Smart_Car_USA_Open_for_Business

[TinmanMS6]

http://news.windingroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/554687_979701_4992_2418_07c2015_079.jpg

Smart Car USA opened its first dealership – and corporate headquarters – yesterday in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. The dealership is one of 68 dealerships nationwide set to open by the end of February.

The dealerships will be clad in black, yellow and white and besides selling three Smart forTwo models, the dealerships will come stacked with Smart Car merchandise.

Smart Car USA hopes to have 74 stores in total across 31 states – the remaining six are to be opened by the end of 2008.

And, to mark the occasion Smart Car USA is taking reservations. And, with reservations at $99 Smart Car is looking to move the Smart forTwo, fast.

[seanmcsean]

The list price on a smart car is $16,000.


FALE

[TinmanMS6]

Yeah, when I was in Canada last year, I went to a Mercedes dealership and they had smarts there, but they were the diesel version, and got much better mileage than these.

For $16k, you could have a Fit, and actually put some people in it, and only give up a few mpg. You know why this is going to sell, though? The same reason that the Prius sells more than the Civic Hybrid: It is unique in its styling, and screams "Look at me!!! I'm a tree-hugger!!!111!!!!111"

Edit: For the record, the US-spec smart gets 33/41 mpg.

[Tom03es]

And on that tree hugger note, check this article out:
http://ctv2.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070727.wreynolds0727/business/Business/businessBN/ctv-business

[seanmcsean]

I'd rather have a fit.. It is bigger, nicer, more useful, and gets 28/34.

Unless they bring over a smart that gets 60+ mpg, I'm not going anywhere near that crapbox.

[shane02pro5]

I would not be on the streets with that next to all the locomotive SUV's out there!

[ZoomZoomH]

I'd rather have a fit.. It is bigger, nicer, more useful, and gets 28/34.

Unless they bring over a smart that gets 60+ mpg, I'm not going anywhere near that crapbox.

they are working on a hybrid version that gets 55+ mpg on the highway, FYI

[TinmanMS6]

There's a company called Zap in CA that will convert a smart to full-electric. They've been importing them for years and doing conversions. I'm guessing now that customers won't be facing the cost of importing the cars, they're going to get very busy.

[seanmcsean]

they are working on a hybrid version that gets 55+ mpg on the highway, FYI

I still think I'd rather have a fit.

Wagon FTW.

You can't fit alot in a small car.. Fit "fits" 4 comfy people and stuff.

[Tom03es]

I would not be on the streets with that next to all the locomotive SUV's out there!

Check out 5th Gear's crash test of a Smart Car:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s

[mx-p5]

If I buy a Smart, it'll be one of thesel

http://www.smartuki.com/

Tylor

[TinmanMS6]

If I buy a Smart, it'll be one of thesel

http://www.smartuki.com/

Tylor

Have they started doing conversions of the new smart models yet? If so, I'd be all over it. I've also seen smart cars with 'Busa motors swapped in.

[mx-p5]

Have they started doing conversions of the new smart models yet? If so, I'd be all over it. I've also seen smart cars with 'Busa motors swapped in.

If they havn't started in the states yet, just give it time. I'm sure they've already got one on the chopping block at most custom shops. I would def. pick one of them up!

Tylor

[2.0t03speed]

i just got done designing a fire supression for the smart car dealership that they are opening in va beach i dont think there expecting to do alot of service there being as there are only 3 service bays in the place lol

[TinmanMS6]

i just got done designing a fire supression for the smart car dealership that they are opening in va beach i dont think there expecting to do alot of service there being as there are only 3 service bays in the place lol

Yes, but they can probably fit 12 cars in those 3 bays. If they're short on lifts, they can just have a guy pick the car up while another one crawls underneath.

[mx-p5]

i dont think there expecting to do alot of service there being as there are only 3 service bays in the place lol

Are these 3 regular size bays? If so, you're talking about being able to work on at least 6 in those 3 bays(stash)

Tylor

[2.0t03speed]

yea its 3 regular size bays w/ a lift in each. so i dont think there gonna put 6 in there lol

[sephiroth]

Edit: For the record, the US-spec smart gets 33/41 mpg.

it's nice to know my neighbors jetta TDI gets better gas mileage than that pos.. serisouly how the hell do people justify that kind of crap? Why'd they even consider a gas engine if the whole idea is fuel economy and eco friendly? Ohh yea... I forgot most of the US population still believes Diesels are more polluting than gas engines. my bad. (scratch)

[mx-p5]

Ohh yea... I forgot most of the US population still believes Diesels are more polluting than gas engines. my bad. (scratch)

That's cause they see them smoke. So, something that smokes is worse for the environment(boobs2)

Tylor

[TinmanMS6]

They don't really smoke anymore. Diesels and gas engines are each worse than the other as far as different emissions go. Diesels are worse with NOx emissions, but better as far as CO2 goes.

