Smart comes to America

jbec.keane · 06-29-2007, 07:25 AM

Check out the news link from the Boston Globe

http://news.yahoo.com/s/wcvb/20070628/lo_wcvb/13590218

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xxwhookiddxx · 06-29-2007, 07:39 AM

pretty intresting . . .

240D 3.0T · 07-20-2007, 05:40 AM

Smarts are junk. The cheap interior sucks, the Mitsubishi engine sucks, the manu-matic tranny REALLY sucks, it gets (relatively) poor MPG, it's slower than my W123, it's ugly as sin, and it's porked out for America.

bigmel · 08-09-2007, 01:00 AM

I saw the news today the smart car is coming in january 08. They said it starts at 12K and load it about 14K.

top speed is 90, and it gets 40mpg. I like it, but it cant be your only car.

240D 3.0T · 08-09-2007, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigmel

top speed is 90, and it gets 40mpg. I like it, but it cant be your only car.

Think about it, 40mpg is horrible for a car that size. It should be getting 60+

bigmel · 08-09-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240D 3.0T

Think about it, 40mpg is horrible for a car that size. It should be getting 60+

I see what u r saying. But they never stated if 40 mpg was for highway or city. Or maybe its for both then it would suck. I must say when they showed a lady park the car in a very little spot amazing.

trisonics · 08-21-2007, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigmel

I see what u r saying. But they never stated if 40 mpg was for highway or city. Or maybe its for both then it would suck. I must say when they showed a lady park the car in a very little spot amazing.

I have been seeing one everyday on my way to work. Looks neat... may be it was imported. It would be a good deal if sold for $10 K.

Mike T. · 09-01-2007, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240D 3.0T

Smarts are junk....it gets (relatively) poor MPG

LOL!

60.6 US MPG lifetime.

240D 3.0T · 09-01-2007, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B smart

LOL!

60.6 US MPG lifetime.

Ahem, that's a CDI. The gassers only get 45mpg (US mpg).

sosh · 09-17-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240D 3.0T

Smarts are junk. The cheap interior sucks, the Mitsubishi engine sucks, the manu-matic tranny REALLY sucks, it gets (relatively) poor MPG, it's slower than my W123, it's ugly as sin, and it's porked out for America.

What do you expect for 14 to 17K ?? An S Class? Your comment does not make any sense.

Mike T. · 09-23-2007, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240D 3.0T

The gassers only get 45mpg (US mpg).

Funny how everyone "knows" what the gassers get, when the new 451 version has not even been tested here yet. A very recent Auto Bild road test showed nearly 70 MPG in a fuel economy test for the 61 HP gasoline 451.

Jorg · 10-12-2007, 10:30 PM

As you well know, the smart car is being sold in Canada for quiet a while. At first people laughed at it and they thought in Canada, in our winter, this is a joke.

Not any more, the car is a wonderful commuter car or for the inner city. It needs a small parking spot and it can park at right angles to the curb.

I will predict that the US dealerships will have no trouble selling all the cars they can get. Just wait until January and then you will see.

Jorg

blume · 10-26-2007, 02:38 PM

i drove one last sunday in dallas off of mockingbird. 4 of us walked up to a smart display where they were having a free test drive deal going on. i was told, while driving the cab., that they cost 14-17k, get 40-50 mpg and will be for sale the first quarter of next year.

oh, they are much faster when using the automatic mode. i was using the paddle shift and got passed by one of my buddies that was driving the hard-top.

also, was told that they have 70 something hp....

eagle-co94 · 10-28-2007, 11:55 AM

I've seen 2 down here where I work in tiny Bartow, Florida. I also saw a switchblade on craigslist in Miami for sale...but the e-mail address kept getting kicked back.

Man I would have sold my wife's car to get that!

