OT, but any Canadians know if the small

[Bill H.]

car from MB called Smart is for sale there? If so, how much USD?
Thanks.

[shogun]

http://www.mysmart.at/stuff/carvoting/car_clevertrailer_gr.jpg
http://www.mysmart.at/stuff/carvoting/car_clevertrailer1_gr.jpg

:D :)

Yes, it is available there
http://www.thesmart.ca/index.cfm?ID=4720

[uscharalph]

Wow! ???

[Bill H.]

a REALLY COOL mobile ice cream shop on South Beach here in sunny South Florida!!! :D
Thanks again.

[western99]

the MB dealership up the road from me is selling them. They are asking about $23k + taxes (15%) or approx 18k-19k US to take one off their lot. Believe it or not, I believe they already have a waiting list for them.

Brian

[Bill R.]

has not been approved for US... would be very expensive to get federalized..
Zap is importing the gas engine ones and federalizing them... It took them a lot longer than they thought since it turned out to be a much bigger deal to get them to meet us specs..The prices looks to be almost as high as a mini by the time they get here Zaps link (http://www.zapworld.com/cars/smartCar.asp)








car from MB called Smart is for sale there? If so, how much USD?
Thanks.

[Dave M]

Have seen a few even in 'Balmy' Thunder Bay, ON. A small number are sitting at the dealership, so take your pick. Wouldn't want to clip a log haul truck in one of those beauties. Call me a chicken. Deisel 3/4 tons are considered economical transportation up here.

Dave M

[DanH]

I've seen those things in europe.

You won't catch me driving one of those cans anywhere it has the opportunity to go one-on-one with a hummer... I dont care how safe they claim it is, vs. another small car it would be ok, but nothing else.

Maybe, it'd be nice to put a mower under it to cut my lawn.

Also it the diesel version gets about the same mileage as the jetta tdi.

[Bill H.]

phone calls about that very question. :D

We don't call you "The Grand Master" for nothing!

Now, about that old question of mine...how difficult would in be to make the small block chevy V8 work in 530iA like mine or a 635 like your nephew?
Electronic nightmare unworthy of consideration?

Thanks again for all you do. Best of Health to you. Bill H.

[632 Regal]

all the electronics. replace the engine & trans and plug a hot lead to the coil and away you go.


phone calls about that very question. :D

We don't call you "The Grand Master" for nothing!

Now, about that old question of mine...how difficult would in be to make the small block chevy V8 work in 530iA like mine or a 635 like your nephew?
Electronic nightmare unworthy of consideration?

Thanks again for all you do. Best of Health to you. Bill H.

[Bill H.]

Thanks, Jeff...isn't the 5 speed automatic transmission from GM?

[BobHarris]

I've seen those things in europe.

You won't catch me driving one of those cans anywhere it has the opportunity to go one-on-one with a hummer... I dont care how safe they claim it is, vs. another small car it would be ok, but nothing else.

Maybe, it'd be nice to put a mower under it to cut my lawn.

Also it the diesel version gets about the same mileage as the jetta tdi.


One of the English TV programmes (it may have been Top Gear, I can't remember) crashed a Smart into a concrete wall at 70 mph and I was really surprised how well it stood up.

Obviously no one could survive the G forces involved in a crash like that but it does show how strongly made those little cars are.

[Qube]

It drives and handles quite nice for such a small car. If I HAD to get one, it would be convertible. Test drove one for an hour. They let you go out alone.

The 'auto' transmission feature on the 'semi-auto' REALLY... erm... SUCKS. It shifts like a 10 year old learning to drive stick. Didn't try the actual full auto package, but hopefully better.

Don't expect power though. Lots of sound, but no grunt off the line.

IMHO, wait for the four door version.

[shogun]

they even produce a special smaller (yes, smaller) version of the chassis so that it can get also a yellow licence plate like the jap. minicars. This has the advantage that the owner only has to pay an annual car tax of about 50 $. Smaller = fenders are a bit smaller as size must fit regulations.
I like the Roadster. In Germany it sells for about 15K EURO.
http://www.netmagazine.de/motor/mobiles2003/smart/road18030303.jpg
Here some more pics
http://www.netmagazine.de/motor/mobiles2003/smart/road18030301.html
But here in Japan it has to compete with the Daihatsu Copen. That thing is even better. And cheaper of course. Long waiting list for this car.
http://www.axesslove.com/copen/international/
http://www.daihatsu-copen.com/p_home.html
http://www.daihatsu-copen.com/

[rickm]

Someone around here (Asheville) has one or was in town with one. Tiny thing, not sure I'd want to drive that on some of the mountain roads around here, that would kill the gerbil, er motor.

[Bill H.]

:p

[Jason]

i live in NYC and i've seen a few driving around. I read about the launch a while back. no need to import.