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The SMART Is Cute But Will Have Lasting Power?
IF Smart USA, distributor of the Smart microcar, could get every person who shouted, whooped, ran into the street, stopped traffic and corralled me for a chat to actually buy a Fortwo like the one I drove around Los Angeles, Daimler’s factory in France would have to run 24/7.

There is no great secret to the car’s appeal: the Smart Fortwo may be the cutest and most unusual-looking production vehicle to arrive in this country since BMW’s front-loading Isetta 300 of the 1950s.

To see if the Smart was more than a fashion statement — the charm of its shape and colors draws admirers as if it were the latest gadget from Apple — I drove the company’s better-equipped model, the Passion, for two weeks, scooting around the San Fernando Valley suburbs and across the freeways to Venice, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.

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The SMART Is Cute But Will Have Lasting Power?



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LexusKindaGuy12LexusKindaGuy12 - 5/12/2008 3:47:38 PM
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i saw 3 yesterday in san francisco...im pretty impressed by the sales. however, it looks seriously unsafe on the highway, i dont care what anybody says about the roll cage. One hit by a Chevy Suburban and your so dead.

Anyways, i digress, i think people will by these as along as gas prices stay north of $4

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bayareaspeedracerbayareaspeedracer - 5/12/2008 3:54:14 PM
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man, I hate that thing. I rode in one and just knew I was going to die. And, I felt like a huge douche. Seriously.

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ChipChip - 5/12/2008 8:43:36 PM
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This car doesn't offer the mileage one would expect upon first glance. Not to mention the car is worse than girly or even ugly....it's dorky. I honestly would rather have a Honda Fit or Toyota Prius than this little toy.


tattedtwicetattedtwice - 5/12/2008 3:57:41 PM
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There is nada cute about the smart. It's a novelty that doesnt deliver [its gas mileage sucks for its size and weight] on anything other than being unique. If it came down to this or a mountain bike, I'd pick the bike over this thing.

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DexDiamondsDexDiamonds - 5/12/2008 3:59:55 PM
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Speaking of crashing, I almost did just that when I saw one the other day pay in front of a Lincoln Town Car. I couldn't believe the contrast. The Smart had to be about 35-40% the length of the Lincoln.

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BillBill - 5/12/2008 4:06:48 PM
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I see these things as becoming "Cult" here soon enough. These little cars have charm and owners love him. I personally know two Smart owners and they just seem to love everything about it.

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pcar4evrpcar4evr - 5/12/2008 4:09:02 PM
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I predict the Smart will be here for about 3 years and gone. They brag about the safety cage - it is as flimsy as chit. they talk about the engine dropping down if you're rear ended, but what about that 8 gallon gas tank. They brag that the wheels are designed to take a side impact - physics boys, <1 ton doesn't stand up to 2+tons. back to Europe fast, please

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dbtkdbtk - 5/12/2008 4:20:15 PM
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Nothing special. I don't think I can hold my breath long enough for it to hit 60 mph.

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dbtkdbtk - 5/12/2008 4:21:09 PM
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And I can do a mile in less than 6 1/2 minutes.

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mercuryguymercuryguy - 5/12/2008 4:39:38 PM
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Every time I see accidents with small cars, there is nothing left, but mangled wreckage. I always see the fire departments putting tarps over the wrecked car, because the occupants sadly, didn't survive.

These cars just won’t protect you in an accident, and there are a lot of accidents these days with road rage.

I saw an accident 2 nights ago, a Chevy Cobalt rear-ended and destroyed! Wreckage all over both sides of a 4 lane road.


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0to600to60 - 5/12/2008 9:54:48 PM
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your safe in your lincoln towncar! I think the world would be safer if old ppl would opt for smaller more managable cars. Why do old ppl like to drive the largest car in the world in the fast lane going 30 miles under the speed limit?


