The Observation Deck

Went out to Wade Park Oval to drive a Smart ForTwo Car. could be a big part of Lakewood's Future. Small, safe, cheap and 45 mpg. This peppy car from Mercedes Benz is a real eye catcher. Base model starts at $12,000



This is the ForTwo Passion Cabrio starts under $17,000



This is the ForTwo Pure starting at $12,000. I am 6' 4" and fit comfortably. The car is peppy and fun to drive.

You can test drive them tomorrow Sunday July 29ht at Wade Park Oval. Noon to 4 pm

More Photos In My July Photo Blog.

East Cleveland
I have been working in East Cleveland recently and decided to start a photoblog of my travels.



My friend bought this fixer upper for $32,000.



Interesting stores!

More Photos In My East Cleveland Photo Blog.


NEXT WEEK

Little Italy Cool!



Is Lakewood ready for this kind of cool. Behind Mama Santos on Mayfield.




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jim,

those cars are sooooo 5 years ago.

germany's streets are flooded by those cars. My aunt lives in Munich, and when we went back there back in 2003, these were the hybrids of germany.

only mercedes benz made them.

save parking space, give the roads more space, etc.
hopefully this catches on here in the states. imagine NYC without all that traffic.

I think the Smart Cars are a great idea and probably perfect for what I need. The only concern I have is all the rude drivers with SUVs. You'd completely be taken out and never survive when that Hummer comes rolling right over you.

Ivor

This is what makes the Mercedes SMART so smart for America. It is not new, they have been working in Europe since 1996. No bug, fun, easy to drive and park and fast enough for freeways if need be.

Bryan

I understand your concern so get a red one. Easier to see. The smart is larger and as fast as my 77 Mini with about the same gas mileage. About the same size as my Subraru 360 which I used to take on freeways. The Smart's engine in 3 times larger than the Subaru!



It will take people some getting used to the comfort level of driving a small car after our idiotic growth of cars and trucks while being on the backside of the bell curve for oil. This is a great alternative. As is the Scion, Honda's micro about to hit the streets.

What was funny we saw a new Beetle drive by and it looked like an old Buick Roadmaster going by!

Go drive one today.



.

Many people would probably be amazed to learn that a Lakewood company was once at the forefront of compact automotive performance technology.

The Templar Superfine Car was made in Lakewood and tested on a racetrack right here in the city. Part of the old Templar factory was reportedly right in the present-day Lake Erie Screw company building.

This compact and (relatively speaking) very fast little car was produced from 1917-1924.

How do they handle in the snow and on ice?

They're cute but I can't see getting in and out of one with hip or knee problems.

45 mpg is great but I think I'd rather invest in something that doesn't depend on oil. I think oil is not a good investment for the future.

Safety!!!!!!!!!!

Godzilla (clicky here)

Roomy This is a funny video

Gary Rice wrote:The Templar Superfine Car was made in Lakewood and tested on a racetrack right here in the city. Part of the old Templar factory was reportedly right in the present-day Lake Erie Screw company building.

This compact and (relatively speaking) very fast little car was produced from 1917-1924.

Gary, if I tell you you can't tell anyone else.Shhhhhhhh. there is a group headed by Dave Buehler that owns 12 Templars trying to rename Omni back to Templar Park and have a Templar Motoring Museum there. Right on the spot the were originally assembled. shhhhhh.

Sharon

Interesting questions, however...

The car is very easy to get in and out of.

The car is very popular in Europe, and they have snow. While not a family vehicle it seems to be perfect for local commuters. You can get two into the space of one.

Why electrical cars seem the best, the truth is one of the biggest pollution problems is dumping the very toxic batteries. Right now most from around the world are sent to South America where they are dumped.

This is one of the many interesting problems with new energy and recycling. Petro chemical products and Coal and extremely effective for creating energy. The next group including alcohol is not as efficient.

The car claims to be safe. It has a lot of safety features. However, the beam that travels through the door almost seemed cosmetic.

Online at http://smartusa.com they have one hitting a Mercedes. the Mercedes comes out for the worse. Was surprised Mercedes would even release the test.

FWIW

sharon kinsella wrote:How do they handle in the snow and on ice?
They're cute but I can't see getting in and out of one with hip or knee problems.

45 mpg is great but I think I'd rather invest in something that doesn't depend on oil. I think oil is not a good investment for the future.

ABS ESP CBC EBA ASC (clicky)

I know nothing about cars.... Maybe someone could comment on the ABS ESP etc...

The city of Lakewood should purchase a couple of these for city vehicles.. These would be perfect for travels inside of Lakewood..

Problem is the price point.
13,000 for something I cant use to visit my aunt in Kentucky. For 13,000 I want a full service CAR not an urban golf cart.
Better answer for Lakewood is the scooters. I think this business is having an impact, I am actually seeing these thingys on the street/

They seem like they are safe enough to take on the highway... (safer than a motorcycle??) Ivor has some first hand knowledge .. Ivor did you see these smart cars on the Autobahn in Germany??

more safety info (clicky)


I drove a Yugo that was not much bigger than the smart car.