
European model PASSION CABRIO shown
We alerted you to the fact that smart would be taking $99 reservations for its U.S. bound fortwo and the day has come when you can officially get in line for a fee. A registration page has been set up that will take your vital info, including your drivers license number, as well as what model fortwo you'd like and the color of the body panels, trident safety cell and interior. The $99 fee doesn't guarantee you a car, as it's meant to help DaimlerChrysler distribute the vehicles they'll have to the regions where demand is greatest. If you do manage to buy one, the fee will be added to the cost of your vehicle. If you don't get one, they'll refund the money.
According to the registration page, the U.S. fortwo will start at under $12,000 for the PURE model (just a note – it appears the PURE comes sans stereo with a "radio-ready dash). The slightly uplevel PASSION model (with an AM/FM radio and CD player) will begin under $14,000, and the PASSION CABRIO just under $17,000. While this pricing is most likely not final, it can't be far off. Color us impressed, as we were expecting a base smart fortwo to start in the $15k to $16k range based on the kitsch factor of smart's image alone. Beginning at $12,000, however, means DCX will have to worry about supply much more than what we expect to be extremely high demand for this urban runabout.
Thanks for the tip, Matt!
[Source: Smart USA]











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dirk Dundenburg @ Mar 19th 2007 5:17PM
Cue the inane posts about it's size.....
3cubedminus3squared @ Mar 19th 2007 5:32PM
This car seems nice, but $12,000 is a bit too much IMO. A new Aveo sedan starts at $12,575.
SherbornSean @ Mar 19th 2007 6:09PM
Dirk,
Thanks for the reminder.
Why this li'l pup ain't half the size of my Suburban. How am I supposed to fit myself, my hat AND my ego in a tin can?
srivendel @ Mar 19th 2007 7:26PM
Sooooo much more desirable, as a commuter car, than the Yaris/Fit/Versa crowd. Sure, it can't carry more than two people and won't handle a trip to Home Depot like the Fit will, but so what? I'd rather have a commuter car that has genuine personality and an interior color other than charcoal grey. I'd also wager this fares as well or better in crash tests as any of those cars.
Now give us the diesel engine and this will be perfect!
spots @ Mar 19th 2007 7:46PM
Doesn't say which drivetrain(s) they will have....
Jeff Banks @ Mar 19th 2007 8:17PM
12k SMART sans radio
14k SMART + radio
I am assuming they are including more than a radio for $2000?
Brooksie @ Mar 19th 2007 8:41PM
No way they'll sell at those prices.
FThorn @ Mar 19th 2007 8:46PM
I can't wait to drive one.
rem83 @ Mar 19th 2007 9:27PM
It's nice to finally see a car come without a radio. I hope that means they leave the speakers out as well and just include wiring. The only car I've owned and been truly happy with the stock soundsystem is a '92 roadmaster estate. go figure.
GrindingAxis @ Mar 19th 2007 10:08PM
Like I'd give my money to Daimler for nothing!
David @ Mar 19th 2007 10:08PM
I signed right up! I can hardly wait to drive one. I will be nice to finally have a really small car available.
Snix @ Mar 19th 2007 10:37PM
All I wanna know is what class the SCCA will place these for Showroom Stock and Autocross....Heh, heh, heh!
Randy Piovarchy @ Mar 19th 2007 11:45PM
Wooohoooo I reserved my red convertible! Will be selling my Honda Fit! I can't WAIT!!!!!!
goat @ Mar 20th 2007 12:57AM
It looks like they're only offering the gasoline engine, which makes the vehicle pretty pointless.
Why would you drive such a tiny vehicle if you're only going to get 40 mpg?
The diesel would be a more logical choice.
bonesb @ Mar 20th 2007 2:22AM
I'm missing something, I think. What's the big deal about these reservations when I see them on a dealer's lot for sale? I walked by a dozen of them at a dealer in Lake Oswego just this afternoon - Passions, Sports, a Cabrio, and a Pulse. Oswego Luxury here in Oregon has been selling them for at least a few months. They're kind of cute, but I'm 6'7" and don't really fit. Maybe they ought to advertise a little more?
Lucas @ Mar 20th 2007 4:37AM
If I had one it would have to be the cabrio ..if you're gonna go gay, go all the way, I say.
But for $17K I'd still rather have a fixed roof Fit.
Lucas.
mirko @ Mar 20th 2007 6:25AM
bonesb:
"I walked by a dozen of them at a dealer in Lake Oswego just this afternoon - Passions, Sports, a Cabrio, and a Pulse."
That's the old grey-market imported model. The new Smart isn't even at European dealers yet.
TRK @ Mar 20th 2007 7:05AM
I have one (here in Munich, Germamy). Fits perfect into the smallest spaces and makes a perfect commuter car.
Jim @ Mar 20th 2007 8:30AM
"No way they'll sell at those prices." by Brooksie
Just remember you said this... When you see them everywhere a few years from now. Not attacking you personally, but I'm so sure you are wrong here. Maybe they won't sell in some places, but in large cities you'll see them everywhere.
And comparing it to an Aveo? Puh-LEASE!
sze @ Mar 20th 2007 8:58AM
#12, I bet this will tear things up in H Stock, especially with some R-compounds...