Ducati Monster Forum

Kitchen Sink => No Moto Content => Topic started by: Monster Dave on April 08, 2009, 02:28:35 PM

Title: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Monster Dave on April 08, 2009, 02:28:35 PM
Check out the new Scion IQ compact car:

(http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/04/2010_Scion_IQ_Concept.jpg)

(http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2009/04/medium_3423928007_9a3af5aa41_o.jpg)

(http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2009/04/medium_3424737224_8871e688ac_o.jpg)

(http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2009/04/medium_3423977085_ceec1163f6_o.jpg)

(http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2009/04/medium_3424785152_4a936f7f01_o.jpg)

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Kopfjager on April 08, 2009, 02:31:54 PM
It would make a kick ass golf cart.  [evil]
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Monster Dave on April 08, 2009, 02:33:14 PM
Could probably fit a busa engine in it and make it uberfast!!!
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Holden on April 08, 2009, 02:39:39 PM
Nice pre-riced bodykit... the bits around the LED fog lights kill me (you just know whoever is driving one of these will have their fog lights on 24/7 regardless of weather).

Those wheel arches! is that so you can put 36" wheels on? :o
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: erkishhorde on April 08, 2009, 03:01:33 PM
Looks like any other Kei car to me.  [roll]
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: the_Journeyman on April 09, 2009, 05:46:35 AM
Interesting.  For a cheap commuter, I'd drive it.  Upgrade the suspension and go play in traffic.

JM
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Mother on April 09, 2009, 07:02:58 AM
can you get on with a frown?
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: the_Journeyman on April 09, 2009, 07:10:05 AM
Frown?

JM
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Mother on April 09, 2009, 07:12:05 AM
Quote from: the_Journeyman on April 09, 2009, 07:10:05 AM
Frown?

JM

(http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2009/04/medium_3424737224_8871e688ac_o.jpg)

it looks like a lego man
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: the_Journeyman on April 09, 2009, 07:13:56 AM
Gotcha.  Get a black helmet & put one of those leg things on.  That's make passing cars look at you funny ~

JM
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: MrFryMoto on April 09, 2009, 07:55:26 AM
any power / mpg / weight figures?
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: TiAvenger on April 09, 2009, 07:58:05 AM
QuoteThe Scion iQ is powered by a 1.3L, 4-cylinder VVT-i engine generating 93 horsepower and driving the front wheels. Fuel economy numbers weren't provided, but according to European standards the sister Toyota iQ achieves 4.3L/100km, which is frugal by anybody's standards.
http://www.vancouversun.com/Cars/Frugal+Scion+smart+move/1478758/story.html (http://www.vancouversun.com/Cars/Frugal+Scion+smart+move/1478758/story.html)
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: NAKID on April 09, 2009, 08:01:49 AM
That's the main thing that seperates it from a SMART car to me, drive wheels. I'll take the rear drive SMART car over the iQ...
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Mother on April 09, 2009, 09:00:07 AM
Quote from: NAKID on April 09, 2009, 08:01:49 AM
That's the main thing that seperates it from a SMART car to me, drive wheels. I'll take the rear drive SMART car over the iQ...

I will take the Scion for the exact opposite reason

something with that small a wheelbase would benefit from front drive

Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: zarn02 on April 09, 2009, 09:13:17 AM
I don't hate it as much as the xB, but then I don't think I hate the holocaust as much as I hate the xB.

Pass.
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: NAKID on April 09, 2009, 11:45:55 AM
Quote from: Mother on April 09, 2009, 09:00:07 AM
I will take the Scion for the exact opposite reason

something with that small a wheelbase would benefit from front drive



I'm talking about the fun factor...
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Popeye the Sailor on April 09, 2009, 12:14:40 PM
Quote from: NAKID on April 09, 2009, 11:45:55 AM
I'm talking about the fun factor...

The fun factor.....in a smart car?

???

Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: NAKID on April 09, 2009, 12:45:02 PM
Have you not seen the video of the 'Busa powered SMART car?
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: erkishhorde on April 09, 2009, 01:47:52 PM
Dunno if anyone cares but the two vehicles will handle crashes incredibly differently as well.
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Monsterlover on April 09, 2009, 01:50:45 PM
I hate to say it but I like it.

That may change after driving one, but for now, based only on looks, I like it.

Except that it's yellow. 

Yellow is the bad color
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: NAKID on April 09, 2009, 02:35:08 PM
Quote from: erkishhorde on April 09, 2009, 01:47:52 PM
Dunno if anyone cares but the two vehicles will handle crashes incredibly differently as well.

Absolutely. Look at where the rear passenger sits in the iQ. Nothing behind him to absorb a collision. With the SMART, the engine is there...
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Holden on April 09, 2009, 03:24:13 PM
Quote from: Mother on April 09, 2009, 09:00:07 AM
I will take the Scion for the exact opposite reason

something with that small a wheelbase would benefit from front drive

well... I smell what you're stepping in, but only if the scion were light enough to do this
Mini Cooper B16a (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huVa_Pf0_3g#lq-hq-vhq)

I maintain that the only thing more frustrating than fore wheel drive is a slushbox. :P

Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Popeye the Sailor on April 09, 2009, 03:35:57 PM
Quote from: NAKID on April 09, 2009, 02:35:08 PM
Absolutely. Look at where the rear passenger sits in the iQ. Nothing behind him to absorb a collision. With the SMART, the engine is there...

So instead of having a buick smashing into your spine you have a motor as pushed by a buick? I'm not sure that's an improvement.
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Triple J on April 09, 2009, 03:55:09 PM
Quote from: Monsterlover on April 09, 2009, 01:50:45 PM
I hate to say it but I like it.

That may change after driving one, but for now, based only on looks, I like it.

Except that it's yellow. 

Yellow is the bad color

+1 Kinda cool for a fun city car.
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: erkishhorde on April 09, 2009, 03:56:04 PM
Quote from: MrIncredible on April 09, 2009, 03:35:57 PM
So instead of having a buick smashing into your spine you have a motor as pushed by a buick? I'm not sure that's an improvement.

Na, Smartcars are made like a rock. They take all the impact in the shell and try not deform because there's no crush zones like on a normal car. But that transfers a lot of energy into the people inside.  [roll]


Crash Test: 2008 Smart Car ForTwo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz-s1sIoLhU#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)


One good thing I can see about having such a small car is that I can park it and my bike in the garage at the same time (my apt has a tiny garage that is barely big enough to fit my Frontier).
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: DCXCV on April 09, 2009, 04:22:40 PM
I'd take the iQ over the Smart based on looks, passenger room and fuel economy.  Really, though, I wouldn't buy either.
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Smokescreen on April 09, 2009, 08:59:34 PM
IF... they actually sell it here...  and the price is right.... and the back can fit a doggy kennel in it.....  I'd get that.

I wonder where the backseaters put their legs though?
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: zarn02 on April 10, 2009, 05:38:16 AM
Quote from: Smokescreen on April 09, 2009, 08:59:34 PM
I wonder where the backseaters put their legs though?

"Hey Griswold, where do you think you're gonna put a tree that big?" ;D
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Cotton on April 10, 2009, 06:55:50 AM
Quote from: zarn02 on April 10, 2009, 05:38:16 AM
"Hey Griswold, where do you think you're gonna put a tree that big?" ;D

Hehehe, "bend over and I'll show you"

The car is cool looking and could be a good city car, but with all the cell phone talking, huge ass suv soccer moms driving around, I'll pass. 
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: junior varsity on April 11, 2009, 12:38:51 PM
I'm oddly reminded of the triceratops dump in the first Jurassic Park.

