Filed under: Audio, Car Buying, Economy, Hatchbacks, SMART
$99 registration open for smart fortwo, will start under $12,000
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 5:17PM (3/19/2007)
Cue the inane posts about it's size.....
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3cubedminus3squared 5:32PM (3/19/2007)
This car seems nice, but $12,000 is a bit too much IMO. A new Aveo sedan starts at $12,575.
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SherbornSean 6:09PM (3/19/2007)
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?
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srivendel 7:26PM (3/19/2007)
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!
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spots 7:46PM (3/19/2007)
Doesn't say which drivetrain(s) they will have....
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Jeff Banks 8:17PM (3/19/2007)
12k SMART sans radio
14k SMART + radio
I am assuming they are including more than a radio for $2000?
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Brooksie 8:41PM (3/19/2007)
No way they'll sell at those prices.
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FThorn 8:46PM (3/19/2007)
I can't wait to drive one.
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rem83 9:27PM (3/19/2007)
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.
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GrindingAxis 10:08PM (3/19/2007)
Like I'd give my money to Daimler for nothing!
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David 10:08PM (3/19/2007)
I signed right up! I can hardly wait to drive one. I will be nice to finally have a really small car available.
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Snix 10:37PM (3/19/2007)
All I wanna know is what class the SCCA will place these for Showroom Stock and Autocross....Heh, heh, heh!
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Randy Piovarchy 11:45PM (3/19/2007)
Wooohoooo I reserved my red convertible! Will be selling my Honda Fit! I can't WAIT!!!!!!
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goat 12:57AM (3/20/2007)
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.
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bonesb 2:22AM (3/20/2007)
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?
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Lucas 4:37AM (3/20/2007)
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.
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mirko 6:25AM (3/20/2007)
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.
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TRK 7:05AM (3/20/2007)
I have one (here in Munich, Germamy). Fits perfect into the smallest spaces and makes a perfect commuter car.
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Jim 8:30AM (3/20/2007)
"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!
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sze 8:58AM (3/20/2007)
#12, I bet this will tear things up in H Stock, especially with some R-compounds...
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