The "Smart" Car hits the states in 08
#26
2008? Actually they have been for sale here for a couple of months. I think in February one of the local builders was giving one away with each of the first dozen houses he sold. Only the first version is available and it is sold by two different dealerships locally.
Good overview of the car is at http://auto.howstuffworks.com/smart-car.htm
Unlike the RX8 it comes turbocharged standard.
But with 50 or 61 hp.
The trim models are called "Pure, Pulse and Passion", that alone should be enough to earn a gay label.
Good overview of the car is at http://auto.howstuffworks.com/smart-car.htm
Unlike the RX8 it comes turbocharged standard.
![Mad](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/mad.gif)
The trim models are called "Pure, Pulse and Passion", that alone should be enough to earn a gay label.
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#27
Its all about Style...
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If that car sells for 9-10k the car will sell like hotcakes if the mileage is up near 40mpg. All they'll need to do is run a ad campaign with a shot of long lines and high price's at a gas station and a fleet of Smart's driving by without a worry. After that the car will sell itself. That and the car looks kinda kewl in a odd funky kinda way.
Oh and that Roadster looks like a Smart got it on with a Rx-8 and was raised by TVR.
Oh and that Roadster looks like a Smart got it on with a Rx-8 and was raised by TVR.
#28
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Originally Posted by OldCoot
2008? Actually they have been for sale here for a couple of months. I think in February one of the local builders was giving one away with each of the first dozen houses he sold. Only the first version is available and it is sold by two different dealerships locally.
Good overview of the car is at http://auto.howstuffworks.com/smart-car.htm
Unlike the RX8 it comes turbocharged standard.
But with 50 or 61 hp.
The trim models are called "Pure, Pulse and Passion", that alone should be enough to earn a gay label.![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Good overview of the car is at http://auto.howstuffworks.com/smart-car.htm
Unlike the RX8 it comes turbocharged standard.
![Mad](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/mad.gif)
The trim models are called "Pure, Pulse and Passion", that alone should be enough to earn a gay label.
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#29
Jingle Ballzzzz!
I've seen 2 on the roads close to where I live and 1 passed me on the highway a couple of weeks ago (they were in the carpool lane). Cute cars. I hadn't see a pic of the Roadster yet - love it!
#31
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Saw one driving back from Baltimore today, I was surprised they were "allowed" in the States since I thought SmartCar was still arguing for getting their cars over here. I had seen them before in Italy, and they really are, in my opinion, the only vehicle to have if one lives in Rome, or any other big city. They only take up the space of two scooters or motorcycles, parking would not be as big a problem anymore. I'm not sure I'd drive one on the highway like the one I saw today, it looked out of place and extremely small compared to SUVs, etc. BTW, the car was silver...I'm not saying anything, just that it was silver. Hope it made it home safely.
#33
Originally Posted by N rider89
they have to price it well, other wise id rather buy a yaris
appears the version one builder was including with houses had a claimed value of $26K
![Eyecrazy](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/Eyecrazy.gif)
Other references I have seen claimed start at $12K with $15 real usable for v1 and $20K and $25K for v2. Local dealers don't have v2 yet but claim market is
big enough for both to sell. They will be a different dealers.
I think based on Prius they will sell a few to over paid tree huggers, but not the masses unless gas goes over $5 a gallon.
#35
here's a review of the conv. roadster...not a monster car but top gear seemed to like it alot for fun/convience factor...
http://www.car2max.com/video/Top%20G...20Roadster.wmv
definitely not a sports car but I think chicks would love this car...
http://www.car2max.com/video/Top%20G...20Roadster.wmv
definitely not a sports car but I think chicks would love this car...
#36
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They've sold them up here in Canada for a while now. They only make some sense if you live in the downtown core, otherwise not worth the money IMO over something like a Yaris.
For attention ******, when they first come out they'll get more attention than a Lambo.
For attention ******, when they first come out they'll get more attention than a Lambo.
#38
9K-15k for this..?? should be like 5k.
I paid $15,700 out the door taxes and all for my 2001 civic hx that averaged 45 mpg over 186,000 miles( and on the trip out to oregon when I gave it to my mom after i bought the rx8 it got 52mpg average over 3,000 miles ). And to think that it( the civic hx brand )got replaced by the civic hybrid which got less mileage and cost more money.
The civic is coming back to my anyways now it's got 215,000 on it and still doing 40+ mpg at 6,000 feet on shiity cali gas.
