Smart Passes MINI

[driverphil]

So, we're heading back to Tucson on I-10 yesterday after Dim Sum with family in Chandler.

In the 55mph construction zone we're doing a conservative 65 when a brand-new red SmartForTwo goes flying past us!

WOW! We didn't know they could go that fast.

[Carey934]

Smart's top speed is 90mph.

[th3118]

I had to do 100 mph to pass one on the way to Payson. They go down hill real good, but have problems going up.

[UKSUV]

Smart's top speed is 90mph.

Well what Spec are we talking about....lol. I was on the Autostrada in Italy doing about 140 mph (BMW)...not kph...and one flashed me to get over and putted by me...

[Carey934]

Well, given that the original poster says they were on I-10, and as far as I know, I-10 is in the USA, one could safely assume they are referring to a USA-spec Smart Fortwo, that went on sale a couple of months ago for the first time in the USA. While the Smart series of cars have been around for 10 years in Europe, most people in the USA have never seen one before but will soon be seeing them all over our country.

The specs of the Smart cars bound for the USA are:

8.8 x 5.1 x 5.1 feet (two can fit side-by-side in one average USA freeway lane).

Four airbags, stability control, with an average 1700 pound weight and sporting a 71-hp three-cylinder engine and five-speed sequential gearbox laid sideways with a top speed of 90 mph; figure a 300-350 mile range from the 8.7-gallon tank.

Hope that clears up any further confusion...

[jax archillies]

but i get 355 to 390 out of my 11 gallon tank. is it THAT much of a trade off? i paid abtou the same as one of those new.

[Carey934]

but i get 355 to 390 out of my 11 gallon tank. is it THAT much of a trade off? i paid abtou the same as one of those new.

In my opinion, the Smart is a rip-off. If you want power windows, power locks and A/C, expect to pay $15,000. And the build quality is like going back in time 20 years.

I'd spend the same money and get a Yaris or a Fit, which offer similar mileage, more seats, more storage room, more dealers to take it to for service, known reliability ratings and superior build-quality (and more HP for a four-cylinder engine, and a MUCH better transmission than that POS they are putting in the Smart).

For a bit more money, you can get a Mini, which offers mileage in the low 30s, but will be about $5k more, but it also fun to drive and doesn't blend-in to traffic like these others.

[jax archillies]

i paid under 15k for mine!

[Carey934]

i paid under 15k for mine!

Yes, you can buy a used car, but my reference above was comparing new car prices to other new car prices and what you get for the money.

But you raise another good point and that is your MINI will hold its resale value much better than the Honda, Toyota or Smart I mentioned above. So, if you have plans on replacing the car in a few years, the MINI is the better choice.

[UKSUV]

Fortwo, that went on sale a couple of months ago for the first time in the USA.

ACTUALLY, they have been selling the smart car in the States since 2006 under Mercedes. Now, they are officially under D-C....or whatever....

[jax archillies]

wait. they're still sellign them at merc dealers. theres on in chandler, no?

and previously to that i thought they were grey marketed by ZAP

[Carey934]

Yes, you can bring practically any car over from Europe and have it retrofitted to meet USA DOT safety specs. It only doubles the price of the car. So, while you could get a Smart in 2006, it would have set you back a minimum of $30k.

Just as the MINI is only sold at select BMW dealerships, the same is true for the Smart only with Mercedes dealer. The Merc dealer in Chandler is the chosen one for the entire state of AZ. Send your thank you letters and post cards to Roger Penske.

[jax archillies]

you can get MINIs at BMW? i thougth ti was only at MINI dealers? new ones anyway....

[Carey934]

Select BMW dealers are offered MINI dealerships. There is only one MINI dealer in AZ, and that's North Scottsdale MINI. You get there by entering North Scottsdale BMW and taking the elevator to the second floor...

[jax archillies]

yeah i thought it was wierd when i went there and mini didint have its own dealership liek in the hamptons or escondido