Smart car doesn't look too clever

Thisislondon.co.uk ^ | 2/16/05 | add925

[okie01]

What is that thing? A mobile speed bump for a Hummer?

[Maceman]

Some of you people are all about looks. Well, looks, legroom, passenger space and cargo space maybe. (And NO, I don't drive an SUV.)

[ctdonath2]

and how cheap it must be to manufacture the thing

And there's the disconnect. It looks small and cute and cheap ... but some serious effort goes into making a car that small that can haul 4 people safely and with the flow of traffic on the Autobahn.

I long wondered what the point of such cars as BMWs and Mercedes were; sure they're "good", but at what point does the extra effort and cost provide a vanishingly small payoff? Then I drove on the Autobahn - and understood. Not sure how to describe it, but cars need to be well-engineered when normal driving speeds exceed 100 MPH. Thus the seemingly high cost of a Smart car: they may look cheezy, but they're really well built (and need to be).

[antiRepublicrat]

Ford has a compact model in Europe and elsewhere which I honestly think some younger Americans would buy, the Ka. It sells in the UK for the equivalent of around $ 12,000 and is one helluva lot better looking than this Mercedes go kart.

I've had two of these. They're pretty good little cars and handle well in the city and on the highway, although they run out of steam around 80mph. You have a good amount of hauling room if you put the back seats down, as the whole rear end is the hatch in the back.

[antiRepublicrat]

It was created for European cities, not American freeways.

It was also created for a market where gas costs more than twice as much as here. I had a long commute in Germany and a car that got 29mpg (actual recorded, not sticker). I calculated that in using a smart for the commute, the savings at the pump would more than make the smart's payments.

[antiRepublicrat]

I just don't know what I'd do with one. Where do I put the kid seats? If I have a passenger, where do I put luggage, computer cases, or groceries? It is nearly useless!!!!!

I have a big family, so a large four-door sedan is totally useless to me, too. Every car for its purpose. It's great if you don't have kids or just want it for a commuter car.

I also noticed in Germany that a lot of courier services and food delivery places use them.

[antiRepublicrat]

I wonder what one of my drives from Seattle to Minnesota would be like in that car...

They're pretty roomy and quite comfortable, and would work great as long as you're not taking much with you. You want a chiropractor appointment? Make the trip in a Lotus Elise.

[jimfree]

Mrs. jimfree and I saw these things all over Madrid on a 25th anniversary trip. I can see them in a controlled environment like a golf course. And they seem great to park - they fit in the tiniest spaces. But for driving on the open road or in heavy traffic? I don't see it.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[Flying Circus]

The roadster looks really cool and got me doing a little research. Unfortunately, neither the performance nor the price makes it ...
From http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/models.php

The entry-level Pure For-Two Coupe will cost you as little as $15,000, while you can figure on forking out over $34,000 for a tricked-out Brabus with all the bells and whistles. This doesn't include tax, tags, dealer prep or shipping.

Roadster and Roadster Coupe

Hottest of the Smart series lineup are the sophisticated, stylish and stimulating Roadster and Roadster Coupe, which are powered by twin-spark (80hp), and three-cylinder Suprex turbo engines, producing speeds of 0 to 62.5 mph in 10.9 seconds.

The I would be more than happy to pay $15000 for the tricked out BRABUS to use a commuter car if it could deliver a 0-60 in, say, the 8s range. However, the price starts at $15000 and the performance is dangerously anemic. No one with half a brain is going to pay $34000 on a tiny roadster that can't even get out of its own way. IMHO, the roadster was their best chance to create some cachet for the Smart brand if only it could deliver on price/performance. As it is, if Smart makes it the the US with a $15000 tag on a dinky Fortwo, it will be DOA.

[TexanToTheCore]

The roadster, if it sold for about 15.000 would dominate the sports car market. They could probably sell as many as they wanted. At 34,000, it won't sell to tother than yuppies with a lot of time and money on their hands, which is probably the plan.

Man, I wish someone would come up with a samll cheap sports car, like the Austin-Healy Bugeye.

[Pete'sWife]

Make the trip in a Lotus Elise.

When I was much younger, I wanted a Lotus Europa (John Player Special - black & gold).

One day, I had the opportunity to sit in one.

I tried and tried, but I just couldn't fit in the damned thing. Those cars are built for dwarfs.

[antiRepublicrat]

I tried and tried, but I just couldn't fit in the damned thing. Those cars are built for dwarfs.

The Elise is good enough to about 6'2" comfortably, as long as you're not too fat and limber enough to contort yourself into the car with the roof on. Hint: it's easy if you remember that it's more of a controlled fall than climbing into the car. Getting out, now that takes a bit more practice to learn.