I’m in the U.S., and the pricing is very different apparently. Here, it starts at $11,590 for a Pure. Passion starts at $13,590. I added the silver Tridion for $125, premium sound package for $350 (includes 4 speakers and a subwoofer plus 6 disc changer and MP3 jack), clock and tach for $120, alarm and keyless entry for $160, and that’s all I need. That gives me a grand total of $14,395. That comes with the roadside kit, all the airbags, the his/hers shifter and paddle shifters (whooptie doo, but it’s part of the package), ABS, electronic stability, AC and the panoramic roof. Body panel refresh is not available here yet, but if it was, I wouldn’t compare it because no other car has that option. $14,395, and no, that doesn’t include taxes or destination charges, but those are around $700 for destination, and $1,170 for taxes in my state, making a grand total of $16,265. That’s still nearly $4,000 below $20k. So either it is $20k like you said, or it’s $16k for everything I want including all fees. However, you are in Canada, and it seems they are more expensive there for some reason. In this case, I’m glad I don’t live there.

By comparison, a similarly equipped Yaris is $16,590, and it doesn’t have a lot of the interior options that I like in the ForTwo. Again, that’s before fees, so with fees, a similar Yaris is $18,630. In Canada, the Yaris seems to be cheaper by comparison, as I priced the same one out on toyota.ca at $17,700 before fees. If I lived in Canada, I would be getting a Yaris instead. So, you’re right, where you are, Smarts are way overpriced for what they are. Why buy a $20k car with two seats when you can get a 4-seater for $3,000 less?

In the U.S. (and for me), though, it’s a different story. Since I’m the only one planning on using the thing, I don’t need four seats and cargo space, so the extra $2,000 for something I will never use is a waste. I have a minivan for hauling people and stuff, and it’s more than enough. Plus, styling is subjective, and I just don’t find the interior of the Yaris, Fit, Focus, Cobalt, Aveo, etc., to be pleasing to me. Interior is the most important thing, as I will be spending more time inside my car than outside looking at it. So why spend an extra $2,000 on something I don’t like, just because it has more seats that I don’t need?

Still, when I actually am ready to buy, I will not leave out all options, and I will do a lot more testing. Who know? My opinions may change by that time. So far, I felt cramped in the Fit and Yaris, while the ForTwo felt very roomy (keep in mind it’s just for me). The Aveo is just plain fugly. The last time I tried a Focus, I was very disappointed, but the new ones seem a lot better, so I will be trying one of those again. Don’t worry, I won’t make a decision based on fad, but actual driving experience and likes.

But here’s a funny story: A client of my company purchased a 2006 Smart last year, and paid $23,000 for the thing, thanks to import charges of nearly $10,000. Yes, he is an idiot for doing that, but he really likes it, and if you like it, the price isn’t important. Something as subjective as car buying is fine as long as the buyer has a smile on his or her face when they are finished. Heck, if people are willing to spend $100,000 on a Porsche…

I can’t believe AC isn’t standard up there, though. That’s ridiculous! But then again, when I lived in Seattle, no one had AC in their house. Here, it’s a must.

Now let’s add an option or two to the base model, not the Passion. The body panel “freshup” kit is $1650 + tax. The sunscreen/panoramic roof is $540 + tax. $160 for a ****pit clock and tachymeter. Sound system is $305. Fog lights are $145. AC is $850, power steering is $700.

So is it 20k, or is it 20k? Neither you say, it’s probably 20k?

Nicole Kidman in Days of Thunder

Boston, DSF, NYC could all use this

Anyhow, to repeat my original judgment, this thing isn’t nearly as iconic as the original, but it’ll probably be a good, if somewhat less interesting A-car in its own right.

The Fiesta comes in a three door itself. The Ka is a much smaller vehicle and LLN needs to really understand cars before they post crap as bible.