Smart cars are finally available in the USA. I was obsessed with them when I was in Europe and I really wanted one of my own. Economical, fun-looking, small enough to park between two other cars at a 90-degree angle, and most important, fuel efficient--they're proof that you can make a cool-looking car while doing your best to conserve resources. Of course, Smart cars were redesigned for the US market, so they're not as fuel efficient as their European cousins. Still, they're basically a Mercedes, so I imagine they're pretty solid.
Since the time that I got on the Smart mailing list and wanted to be an early adopter, I've pretty much decided that....at least for now....I'd rather not drive a car at all. The cost of gas is insane. And I've decided to keep my 14-year-old Japanese car to run errands in when I can't use my feet or public transport. That said, I highly encourage you to think small and consider a Smart car if you live in a dense environment, you don't have a large family, and you're not driving amongst trucks all day long.
Visit the Smart | USA website to get more information. If you can't fit in a Smart, consider a Honda Fit or a Scion!
These photos were taken in Munich...but the look is more or less the same in every city in Europe.
