Space capsules are pretty small too but can handle passing through the atmosphere on fire. So size of the vehicle does not simply make it dangerous. Proper design and engineering can make it safe. (though the russians did have a few fatal misadventures, but they were kinda half-assing it from a safety standpoint). The full-size space shuttle proved a lot more lethal.
Space capsules are pretty small too but can handle passing through the atmosphere on fire. So size of the vehicle does not simply make it dangerous. Proper design and engineering can make it safe. (though the russians did have a few fatal misadventures, but they were kinda half-assing it from a safety standpoint). The full-size space shuttle proved a lot more lethal.
I'm thinking of purchasing a longtime Friend's '59 Crosley pickup. It is in dry storage and hasn't run in years. I am a bit apprehensive about driving it other than at cruise-ins because of its diminutive size and the idiot, non-drivers on the road.
And the lack of reliability. If I had a Crosley pickup there would always be a well-maintained bicycle in the bed. Some Crosleys even had welded-up sheet metal engines, and some had a notoriously unreliable shaft-driven overhead cam. If I was going to have a Crosley (I'm not), I would look into something like an Austin 4-banger and transmission. I know that it will leak oil, but the Austin will run reliably as long as the use of The Prince Of Darkness electrical components is minimized.
Consumer Reports summarized the Smart Car as the "Not So Smart Car" when they first tested it. That because there were a number of choices that essentially were as fuel efficient and larger five passenger cars (i.e. Corolla and Civic for starters) at the same price. While there have been improvements to the SC it isn't on my list of "wish I had" cars...
The company i worked for had one for running around in the city. the idea was you could always find somewhere to park it. I had to drive it for a few days, my pickup was in the shop, and it was either the smart car or our F450 stake bed. that car had the worst transmission I have ever driven. I took it back to the dealer and was told that's the way they are.
An interesting comment on the Ford truck transmission. I rented an F-250, and my cousin rented an F-350; when we compared notes on our long-term rentals, the first thing we talked about was the awful transmission shifting program.
I've seen smart cars driving down the Michigan roads and seemed like they would be hard on your back with the bucking. My 1500 truck doesn't ride great but they look to ride better than a SC and nothing compairs to the feeling your floating in our 1985 LeSabre coupe. Al
My debate to people who love small fuel efficient cars. “Is it worth it” and show them the pics. That was my wife’s car that we were in a car accident in November 2018. 1991 Geo storm 35+ miles a gallon, and somebody blew a stop sign at about 40 miles an hour. I damn near died, and I’m still dealing with issues related to the trauma I suffered (Physical and mental). If we were in my truck that day none of that would’ve happened the way it did. All that suffering (ejected, on life support, etc) just for 10 extra miles a gallon? NEVER again I say. Sacrificing safety or size for the sake of mileage is a VERY stupid idea.
Holy Moly glad your still around to show the pictures. Old school mate was yapping on my 1974 Ford F250 back then and the gas it was useing. Told him when they would try to force me into a dinky truck like his (Madsa) I would start driving a semi tractor with a pick up bed on it. Al
I didn’t have the seatbelt on, and thank God for that. Anymore trauma to my left side and I would be dead. The roof would have crushed my wife’s skull if she was also buckled in. A seatbelt won’t help if the car crushes you, and that would have been our case if we did.
A Geo Storm was not the epitome of safety and in no way compares with collision capabilities of cars a couple decades later. I sold Storms new and had a couple as demo's - I think we need to compare apple to apples not decades different technology
I sold them as well. There were many 'faithful followers' who ran them for a lot of miles. While the drive train may have been reliable, the rest of the car was a 'beer can'. Technology certainly has made vehicles safer, but crushed is crushed no matter how many airbags. In some cases, they may just take up the crush space.
Guy I worked with had a Geo Storm, drove 80 miles one way to work. Got great enough fuel ecomeny he was always bragging about it. LOL that is all he ever bragged about how ever. Al
