than what you really need? Unless you love the architectural style of parking buildings.
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Amalgamated Stainless Headers, est.1978
04/17/09

@sos10: I'm a schizo fan of the Smart. On one hand, I've seen its utility firsthand in places like Rome (where I swear it makes up about 1 car out of every 10 or 15).

On the other hand, I've seen its overpriced image-driven ideal tooling around on suburban American highways where it has virtually no advantage over other small cars.

So "why buy more than you need" is dead-on accurate for the first group, but just confusing for the second group. In the latter case, it's far LESS than you actually need when a Civic/Corolla/Prius/tdi posts similar economy numbers, or better.
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sos10
04/17/09

@Ash78: Just get the Smart tdi and it makes sense again.
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Amalgamated Stainless Headers, est.1978
04/17/09

@sos10: If only the diesel Smart were sold in the US...

It might not make the car truly practical for most Americans, but it'd be at least twice as good as with the current gas engine.
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sos10
04/18/09

@Ash78: but the gearbox remains crap.
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SirNotAppearing
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
Oh sure, I ask what's the point of more than 500 hp and everyone piles on. But ask what's the point of a microcar and everybody nods in agreement.

I just felt like stirring the pot a little...
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RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
04/17/09

@SirNotAppearing:

Unless your microcar has 500hp.....it has no interest in the US to any car people who know better.
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Leeeeena the Jalopchick
04/17/09

@rlj676-Carbon Footprint Size - Clownshoe: I believe you may be mistaking Jalopnik as representative of the general populace.
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Sloop_John_B
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
The Smart car is the dumbest thing to ever hit the US shores. It makes absolutely no sense. It's simply an anomaly on the road that piques the interest of idiots with terrible taste. It's expensive, cramped and gets worse gas mileage than larger, cheaper cars. However, if you go to Rome and can't ride a scooter, get a smart car. You will be happy regarding the parking situation. That said, learn to ride a scooter/motorcycle instead and have some fun.
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dwegmull comments for the purpose of obscurity
04/17/09

@Sloop_John_F*cking_B_Jalopnik_Gold_Edition: If I were in Rome I would drive an original Fiat 500. It's only slightly bigger but it seats four and may even have better mileage.
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P161911 probably shoudn't have
04/17/09

@Sloop_John_F*cking_B_Jalopnik_Gold_Edition: I look forward to the day, 5-10 years, from now that it will not be smug twits driving Smart cars in the suburbs but those looking for cheap basic transportation. The same people that would buy a used Geo Metro back when gas was $1.50/gal. Used Smart buyers will be cross shopping 10 year old base model Chevy Cobalts or maybe 2 year old Chinese cars. Unless gas goes to $7/gal, there is NO WAY these things will hold their value. There has to be some car enthusiast interest for these things to even stay on the road much longer and I really don't see any.
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Leeeeena the Jalopchick
04/17/09

@Sloop_John_F*cking_B_Jalopnik_Gold_Edition: It depends on where in the US you are. For most of it, you're right, it's not necessary, but for cities like San Francisco, they're extremely popular. In fact, they were so popular there that one guy made his living importing and selling them years before the first Smart dealership opened in the US. I believe some parking garages in NYC also charge half-price for Smarts, reasoning that they only take half a space each.

P.S. Smarts are eight feet long, so they still don't park all that well nose-in. I doubt you could get away with it in most cities in the US.
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Sloop_John_B
04/17/09

@Leeeeena the Jalopchick: That's true. I didn't account for San Fran or select parking garages in my generalizing. I just get irritated when I see these smug assclowns riding down GA-400 (Atlanta) with license plates that say IQ-150 or SMRT! Rather it should say SMUGBTCH or IDIOT as it makes abosolutely no sense in Atlanta GA to own a smart. If you like the styling and want to look unique, I'll give you a pass. The majority of the suburban smarters think their shit doesn't stink and that they're actually doing something good by buying an overpriced, cramped, not exactly fuel effecient micro car.

/rant
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Leeeeena the Jalopchick
04/17/09

@Sloop_John_F*cking_B_Jalopnik_Gold_Edition: Hey, at least you get my (first) nomination for Rant of the Day :)
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P161911 probably shoudn't have
04/17/09

@Sloop_John_F*cking_B_Jalopnik_Gold_Edition: Hey neighbor. You are seeing the exact same ones that I am, I just haven't noticed the license plates yet. Unless you live in a aprtment in a large urban area a Smart isn't.
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petersterncan
04/17/09

@Sloop_John_F*cking_B_Jalopnik_Gold_Edition:

Corvettes don't make any sense either, but people still buy them too!

And *which* Larger and Cheaper car gets better mileage than a Smart?

I'd really like to know because I know that all the hybrids and VW diesels cost more...
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Amalgamated Stainless Headers, est.1978
04/17/09

@petersterncan: Smarts usually run about $18k-$20k as typically equipped.

So Civic and Corolla are both at least twice the car, similar economy, for less money. For a couple grand more, you can get a Prius or tdi.

That's the other main problem with Smart--a typical American looks at it for the first time and thinks "Nice, someone is finally offering a $6k car"
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.357
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
How about a motorcycle?
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c0de
04/17/09

@Lord Pferdestärke the 357th: Rain, and careless drivers. the BMW C1 solved that, but for some reason it died off.
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.357
04/17/09

@c0de DEMANDS layabout's return: Then how about buying an old car of your choice for rain and snow, and having a motorbike in the summer?
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c0de
04/17/09

@Lord Pferdestärke the 357th: defeats the purpose, remember what we're talking about here, driving and parking in a highly urbanized cramped city
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.357
04/17/09

@c0de DEMANDS layabout's return: Get like a small old car like an old Golf. And you could also get an awesome motorcycle for the money you save over a new one.
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Leeeeena the Jalopchick
04/17/09

@Lord Pferdestärke the 357th: Motorcycles are a great solution for a lot of people. In San Francisco, there are a lot of dedicated motorcycle/moped only parking areas, and they're usually pretty full. My brother for years had only motorcycles (I think he topped out at six) and no car. Of course, that wouldn't work so well for all parts of the country, but if you're in California/the southwest/the south, you can probably manage that way just fine.