Not for me. For cars near that size, I suppose the likes of a Civic Si is more appealing. And that's not saying much. If I'm driving a cage, I am OK with it being a land barge.
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Randimus Maximus on April 11, 2009, 03:53:35 PM
Quote from: NAKID on April 09, 2009, 02:35:08 PM
Absolutely. Look at where the rear passenger sits in the iQ. Nothing behind him to absorb a collision. With the SMART, the engine is there...

Perhaps that's why it has a rear air bag.

And it has 3+1 seating.  The one being storage space in the rear.

Keep in mind, the Smart has an average retail price north of $17K.  It also requires premium fuel.  And the fuel economy is less than stellar for a car that size.
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Randimus Maximus on May 10, 2011, 05:04:59 PM
Just drove the iQ today. 

Also drove the Smart Fortwo.

The iQ is the better car from a driving/handling/space perspective.

No pricing released yet.
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Heath on May 10, 2011, 05:40:36 PM
Did the one you drive have a CVT?  That kills it for me.  I need to hear or feel a car shift.  Test drove a Civic Hybrid for shits and giggles and the CVT totally killed it for me.
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Randimus Maximus on May 10, 2011, 05:43:58 PM
Quote from: Heath on May 10, 2011, 05:40:36 PM
Did the one you drive have a CVT?  That kills it for me.  I need to hear or feel a car shift.  Test drove a Civic Hybrid for shits and giggles and the CVT totally killed it for me.

Yep.  They will all have the CVT-i (with intelligence).

Honestly, I didn't know it had a CVT until the next session when I got the technical debrief.

And with tightening emission & fuel economy standards, CVTs will become much more common here in the states (as they already are in Asia & Europe).
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Grampa on May 10, 2011, 09:12:03 PM
looks like a lowered IQ to me
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: stateprez on May 11, 2011, 07:08:48 AM
Looks great getting humped by a St. Bernard as well:
JAMES MAY IS A BASTARD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMA-CQAFGyU#normal)
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: pennyrobber on May 11, 2011, 07:47:07 AM
Quote from: bobspapa on May 10, 2011, 09:12:03 PM
looks like a lowered IQ to me

Dud dun  tishhhh.       ;D



Aren't some companies adding fake shift points to make CVT's seem viscerally closer to traditional automatics?
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: junior varsity on May 11, 2011, 07:49:05 AM
Quote from: pennyrobber on May 11, 2011, 07:47:07 AM
Aren't some companies adding fake shift points to make CVT's seem viscerally closer to traditional automatics?

Wouldn't surprise me - they cam up the gas pedals for the appearance of a responsive, powerful engine, etc.
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Monster Dave on May 11, 2011, 09:01:19 AM
I just got this months Motor Trend magazine and it looks like some of the sportier Euro based compacts will be coming to the US soon. 
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: cokey on May 11, 2011, 09:45:21 AM
Id rather have a mini cooper..  only way a smart will be safe is if everyone had one in the city and you weren't allowed to drive on the same road as a truck..   
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: Monster Dave on May 11, 2011, 09:51:31 AM
Quote from: cokey on May 11, 2011, 09:45:21 AM
Id rather have a mini cooper..  only way a smart will be safe is if everyone had one in the city and you weren't allowed to drive on the same road as a truck..   

[laugh]


I'd never want a Smart Fortwo - but I'd consider a Smart Coupe:

(http://maxspeedcarrera.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/smart-roadster-coupe.jpg)

Tuned of course.  [evil]
Title: Re: Smart car for the tuner crowd:
Post by: il d00d on May 11, 2011, 12:56:04 PM
Quote from: cokey on May 11, 2011, 09:45:21 AM
Id rather have a mini cooper..    

What he said. I am glad we will have a few more options in the coming months and years, but nothing quite touches the Mini, even the NA version.  Not the Fiat, not the Fiesta, and certainly not this.  Even if I sacrifice a few MPG, I would much rather roll in something that doesn't look like a photoshopped normal-sized car.