I like them and plan to get one for my business. What do you guys think of them?

http://www.zapworld.com/about/news/news_smartepa.asp

I like the Brabus but it probably costs more than a JCW Cooper S.

http://www.brabus-online.de/prog00e.htm

 

I like them, but unless you use a specialized importer, you'll have to wait for the ForTwo. The ForFour will be the first released in the US.

 

I plan on driving my MCS until the Smart Roadster becomes available:

 

The roadster does look mighty nice. The problem is that even with the Barabus tuned engine, it only puts down 101bhp. That's rather scant compared to the MCS, don't you think?

 

How much are they going to sell for here in CA? A co-worker of mine has pre-ordered one, he says.

 

101bhp is a hell of a lot of power for a car as light as the SMART

 

Do you know what it weighs? I think Americans tend to forget there are two ways to win the lb/hp battle. (Look at the Lotus Elise!)

I have to say, I was shocked when I found out how much an MCS weighs! I seem to recall my Spitfire weighed less than 1650 pounds. What did it have? 68hp, something like that? Plenty of fun! (I used to joke that I could drive the hell out of it all day and never break a speed limit.)

 

I just look at my '68 Mini Cooper which had a whopping 60 bhp and ran well. It now has about 100 bhp and will absolutely run circles around my '04 Cooper S in the fun areas, such as twisties, the track, and autocross. Freeway and long straights are however another story.

 

You said it!

 

You can get one of 3 versions of the ForTwo, I do believe. A 60hp version will rocket you from 0-60 in 16.8secs!!! But apparently it doesn't feel that slow. But even with only a 3cyl turbo diesel @60hp, it only weighs like 1600lbs. So it's pretty much like a classic Mini with pretty much the same weight and power.
Cheers,

 

The smart fortwo has been legalized for the US by ZAP (www.zapworld.com).
They have their first one on sale at eBay at http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
It's already over $26,000.

Soon they will be sold through ZAP dealers around the US.

James