Article Comments 2008 Smart Fortwo First Drive

110 messages, Last post on Aug 07, 2008 at 8:31 AM

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What is this discussion about? smart fortwo, Hatchback

Article comments for First Drive: 2008 Smart Fortwo - The 2008 Fortwo is larger than its predecessor, but it's still outrageously small, some 40 inches shorter than a Mini. In real life, it looks like an artist's impression of what a car might look like if we all drank skinny lattes. (more)

Full Test: 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion - Bottom Line: Hugely versatile as a city-only car, but perhaps not the best choice for those who go farther or need to carry more. (more)

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#99 of 110 Re: Accent/Hyundai [plekto] by bumpy Mar 10, 2008 (8:07 am)
Replying to: plekto (Mar 06, 2008 2:23 pm) No, the Accent has always been a Hyundai, the lineal descendent of the infamous Hyundai Excel of 1986. The current Kia Rio shares a platform with it (the older Rios didn't), and Daewoo was never involved with it. I think you're being wildly optimistic if you think the Elantra Touring (the US version of the i30) will list for $11,000. Replies to this message: plekto (Mar 10, 2008 11:32 am) bumpy (Mar 12, 2008 12:19 pm) scwmcan (Mar 12, 2008 12:33 pm)
#100 of 110 Re: Accent/Hyundai [bumpy] by plekto Mar 10, 2008 (11:32 am)
Replying to: bumpy (Mar 10, 2008 8:07 am) The one I'm talking about is their replacement for the Accent - their entry level car. It appears to b a small hatchback: http://www.leftlanenews.com/hyundai-i30.html $11K is the projected U.S. price-range, and it's a massive improvement over the Accent. As for the Daewoo connection, read up on it - their was a lot of technology sharing going on with the Accent in the early years and it still affects the thing. Sure, it has improved, but it's still barely better than the early models(and needs to be retired). Go sit in one. It's not a bad car, it's just an $8000 car in Korea that is inflated in price for the U.S. market. Why pay $11K for an $8K car when in 7 months you can pay $11K for an $11K car? Replies to this message: bumpy (Mar 12, 2008 12:19 pm) scwmcan (Mar 12, 2008 12:33 pm)
#101 of 110 Re: Accent/Hyundai [plekto] by bumpy Mar 12, 2008 (12:19 pm)
Replying to: plekto (Mar 10, 2008 11:32 am) I have sat in the new Accent, and it does what it was intended to do. The price point is more a reflection of the deteriorating dollar than anything else. The i30 (Elantra Touring for us) is quite a bit larger than the Accent hatch (176.2" long versus 159.2"), and gets a bigger engine. Replies to this message: scwmcan (Mar 12, 2008 12:33 pm)
#102 of 110 Re: Accent/Hyundai [bumpy] by scwmcan Mar 12, 2008 (12:33 pm)
Replying to: bumpy (Mar 12, 2008 12:19 pm) okay can we now get back to the topic which is the smart car not the, accent or the i30/elqantra touring. Could we at least agree to say that yes the accent is an option in comparission to the smart no matter what platform and technology it uses. I know there isn't much being said about the smart itself. I still think that it has a place in the North American mix, though in it's current gas powered iteration it is not necessarily a great option. Scott
#103 of 110 Really Smart? by rjlaero Apr 14, 2008 (12:10 pm)
I think the Smart is more of a fashion statment and to be "cool and conservative" at the same time. On paper, the car just doesn't make sense as a value point. You can spend 14k on a new toyota corolla that seats 5 and gets 32- 35 mpg on 87 base gas. Smart stores are linked to MB dealerships. They're targeted at higher income people. I think a lot of Smart customers have other vehicles in their family garage and this might not be the only choice of transportation.
#105 of 110 by joquito Jul 10, 2008 (1:08 pm)
SMART stands for Swatch Mercedes ART, so Smart cars are Mercedes Benzs.
#106 of 110 by joquito Jul 10, 2008 (1:10 pm)
Most SMART buyers already have another vehicle. Even with two kids, you can only put them in one vehicle at a time, so very few people need multiple 4 passenger vehicles.
#107 of 110 Usually one by randydriver Jul 14, 2008 (3:23 pm)
I am usually the only person in my car....I guess it would be a good option for me.
#108 of 110 New Smart owner by mmm1 Jul 22, 2008 (2:38 pm)
I picked up my Smart about a week ago and I've never had so much fun driving a car. I absolutely love the thing. I have an SUV and a sedan and haven't driven either one since I got the Smart. The car is extremely roomy and has LOTS of power. Drove it home from the dealership about 50 miles on the interstate and had to continuously back off the gas pedal to keep from exceeding 70 mph. It wanted to keep going. Stopped at Costco on the way home from the dealership and put 3 cases of cokes and ice tea in the back along with numerous smaller items and had room left over. It's not for everyone but if you just want to have a fun time driving this is the car. I use manual mode all the time. More fun than automatic. It's got it all--power windows, ABS, ASC, rain sensing wipers, 6 CD changer, rear wipers, good, strong A/c, leather seats,heated seats, etc,, etc. Wife thought I had lost my mind when I ordered it. Now I can't keep her away from it. Played golf this morning. Finished lunch, went to the parking lot, car was gone. Wife had taken the Smart and left her car. Screw Consumer Reports and everyone else who is putting the car down. Talk to the folks who own one and read comments on some of the other Smart forums. They all love it. Will probably get back on the waiting list again and get one for wife so she will stay away from mine.