In the interest of full disclosure, I love motorcycles and am considering getting one when I go back to California this summer.
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c0de
04/17/09

@Lord Pferdestärke the 357th: good thinking, but instead of a golf, get a mini cooper s 1.3 (Mark III) I had one for a very short while and it's a BLAST to drive.
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pauljones
04/17/09

@Lord Pferdestärke the 357th: Motorcycles suck when you have to go grocery shopping.
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.357
04/17/09

@Leeeeena the Jalopchick: California? I'm in Canada, so there's snow half the year. So, I can only use my bike in the summer.
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.357
04/17/09

@c0de DEMANDS layabout's return: That is a win-win.
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.357
04/17/09

@pauljones: That's what you have the Mini, or Golf for. I'm saying motorcycle for just driving downtown, and using your used automobile to run errands.
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A strolling player
04/17/09

@Leeeeena the Jalopchick: I've been "two wheels bad, four wheels good" for a while, but that's mostly because I don't trust myself to keep my head on my shoulders. Even though I could ride year round. And even though my friend Max basically owns a Triumph/Ducati shop.
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Leeeeena the Jalopchick
04/17/09

@Gutpunch McRodbender, a strolling player's understudy: Kiss up to his mom a little :) You'll be riding around unhindered by all that annoying body cladding and windows in no time!
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Landau_Calrissian loves our President Camacho.
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
Exactly: what's the point?

This is a well written article, but when God tells you that you need a microspeck car in order to park where you live, He is also telling you to move.

Eeew.
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FLB is on vacation
04/17/09

@Landau_Calrissian loves our President Camacho.: Or to take the bus.
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Maymar
04/17/09

@FLB: The Smart may not be a fantastic car, but it's magnitudes better than the TTC.
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sos10
04/17/09

@Landau_Calrissian loves our President Camacho.: Yeah, why would you want to live in Paris, or London, or Barcelona, or Rome..
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dirtyjerseysti
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
I wonder if you can even park like that in states. I'm sure someone would get some crazy ticket.
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Amalgamated Stainless Headers, est.1978
04/17/09

@dirtyjerseysti: There are a handful of cities on this continent that allow parking like that (Portland and Toronto come to mind, for some reason). But most places, you're getting a ticket. Microcar ftl.
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.357
04/17/09

@Ash78: Well, in Toronto, at least downtown, if you are just visiting, you have to pay around $10.00. I work downtown, and I can just park at my workplace. At home, however, If your tires are just even just a little bit on the sidewalk, you get a $120.00 ticket.
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A strolling player
04/17/09

@Ash78: Someone a couple blocks from where I work bought a red-and-black smart and parks it like this every time it's there. He still does it, so I guess it's not a problem?
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Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
Small cars really work in cities. More maneuverable and can squeeze through tighter spots. But the big dilemma is what to do when you get where you're going. Some trips you might find a parking spot practically back where you started out. So a small car than fit where larger ones won't has the advantage.

As the BGT shows, a small car doesn't necessarily mean an awful car.
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Graverobber
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
I note with some satisfaction the rust spot on the MG's rocker panel, as well as the pool of ocherous liquid spreading ominously beneath it. All is right in the world.
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D'Chevette
04/17/09

@Graverobber: It begs one to ponder the question:

Which came first, the MG or the puddle?
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Graverobber
04/17/09

@VonPinto:

My MG is leaking

Its vital fluids on the ground

The temperature gauge is peaking

and there's steam all around

I pray that it makes it

To my final destination

Before the engine bakes it

To my eternal consternation

I drive a B despite

The troubles it has entailed

It sets my heart aflight

Because I think the brakes just failed
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FЯeeMan
04/17/09

Graverobber is back with a vengance! Fear ye, all pretenders to the COTD crown!
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Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
04/17/09

@Graverobber: Don't you mean ichor fluid? Shame. That stuff's like five times the price of wire smoke.
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Mobius
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
Zara, me likey. G-Wiz, me no likey.

I always thought the chopsticks used to be used for building the Wembley Arena and now the Olympics stadia to cut costs? Or have they been used in G-Wizes all along?
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pauljones
04/17/09

In reply to What’s the Point of Urban Microcars?
If by microcar, you are referring to that cool little coupe, then I can totally understand what's up with that. As for the Reva G-Wiz...I would rather push a Pontiac.

On a side note, being a hot rod/muscle car guy, I am not entirely sure what that little coupe is. I think that it is an MB GT, but the prince-of-darkness-era British cars are a mystery to me in every sense of the term.

Is it an MB GT, or is it some other Lucas monstrosity?
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vwminispeedster, pronounded Si-trow-in
04/17/09

@pauljones: the microcar is parked perpendicular to the MGB GT. :)
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Tiberiuswise is all ate up with sarcasm
04/17/09

@pauljones:
I think this post is like one of those pictures of a busty woman with something unremarkable in the background.
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pauljones
04/17/09

@Tiberiuswise - sarcasm free since April 15, 2009.: There is a nice ass walking into the store in the background.
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Jim-Bob
04/17/09

@pauljones: That "Cool Little microcar" in the picture IS a Reva G-Whiz. Top Gear even did a road test of one once... vs a Table. The table won.
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pauljones
04/17/09

@Jim-Bob: I was referring to the MG, actually.
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Ariel Atom vs. REVA G-Wiz in London

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