smart

[hhcchen]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=116493#2




with the starting price $15,000...
what do you think...

[Idjiit]

Too expensive, too useless.

[ceres]

It's actually a pretty cool car. A friend in college did his senior graphic design project on a Smart Car introduction campaign for the US. The doors and stuff are supposed to be interchangable with other colors so you can mix and match. Of course, stuff like that costs you but it's easily moddable.

[TrancosRt]

Well, if you live in a city like NYC, LA, or chicago, then it makes perfect sense. It is even a better commuter than the Yaris. But if you need more hauling room, or live in more "suburban" areas, then the Yaris makes more sense. Prolly the Smart gets better milleage, but in an area like where I live, a smart would be ran over by SUVs and trucks at interesections, would not be able to keep up with Highways speeds, and be laughed at by everyone.

[riceboy]

Hey we've had them in Canada for awhile.. I like the look of this re-design.. it looks a lot more agressive with the sharper lines... the previous gen was very bulbous...

[Slummy]

it looks like they are goin' topless too. i cant quite tell if its just part of the extra body clading.

[Dylanby]

Originally Posted by Idjiit

Too expensive, too useless.

Overall I agree, but as a niche car they fill certain specialties better than normal cars. I was on my way to work today & saw one being used as a courier car (can't remember the company name).

For Joe Average the major flaw in the car is it's price.

[JustAnotherAsian]

we're probably pissin' off some uber-mini-car fans, but i have to agree- that is pretty expensive for such a car.

for that price, they better have everything (the abs, power stuff, and whatnot) standard... at least.

[07WYarisRS]

drop in a ZX10R or GSXR1 engine and i'll take it.

[argylesocks]

as long as Thule makes a roof rack for it....and i can fit a big bag of gear and a few sets of wheels in the back, id totally spring for one!!

(oh, and still fit the gf in the front)

[swng]

Electric Smart:
http://news.en.autos.sympatico.msn.c...umentid=673300

[PSU Yaris]

i think 15,000 is too much, but for it's size, the frame is extremely strong
heres a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s

[Yaris Revenge]

That price isn't entirely correct. The US price has yet to be decided. The official press release stated that it will certainly start under $15,000 (which probably means $14,999 ).

Also, the car will be getting hybrid-equivalent gas mileage (50-60mpg, depending on where you read it) without the looming cost of battery replacement, at a purchase price at least $6000 cheaper than a hybrid. No, you can't haul your whole family in it, but just to haul your own butt around, looks like a pretty good setup.

They're supposed to be pretty darn reliable as well. I saw a news blip just a day or so ago that said there was a fortwo in Europe that just logged 300,000 miles and still going. I'm sure there's been plenty of mainenance costs along the way, but still, when's the last time you heard of a car with 300k on the odo?

The new US models will have Mitsubishi engines that produce a few more HP... I think the Merc engine makes 61hp, the new Mitsu makes 65. May not sound like much, but the European threads I've read claim that just a few HP makes a huge difference in the smarts, due to their tiny weight.

I'm strongly considering one of these, depending on what I think of the test drive. We already have a family-friendly Tuscon and an extended cab work truck, so there's really no need for me to get another 4 seater just to drive myself to work. I'd gladly trade the rear seat for 50% more fuel economy! Not to mention, I've always been a fan of unusual vehicles.

BTW, calling the smart fortwo ugly in a Yaris forum is a bit like the pot calling the kettle black, aint' it? They're both strange little cars, and I'm betting both will have their share of folks that think they're goofy-looking.

~YR

EDIT: fortwo's are slow on takeoff, but you're not gonna' have problems keeping up with traffic. They actually built in a speed limiter at 84mph (frightening to imagine, I know!). I had a '72 Honda Z600 rated at 40hp, and ran 65mph no problem.

[Idjiit]

Originally Posted by Yaris Revenge

Also, the car will be getting hybrid-equivalent gas mileage (50-60mpg, depending on where you read it) without the looming cost of battery replacement, at a purchase price at least $6000 cheaper than a hybrid. No, you can't haul your whole family in it, but just to haul your own butt around, looks like a pretty good setup.

Looming cost of battery replacement? Do you work for GM? Hybrid owners don't have to pay for battery replacements - they're designed to last the life of the car, and the fact is that most people will sell their vehicle before that happens. And I'm sorry, but 50-60MPG means shit if I can't haul around any luggage or my dogs.

Originally Posted by Yaris Revenge

I'm strongly considering one of these, depending on what I think of the test drive. We already have a family-friendly Tuscon and an extended cab work truck, so there's really no need for me to get another 4 seater just to drive myself to work. I'd gladly trade the rear seat for 50% more fuel economy! Not to mention, I've always been a fan of unusual vehicles.

It does sound like a good commuter solution for the money, but personally I would rather pay the premium for a Hybrid and get a car that's equally fuel efficient while retaining broader utility. Hybrids are only going to get better and cheaper - supposedly the next major revision of the Prius is going to get closer to 90MPG.

[Yaris Revenge]

Idjit: "50-60MPG means shit if I can't haul around any luggage or my dogs."

And thus this car isn't designed for you. Just because it doesn't fit your lifestyle, you shouldn't say it's useless, ya big Hater, you!

Since you own a Prius, I'm sure you can set me straight here, but from what I've read (and it's been awhile back), hybrid batteries are expected to last 6-8 years... or at least that's how long they're warrantied for, which generally means after that the gig is up. Granted, that is definitely longer than most people keep their cars nowadays.

If hybrids can pull off 90mpg, more power to 'em! I'd love to see it happen. However, I don't see them getting much cheaper. Matter o' fact, I expect to see them get more expensive as the mileage improves. If the manufacturers see that buyers are willing to pay the price they're already asking, it's not coming down (*ahem* like gas prices?)... why would they? The higher mileage will be another reason for them to charge more up front, because you'll be "saving more in the long run". The Honda Insight hasn't gotten one bit cheaper since the introduction of all the other hybrids, and each hybrid since then has only been more expensive (Civic @ $22k, Prius @ $21.7k).

BTW, is Honda EVER going to update the Insight??? The body is looking ooooold. I'm surprised they're still selling it, and not dropping it in favor of the hyrid Civic....

~YR

[Idjiit]

Honda is dropping the Insight. And Hybrids will get cheaper as production numbers go up, more companies start selling them and competition is stiffer. Toyota isn't making money on the Prius still, so why would they drop the price, anyway?

[hhcchen]

smart... made of sand...



http://response.jp/issue/2006/0907/article85718_1.html