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Automotive News & Views What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?
8676 messages, Last post on Dec 02, 2009 at 1:07 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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Replying to: bumpy (Dec 06, 2007 9:09 am) Trust me it's not fun if you don't live relatively close to one. This has put me off on buying a MINI and they seem to like having very few car dealerships. Probably has to do with their limited product line. They really need an AWD Mini, a Diesel Mini and a 4 door Mini or something to boost up the coupe and the convertible and the awful Clubman which has the worst colors a silver, black or body colored roof. Awful! Anyway Smart will be tough to fix. My guess is even if the coupe dies out they will sell a ton of the convertibles. A cheap 2 door convertible with good economy will sell it for sure. I'd consider one if I had a local dealer and they had a real manual tranny hooked up to a diesel engine. too many hills for it to be practical and a Smart is just horrible in the snow even with snow tires. I've seen the Video it's too short and light for the snow. Pity.
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Replying to: tiff_c (Dec 06, 2007 9:47 am) But the diesel Smart is certainly possible and that might turn things around. Right now, a SMART has zero advantages over competitors, but if a diesel SMART could pump out 50-75 mpg, that would encourage sales---albeit again to a limited audience. But I bet diesel SMARTS could turn a modest profit in the USA. One problem for SMART, and all small car makers, is the ugly FACT. The UF is: The compact, subcompact, micro-car market is brutally competitive and not very profitable per unit. It only works if you either a) sell boatloads, like Toyota, or b) sell them for a lot of $$$, like MINI.
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 06, 2007 9:45 am) They never made money because they kept spending it on product that didn't pan out: the Roadster, the forfour, and the SUV thing that never got made. Now, they've refocused on their core product, sourced an existing drivetrain for it, and opened up a large new market. If they can't make any money now, they are done. |
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 06, 2007 9:51 am) Yes I agree 100% diesels now and far better economy and a real manual at least as an option. Did you see the Video on YouTube with a Smart with an engine from a Hayabusa in it. Now that was HP overload! Smart is about economy and it's not that far off from a Corolla or a Yaris and yeah it's cheaper but not by much. Also the Smart is awful in the snow! So snowbelt states it's as useful as a motorcycle even with snow tires! I'm looking for the link. http://www.canadiandriver.com/winter/traction2006.htm I'll repost the section from it just in case Begin Our smart fortwo had all the bells and whistles: traction control, stability control, ABS, and winter tires. But none of it helped much. The smart's rear wheel drive configuration (even though the engine is over the driven wheels) coupled with its super-short wheelbase made this vehicle a major challenge on the slippery surfaces used for our exercises. smart fortwo. Click image to enlarge Acceleration from a standstill or occasionally when moving was difficult. When cornering on icy surfaces, the smart wanted to rotate on its axis. Even when stopping the smart wanted to rotate, although it did stop, ah-hem, smartly. Although everybody wanted to drive the smart, the experience didn't meet expectations. END Smart has possibilities but the car needs some improvements.
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Replying to: tiff_c (Dec 06, 2007 10:00 am)
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Replying to: lilengineerboy (Dec 06, 2007 8:52 am) |
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 06, 2007 10:04 am) Well it sure does snow in some cites and those same people have to park their cars same as before. The Smart will fail unless they can sort out basic issues. I hope it succeeds but lots of congested cities get snow and those people who can't drive their one and only car in the snow will not buy a Smart. Maybe they need an AWD model? But it's a very fair thing to compare to unless you only sell in Florida and Kalifornia.
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Replying to: tiff_c (Dec 06, 2007 10:17 am)
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Some dealer here in Boise is selling a last year's Smart imported by Zap with low, low miles on it for $27,995. Weird link that probably won't work long. I hope I'm not caught dead in my minivan - I'd rather die in my bed at home.  The Sprinters interest me from a conversion standpoint, but they are too big for home use. My Quest barely fits in my garage as it is.
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Replying to: tiff_c (Dec 06, 2007 9:47 am) The real problem may be... is that too many?
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