y8s

iTrader: (8)

hip was the guy I saw driving a smart at my first miata meet. in 2001. they're not hip, they've been around forever. just not here.

go to europe. people own tons of them there. and not because they're "new and fun".

in italy a couple years ago:


and Smarts aren't the only dinky car there.



but they are everywhere.









turns out, people in big cities also like small, underpowered motorbikes:




oh by the way, they're not 20k, they are $11,590. Dealer markup is an unfortunate side-effect of your "smug car" complaint.


Machismo: you have details/sources on it using more resources to produce one? It may be related to EU recycling requirements.

jayc72

iTrader: (14)

Interesting. Looking at the US spec on the smart fortwo it says 33/40. Canadian spec says 5.9l/100km and 4.8l/100km. That works out to 40/49. Canadian on the base model is $14,990. US is $11,990. There certainly is some misinformation out there, and in my mind $15K for a NEW car is cheap. I hope that the diesel engine is brought back into Canada, that thing had crazy fuel economy.

For what the Smart is I think it is brilliant. Much like the Maita it is a pure realization of a goal. If I didn't have kids I would totally own one for a daily driver especially if I could get a diesel power plant.

Want to talk about trendy and stupid? Hybrids.**** hybrids, small turbo diesel is the future.

Jay

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

Thats my biggest complaint. Its not purchased for the fact its small, its purchased because the people buying them want to be hip and cool. I want to be trendy and save the world because I get 33mpg...

The main reason Im so pissed about the Smart in this case is we dont live in a congested european city, we have plenty of wide roads and parking. He also isnt rich, he just wants to own a new trendy car to look like hese rich or something. Paid $12k for it when hese in the middle of getting married and trying to buy a house. Very smart... all on pretty low income. He needs a good smack from reality. Its not the perfect car, its not needed in this area, and he cant afford it and a house on his income.

Machismo

iTrader: (1)

y8s - There I go spouting before scouting again. I believe I heard it was a Top Gear episode, but I have not seen it; nor can I find it.
Agree with ya on the recycling aspect, and prolly had to with Tesla batteries spending big bucks early on to meet requirements for production here in the states.
Great.......now I have to go spend my afternoon reading up on the the thing.

Also - third pic down in your post - the cabriolet looking thing with tire on trunk. That- of all things is pretty cool. Almost like a desensitized Thing.

9671111

iTrader: (10)

Instead of bringing him a spec sheet of the car why don't you mention this and the obscene impracticality of owning one? That would probably make him feel like a douche enough.

Bond

iTrader: (6)

My dad preordered a Smart a year before the came out in the states for 16k. When he finnally got it and drove it, it sucked. **** transmission. **** ASM/TCS or whatever. No power. **** MPG for the size. Then it had a computer problem that made it run on two cylinders so he brought it back to the dealer, they said they cant fix it and he is SOL.

So... he reset the computer, put it on craigslist, and two days later had 18k in his pocket and no POS Smart car.

proughj

iTrader: (2)

that car on the left is ridiculous haha

kotomile

iTrader: (24)

Yup. And on top of that, it drinks premium. There are definitely other more practical cars that get the same or better gas mileage for less money, they just don't have the "OMG look at that freaking car!" appeal.

icantthink4155

iTrader: (12)

Everyone should drive Miatas, think how wonderful the world would be! Everyone smiling all the time! Wow... thats really gay isnt it?

suprmn91

I drive a lot for work and needed a reliable econocar. I looked into the Smart. I bought a Honda Fit and despite what the sticker says I get 38-47mpg's out of it when I drive it right. The Smart offers little for the money and can't/shouldn't compete against a sensible alternative like the Fit, but like people are saying it's all about the cool factor. I have to admit the Smart Roadster in Europe looks nice and goes fast when fitted with a twin turbo v6....but we'll never get something cool like that over here.

Mach929

iTrader: (3)

search for smart car crash videos, the smart car's structure is designed after a human skull and withstands some serious impacts

Machismo

iTrader: (1)

Exactly why I like it so much.....
That combined with the right tire and wheel combo, we would have a driving example of the "Toony" cars from the first page. Styling wise, I'd rock it with a cage as well.

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

Looks like a deep freezer on wheels. Probably drives like one too.

I just cant wait for the fancy Swatch made Urkel mobile to take a dump with electrical issues. It is Mercedes after all. I wouldnt wish a Mercedes upon my worst enemy. Biggest pile of **** and money pit Ive ever driven was an '02 C320, constant problems. I got arguments towards my car from my freind and his fiance today, trying to agrue my car was no more practical, and that the Smart has plenty of room and pep... what the **** ever. The "trunk" is maybe a foot deep, if that, and no storage anywhere else besides the floor board. Makes the Miata look like an SUV. They just wont accept that its completely pointless to own and they only got it to be trendy and for the shock value. Its pissing me off really badly, cause neither of them are car people at all and neither know wtf they are talking about, and I do.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

I swear to god the next person who uses "IT DRINKS PREEEEEEEMIUM GAS" as an excuse to not purchase an automobile is going to get punched in the babymakers

Torkel

So let’s get serious: The worlds most sold “car” is the Ford F150. Check it out if you must, but it is. How many do you see in Rome? Not so many.

The Smart has sold quite well in central Europe. You hardly ever see them here in Sweden, because we have SPACE like few other European countries and we do not need them. But in central European crowded cities with narrow roads, a possible top speed of 40km/h, gas prices the equals to ~$6.5/gallon and a permanent lack of parking space, the Smart have sold well. Because for the market, it is a good product. Of course it is useless in Alabama! About as useless as a Ford F150 in central Milan actually. It doesn’t make it a bad product or a bad car... (but it does make your co-worker a tool).

Btw: My Italian buddy I got to know while living in Milano ownes a +400HP 300ZX … and a Smart as a daily driver.

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

AHHH! I cant stop thinking about it. Im obsessed with hating this car. Every hour it pops in my head and I flail around like a crazy person. Like a 5 year old throwing a fit in a candy store. I ******* hate the SMART CAR! It embodies everything I hate. Yuppies, hippies, trendy *******, smug faced stuck up wanna be high class bastards. The only thing that could possibly infuriate me more would be an army of mimes and clowns in my yard at 4am honking horns and playing circus music while Im trying to sleep. Perhaps I will snap tomarrow and they will come out of work (we all work together) and I will be standing by their car, leaning against a tree smoking a cigar (dont smoke) with a empty gas can, while the car BURNS!!!!! BURN BABY BURN!!!!!

Torkel

I seriously think you need a hobby...

wildfire0310

iTrader: (1)

Man... you need some help

y8s

iTrader: (8)

what if it was exactly the same inside the engine bay, and the same weight, but looked like a 64 impala?

kotomile

iTrader: (24)

You know what I meant man, it's supposed to be a cheap car to operate, why make 91+ octane gas a requirement?? If it was sporty at all it would be a different story. Both of my cars use premium, but they're both turbo 4-cylinders.