A couple of months ago our 2008 Smart Fortwo was compared to a 1995 BMW R1100RS but as a commenter had remarked, a comparison to a 150cc scooter would have made for a better debate.
This weekend, I really wanted to video a drag race between our 2008 Smart Fortwo and my 2009 Vespa LX150 but since the closed racetrack was booked, I didn't get to. (I highly suspect that since the Vespa has a continuously variable transmission, it could kick the Smart's ass in a 0-30.) So I'll have to content myself with comparing the two on paper.
Apart from the obvious differences of one being a car and the other a scooter, they share similar impracticalities. But when it comes to just around-town driving, I think my mini Italian ride is better.
Yes, both can park almost anywhere, with the Vespa having a slight edge over the Fortwo. I get to park for free in most garages! And even though the top speed of the LX150 is 59 mph vs. the Smart's 93 mph, in surface street traffic I can get to where I'm going faster thanks to lane-splitting.
Unfortunately, both take premium fuel but the Vespa gets a reported 70-75 mpg compared to the Smart's 33 city/40 highway mpg.
As for cargo, yes, the Smart has the obvious advantage as I can't lug a week's worth of groceries on my Vespa. But since I always eat out anyway, this point is moot.
However the Smart does ensure that my hair will look exactly the same way it did at the beginning of the ride, so there's that.
In any case, the Vespa is wayyy more fun to drive while the Smart can leave you cursing its existence.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 17,895 miles
platf1 says:
11:11 AM, 06/29/09
Guys wouldn't side with you on that argument. Especially in terms of being caught dead in/on one.
caroscuro says:
11:13 AM, 06/29/09
But wouldn't both vehicles be equal in that respect?
sealclubb3r says:
11:58 AM, 06/29/09
I agree with you completely but I'd like to play devil's advocate here for a second: what happens if a latte sipping mom rear ends you on your Vespa with her Tahoe? >.<
bal169 says:
12:29 PM, 06/29/09
What advantage does the Vespa have? How about this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiZ8-kobiEY
thegrocer says:
12:35 PM, 06/29/09
I think clearly the problem is with the smart's drive train...nothing a hyabusa swap won't fix... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPQIizRp9ck
thegrocer says:
12:39 PM, 06/29/09
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2005/06/08/smart-car-plus-gsxr-equals-smartuki-a-very-smart-car/
Here's an article on the how and why of the Smart-zuki as it was dubbed...
desmolicious says:
05:50 PM, 06/29/09
"I agree with you completely but I'd like to play devil's advocate here for a second: what happens if a latte sipping mom rear ends you on your Vespa with her Tahoe? "
What if she did that while you were walking across a cross walk?
Caroline, sweet ride! I've been looking at the Vespa S150 (the one with the 70's style square light). You should go to the Venice Vintage motorcycle rally on July 12th (8am) to kick tyres.
Abbott Kinney and Venice, in the EpoxyGreen lot.
caroscuro says:
05:59 PM, 06/29/09
desmolicious,
Thanks for the heads-up! I'll def check it out. As for the Vespa I realllly had my heart set on: LXV150. Le sigh!
stovt001 says:
06:19 PM, 06/29/09
"What if she did that while you were walking across a cross walk?"
I've never been in a car accident while I was driving, but I have been hit crossing the street (at an intersection and with the right-of-way) while out for a run. We can cocoon ourselves in as big an SUV as we want, but we'll never be totally safe. Might as well enjoy life.
"Guys wouldn't side with you on that argument. Especially in terms of being caught dead in/on one."
"But wouldn't both vehicles be equal in that respect?"
I'm a guy, and I'd rather be seen on a Vespa, especially if I could pull sweet wheelies like the guy in bal169's video.
Then again, if my Smart had the hyabusa engine...
fuhteng says:
07:28 PM, 06/29/09
+1 to the Hayabusa idea. You guys have (for some reason) a Project-EVO, how about a Smart-Project to take on... well... I have no idea. But that would be a fun little death-trap!
billt9 says:
08:55 PM, 06/29/09
lane-splitting is legal in only California and no other state in the entire USA.
You crazy Californians.
stovt001 says:
10:21 PM, 06/29/09
And apparently I am the only driver in California not bothered by lane splitting. I am also the only driver in California to regularly check my mirrors, signal, and not talk/text/eat/drink/groom while driving. That may have something to do with it.
chuckdaly says:
10:26 PM, 06/29/09
Vespa riders went from cool to poseurs in about 2002. Thats just regarding the women, God forbid a guy riding one today. If so it better be a vintage one while dressed as a member of Devo.
someguyposting says:
10:57 AM, 06/30/09
Both vehicles were designed with specific targets in mind. Sacrifices were made for the sake of benefits in the design process. The Vespa seems to have come out of that process better optimized. In other words, it hits its targets better in fulfilling some purpose in its market. The Smart should be better than it is - it gives up to much in smallness and lightness that it doesn't seem to make up in the total driving experince - in my opinion anyway. YMMV