Did anyone Else see Chrysler's little Mini Car that should

[MaryH]

be out in 2006. I can't remember all the details but it is four feet shorter than the mini-cooper. Just room for two people. Gets 60 miles to the gallon. And will cost about $11,000.

It is only meant for City driving. It goes too slow for highways.

That sounds fun. Would be perfect for me. I only live a couple of miles from work. I could drive for a month or more without having to fill up. I think you would want to stay away from roads with large vehicles.

[Hello_Kitty]

1. Sounds like it's more for the Europe and Asia markets

Wouldn't be too useful for most of us here.

[MaryH]

3. Nope - it is for the American Market

They are so cute that they might sell! It would be like riding around in a big beer can.

[Hello_Kitty]

5. Really! Wow.

I love those types of cars. I think the Mini Coopers are awesome. Right now I've got a Honda Accord, which isn't too bad on mileage but I'm wishing I'd gotten the Civic instead. I'd like to get a hybrid next time around but I fear it might be a hassle since I live in Arizona where you need to do a lot of driving, mostly on freeways.

[shanti]

22. yikes!

smaller than a cooper? that's no match for an SUV!

[firebee]

19. Check out the Nissan Hypermini

[xultar]

2. I'd like one and the Blue Hairs will like'em for their communities..

yeah..... blue hairs...buhwaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

[Hello_Kitty]

6. Hey, leave Marge Simpson out of this!!

;)

[xultar]

11. Marge couldn't get her hair in that ride anywaze...buhwaaaaaaa! n/t

[Not Me]

4. It's a US version of the SMART car that's the rage in Europe

Now that Chrysler is Daimler, with emissions and collision modifications, they can bring it into the US.



for more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5217861/

[Kathy in Cambridge]

8. Those cars were everywhere the last time i was in Europe

they come in great colors too!

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Those little guys are all over Europe!

Very tiny cars. Maybe too tiny to be safe here. But they sure are cool! And the bumblebee paint scheme in the photo is very popular there.

[xultar]

12. OOOsssoooooI want one!!! n/t

[da_chimperor]

13. The SMART has yet to be profitable

We'll see if this boosts sales. I'd hate to see such a great little car go out of production.

[AndyTiedye]

15. I'd Think A Lot of People Would Want Those, Just for the Ease of Parking!

[patdem]

16. Drivable roller skates...What a GREAT little car!

I would love to have one, in fact the other day I was thinking of how small a car I would like to drive and I thought about an enclosed motorcyle with three wheels. But this is a much better idea. I love it! Thanks, I will be on the lookout for it when it is being sold here.

[charlie]

18. Oh boy, I want that

I need that. I would RULE the road with that.

I miss manual transmissions, cars that were boneheaded simple to work on, the days that Detroit landsharks were getting killed by Volkswagens and Japanese gocarts, and the old '73 Corolla I used bomb around in. Here's to hoping the latest era of transportation as dickwaving is coming to a close. For good.

[alfredo]

20. The unibody is one big roll cage.

They say they will just bounce off a larger machine.

[bahrbearian]

7. The Gem Car

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. Cars like that are already common in Japan

where the cities have narrow side streets.

[AndyTiedye]

14. The Honda Insight Gets That Kind of Mileage

and the Prius claims it in the city.

They cost quite a bit more than $11,000 though.

[oneold1-4u]

17. special lanes

Like bicycle lanes could be built for these until the "big" monsters become obsolete. We still need a lot better rails, too, and get rid of the monster trucks.

[apple_ridge]

21. I believe it also comes with a funeral wreath.

I would be too afraid of all these monstrous sputes on the road to drive one.

[KT2000]

23. Saw a crash test

with this car. The other car was a large SUV and they hit head-on at their left front. The smart car suffered less damage because they use a stong frame. The SUV crumpled like an accordian.
If the test was on the up and up - it was impressive.

[JohnyCanuck]

24. I've seen a few of them on the streets here in Toronto.

A friend of mine mentioned he read a review in the car section of one of the major Toronto dailies and the reviewer said he had it out on the 407 highway which is supposed to be one of the busiest highways in North America, and he felt quite comfortable driving it on the highway. And that 407 highway is infested with lots of semis and trucking traffic as well.

[eleny]

25. How small do the driver & passenger have to be?

I'm not petite and sit tall. Wonder if I'd hit my head? We had a small Plymoth Champ ages ago and loved it. It was a small hatchback but roomy for driver and passenger up front. Was the perfect city car for the short trips.

[yorgatron]

26. is there a link for this story?

anyone?