SteveSteve - 5/15/2008 11:28:53 PM
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FUI, independent crash tests show a Smart protects occupants to the same degree as a Mercedes E class. Do your own research before you conclude that I'm lying to you. Mind you, when you crash a Smart, the $18K car is a write-off.


jt716jt716 - 5/12/2008 5:03:17 PMView My AgentSpace
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The US should follow Europe and downsize from huge vehicles and I guess the smart is a start

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chuck2oonzchuck2oonz - 5/12/2008 5:06:06 PM
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the problem is that the smart car is really dangerous while the rest of us are driving around in giant tanks, threatening to crush anyone driving a small car. It's sort of a prisoner's dilemma - we'd all be better off if everyone drove small cars, but we're not better off if we switch and others don't...

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_43LE_43LE - 5/12/2008 5:20:32 PM
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This Mercedes is neither smart nor cute.

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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/12/2008 5:35:38 PMView My AgentSpace
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I've grown to like it after seeing three in the last two days. I think it'll stick.

However, I think it would make much more sense for the US market if it was stretched about a foot to accommodate rear seats.

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SteveSteve - 5/16/2008 9:45:06 AM
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See the Smart For Four.


SteedPubSteedPub - 5/12/2008 5:43:21 PM
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It will have lasting power if:

1) It gets better gas mileage than many regular small cars, which is does not.

2) Dealers will get to a point where they have some for sale, as opposed to a waiting list that you never get off of.

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BMW995BMW995 - 5/12/2008 5:50:18 PM
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What a gimmick!
Low 30s mpg is a disgrace for a car this size. It should be getting 50 to 60 mpg.
A Jetta diesel or upcoming Honda diesel will go much further on a gallon and be a hell-of-a-lot better vehicle.

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RupertRupert - 5/12/2008 6:05:58 PMView My AgentSpace
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The Smart makes little sense for America, where the roads are wide and parking is easy.

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Bmw8terBmw8ter - 5/13/2008 7:40:52 AM
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.....and the commutes are long.


SteveSteve - 5/15/2008 11:30:29 PM
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And gas is cheap.


speedmasterspeedmaster - 5/12/2008 6:19:31 PMView My AgentSpace
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I owned one for 2 months, so I can comment (see my agent website).

1) I got 47 mpg. Many others did too.

You have to remember, it uses the 2008 EPA rating which is lowers everyone.
No other non-hybrid gets the same fuel economy. Fact. No fit, yaris, versa matches it.
Fact. See US govt, EPA website, fueleconomy.gov

2) It is extremely safe. A few have been in accidents and the pictures are floating on the web.
They've hit SUVs like the new ML350s, large pick up trucks and they were unscathed. The other cars didn't do so well.
The design is a like a rollcage. It defies your perception of small being unsafe. When I saw it hit a Nissan truck and the truck was salvaged, I was colored impressed.
When it rolled a brand new Mercedes ML, call me impressed again. Again, these are real world accidents (not some test stage).

3) This car turns heads but I can see it becoming tired within 3 years.

4) I sold my car for several thousand dollars in profit to a lady with a Cayenne Turbo.

5) Parking is unbelievable in San Francisco. There are many 8 foot long spots and it saved people 45 minutes looking for a parking spot. No other cars fit in those spots.

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mercuryguymercuryguy - 5/12/2008 6:25:35 PM
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Americans share roads with large Double Trailer Diesel Rigs.
Also, American use cars for business. Try fitting 4 Business execs into this thing.

Also, Americans use their cars to remodel their houses, tow their boats, and pack and travel for a vacation.

It is a lot cheaper to pack a big cooler than to dine out and buy snak items at gas stations. This is where a big trunk is worth the price of gold. You can cut the price of your vacation by bringing your own.


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EL34EL34 - 5/12/2008 10:24:50 PM
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I hear it's a very safe car like the LS :-/

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_43LE_43LE - 5/13/2008 9:26:59 AM
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Don't you mean its stablemate the S-class?


pchera01pchera01 - 5/13/2008 11:24:52 AM
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Typo error


CarboyCarboy - 5/13/2008 4:40:18 PMView My AgentSpace
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I've seen two of those on the road. I heard they are safe and practical.

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SteveSteve - 5/15/2008 11:25:32 PM
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Who care? And what does "lasting power mean", fercrissakes? Get what you want. Enjoy! Simple as that. If a Smart car works for you, all the power to ya!

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