I paid $15,700 out the door taxes and all for my 2001 civic hx that averaged 45 mpg over 186,000 miles( and on the trip out to oregon when I gave it to my mom after i bought the rx8 it got 52mpg average over 3,000 miles ). And to think that it( the civic hx brand )got replaced by the civic hybrid which got less mileage and cost more money.
The civic is coming back to my anyways now it's got 215,000 on it and still doing 40+ mpg at 6,000 feet on shiity cali gas.
#39
It wasn't me!
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Wait a minute, I thought these cars were already being sold in the US. You can see a bunch of them around here. I see at least 1 almost daily. And from what I heard they go for under 9K.
#40
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They allow these tiny electric Zap Xebra thingies in the U.S., but I think technically they are considered three-wheel motorcycles.
![](http://www.resourcesforlife.com/groups/lifemobility/images/zap-xebra.jpg)
#42
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Looking up at the website it seems like they are going to price them way beyond what any body guessed here.
smart fortwo pure
starting under $12,000*
smart fortwo passion
starting under $14,000*
&
smart fortwo passion cabrio
starting under $17,000*
The passion cabrio has all the features of the passion coupe plus an upgraded radio and sound system that includes an mp3 compatible in-dash 6 CD changer. The main difference lies in the soft top with a heated rear glass window that is fully automatic and can be infinitely adjusted to any position while driving at any speed. For the full cabrio experience, simply remove the side roof bars - taken out in no time - and stow them in a special compartment in the tailgate.
The last one is the price of a used 8, lol
smart fortwo pure
starting under $12,000*
smart fortwo passion
starting under $14,000*
&
smart fortwo passion cabrio
starting under $17,000*
The passion cabrio has all the features of the passion coupe plus an upgraded radio and sound system that includes an mp3 compatible in-dash 6 CD changer. The main difference lies in the soft top with a heated rear glass window that is fully automatic and can be infinitely adjusted to any position while driving at any speed. For the full cabrio experience, simply remove the side roof bars - taken out in no time - and stow them in a special compartment in the tailgate.
The last one is the price of a used 8, lol
#43
destination anywhere..
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They are all over the place up here in Canada, I see them daily (and many of them daily). Its so damn small it just makes you laugh
but I believe it claims 56mpg on like $17 worth of fuel or something crazy like that... 7.5ft long if I am correct? Could park 2 of them in a standard parking spot.
For a highway commuter like me, this would be the perfect little car.. all I need is a seat and a steering wheel and save the 8 for when I need to feel a little zoom.
![Cwm27](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/cwm27.gif)
For a highway commuter like me, this would be the perfect little car.. all I need is a seat and a steering wheel and save the 8 for when I need to feel a little zoom.
![Ylsuper](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/ylsuper.gif)
#44
Originally Posted by MazdaManiac
I want one of these Smart Roadsters:
The Roadster version didn't seem to sell as well as hoped for. The most powerful version (Brabus) only had 100 hp and the semi-automatic gearbox doesn't shift quite as promptly, so my guess is that most 'sportscar enthusiasts' weren't interested in it.
The engine had a displacement of only 0.7l. So 100 hp out of this small engine was already slightly pushing it (same power density as a stock Evo).
#45
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Originally Posted by 9291150
They've sold them up here in Canada for a while now. They only make some sense if you live in the downtown core, otherwise not worth the money IMO over something like a Yaris.
Mazda 2, Fit or Versa first.
#47
My other car is a tardis!
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Saw one of these in downtown DC last week. It was painted/vinyled with some advertisement, but I was too far away to see the ad. Kinda cute. Great for someone living downtown where space is at a premium.
#48
Super Moderator
Had them here for years, they are a laugh every time I see the 2 for.
If you want a suitcase on wheels...go for it!
How safe I would feel in one is another matter again.
IMO a giggle car....surely you can't be serious!
If you want a suitcase on wheels...go for it!
How safe I would feel in one is another matter again.
IMO a giggle car....surely you can't be serious!
#50
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I saw one driving on Chimney Rock today. I don't know if it was a tester, or an import (I didn't get to see License plate or which side the steering wheel was on.) Wouldn't be the first Smart Car I have seen in the US though.
Bruce Weiner has had one for a couple of years over near Covington, GA.
Bruce Weiner has had one for a couple of years over near Covington, GA.