They are great for cities.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I drove one briefly, and was a passenger in one a couple times... I don't think I could own one because of that transmission.

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

I've heard about the electric Smart, but read something about it being ridiculously espensive to lease or buy.

I never viewed the Smart as a status car and didn't know it was seen as such. Now knowing what it gets in mpg, it seems like an expensive toy.

Why are we not getting the higher mpg Euro Smarts? Is it an emissions thing? Wow, if the Euro Smarts can get 50+mpg for a non-hybrid, I'm interested. But I think I'd rather get a used 2nd gen Prius for a price of a used Smart.

I still think they're neat cars (don't care about image) and would buy one IF I had the money AND ONLY ih I can get the high mpg Euro version.

I agree with SwampYankee. If I wanted to pay that much for a new car, a Golf TDI would make much more sense.

I disagree with Hatterasguy. They are not a great in-city car at the price. If what you want is an in-city car with decent fuel economy, get an old VW beetle, an Isetta, or a 1960's 6 cylinder Mustang (my 1967 got better than 25 MPG). In five years, the cars I listed will have gone up in value, the Smart Car will have gone down. All get in the 25 to 40 MPG range.

I don't see the attraction.

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1983 300SD "Guderian"
1987 MR2
2015 Camry
2015 Chevy Spark
2006 Hyundai Tucson

The Smart cars are for the Yuppies. Even if they do have the MB Star on the front, they are not one of "US".

My 80 240D get 33+ on the highway, I see no reason that would benefit me to go into debt for one.
I see these thing fly past me when Iam doing 65mph and always wonder if the guy had to do some quick evasive maneuvers, how many times it would flip end over end?

Here is a good Top Gear You Tube Video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3bFhVvdlaI

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

European cities...

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Gimme two of those things......

Convertibles......

One for each foot.....

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

The European Smart might be getting better fuel mileage due to Imperial vs US gallon size/mpg.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Or cities in my area where the streets were laid out largely for horse and foot traffic.

I see Smart cars all the time, they are great in tight spots.

We have water mains around here older than the oldest building in AZ.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

We have a couple of them in our PU fleet of cars available for PM's to drive around campus. I always take one of them if available. Tiny size makes parking a snap, I also occasionally will drive on a sidewalk or squeeze through a spot a bigger car would not fit in.

They drive ok but not really fun. The automatic is a very wierd thing which takes a long pause between gears which could get you creamed in the right situation.

As for mileage they are not that great in US spec. Probably much better in the euro versions.

I wouldn't buy one for use here in the midwest. Perhaps in a city you could justify it.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Smart cars aren't..........

I would put it in the same class as the Ford Transit Connect minivan- you give up a lot for very little in return. If both were offered with diesels (which they are in other countries), you'ld at least be getting something back for your sacrifice.

The Smart dealer near me is no longer.

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'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

Guess you mean oldest European made building? There's some Pueblo stuff that predates Columbus.

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Greg Schwall

1983 300SD - 465,000 miles

MBUSA is now handling US sales and marketing, Penske is out.