[aMaff]

If I buy a Smart, it'll be one of thesel

http://www.smartuki.com/

Tylor

R-comps, here I come!

[coolmazda5]

I would not be on the streets with that next to all the locomotive SUV's out there!

A couple of aftermarket mods and you are all set, no more fears :D

http://cars.blogs.ca/images/smart_forfun2_4.jpg


http://cars.blogs.ca/2006/09/19/smart-develops-monster-truck-fortwo/

[Pirana]

(lol)

That would be my only complaint...its $16k and only give 40mpg hwy. Thats the same of a turbo diesel Jetta.

[Falango]

Check out 5th Gear's crash test of a Smart Car:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s

Ya that car survived that crash really well........but did you ever think about the forces that the car didn't absorb, but the occupants will? There's no crumple zone in a Smart car at all, so what a car should do in a crash, a Smart car doesn't. Because there's no crumple zone, there's nothing the car can absorb in the impact, so the occupants feel more of the impact than in something different.

[sephiroth]

Ya that car survived that crash really well........but did you ever think about the forces that the car didn't absorb, but the occupants will? There's no crumple zone in a Smart car at all, so what a car should do in a crash, a Smart car doesn't. Because there's no crumple zone, there's nothing the car can absorb in the impact, so the occupants feel more of the impact than in something different.

that's what they were trying to say in the video as well.. that although the car managed to stay in one piece, it would have been very interesting to see the same thing happen with the occupants.

[dmitrik4]

I'd rather have a fit.. It is bigger, nicer, more useful, and gets 28/34.

Unless they bring over a smart that gets 60+ mpg, I'm not going anywhere near that crapbox.

you obviously have plenty of parking where you live...a smart will fit in spaces that a Fit (or MINI, or my Miata) can only dream of. there's been one in my neighborhood for over a year (no idea how they got one), and the places it can park are unbelievable.

the smart is only aimed at a specific set of customers w/ specific needs.

[Pirana]

I found the Motor Trend article pretty interesting...the Smart was actually rated at +45mpg before the new ratings in 2008 came in effect. Also:

"While the laws of physics cant be denied, Daimler's engineers have done everything to counteract them. The safety cell around the passenger compartment is super strong. The lower floor is part of a well-designed crash structure that uses the wheels, engine, axle--even the door hinges--to absorb and dissipate crash energy. Although most of the body panels are plastic, structural metal parts are the same thickness as those on a Mercedes S-Class. There are dual front airbags, of course, plus side head/thorax bags. ABS and an electronic stability system are standard. The front end employs conventional MacPherson-strut suspension, but there's a massive deDion tube at the rear that also helps in side-impact situations. A tussle with a Kenworth is still not advised, but know that the fortwo passes every American and European crash test with flying colors."

MotorTrend Feb2008 by:Matt Stone

[coolmazda5]

the places it can park are unbelievable.

Back in 99 I went to visit my wife (then girlfriend) in her native Germany. I was shocked to see a Smart parked like this pic as soon as we got to the apartment where she used to live. I had no idea what the car was all about, to me it looked like a fancy golf kart. She used o drive a Nissan Micra so no wonder she called my old crappy Chevy Cavalier a "big" car :D

http://zekemcbundy.com/uploaded_images/Smart-Car-786664.jpg

[clicknext]

Back in 99 I went to visit my wife (then girlfriend) in her native Germany. I was shocked to see a Smart parked like this pic as soon as we got to the apartment where she used to live. I had no idea what the car was all about, to me it looked like a fancy golf kart. She used o drive a Nissan Micra so no wonder she called my old crappy Chevy Cavalier a "big" car :D

http://zekemcbundy.com/uploaded_images/Smart-Car-786664.jpg

lol if you could park like that legally, I'd buy it just for that reason! But looks like that one's still sticking out too much...

[Falango]

The car in front of it is gonna have a hell of a time getting out of there.

[BlueWolfCry]

saw one in st. paul for the first time couple weeks ago...they are pretty cool I think. Dangerous though...with so many big ass cars on the road

[seanmcsean]

you obviously have plenty of parking where you live...a smart will fit in spaces that a Fit (or MINI, or my Miata) can only dream of. there's been one in my neighborhood for over a year (no idea how they got one), and the places it can park are unbelievable.

the smart is only aimed at a specific set of customers w/ specific needs.

yet another reason I moved out of philly.

but yes, I live where parking is plentiful.

[dmitrik4]

parking woes aren't unique to philly. :) i get by just fine w/ the miata, but i don't know if i could say that if i lived in DC or NY. my point was that i can see the appeal of the Smart for someone who needs to get around in an urban area.

