Comments on: Reports: DaimlerChrysler decides to bring Smart to U.S.

By: bob

bob — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 13:11:45 +0000

i bought one of these instead of a corvette. When i seen this i totally changed my mind. I bought one of these and put nitrous on it.. Its sweet..

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 05:35:01 +0000

#41 – How much did you pay for it? I am in York County, PA and will drive to Pittsburgh for one. I saw the Smart while in Europe a few years ago and always wanted one (more than the 1″ ‘matchbox’ model I bought while over there).

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 19:36:28 +0000

I bought mine from ZAP (pick-up at Ferrante Motors in VanDerGrift, PA near PIttsburgh) – I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! Hav ehad it since mid-May 2006….get many lkooks and questions – - I don’t understand why Mercedes would not want to bring these into the US as soon as they could- dumb marketing!

By: Marti Hall-Powers

Marti Hall-Powers — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 18:05:11 +0000

I can’t wait till it gets here/Tell Chrysler to hurry
it up–they will sell well here but particularly in
the larger cities/

By: Longsnowsm

Longsnowsm — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 04:13:30 +0000

I would love to see the diesel version of this car come to the US. See not all Americans are afraid to drive something different, thoughtful, frugal, creative, and fun. Most Americans aren’t afraid to die, they are terrified to look bad though! Cannot get out of the Lemmings lines… Oops that line is moving, gotta go!

By: Like Your Work » Blog Archive » links for 2006-06-29

Like Your Work » Blog Archive » links for 2006-06-29 — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:27:57 +0000

[...] Reports: DaimlerChrysler decides to bring Smart to U.S. | Leftlane – Car News For Enthusiasts (tags: autos) [...]

By: 1c3d0g

1c3d0g — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 14:26:34 +0000

#3, I told you repeatedly not to use my name. what are you, blind? :-/

By: 2006300C

2006300C — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 00:12:03 +0000

That metal I was talking about absorbs the various “forces” that an impact generates. The more “forces” absorbed by the mass that surrounds you the less “forces” that shall be transmitted to your body. The smart car was crash tested by DC themselves against an e class, head on 40 mph. the smart car was hit and than thrown back 25 feet in the direction from whence it came. The smart car went from 40-0-17 m.p.h in less than 2 seconds. That would be hell for the human body

By: mblommel

mblommel — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 22:57:41 +0000

Ummm… 2006300C you may want to go back to high school and take physics again. Extra vehicle mass (the more metal you love) has no effect on the G-forces experienced by a passenger in a collision. The G-forces are due to the rapid deceleration your body endures when you crash into something.

By: Auto industry news, Auto moto reviews - MotorsBlog » Smart goes West

Auto industry news, Auto moto reviews - MotorsBlog » Smart goes West — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 08:40:55 +0000

[...] Source: LeftLaneNews [...]

By: Thing2

Thing2 — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 04:48:00 +0000

The Smart Roadster would do well in the US. A cheap, small, pure, fun, little roadster is in dire need. The Miata and the ilk moved out of reach for a typical highschooler’s budget for a car, and this would fill in the niche in all settings, especially if hardtop.

By: Thing2

Thing2 — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 04:42:00 +0000

#5, DCX’s prolem with the Smart is because it appeals to only SOME people in an urban envrionment. These are supposed to be economical not just from a fuel standpoint but also from just initially buying one, no? There in lies the problem. You can’t make much of a profit from selling only a few cars very cheaply. To make money from selling only a few cars, you need to sell them for a lot. That’s why Aston Martins, etc. are expensive. In addition to the finest materials, they are sold in very limited quantities an so there is a low supply and a high demand to drive up the price, no pun intended. And as comment #4 so clearly pointed out, even some city-dwellers don’t want to part with thier luxury gas-guzzling SUVs for small cars that probably won’t be cost-effective enough to really persaude them to drive a Smart.

Only until the SUVs become bigger than the road, will people buy smaller cars.

By: Jason’s Random Tech Stuff » Confirmed: SMART cars coming to USA

Jason’s Random Tech Stuff » Confirmed: SMART cars coming to USA — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 02:06:41 +0000

[...] DaimlerChrysler is going to announce tomorrow that the SMART car will come to the United States in early 2007. That’s the word from three major newspapers citing insider sources! This comes after months of speculation. read more | digg story [...]

