SPUDMTN

Well, they'd been on the list for over a year. After a trip to Germany, both my dad and my mom fell in love with the super mini and as soon as they found out they were coming to the states, they got their name on the list. After the long wait, they finally picked it up today.

Here are some pics--I have yet to see it in person (but drove one on their US tour). As dorky as it is, I'm sure it'll be a fun grocery-getter.

2008 Smart fortwo passion cabriolet
Red metallic w/ black tridion safety cell
Black leather

• Comfort package (heated leather seats, electric power steering, rain sensing windshield wipers, light sensor, auto-off headlamps w/ exit delay)
• Fog lamps
• Analog clock & rev counter
• Anti-theft alarm system
• Clear bra

(Every option available)

dnd2984

iTrader: (6)

The dog is saying WTF.....

Not bad I seen a couple around town. What is the cost on one of these. Looks alot better than a Toyo Yaris

TypeSAddict

$12.95

LuvMyTSX

Wow, that's funny. I just saw one yesterday in the parking lot when I came out of the bank. It totally caught me off guard. I took a cell phone pic of it. It looked so funny in the parking space....it hardly took up any space at all.

S14 n Tsx

I would be scared to drive one of those...

phil2

Makes my elise look like a deville.

nokiaman

Congrats! We've had them in Canada for a while already...

GreenMonster

Sweet !! I love mini/micro cars...

The Passion model starts at 13.5K:

http://www.smartusa.com/smart-fortwo-passion.aspx

Fibonacci

He's getting ready to pissonit.


I'd take an '09 Fit over that buzzy thing all teh mofo day long.

SPUDMTN

$18,700 + tax, title, registration (like I said--it's a fully loaded cab)

Will Y.

I saw one of those directly behind me last Friday- I thought it was a trike at first.

I like the concept, and wouldn't mind having something like the Smart if it was a little faster- like a Mini. i also thought about getting one as a runabout for commuting to work, but an additional car doesn't make any financial sense for me given that I drive about 10K a year, if that.

Ruserious

iTrader: (2)

Wow those look pretty cool.

Those are def head turners!

Nice pick up for your parents..!!!

S14 n Tsx

$18k? holy snap...

Ken1997TL

Fit makes the Smart look, well not so smart

SPUDMTN

Meh. The Smart was bought as a toy.

If they wanted a sensible, roomy econobox, the Fit would have been at the top of the list. They didn't. They wanted this two-seater rollerskate on steroids.

phile

Didnt really need to see your dog's asshole, but thanks anyway

Fibonacci

He was merely voicing his opinion.

Mokos23

hmm that's too expensive for a really really small car. for myself if i wanted the smart, i'd just get the 11,000 one because i would really use it for weekend or if needed to park in the city.

zeroday

cab huh...the opening is smaller than my sun roof. 18k is too much for this. If they were 7k i'd consider it so long as i had a good disguise to wear while driving it.

zeroday

where would the groceries go?

keg1997

Good for them. I hope that they enjoy it

Personally though, there would be many other vehicles I would get instead of this. If I really wanted a lil cabrio, I'd grab a Mini convert. Otherwise a Fit would fit the bill. I've just read reviews for the Smart and they all note that the car is slow and gas mileage is nothing to write about. I'm not feeling it, but it will be interesting to see how the US market reacts to this.

Still though...different strokes for different folks. I'd love to see interior pics

zeroday

What specifically are the advantages of this car being so small?

Mokos23

i like it, but i'll wait until the hype goes down, they give a better warranty, 2 yrs/24K miles is a joke, and the first year kinks are worked out for the US market.

SPUDMTN

I hear ya. It's polarizing and does not pose an extremely convincing argument on paper here in the states unless you live in a downtown area. There's no way in hell I'd buy one for myself.

With that said, it's got some character. A neighbor sent an email to the effect: "keep your kids and pets indoors, load your shotgun, and close the curtains--there's an ugly THING in the neighborhood!" But that's the appeal, I suppose. It's ridiculously small and strange. The WTF effect.

Regarding how the market is reacting: the year long wait tells something about it. Demand is greatly exceeding supply; I remember reading an article about this. Who knows how long it'll last. The mileage is decent enough that it probably will do well these next few years, with gas prices continually on the rise. Check out www.smart.de to see what other engines they put in this thing, as I am guessing we'll see different engine options down the road.

Conversation starter? The ability to park perpendicular in a parallel spot? Leaning towards the former. Makes a lot of sense in European countries (narrow streets, downtown areas, etc.)

Good idea. They placed their names on the reservation list back in March of 2007; it arrived on Tuesday of this past week. The build and delivery process left much to be desired, as well. Penske, the distributor here in the states, can only give estimates as to when your car is built, and provides a 90-day time slot of when your specific car should theoretically arrive. Then, the dealer calls you a matter of days before the car is supposed to arrive. My understanding is that the dealer (and Smart USA/Penske, for that matter) knows when your car will arrive once it is on the boat and on the way to the states, if not later. They need to figure out a system to let their resevation holders know when their build date will be and the approximate arrival. The dealer was great--corporate needs to figure things out, though.

Mokos23

wait, did your folks get an extended warranty? yes, i think it takes awhile cause the smart car is built in France.

SPUDMTN

Did not get an extended warranty. I'm not sure how long they plan on keeping it (might not be worth it). The car is mechanically pretty simple, so I don't expect too much trouble--though MB + French build sure isn't confidence inspiring

Mokos23

well yeah the French build Peugeot cars

nah, i think it's fine. i'm just waiting for them to give a better warranty like a mercedes warranty, ahem... are you listening mercedes?

eclipse23

The dog is looking at it like 'this is small like me........is this my car?'

Mokos23

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Are we really that bad off?

VoLLy

iTrader: (8)

Nice rims.

Street Spirit

I have family in the States. One of them travels a lot and fell in love with the Smart while visiting Italy a lot many, many years ago. He checked them out a few years ago while he was visiting here in and was hoping they'd eventually become available in the States so he could get one. He was set to order one as soon as they were available in the U.S., until he learned that they were actually manufactured by Mitsubishi (I think) there, and not Mercedes, like they are in Canada.....so he ended up deciding not to get one at all.

On a side note, I'd be terrified of being blown over by a truck passing me on the highway. All kidding aside, I've seen them around here for many years on busy roads and highways, and they seem to do just fine.

pttl

and

Mokos23

hey spudmtn, how many other cars do your folks drive and where do they park the smart car? in the patio?

is300eater

I saw quite a few in Vancouver....

I guess no trips to Costco with one of these, huh?

what's 0-60?

TommySalami

Now put a turbo hayabusa engine in it

SPUDMTN

Ha. Parents drive one other vehicle in addition to this right now. The plan is to get another car probably this summer or fall (Lexus GS AWD was the thought--parents are fickle, however); each car has its own garage stall (three car garage).

Costco

big mother f'in

6th gear burnouts FTW!!!!!!

charliemike

We're getting soaked on them ... Even with the Euro conversion the Brabus Smart in Europe (minus their horrific "value" added taxes) is less than that Passion his parents bought ... Which isn't their fault of course

charliemike

Perpendicular parking