Smart Car gets US DOT approval

[toolfan62]

lol 60 horsepower 3 cylinder..no thanks

[Destructo6]

60hp in a 1500lb vehicle isn't too bad. Remember, the original VW Beetles only had about 25hp.

60mpg is pretty dang good. I'll keep an open mind about these things for now.

[atm743]

hey wasent that same kind of car in that one movie just married??


away i would love to see some one drive that next to a semi !!!!

[Thordic]

They are made to be city / close-range commuter cars. They aren't made for roadtrips and whatnot.

[nastymag]

these are perfect for people living in cities like San fransico ( half an hour away from me)

in the bay area ... gas prices are astronumical (sp). my dad cringes everytime he drives his Tundra and it doesnt that that bad mpg.

in SF, parking is REALLY hard to find, the ones you do find are bad, and its stop and go traffic.
so i really think this is what the target demgraphic for this car is.

the VW ( i think it was a GTI) diesel is NICE though.
my friend bought it from outa state. and its speedy too, ( plus it gets like 50 mpg).

[cphilip]

They are made to be city / close-range commuter cars. They aren't made for roadtrips and whatnot.

Thats the point. They have a place. And indeed 60 some HP is pretty good for moving 1500 pounds around. And the cage system they are using is mighty safe way to do it.

Now remember that this is only one model. And the first one over is going to be the two seater. But they have several other models that might end up coming over here eventually. A four seater and a roadster. See here: http://www.thesmart.co.uk/index.html Seems the Four Seater is 75 HP and the Roadster is 80 HP.

My biggest concern is how they are marketing them here. Seems one import point and nothing is going to make it without a network of dealers being developed. So something other than what I see is going to have to take place for them to sell.

[bofh]

And they make a tuner version that has 101hp.

A 1500lbs roadster with 100 hp would actually be quite a bit of fun. Actually lots of fun.

But it's certainly second car material. Even more so if you live an area where diesel isn't as popular at gas stations.

[skife]

And they make a tuner version that has 101hp.

A 1500lbs roadster with 100 hp would actually be quite a bit of fun. Actually lots of fun.

But it's certainly second car material. Even more so if you live an area where diesel isn't as popular at gas stations.

1st get honda Cr-X

not alot of power
not alot of weight
but alot of fun.

i've got a buddy that has one.

[bofh]

i've got a buddy that has one.

Good for you.

[Echo419]

Oh, thats classic. They drive the smart display vehicle on the back of a hummer. Oh, the irony!

omg thats great....

[Echo419]

Ok I want one BAD now

alrite what's wrong with this.. Since i love the Honda Element, im in love with this too now

[HoppysMag]

well the roadster is rear wheel drive. so it has my aproval. i donno about the other 2

[tinman2823]

Or you could get a VW Jetta with a 1.9L Turbo Diesel and get 55mpg on a roadtrip...

Capable of holding 5 people and actually looks like a car...

55 mpg in a Jetta......I don't think so, try again.


Gee, If I told you you would get 50 mpg in an Accord would you believe me too? Advertsing can tell you anything you want to hear. Nobody regulates the advertised MPG of any car. Remember when they advertised the Geo Metro at 53 MPG?! Do you even see the car on the road anymore?! Can you say YUGO!!!!

[Maksimus54]

Actually tinman the TDI Jetta can get over 50 mpg. I have heard this from several people that own them, not from a dealer. As for the smart car, i dont think it has a chance priced the way it is. I could buy a new hyundai/kia for much less, and have a practical car. I do agree that it has some use for short commutes, but I dont see how the market can be that great for them.

[BeaverEater]

man and people thought a Geo Metro was small...