By: prickly pete

prickly pete — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 01:42:17 +0000

Actually I bought one of these Smart cars for my Mother up in Vancouver Canada. It’s a 40 hp diesel which is a mid engine configuration. The car gets incredible fuel mileage (she spends roughly $10 every 3 weeks in fuel) and the interior room is quite spacious for a 2 seater. Fully loaded the car came to 20k. It comes with all the luxury options … P. Sunroof, heated seats,A/C, CD changer, P. windows and locks. The car can basically park anywhere do to it’s short wheelbase. If you live in a city that parking is at a premium this is definately a car you should look at. Don’t knock it till you try it .. you might just be surprised

By: GREENIRVANA » Blog Archive » Confirmed: SMART cars coming to USA

GREENIRVANA » Blog Archive » Confirmed: SMART cars coming to USA — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 01:05:26 +0000

By: Michael Spadaro

Michael Spadaro — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 00:02:55 +0000

Why the hell is this POS coming to the U.S. again?

By: Mr. K.

Mr. K. — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 23:50:17 +0000

Over 20K? Too expensive. Most Americans look at a small product and immediately think, what am I paying for? Plus the Fit, Scion, Yarus, are all fuel efficient, reliable and cheaper. Price it for the market.

By: Al

Al — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 23:08:39 +0000

to the guy with the 300c…

Re. Smart prices: when you mention 21,000 Usdollars for the Smart, you are probably a bit biased, aren’t you ?
If you go to http://www.smart.com and select United Kingdom, you will see that the Smart ForTwo with the 50 hp gas engine starts at 6,775 British Pounds or roughly 12,350 Usdollar. In Switzerland it starts at CHF 12’950 or roughly 10,500 Usdollars, tax included.
And you must be aware that cars cost WAY more in Europe than here, so you ought to expect a lower price here than there.
That figure you mentioned, 21,000 Usdollars, is just ridiculous…Go to the OFFICIAL Smart website if you don’t believe me…

Also, about the safety of a Smart…plenty of them around in Europe…plenty of accidents I guess, never I heard anything about it being a poor vehicle in such an occasion. You saw some video with the crash test and admitted it was good, but then said something like “…but the people inside must have been hurt really bad by the g-force”. Newsflash: the Smart has seatbelt and airbags and it got top notch crash ratings from all official agencies that are involved in crash tests.
But I guess, like the price you mentioned, that you must know better than anyone else.

PS: I drive a gas guzzler too…but not for that reason I can’t admit that there can be something good that doesn’t have to be a 5000 lbs behemoth…

Come on, man…be real.

By: Jessie

Jessie — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 22:56:23 +0000

I think it’s funny that everyone is making comments on how unsafe this car is. if you close minded people knew anything about the smart you would know about “the egg” construction.

get with it. http://www.smartusa.com.

By: The Golden Braid » Blog Archive » Confirmed: SMART cars coming to USA

The Golden Braid » Blog Archive » Confirmed: SMART cars coming to USA — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 22:29:16 +0000

[...] read more | digg story [...]

By: foobar

foobar — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 22:27:06 +0000

These will do extremely well in cities, has anyone ever tried to park in San Francisco? Residental parking spaces will run you $300/month. Safety is of course an issue, but the next gen that is brought over will be safer than what is out now, and more of these on the road the safer it is for everyone. Shouldn’t we be thinking about society at large and bettering it for all? Oh, right, this is america – home of the stupid jackass. Sigh.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 22:02:22 +0000

As a back roads commuter, this car works. Smart also has a roadster that is pretty slick and efficiant as well. Hopefully they bring it over as well. This could be the start of microcar sales here in the states which would be pretty cool.

By: stefan

stefan — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:58:01 +0000

these comments are ridiculous.

especially the moron who is proud of his 18mpg.

this is whats wrong with america.

By: The Stig

The Stig — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 20:11:23 +0000

Maybe not the smartest move.

By: ss

ss — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 19:30:03 +0000

US crash stanards are totaly diff so that doesnt really hold water. Also if you read the article it says “The next Smart car will get an updated exterior as well as improved fuel economy and performance…newspaper even suggests the car will be foot longer than its predecessor” we wont be getting the car thats int he picture. i guess we will just have to wait and see what we get

By: Toy Yoda

Toy Yoda — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 19:28:21 +0000

Well don’t buy one if you don’t want one. Personally, I wouldn’t want one, but not because it wouldn’t make sense, I’m really waiting for the Toyota Prius 100+mpg car which is supposedly gonna come out in a couple of years.

By: 2006300C

2006300C — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 19:07:15 +0000

American population centers are nowhere near as densely populated as European and Asian ones. American cities are newer than them also and were designed with the automobile in mind.
Oh, and $21,000.00 for a two seater hatchback with a bad ride that goes 0-60 in 16.3 sec and has an ungoverned top speed of 80 m.p,h.? No thanks.

Source Top Gear magazine September 2005

“They are small and lightweight and cannot protect you as well as a larger car�?. “Fatalities are much higher with small, lightweight vehicles.”