[coolmazda5]

lol if you could park like that legally, I'd buy it just for that reason! But looks like that one's still sticking out too much...

True, I just found this random pic on the Web. The one I saw was also perpendicularly parked but the back facing the street instead and, actually, the front wheels were over the curb, so no sticking out. It is weird because in that neighborhood everybody needed to park the car OVER the curb. You know, some European streets are so narrow so it did not seem legal, but NOT illegal either (even for the square minded German Polizei) :D.

[TinmanMS6]

In Europe, I believe it's legal to park nose in to the curb with cars this small.

[coolmazda5]

In Europe, I believe it's legal to park nose in to the curb with cars this small.

Here you go, much better (Google rocks). Please note the other cars are also parked OVER the curb. dang Krauts (lol2)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Smart_parking.JPG/800px-Smart_parking.JPG

[coolmazda5]

Not bad for a piece of car...

The Smart ForTwo earned top marks in side and front crash tests done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Source:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2008/05/14/cho.smart.car.crash.test.cnn

[jred321]

i followed one of these on the road yesterday. they're very ugly

[mikeyb]

i followed one of these on the road yesterday. they're very ugly

ugly but have good gas mileage. I've seen a few around here. Its funny to see them flying down the highway at 75 mph.

[ZoomZoomH]

ugly but have good gas mileage.

for their size and weight they don't; Toyota Yaris is bigger and heavier and it gets better mileage than the Smart.

[mikeski]

they are neat cars.....funny to see on the road tho!

[mikeyb]

for their size and weight they don't; Toyota Yaris is bigger and heavier and it gets better mileage than the Smart.

I was going by what I was told by two owners of the Smarts. They told me that they both average 36 hwy.

I still would rather own a smart then a Hybrid.

[TinmanMS6]

I was going by what I was told by two owners of the Smarts. They told me that they both average 36 hwy.

I still would rather own a smart then a Hybrid.

I think a Fit will do about that on the highway, and I could still put the whole family in it.

[mikeyb]

I think a Fit will do about that on the highway, and I could still put the whole family in it.

I Fit gets between 36 and 38 hwy. I have a friend that brags that his Fit gets awesome gas mileage. He shuts up when my cousin shows up with his MK4 Jetta TDI that runs on biodiesel.

[jred321]

only 36mpg? granted i'm sure they're meant more for city driving so their highway MPG won't be impressive but i'd take a fit or yaris over one of those any day since they both get the same gas mileage but offer passenger and storage room

[jred321]

lol
<TABLE width="75%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Acceleration 0–60 mph</TD><TD>12.8 sec</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[shane02pro5]

That's barely a snack for a Ford Excursion barelling down the freeway!

[seanmcsean]

only 36mpg? granted i'm sure they're meant more for city driving so their highway MPG won't be impressive but i'd take a fit or yaris over one of those any day since they both get the same gas mileage but offer passenger and storage room

the price isn't that different between the two either.

I'd rather have the fit as well.

[seanmcsean]

I saw one on the road the other day.. it came up next to me in my miata.

I never thought my miata would win versus anything else in a crash.

now I have full confidence my little guy could beat a smart car.

[TinmanMS6]

now I have full confidence my little guy could beat a smart car.

Not so fast...
http://jalopnik.com/389911/smart-fortwo-punted-by-delivery-truck-returned-by-van

That smart messed that truck up!

[seanmcsean]

those smarts are surprisingly rigid..

but then again so is my miata.. It would be an interesting match.

[ZoomZoomH]

i saw not one, but TWO separate ones near work in 2 days

they're running wild around here!!!!

[seanmcsean]

I've seen a black one and a yellow one.

both times it took me a few moments to figure out what exactly it was.

[dmitrik4]

i wouldn't want to run into a smart in my miata...i'd rather not total my car quite yet. those things are like little bowling balls. top gear showed an offset head-on test w/ an E-class...the smart was basically intact, and ripped through the merc up to its windshield. they use other cars as their crumple zones. they're a damn sight safer than an NA miata.

there are at least two in my center city philly neighborhood (one's an older model that's been here over a year), and while a fit is a nice car, it's sure not parking where the smart can. no matter what time you get home, there's someplace to park...which neither i nor the MINIs can say.

keep the target market in mind...it's not super gas-savers, or suburban residents with ample parking.


ugly but have good gas mileage. I've seen a few around here. Its funny to see them flying down the highway at 75 mph.

the smart cars i've seen on the highway were both FLYING...must've been topping out, b/c i wasn't going to keep up w/ them.

[07speed3]

my dad bought a euro spec smart car last year, 3 cylinder turbo motor. gets about 50mpg. its a cool little car. the transmition is the coolest part of the whole car though haha

[altspace]

Spotted a few around my parts as well.