Mercedes Smart Car Reservation

[waybomb]

Well, I put down my 99 bucks to reserve a 2008 Mercedes Passion Smart Car. It will be red with a black accent and black interior.

Now I can go to bed at night feeling all warm and fuzzy inside that I am working hard to save the planet from the evils of driving high horsepower vehicles. So instead of three gallons a mile, I'll be getting 60 miles a gallon.

I'm wondering how soon H&R springs will be available?

Am I nuts or what? Actually, I think it will be the most practical thing I've done in a while. Well, maybe more than a while. Like maybe since 1955!

[Frank X. Morris]

Howdy Fred,
With the price of fuel that is a practical move. Just don't become a "bumper car". I would like to get one but then I would need 2 vehicles. Can't get 4 dogs in one of those things.

[Angel]

I've seen widely varying reports of the mileage they get. The last article (I forgot where) said plan on 31 to 45 mpg... (I remember, it was "Car and Driver"...bleh)

31 to 45mpg has to be **impossible** with a 1.0l 3cyl.

I'd rock one also, but have not the $12k (?) asking price.

I'd get on one harder if I could find more 3-lug wheels =) (C&D pic)

-John

[waybomb]

I think it is a 0.7 liter 65 hp engine.
I had a Nissan Sentra that got 42 mpg. That was in 89 or so. I don't think the mileage is too far off at 50-60mpg.

As for Car and Driver - what a bunch of dribble in that rag.

The pure is 12k.
Passion is 14k.
Cabrio is 17k.

I know I should wait a year or so, but my wife fell in love with one we saw at a Bentley dealer, and they are in service in Europe.

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by waybomb

I'm wondering how soon H&R springs will be available?

Believe it or not, these cars have been brought in and modified.

I saw one of the Brabus Smart cars in Newport Beach at their HQ many years ago.

http://www.cecwheels.com/tuners/tuners.sd?iid=15

Don't laugh, they really had them. They still might.

[Palangi]

I drove by a lot today where there were about 10 Smarts. Vacant lot next to a Hundai dealer. Will see what develops there in the next few days.

[Kuan]

Where do I reserve one?

[kerry]

They've been selling them in Colorado for a while. I think ForcedInduction may have driven one. He didn't like it.

[AustinsCE]

Must suck for all the people that got the imported ones for like 25K

[Kuan]

Originally Posted by AustinsCE

Must suck for all the people that got the imported ones for like 25K

What did Europa sell the G for? Over 100k?

[TheDon]

soon as they launch Im going to go test one out and decide if I want to finace one while the benz is restored or something..

[WVOtoGO]

Some lady around here has one. We see her about once a week driving around town. The kids think it’s cute. I figure it would make a great little “to the store” runabout. I don’t think I’d want to be hit by anything bigger than a motorcycle in one though.

Did you see what Consumer Reports said about them? Ouch.....
(Like they had anything else to compare it to.)

[iwrock]

Originally Posted by Kuan

What did Europa sell the G for? Over 100k?

125k for a new G.



Anyways, we reserved a CABRIO!!! Black to match the others... And, we already contacted Brabus to see if we can get the Brabus wheels and body kit!


Its gone be one cool little car.... The justification is that my dad wants to be more green friendly. He can't do that with the cars we got now, so he needed to add a "green" car.

Should be cool to drive tho!

[Zerohour3k]

I dunno if I'd want one, personally. I mean, the car apparently gets great mileage, but I really wouldn't feel safe at all, in it. The thing I like about my W123 and most older cars, is that I have a nice couple of feet in front of me before the bumper. The smart cars may be a great design for same-level impacts, but I'd hate to see one of those things slam into the back of a pickup truck or van.

Want to see my point? This picture is VERY NSFW (due to gore), so don't go clicking it until you get home / have a strong stomach. It's a smart car that got slammed by a semi. Granted, not many cars would survive an impact by a semi, but still, it doesn't make me feel any more comfortable with buying one.

http://www.ehowa.com/features/smartcarvssemi.shtml
Once again, NSFW!

[thorsen]

Would you feel safer in say, an F150?

http://www.bridger.us/2002/12/16/CrashTestingMINICooperVsFordF150