Adrian Lund, of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

I downloaded a fifth gear crash test of the smart and even though the passenger cell was unaltered the amount of g forces that the passengers would experience would be fatal. The more metal you have between you and the object you encounter the more g’s will be absorbed.

By: ss

ss — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 19:04:22 +0000

for someone who just needs to move themself and maybe a friend this is the perfect car. I think this car is going to actaully turn into a fashion statment int he citys. you will see alot of these parked infront of fancy stores.

By: frits(holland)

frits(holland) — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 19:02:11 +0000

put them in the u.s. and get them out of europe
people must drive a spyker from holland!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Toy Yoda

Toy Yoda — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 18:30:35 +0000

“These make no sense in the U.S. unless you live in the middle of NYC.”

When you consider that 1/2 the US population lives in cities, the car starts to make sense, if not completely. I think it’s great that they are coming to the States. Plus they get alot better than 18mpg. They get about 44 in the city, and about 64 on the highway.

If you hate SUVs another reason to hope for the SMART car’s success is that if it does become popular in the States, look to see SUV liability insurance to increase.

By: Jerry Mahoney

Jerry Mahoney — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 18:19:45 +0000

Any chance of getting the smart forfour? Or is that one permanently retired? I”d go for a forfour in a sec.

By: M

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 18:16:25 +0000

Not the sportiest car but it is fuel efficient and probably will sell, good economical transportation for basic to and from work driving and such.

By: 2006300C

2006300C — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 18:16:25 +0000

Did you not see that I wrote low to mid 20′s? I would NOT be embarrassed to drive an Acura TSX, Impala SS, Crossfire, MX-5, Civic Si, Solstice, Scion TC, SRT-4, Cobalt SS, Audi TT, BMW Z4, S2000, G35, Mazda3 or MINI cooper s and a couple others that I cannot recall at the moment BUT, in an all urban or suburban environment, even if you shut it off at long lights or drove as if there was a landmine under the throttle, you would struggle to get higher than the high teens to mid 20′s. In addition all those cars offer more equipment, power, room, cargo capacity and style than this overpriced oddity.

By: British_Rover

British_Rover — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 18:15:43 +0000

They are already in the US. Someone is importing them because a dealership in Vermont is selling them. One of my clients bought one the same day he bought a Rover from me.

By: stuart

stuart — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 18:12:08 +0000

This is a Mercedes-Benz just without the name. If you look at the engine it does have that name on there. Trust me I used to have one of these cars and they were spacious with even plenty of space free(I’m 6ft 4inch tall) compared to my other car the 3 series which my knee’s are always hitting the dash board. You can get about 70 – 80 mpg and around town and is a nippy little thing.

Someone I know is getting a conversion done on his car replacing the engine with a motor bike engine from a Honda 750cc. The 0-60 time should go down to around 3.5 and top speed to 130 which would be funny at traffic lights. Should make it a hit with the tuners

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 18:08:48 +0000

no, I am the know-it all…. the lowercase ‘M’ is an imposter.

If this site went by registration I would use mkbruin…

By: Tea DoubleYou Ay Tea

Tea DoubleYou Ay Tea — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 17:54:45 +0000

Which mike is which? mike or Mike or are they both just the same know-it-all?

By: Madcapp

Madcapp — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 17:54:22 +0000

I hope I don’t accidentally fall into one of these cars while hopping around on a pogo stick, I’d flip it over and kill everyone inside.

By: ss

ss — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 17:41:32 +0000

this will be the perfect car for some people. (obvioulsy not 2006300C as he is proud of 18mpg) but i think this will sell resonably well. i doubt they will sell in high volume. but its a good alternative for someone who just runs errands around town and has a 2nd vehicle for longer trips. There are plenty of cars that will return well over 18mpg that are the driver wouldnt be embarassed to drive. To make such a comment makes you look like a narrow minded fool. Your 300c is a nice car, but if it was perfect Chrysler wouldnt sell anyother cars. From what i can remember about these cars the interiors are very well apointed, as these really are just tiny Mercedes (not so far off from your 300c)

By: 2006300C

2006300C — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 17:30:00 +0000

These make no sense in the U.S. unless you live in the middle of NYC. Personally I would not sacrifice luxury, room, power, style or safety just to save a few dollars a month by driving this glorified golf cart. My living room on wheels gets 18 m.p.g in 100% urban driving and if you require any more than m.p.g in the low 20s for a non hybrid/diesel car than you should take the bus/train/bike/pogo stick because they would be more comfortable and far less embarrassing than being seen in this car.

By: tino

tino — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 17:25:47 +0000

spifffffffy!:

By: mike

mike — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 17:25:22 +0000

they need to make one in the shape of a viper or dodge ram..

By: greg

greg — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 17:18:43 +0000

Not again