I always thought of the smart car as the "hip/nerdy" car for people that live in the city that need to park in tiny spots, not as a car that gets amazing FE or as revalutionary.

But it is about time america gets an underpowered car :)

I sat in a smart car today! They had on display at the vintage gran prix in pittsburgh. I sat on both seats and there is a little bit less legroom on the passanger side, but I was able to sit in the drivers side ok (I am 6' 3"). The interior seems a bit cheap. It's bigger then an isetta.
https://www.fuelly.com/attachments/fo...786a56f9f0.jpg
this is a picture of my dads legs next to one.

You mean "it's about time America gets an underpowered car... again" (see avatar).

I had the same reaction you did: pleasantly surprised at the amount of space inside (me = statistically average height), but not good impression of the interior trim, fit & finish.

I've yet to ride/drive in one, even though there are half a dozen buzzing around my town.

I had to do a double take last week when I saw a Smart Car on the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia. I'm not sure that it's all that underpowered. It seemed to climb right up some pretty steep grades. Damned thing is tiny though.

I saw one the other day in a parking lot. I need to start bringing my camera with me when I drive the n600, just in case I spot a hummer or a smart car... great photo opportunities.

It's got slightly less (worse) power / weight than a stock 3-cyl Metro. On the other hand, it's a diesel, and has a 6-speed transmission, so it makes better use of the torque and available power than a Metro does.

Having driven the Firefleas for a year and a half now, I can say I'm sure there's nowhere I wouldn't go with a Smart.

EDIT: Maybe not: a Metro would kick it's butt 0-60: 15 seconds vs. 19.8, according to the Smart Canada site :p

I would drive a smart everywere except on road trips or extended use on the interstate. I am sure that car gets buzzy on the highway and would catch crosswinds.