Comfortable with thinking differently...

I've read recent MSN.com blogs and other postings "trashing" Smart cars with a certain degree of amusement. As a long-time Apple Macintosh user (early 1985... about a year after the original Mac was introduced), I am used to having my decisions questioned, attacked, and even mocked by others. But through it all, I enjoyed the benefits of working on the Mac platform and learned to ignore the comments of those who hadn't even used one before forming their opinion. (Or the comments of those who, even worse yet, were incapable of thinking for themselves, so they parroted the ignorance of others instead.)

Flash forward to the Smart. I am loving this car. Mine's getting fabulous gas mileage, it's fun as hell to drive, and the "top down" experience is a enjoyable as any convertible I've owned or experienced. And... you know what? Some people mock the car. Others seem to despise it or even be threatened by it, despite the fact that they've never driven one and have no frame of reference for their feelings. Maybe it just irritates them that someone has made a purchase decision that is completely at odds with the values and priorities reflected in their own. Or maybe, immediately upon seeing the Smart, they intuitively understand their own choice of vehicle makes little sense (or is maybe even selfish or motivated by ego or lust).

And so, one might say that Smart drivers are much like Mac users once-upon-a-time. But, after years of life as second class citizens, Mac users can now hold their head high with the knowledge that Microsoft is pulling their corporate hair out in an attempt to slow down their loss of market share. Macs are the "cool" computers, and PCs are Walmart loss leaders. And so it will be for Smart. The car is simply right for the times. By the time our legislators are through destroying the automobile industry, the Smart will be one of the few remaining, affordable cars with any personality.

Ignore the masses; do what makes YOU happy.

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Comment by Bob & Jan on May 26, 2009 at 7:30pm: I have been a Mac user since 1984. Currently using a G-5 laptop. Wife uses a PC. We both agree on our smart, Maxwell. It is 14 months old and we just turned 19,000 miles.

Comment by Bob Hodgen on May 25, 2009 at 9:12am: Here's a pic of the back of my smart.

I've been a Mac user for 6 years and I'm never going back!

Comment by Ryan on May 25, 2009 at 2:16am: i'd much rather buy a Mac than anything remotely related to an iPod. My friend's ex girlfriend has an iPhone, and she hates the thing to death.

Comment by Brett Harrison on May 24, 2009 at 10:03pm: lol apple. Alright, I was considering getting a laptop, but wanted to go cheaper and besides, i am getting the iphone 4g so i have to save =)

Comment by Ryan on May 24, 2009 at 7:15pm: My brother and his fiancee both thought i was crazy for getting my Smart. They both said that it probably has no quickness to it, both in speed or acceleration. They both said that until i took them both for even a VERY short drive in it.

Comment by toes on May 24, 2009 at 5:49pm: I too have used Macs at home for a long time and I think the smart is right for these (hopefully) smarter and more modest times. And it is still fun, a lot of fun in fact (I have had mine for almost a year and have been in an accident in it recently, no harm other than repairable car damage).

The car polarizes. Funny how M(icro) S(oft) N(etwork) seems to be the carrier for much of the attacks, considering the Apple/Microsoft story. Maybe a (good) omen for the smart?

Comment by Wally Gullang on May 24, 2009 at 5:10pm: I too am loving the car. As you know Alan I have had the car only 2 weeks now and am approaching the 1200 mile mark. But I have had people refuse to even sit in the car saying that it is unsafe. Hay, that's o.k., I didn't buy it for them, I bought it for my wife and I. And we are having fun. That's the bottom line and that is what counts.

Comment by Vicki Geddings on May 24, 2009 at 4:44pm: Wow! I am a long time Mac user too. I ordered my first Mac Jan 24, 1984 (the day after the famous SuperBowl Commercial). I am still a Mac user. I hadn't thought about the comparison, but it is so true. I still love Macs AND I love my Smart Car. I really don't care what others think about my car. It's a wise choice for me...

Comment by Nancy & Gary on May 24, 2009 at 4:09pm: I love my smart car and just think that people should judge it for what it is, a small inexpensive novality car. People stop me and ask questions every time I take it out, it's fun.