I've tried a rental Smart car both for the city and for a road trip. Am unimpressed with their ad campaign, "German engineering, Swiss innovation, American nothing." As for the car, even though it parked insanely well in a city, the laws of physics do apply... and even though you may be the best driver in the world, it doesn't mean the slob with a joint in one hand and texting with the other hand won't hit you.
About six months ago, I saw one get hit by a red light runner. The car spun around and whacked another vehicle. Even though the occupants were not badly banged up, the secondary collision means another legal headache for the Smart car owners because they technically are at fault for that.
Instead, I'd probably go for a Honda Fit or a Fiat 500, if I -had- to have a tiny car. Given any car choice, I'd probably go with a bigger vehicle that the "A" can tow. If the "A" is a diesel pusher, I'd probably buy a 4x4 F-150 that has a "toad mode". However, I'm from Texas, where pickups are the norm, not the exception.