Frankster · 10-28-2007, 11:54 PM

I saw one on the road here in Nor Cal last week. It was a funny sight as the guy in the car looked totally cramped (think fetus position). My girlfriend loves the look of the car though. I see it being a total chic car.

eagle-co94 · 10-29-2007, 11:45 AM

I'm honestly considering a smart roadster. I've got a "hookup" in the shipping industry though, so I figured I'd get a 2-3 year old one and import it...as long as there isn't much needed for them to meet US standards.

jerseyMLdriver · 11-04-2007, 08:15 AM

I don't think they are THAT bad..when I'm in Italy..they just work really well in the tight streets especially in areas that have little to no parking because you can find the littlest spot and they still fit in there..

I think it would be good for people in big city areas..but I wonder what they would be like on the highway? Italy doesnt count..none of them can drive over there..

to each his own i guess..

eagle-co94 · 11-04-2007, 07:28 PM

Actually they're pretty quick and nimble...or atleast the fortwo's are. My mother in law used to have one and my wife picked me up at the train station and we zipped around the countryside for a while in it. Quite an amusing car. My favorite are the designated parking spaces for them:

240D 3.0T · 11-04-2007, 07:33 PM

Quick? A stock W123 300D has a faster 0-60 time.

eagle-co94 · 11-04-2007, 09:06 PM

Maybe the european versions have higher HP ratings, but it felt quick for such a small car. Then again...my wife used to race competitively.

240D 3.0T · 11-04-2007, 09:15 PM

The 600cc turbo gasser I drove certainly was very nimble. It was sluggish acceleration and very long shift time that killed the "quickness" for me.

geekaustin · 11-07-2007, 12:22 AM

Here's a 9 min video review of the SMART on US roads including I35:
http://thescooterscoop.blogspot.com/...test-ride.html

Nola · 11-08-2007, 01:14 PM

Smarts will be a hit for small, city-based businesses. Real Estate agencies, decorators, caterers, you name it.

itcrashed · 11-12-2007, 01:22 AM

They featured one on the lastest episode of E.R. Dr. Archie Morris was sporting it, dubbing it as a "Chick magnet." lol

07-20-2007, 05:40 AM	#3
240D 3.0T Super Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Federal Heights, CO Posts: 768 Drives: 1980 240D 3.0VNT, 1982 300D, 1982 300TD	Smarts are junk. The cheap interior sucks, the Mitsubishi engine sucks, the manu-matic tranny REALLY sucks, it gets (relatively) poor MPG, it's slower than my W123, it's ugly as sin, and it's porked out for America. __________________ www.youtube.com/Turbo617

08-09-2007, 01:00 AM	#4
bigmel Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 242 Drives: 2004 E500 4matic	I saw the news today the smart car is coming in january 08. They said it starts at 12K and load it about 14K. top speed is 90, and it gets 40mpg. I like it, but it cant be your only car. __________________ 2004 E500 4matic 1995 BMW 525I 1991 Pathfinder (the true work horse)

10-26-2007, 02:38 PM	#13
blume MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 1,168	i drove one last sunday in dallas off of mockingbird. 4 of us walked up to a smart display where they were having a free test drive deal going on. i was told, while driving the cab., that they cost 14-17k, get 40-50 mpg and will be for sale the first quarter of next year. oh, they are much faster when using the automatic mode. i was using the paddle shift and got passed by one of my buddies that was driving the hard-top. also, was told that they have 70 something hp.... __________________ Quit PMing me fatso

10-28-2007, 11:55 AM	#14
eagle-co94 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Winter Haven, FL Posts: 9 Drives: 280 CE Euro	I've seen 2 down here where I work in tiny Bartow, Florida. I also saw a switchblade on craigslist in Miami for sale...but the e-mail address kept getting kicked back. Man I would have sold my wife's car to get that! __________________ -James '85 280 CE ~ For Sale '96 Impala SS ~ 6-speed 396

10-29-2007, 11:45 AM	#16
eagle-co94 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Winter Haven, FL Posts: 9 Drives: 280 CE Euro	I'm honestly considering a smart roadster. I've got a "hookup" in the shipping industry though, so I figured I'd get a 2-3 year old one and import it...as long as there isn't much needed for them to meet US standards. __________________ -James '85 280 CE ~ For Sale '96 Impala SS ~ 6-speed 396

06-29-2007, 07:39 AM	#2
xxwhookiddxx Almost a Member! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 53 Drives: 2007 GL 450, 2007 SL 550, 2005 Range Rover	pretty intresting . . .

