could it be long before you see this at the nearest MB dealer in the US?



Actually according to the Smart web site it is coming to the US in 2006 but in unknown form. The specs on the Canadian one .8L 3 cyl diesel with 40 HP. It always amazes me when I see one on the highway here being driven at full thorttle (about 85mph).
The one pictured is kind of funny because the whole point of Smart was to be as small as possible two door two seater.

And you thought MB can't go down market.

 

Canadians seem to like these kind of cars, considering they sell the Echo hatchback there. However, I didn't see that many of them the last Christmas when I was in Toronto.

There are many factors that make these cars attractive, why in the world would GM make the Pontiac Wave and Suzuki Swift +, which are all based off the Chevy Aveo? I guess they figure ppl will buy those.

 

Man, with all our SUVs I would be scared of a suburban running me over and not noticing.

 

Not available yet. I spoke with the Transport Canada fuel-nazis at the TO autoshow (they had one on display) and they said the coupe and cabriolet are due in Oct, and there's already a waiting list. No word on the 4-door.

There was a red canister mounted under the drivers seat and I asked "what the hell is that - nitrous?" Just a fire extinguisher

 

Just wait till gasoline soars this summer - diesels and other assorted fuel efficient vehicles will rise again. They are talking mid- to high 80s per litre of regular unleaded by summer. Price here yesterday was 64 cents, then went up to 79 today. For our US based friends, this price change corresponds with ~60 cents per gallon overnight. The gas oligopoly sucks shi_.

 

The aforementioned fuel-nazis also had a Audi A3 TDI which did real-world 99.1 mpg from TO to Vancouver. Diesel's not much cheaper, but with that sort of mileage, it would be a lot cheaper to run.

Gas is still cheap in certain spots, 57.5 in Mississauga, as of Wed, 11:14pm.

http://torontogasprices.com/

 

A somewhat recent study suggests that gas prices in the US would have to be above $3 a gallon for a long time before people will start to change their car purchsing habits with milage in mind.

 

well i still like the smart coupe better,..
i look into it when it still is a concept, and got brochure mail from germany.

 

Up here in Toronto, you will now see Echo hatchbacks. I believe they are selling quite well. The other car you will see lots of is the new Mazda 3 hatchback. We still like hatchbacks up here in Canada.

 

We are looking to eventually buy a Smart for the wifey and her local displacements. I am very attracted to the 90 sopmething mpg it is rated for. Top speed of 120kph is not an issue either.

I remember we were amazed when we sat in this car during one trip we made to Europe. We were drooling, now it is really exciting to know it's arriving here.

However, two questions, that maybe biker can answer: I am not concerned with the crash safety, and try to be reassured about the handling of the car in winter conditions, but most everyone here in Quebec seem to think this car will be an ass to drive in winter. How does it perform in winter, in your alpine roads, do you know?

Also, are we looking at the same MB unreliability problems as we have been used to with the upscale models?

BTW, in case you didn't know, the Echo Hatcback is also known as the Yaris in Europe. Beautiful little car...

 

Like with any car, this car's winter handling will depend on the kind of tires that are on it. I haven't driven one but I assume it's no worse than some of the other short hatchbacks.

Most of the reliability problems in the "regular" MB cars are not drivetrain related but rather all the other stuff in the car. There's not much "other stuff" in this car. It's very basic transportation. Most of them are not in private hands (at least in Switzerland they are not) but rather most are the "office" vehicle.

The Yaris is Europe's answer to the Corolla - and you see them everywhere. The factory is somewhere in France.

 

Yep, electronic, and electrical problems plague MB. And they are not omni-present in the Smart. I'd love to buy!

Thanks.

 

Yeah, I hate when that happens. One moment of inattentiveness last week and <whump> - ran right over an Echo. I think it dented my muffler. Bummer.

But you make a good point - with so many large vechicles on the road now, I'd personally not want to own or drive a car any smaller than the TSX. Not worth the risk, IMO. "Mass will save your ass".