Day 1: Monday

Feb 4th 2008- I picked up the Smart Car Fortwo Monday morning from Landmark Motors in Colorado Springs. Owner Mark Penmental dared to give me the keys for a week but not before giving me a tutorial.

This is not your ordinary vehicle. Besides its obvious unconventional looks, you need a lesson just to be able to start it.

The Smart Car doesn’t have a “park” gear. To start the car you have to first turn the key in the ignition only half way (which is located on the floor of the car in between the driver and passenger seat) put your foot on the brake, put the car in neutral, turn the ignition and release the parking brake.

It’s not hard to fall in love with its size and shape. The car is about 8.5 feet long and 4.5 feet wide with a distinctively European flare.

The vehicle has a three-cylinder, 72-horsepower engine. One tank of gas will last you about 300 miles.

One of the other unusual features is the two-seater’s engine location in the rear.

On my first day there are two things I noticed that may be a deal breaker for some. 1) I couldn’t find a cup holder. 2) No glove compartment.

Since this is a European model that had to be converted for the U.S. it has some quirky features. I also still haven’t found a cup holder but I may have to do some more exploring on day two.

However, this car gets a lot of attention. At every turn people were pointing and staring in pure amazement. Some were justplain dumbstruck. It barely fills a single parking space. Parked next to an SUV the Smart Car looks like a golf cart.

One thing is for sure… this car is adorable.

Stay tuned for an update tomorrow night.