40 MPG SMART Car Arrives in U.S. (Glorified Go Kart)

AP via Yahoo ^

[Slapshot68]

"The Smart's base price is $11,590, and a fully loaded Smart Fortwo Passion convertible goes for $16,950. The 1,800-pound car gets 40 miles per gallon."

[The Game Hen]

I saw these in Rome and fell in love. I wanted to get one but they are a little overpriced and worst of all, they are manufactured in FRANCE.

[babble-on]

Its about parking, not fuel efficiency. If you live in the Northeast, this thing could save you hundreds a month in parking fees because it will fit in spaces no other cars can use.

[horse_doc]

why in the hell would you drop $17,000 on this glorified go kart

Because it will impress the ladies, of course. Gives you a big leg up on all the other guys, who just have a Segway.

[thefactor]

the rest of the world does not realize that the US is different. we drive farther distances to work. we have more parking spaces. we drive with more people in the car. we do not need this car. except maybe people in NYC or san fran where parking and gas are at a premuim. but there are better choices out there.

now, if you made special lanes for these types of cars that would cut my commute in half, now we're talking.

[baltoga]

I like it. I can put it in the back of my truck.

[Ditter]

I wish I could tell you what Mr. Ditter said about this car........... but it had to do with a lard bucket..... and..... never mind.....

[babble-on]

Exactly. These are all the same people who said the Prius would never catch on.

[advertising guy]

if there was ever a car that earned the title “PISSANT”
this one is it

[Red_Devil 232]

AlGore’s new Limo? Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has one that will hold not just one, but another 10 clowns!

[Cecily]

I’ve seen them in Atlanta.

What kind of mileage do Mini Coopers get?

[LIConFem]

Where’s the other half?

[The Game Hen]

Adorable too!
Actually, it’s supposed to be really safe, like a super strong cage.

[chrisser]

Does it come with a cutter deck?

This is probably a great little car for people who live and work in the same metropolitain area, in a warm climate, and never travel on the freeway (or who have always wanted to take the vehicle they drove in right onto the golf course as a cart).

In about two months, my 20 minute commute will be marked by regular snow causing low visibility, fiercely blowing winds, snow covered roads that are sometimes barely passable, and ice.

In that environment, this little toy would be like a ball in pinball machine on the interstate on my way to work. I can’t imagine it has any weight to develop traction (to both go and stop), it’s certainly going to get tossed around by the wind, and its going to essentially be invisible to other drivers unless it has a bright flashing beacon atop its roof. Not to mention, it probably folds like an accordion.

No thanks. I’ll burn a few extra dead dinosaurs and survive until spring.

[LIConFem]

For $28K you can use ‘em as roller skates.

[Cuchulain]

Wouldn’t work with the snow we get here in Western NY State. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Governor “Steamroller” tries to make them mandatory on NY State roads.

[mtbopfuyn]

Ok, so where’s the car? All I see is a kid’s matchbox toy car. So, where are you going to put any passengers or a single bag of groceries?

[jwparkerjr]

Good for you!

I would love to have one, but have to pay off my Scion first.

I find it strange that some people think Volvos are cool.

[tacticalogic]

Should make a good “sleeper”. Shoehorn an aluminum block V6 into that puppy, and see who wants to “go for pinks”.

[rawhide]

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/

[Bogtrotter52]

Saw here in my (not so)fair city recently. On a main drag surrounded by the normal for this area huge pickups and SUV’s. Being in one would not scare the c**p out of me only becuase there would be no room in the thing for the c**p. LOL!