Notices
General Automotive Discuss all things automotive here other than the RX-8

The "Smart" Car hits the states in 08

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Apr 16, 2007 | 01:36 PM
  #51  
Skiptomylue's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock Ontario
lol yeah. they've been in canada for awhile.... last year when itook my rx8 to drag strip one showed up.. lol it ran a 22sec 1/4.. lol
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 06:30 AM
  #52  
Viich's Avatar
82 RX-7 GSL
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa
Yea, there's someone who autox's theirs here.

And for those who ask about tuning it, this one has 180 hp at 645kg (1420lbs) with a verified top speed of 200 km/h, or 125mph. Andreas Viktorsson's smart project
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 09:23 AM
  #53  
Shadow12one's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
saw one of these on the streets around here a couple days ago
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 11:19 AM
  #54  
Steiner's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 0
From: Livermore, CA
Me too. It better come with a guardian angel and an ejection seat because that little mouse fart of a car will get pulverized if hit by an SUV.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 11:51 AM
  #55  
NaarLeven's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach, FL
my neighbor drives a yellow fortwo
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 11:52 AM
  #56  
NaarLeven's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach, FL
ironically + a cl63 amg. Funniest garage ive ever seen
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 02:53 PM
  #57  
Rhawb's Avatar
Has the whole shit.
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,772
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
Originally Posted by Viich
Yea, there's someone who autox's theirs here.

And for those who ask about tuning it, this one has 180 hp at 645kg (1420lbs) with a verified top speed of 200 km/h, or 125mph. Andreas Viktorsson's smart project
As I was looking at your picture, all I could think about was what would happen under hard acceleration. I just imagine it slowly tipping over onto the back hatch then free-spinning its wheels in the air. Kind of like when you flip a shelled bug over and their legs start going all over the place.

Last edited by Rhawb; Feb 9, 2008 at 02:56 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 03:02 PM
  #58  
shinka213's Avatar
Pettit fangurl <3
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 0
From: Aston, PA
i saw one this past week at the Philly Auto Show....
got inside...lots of seating room...very roomy all around....
just small on the outside...

wouldnt wanna hit something in the front tho..

Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 03:17 PM
  #59  
flip702's Avatar
Ho-hum
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: 702
They have 'em driving around in vegas... dunno bout how smart they are when it gets in a collision...
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 04:08 PM
  #60  
Razz1's Avatar
Mu ha.. ha...
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,361
Likes: 3
From: Cali
180HP

I think you are BSing. The car would fly with that HP and not as fuel efficent as everyone think.

You can have a 1.8 liter Gold Wing and you will only get 40mpg.

Acar that size should get 60 mpg min.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 04:11 PM
  #61  
Razz1's Avatar
Mu ha.. ha...
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,361
Likes: 3
From: Cali
I just checked. They have 70 hp from the factory.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 08:43 PM
  #62  
kersh4w's Avatar
Hit & Run Magnet
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,690
Likes: 3
From: DC Area
they really do get 50-65mpg. i have a good friend from germany (ironically, he's visiting right now) and he has a blue smart roadster. he paid 16k Euro for it. which is way more than i paid for my 8. of course, there is no way i could afford the 8 if i was living in europe. premium is about $8/gal over there. -_-

of course, after a short drive in the 8 he was absolutely grinning with joy. i guess he had forgotten what acceleration was like.

i love the smart roadster. if i could, i would buy one.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 09:20 PM
  #63  
Gish's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
What people don't seem to realize is that people are willing to pay a premium for this car due to the social effects that stem from it. People will come up to talk to you everywhere with a car like this.

Also, you could buy a used RX-8 for the price, but you get much better MPG with the Smart, not to mention that it is much better for city use.