10-12-2007, 10:30 PM	#12
Jorg Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 164 Drives: 2007 - S550 4Matic, 2008 - E350 4Matic, 2008 - C350 4Matic	As you well know, the smart car is being sold in Canada for quiet a while. At first people laughed at it and they thought in Canada, in our winter, this is a joke. Not any more, the car is a wonderful commuter car or for the inner city. It needs a small parking spot and it can park at right angles to the curb. I will predict that the US dealerships will have no trouble selling all the cars they can get. Just wait until January and then you will see. Jorg

10-28-2007, 11:54 PM	#15
Frankster Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sunny California Posts: 171	I saw one on the road here in Nor Cal last week. It was a funny sight as the guy in the car looked totally cramped (think fetus position). My girlfriend loves the look of the car though. I see it being a total chic car.

11-04-2007, 08:15 AM	#17
jerseyMLdriver Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: I'm a Jersey Girl Posts: 345 Drives: 2008 ML 350, 2004 Audi TT Quattro	I don't think they are THAT bad..when I'm in Italy..they just work really well in the tight streets especially in areas that have little to no parking because you can find the littlest spot and they still fit in there.. I think it would be good for people in big city areas..but I wonder what they would be like on the highway? Italy doesnt count..none of them can drive over there.. to each his own i guess.. __________________ -V- GMC Envoy XUV Flockette Número Uno +1, All Deliveries in Rear Entrance Please

11-04-2007, 07:28 PM	#18
eagle-co94 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Winter Haven, FL Posts: 9 Drives: 280 CE Euro	Actually they're pretty quick and nimble...or atleast the fortwo's are. My mother in law used to have one and my wife picked me up at the train station and we zipped around the countryside for a while in it. Quite an amusing car. My favorite are the designated parking spaces for them: __________________ -James '85 280 CE ~ For Sale '96 Impala SS ~ 6-speed 396 Last edited by eagle-co94; 11-04-2007 at 07:40 PM.

11-04-2007, 07:33 PM	#19
240D 3.0T Super Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Federal Heights, CO Posts: 768 Drives: 1980 240D 3.0VNT, 1982 300D, 1982 300TD	Quick? A stock W123 300D has a faster 0-60 time. __________________ www.youtube.com/Turbo617

11-04-2007, 09:06 PM	#20
eagle-co94 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Winter Haven, FL Posts: 9 Drives: 280 CE Euro	Maybe the european versions have higher HP ratings, but it felt quick for such a small car. Then again...my wife used to race competitively. __________________ -James '85 280 CE ~ For Sale '96 Impala SS ~ 6-speed 396

11-04-2007, 09:15 PM	#21
240D 3.0T Super Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Federal Heights, CO Posts: 768 Drives: 1980 240D 3.0VNT, 1982 300D, 1982 300TD	The 600cc turbo gasser I drove certainly was very nimble. It was sluggish acceleration and very long shift time that killed the "quickness" for me. __________________ www.youtube.com/Turbo617

11-07-2007, 12:22 AM	#22
geekaustin Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1 Drives: Vespa T5	How the SMART stands up to US Highways Here's a 9 min video review of the SMART on US roads including I35: http://thescooterscoop.blogspot.com/...test-ride.html

11-08-2007, 01:14 PM	#23
Nola MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Amsterdam, NL Posts: 5,831 Drives: I don't have a car!	Smarts will be a hit for small, city-based businesses. Real Estate agencies, decorators, caterers, you name it. __________________ Ik geloof

11-12-2007, 01:22 AM	#24
itcrashed Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 345 Drives: MB w204 C300 Sport, Audi B7 A4 2.0TQ	They featured one on the lastest episode of E.R. Dr. Archie Morris was sporting it, dubbing it as a "Chick magnet." lol __________________ C300 Sport: Arctic White, Grey/Black Leather, PII, MM, Pano, AMG 18", iPod, TeleAid, Auto

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