How do I buy one? And which one should I get?

Posted by Andrea on June 18, 2008 at 12:15pm in Support/Questions & Answers

I want to buy a SmartCar but don't know how. Seems there is a wait and prices aren't what is on the websites?? Which one gets the best mpg? Looks like it ranged between 38 and 60 mpg. Any help would be great.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Daniel Coté on June 20, 2008 at 5:25pm: What are "Japanese Eyes"?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by geosynch on June 20, 2008 at 6:06pm: Almond shaped. Take a look at your smart face on and give it a bow.

geosynch; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Stuart Berman on June 19, 2008 at 12:50am: The price is on the website - go to smartusa.com and click on the "build Your ForTwo" picture. All of the options get revealed with costs and it is fun! Then you can reserve one for $99!

Basic differences:
Pure - no air conditioning, radio and roof is opaque, wheels are pressed steel
Passion - transparent roof, A/C basic radio, alloy wheels
Cabrio - soft top and premium radio

A friend order the Passion then tired of waiting picked up an Orphan Cabrio which she fell in love with. Now her husband is waiting to take delivery on the Passion (in about a year).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bruce Fromoz on June 19, 2008 at 1:00am: HOT BABES NEED CABRIOS.
(Most of the options are standard); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bruce Fromoz on June 19, 2008 at 1:22am: All that being said, go back to the top, see what Daniel and geosync said, and we'll see you out there in the sea of Prius'.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by mr bad example on June 19, 2008 at 10:28pm: i say "prius" and i have to wash my mouth out with 10-12 beers, i see 'em everyday! that is like the blandest vehicle. i was driving home from work today and noticed 2 people with cell phones videoing/taking pics of me as i went home. easy to spot, i'm in the right lane they're in the left, and not passing me, the hand with the phone out the window is a clue :-P

i got an e-mail today from smart that they have now delivered almost 10,000 smarts to the USA. i have seen 4 other smarts in the last 5 months in northern illinois, i saw one yesterday, a blue one in bloomingdale,.il at about 7:45am, i tooted, they waved! smarties are now on the "look out" for eachother! (10,000 divided by 70 is 142 smarts per dealer, if all things are equal, in the last 5 months) so it looks like smart is trying for 25,000 units a year for the USA.

i like being a "rock star", just wish i could get a commission!!!! in my first week at my new job i spent over an hour talking about my smart!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bruce Fromoz on June 19, 2008 at 10:58pm: The Prius is as common as houseflies here, and has become the "it" car for Hollywood. Toyota pumped them out like cowpoo, and sold a zillion, and became the brand for hybrids. How many times (a day) has someone pointed at your smart and asked "Is it a hybrid?' There's a marketing principal being overlooked here. Hello?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by geosynch on June 19, 2008 at 11:39pm: Sorry. My zip code is Prius heaven, not yours. There are three count 'em three houses on my street with two Priuses in the driveway. Then there is an additional 5 houses with one hybrid (not all Priuses, though). There are also three houses with electric cars (one is a Tesla).

But only one smart. I hope it stays that way.

geosynch; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bruce Fromoz on June 23, 2008 at 2:41am: http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=751&fArticleId=4...

And while we are up, why do a half-assed job of marketing to the states? We could use alternative power plants here as well. In other words, why be a fluke with quirks, when you could be forward thinking, and pace setting? Oh yes, how about satisfying demand in the U.S. market before moving on to BF Egypt?
Too bad the home office isn't listening, but I bet that I'm not alone in these thoughts.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by 451 Kahn on June 20, 2008 at 1:49am: http://www.truthaboutsmart.co.uk/

Check the above link and you will get all your answers.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Andrea on June 20, 2008 at 7:10pm: So now ..... what do you thinkabout the european version with the Turbocharged rear-mounted Mercedes engine!
# 698 cc, 3-cylinder engine produces 61 bhp.....supposed to get better mpg by about 10, but $10K more price tag?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ian Pellant on June 20, 2008 at 10:30pm: G'Day Andrea,

Amidst all the replies it seems a few facts have gone astray. Assuming you are in the USA, your choice is limited to the current 451 fortwo which only comes in 999cc (aka 1 liter) non-turbo engine. The UK, Europe and other parts of the world can get the turbo version of this engine rated at 62 kw / 84 bhp. All fortwos are rear engined.

The 698 cc model you refer to is the previous model 450 fortwo. It is no longer in production. They were imported into Canada. It is usually not possible to register a 450 in the USA. (ZAP's excepted). If you are in Europe or Canada, a used 450 may be a good option... but the standard non-turbo 999 cc engine of the current 451 produces 52 kw / 71 bhp, so it has more go than the older 698 cc... and so can burn more fuel.

The smart forfour and roadster models are not in current production and were not sold by smart USA.

Whichever path you follow, locate your nearest smart / Mercedes dealership and talk to them... and get good vibes about their service. There are almost no standard parts on the smart. Front tires and oil filters are almost exclusive for the smart... you will need a good relationship with a smart service center.

In the USA, it is typical to wait for up to a year for a new smart to be built and delivered. Here in Australia, I placed my order in early April and the car may get built in July... then a month or two for delivery from France. 6 months gestation.

So... find a dealer... go for a test drive... place an order or look for an orphan or a near new used one (and ensure that any warranty is transferrable).; ▶ Reply to This