Smart Cars in USA

[smd]

Soon to have the car thats seen all over Europe! Once again Daimler Chrysler is leading the pack by importing their Smart Car into the USA. The 3 cylinder diesel (M-Benz)has a turbocharger 4 valve CDI common rail fuel system that sips fuel at best. I had a kick driving a two seater in Italy. Here now in Reno, Sprads RV will be the dealer in town. Price range $7,000 to $18,000 euro. Rear engine mount good traction, remember Europe has snow too! Sure to be a hit with students.

 

[Forrest]

No kidding? Oo. I saw one parked like it was coming out of one of their toy hauler RVs. :-laf



IMO, they'd probably blow in the deep white stuff.



Saw a few over in Taipei. This guy opened the rear lid & flipped up the inner engine cover. Little bitty motor back there.

 

[Dual EE]

I saw a lot of them this last summer while in Germany. A cool little car, but I hate to get into an accident while in one.

 

[lil red cummins]

saw these smart cars all over salzburg austria 3 years ago. they are definately cute, but i sure wouldn't want to get hit in one of these by my truck.



jim

 

[Forrest]

Yea, you're right, but hey, look @ it this way ... If you were headin up to PDR for a few days of work on your truck, you could get out the motorcycle ramps, run it up in the back of your truck & have something to buzz around Canada with.

 

[Forrest]

Yea, you're right, but hey, look @ it this way ... If you were headin up to PDR for a few days of work on your truck, you could get out the motorcycle ramps, run it up in the back of your truck & have something to buzz around Canada in.

 

[rbattelle]

I hadn't heard that DC decided for sure to bring Smart to the US. They are in the midst of a major restructuring, as they were operating at a loss for the last couple years. In fact, Mercedes was going to just shut them down, but later decided to try for a rescue operation instead.



About a year ago they were definetly going to bring them to the US. Then about 10 months ago they said "nope, nevermind; too hard to get safety certified and we have no money". Then they said "we're re-evaluating". That's the last I heard of it, other than all the news about the restructuring in an effort to make Smart turn a profit.



When did they annouce they're bringing them here for sure?



-Ryan

 

[TboneMan]

Frankly, I'd rather have one of these then a hybrid anyday! (Saw them in Europe this summer)



Let's see,

Smart Car - 50-60 mpg, "relatively" simple vehicle, standard maintenance.

Hybrid - 40 mpg (only if you do city driving, highway is the same as any ol' gasser) complex systems, replace batteries $$$$.



Throw some biodiesel into the formula and the US government should be giving us tax breaks to buy these things. Heck two of these things would fit in my garage in the space that my truck takes up.



Of course I'd keep my truck for "heavy" duty driving (snow, towing, long distance travel).

 

[klenger]

I wonder how much they cost. Can't be any more dangerous than a bicycle or motorcycle, or walking for that matter.

 

[TboneMan]

You should see how Italians drive these things around Rome. I don't thinik they are too worried about the safety aspect.

 

[Hohn]

No kidding. The Italians are worse than those Thai men with their little tuk-tuks.

jh