Hi, I just spotted a SMART coupe today while I was on my way to Sears in Milwaukee, WI. I thought these cars will be introduce in the US by 2006. Never seen it before in real life and wow it is small. I would say it's half of the size of the mini.

 

Really? I thought that Merc decided not to bring the Smart car to the states after all...that and the fact that it wasn't going to be the "real" Smarts, just a larger version of the Plusfour. I'd drive one of their coupes or roadsters.

 

Love that roadster! Good thing for BMW those weren't available in the states when I was shopping for a MINI!



(I wonder how they drive? Sure looks like fun!)

 

I just did some research and found that a company called Zap have invested $1 billion on Smart cars with DaimlerChrysler. First Smart was delivered to Reno on May 19 and at a modest price at $30,000.

 

i met one on the highway a couple weeks back and we just happened to get off tat the same exit, we had a brief conversation and he said it was a 700cc motor that was turbocharged, he also said he imported it from europe, that things is awesome looking, it was the roadster pictured above, oh btw that thing isnt necesarily slow, he passed me on the freeway and i was going 75 (posted limit is 70 on some roads here in michigan) sounded like he had fun in the car from the short conversation we had.

 

A fair number of SmartCars in Canada, but I haven't seen the roadster.

SmartCar in Vancouver, BC....

 

I drove a SMART Roadster in Mexico, where they're relatively abundant. Great looking car, but waaaay underpowered and overpriced.

 

Smarts are tubocharged 3 cylinders. The one problem I've heard is the slushbox transmission they have in it shifts pretty bad. Power really isn't much of a problem...other than our MCS, we drive a Honda Insight which is also 3 cylinder but the electric assist gives it low down torque for daily driving. The Smart would need to use the revs to get power.

 

they only sell the Smart fortwo here in canada. I see them every day. it's prety neat. makes the MINI look like a limo

 

I just sold my MCC Smart car yesterday because I couldn't bring it back to the states with out great expense to convert it to US specs. The car averaged around 55 mpg on the autobahn. The max speed I had it to was around 90mph. (Computer governed) With the price of petrol here in Germany, it made it affordable. Getting up to autobahn speeds was a little slow but worth it when I got the the petrol pump! Yes it was only a 3 cylinder, turbocharged engine made by Mercedes. The transmission is a soft-touch 6 speed automatic. When it shifts you feel as if you shifted a manual transmission, the throttle let up, gear changed, resumed throttle, all without lifting your foot from the pedal. Aren't computers great! Features such as radio, AC are options on the Smart. They are great to drive through the narrow streets and parking them is easy. You can actually back in between 2 cars without having the nose of the car into traffic. 2 Smart cars can park in 1 standard sized parking stall. The car was great! However, now I have my 2005 MCS and it is even better! Believe it or not.. the Smart has more head and leg room (in the front) than the MCS.

 

The SMARTcar will NOT be coming to America because of issues with the US dollar. Because of the weakness of the US dollar they would not be able to price it competitively.

Sorry, unless you're a Merc bigwig you ain't gettin one.

 

Not completely true. Zap out in Santa Rosa CA is importing and selling the cars in the US. It's not cheap, but they are available legally in the US. http://www.zapworld.com/cars/smartCar.asp

You're correct Daimler will not be launching a chain of Smart dealerships in the US, but regardless of that decision they are still available.