It's a niche car, but it will do well in cities.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 09:28 PM
  #64  
arcX-8's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: NW Florida
A friend of mine in Germany has one. He paid 13.5k Euro for it. That's over 19k USD for a car that I personally found very uncomfortable and shoddily made. It actually reminded me of a Ford Festiva, only smaller. The only vehicle that would make sense over here is the fourtwo which they stopped making. Granted, what with fuel prices, taxes, and congestion in Europe this vehicle makes sense in that context but over here I cannot see this thing being anything other than a livestyle vehicle ala Prius.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2008 | 11:39 PM
  #65  
EdwardsB's Avatar
Registered RX-8 User
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
From: PA/MD
I would never drive or be driven in one of those...ill pay the extra for gas to be safe (life > gas money)
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2008 | 02:01 AM
  #66  
05TiGr8Lady's Avatar
Jingle Ballzzzz!
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 15
From: Renton, WA, USA, No. Am, Planet Earth
LOL... maybe this would help...

Reply
Old Feb 10, 2008 | 02:41 AM
  #67  
laythor's Avatar
I zoom therefore I am.
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 12
From: San Jose, CA
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2008 | 12:35 PM
  #68  
BlueEyes's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,887
Likes: 2
It all makes sense now. My father bought one, and I noticed they changed to a gas engine. I couldn't figure out why the hell they would do that, the diesel seemed much better for this type of car. But, if they're bringing it to America, well diesel just wouldn't sell. Too bad.
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2008 | 01:03 PM
  #69  
2Xrotary's Avatar
Outta My Way!!!
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: South Lyon,MI
They are all over Michigan and go to YouTube and you can watch the crash test. At 70mph head on into a wall the windshield doesnt even shatter and you're able to use the doors like normal. Its crazy!
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2008 | 04:15 PM
  #70  
Gish's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
Yes, the car is safe. Why don't people get that?
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2008 | 04:57 PM
  #71  
Viich's Avatar
82 RX-7 GSL
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa
Originally Posted by Razz1
180HP

I think you are BSing. The car would fly with that HP and not as fuel efficent as everyone think.

You can have a 1.8 liter Gold Wing and you will only get 40mpg.

Acar that size should get 60 mpg min.
If you looked at the link I had, it was someone who put a motorcycle engine in one. They also did a complete suspension change. The guy who autox es here does it stock, with the old diesel.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2008 | 09:13 PM
  #72  
Mech_head's Avatar
I DO IT FOR THE LULZ!
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Eastman, Ga
I am revving at the first one i see
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2008 | 11:40 PM
  #73  
delhi's Avatar
Grand Chancellor
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,733
Likes: 62
From: Home of the NIMBYs
you mean US doesn't have SMART cars? They are wonderful in the city! The Brabus versions are hot.
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2008 | 10:39 PM
  #74  
climacus's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ON
Originally Posted by 2Xrotary
At 70mph head on into a wall the windshield doesnt even shatter and you're able to use the doors like normal. Its crazy!
Yes, but try getting rear-ended in one. Lots of fatalities in Canada over the last couple of years.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2008 | 11:25 AM
  #75  
jones75254's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
^^Rear ended....... I would assume the car would just act as a large pinball and just bounce around off of nearby obstructions before coming to a stop on its side with the wheels spinning, LOL

Either way, i dont see too much benefit of owning this car for any more than 10-12k in the U.S. Only 40mph doesnt help either...now 50-60 then maybe. I mean, how many urbanites even drive a car very much, or need to for that matter. I lived in L.A. prior to moving to Dallas and dont see very much more of a benefit of having this thing over a Fit/Aveo type car (which arent far off 15k). They try to sell you on tha fact it can fit into tight spots, but lets be real, how many spaces do you actually come across that wouldnt be big enough for a Fit? Its a hit in Europe cuz the cities/towns are made up of narrow alleyways and everything is so dam compact. Not the case in U.S. cities. Here, you will end up having to park in a parking structure 95% of the time anyways...and even if ur lucky enough to find a small section on the street from which you can fit the Smart car, if there is no meter there i bet ur *** will get ticketed. No free rides on americas city streets! LOL
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:04 AM.