Smart Car

[goodwood]

I was just online with a friend and we were (hypothetically) configuring our Smart Cars with options. Mine (Passion Cabriolet) ended up over $25K which is a bit much and I think defeats the purpose of an economy car.
I think they are neat little cars and perfect for sity driving and parking and would put the reverse idea into play of men driving large, souped up trucks with big tires to compensate for being hunge like a hamster. lol. A little undercomsation perhaps. What do you think of these cars? Would you buy one? www.smart.com smart USA - open your mind to the car that challenges the status quo

 

[B_NineInchCock_160IQ]

What do you think of these cars? Would you buy one?

fuck no.

 

[2322]

It's been my experience that the best city cars are fat GM sedans with V8 torque, American air conditioning systems, power steering, and an automatic transmission. Pop for the heavy-duty cooling and suspension and don't give a damn about what it looks like. A car like that will keep up in traffic, launch off the light, keep you cool in traffic, you won't go ballistic over fender benders, is easy to fix, you don't need to shift, holds a lot of stuff and people (the main reasons to have a car in the city), will swallow steel plates and potholes with ease, and nobody wants to steal it.

 

[sjprep06]

No, even if I wanted one. It would be far too impractical for me. I'm a big guy and I'm carrying a lot of stuff around. I need the space plus I want "pow-wah!"

The most surprising thing about Smart Fortwo is that they are really strong in a car crash due to their egg-like shape which was tested by Fifth Gear (another respected British car show)

 

[Mr. Snakey]

Its different. Thats for sure. Its not my type of car.

 

[Bbucko]

I'd love one. It would suit my lifestyle and sense of style. But I agree that $25,000 is way over the top. They shouldn't be over $10,000.

 

[D_Geffarde Phartsmeller]

I never thought they would be so expensive!!! I just assumed 15k max. For 25, you can get a Mini Cooper that's faster, has a better interior, bigger gas tank, and good gas mileage. The price has to go down for it to become a contender. Or I suppose if it got crrrrrrrrrazy mileage, something along the lines of 60 city, it might have a chance.

 

[viking1]

I'd love one. It would suit my lifestyle and sense of style. But I agree that $25,000 is way over the top. They shouldn't be over $10,000.

It's called pay now or pay later. All of this energy efficient stuff cost 3 times what it's worth, but costs less to operate. Conventional stuff costs less to buy, but more to operate. You can't get something for nothing. There is just no way to win.

 

[D_Geffarde Phartsmeller]

It's called pay now or pay later. All of this energy efficient stuff cost 3 times what it's worth, but costs less to operate. Conventional stuff costs less to buy, but more to operate. You can't get something for nothing. There is just no way to win.

How does this car cost less to operate? I gets 40 miles to the gallon (according to the site) which isn't better than various hybrids available, there's no way to no it's longterm costs yet because it hasn't been released and given it's specialized nature I'd be surprised if replacement parts didn't cost alot. I think it's price is largely derived from high manufacturing costs, all of which are an attempt to be as environmentally friendly as possible. THAT isn't cheap.

 

[aloopdoop]

Here in Europe mercedes has sold a lot of Smart cars, but for me they're too expensive for what you got. City cars should cost 10K euros, not a cent more, imho. If I wanna go easy in the city, I'd buy a Vespa

 

[viking1]

How does this car cost less to operate? I gets 40 miles to the gallon (according to the site) which isn't better than various hybrids available, there's no way to no it's longterm costs yet because it hasn't been released and given it's specialized nature I'd be surprised if replacement parts didn't cost alot. I think it's price is largely derived from high manufacturing costs, all of which are an attempt to be as environmentally friendly as possible. THAT isn't cheap.

In this case it really doesn't cost less to operate. I just meant in general.
Hybrids cost enough extra that the average driver won't get it back.
Energy efficient appliances, heating systems, etc, the same thing. Most people won't recover the cost in energy savings in the life span of the equipment. The same amount of money has to be circulated. Nobody is going to sell you something that saves you big money unless they charge you an extra big price to get back what you save. Capitalism doesn't work that way. The same way with the life span of equipment. You can buy 3 cheap lawnmowers, or 1 expensive one in the same time frame. The total cost will be about the same...

 

[dong20]

I had one for a while (the four door version). Round town they're perfectly fine, not that bad on a run but a bit noisy and you have to work at keeping the cruise.

I can vouch for their safety in a smash (not personally but that car). I was seriously impressed.

 

[B_Marius567]

I want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[B_Monster]

They are kind of cool looking especially for the city but, i have to have a souped up big wheeled truck for my business. I know its a gas hog but, it pays my bills.

 

[Principessa]

Way too small! I would not feel safe in something that looks like it was produced by Fisher Price. :tongue: I need a car or truck with weight to it, that won't get pushed around on the highway by 18 wheelers; and has room to haul stuff. I'm into antiqueing and many of my friends are artists. I miss my old 1994 Volvo 940 GL Turbo Wagon. It was a 4 cylinder so mileage sucked, but it met all my physical requirements for a vehicle.

Also I'm at an age where I don't just want to get from point A to point B; I need to reach my destination without my back hurting or my long legs cramping up.:redface: