I've driven a Smart as well. They are neat cars and work very well in European cities with the narrow streets, small parking spaces, and overall tight quarters.

I would not pay more than $9K or so for one here Stateside though. The car would be of limited use, and for my $15K I'd want something like a Honda Fit - still economical but MUCH more practical for us Yanks.

That said, I can't see paying $15K for a new Honda Fit when I could have a really nice 1999 S320 for that much. :-)