SMART prices fortwo at $12k, coming in January
The money-losing SMART brand hits US streets in January, and the price is much lower than many of us expected. A mere $11,590 will get you into the base "pure" fortwo, but it won't even get you a radio. For another $2,000, the "passion" fortwo also comes equipped with alloy wheels, a panorama roof (on a two-seater), AM/FM/CD player, power windows, and power mirrors. If you get the most pleasure driving a car with the top down, you can drop $16,590 on a passion cabrio. The drop-top fortwo comes with a power-fold soft top and a premium sound system.
The SMART will not only deliver killer fuel economy, but it will also cost less than most small cars on the market. The European subcompact can be fun to drive, too, since you can lessen your carbon footprint and play 'dodge the SUVs that can't even see you' at the same time. We don't understand, however, how any automaker would want or need to fore-go the radio on any model, no matter how base it is. Is the money saved even worth the aggravation of those left without tunes?
[Source: The Car Connection]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
BLS 9:34AM (9/06/2007)
Plus you can you can use it at the Dodge-ems bumper cars. Bonus, no sparks.
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Don 6:52PM (9/06/2007)
I wonder what a Dodge Ram will look like in the rearview when you're trying to merge onto the highway in this thing.
geo.stewart 9:35AM (9/06/2007)
maybe in Europe, its not illegal to have ear/headphones on while driving so a radio as an option wouldnt be that big a deal. but yeah, a base radio and speakers cant be that hard to put into your base model.
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Compy386 9:54AM (9/06/2007)
Wow this pricing is pretty reasonable. Now if it only weren't so ugly...
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Totalfixation 9:41AM (9/06/2007)
At 65mpg sounds like a decent deal, but not enough to justify the safety.
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Big 2.5 12:26PM (9/06/2007)
I recommend to check the crash tests of Smarts on YouTube. As surprising as it sounds, it is much safer than many of the larger cars on the road.
Peter 12:52PM (9/06/2007)
65mpg?? The smart web site says 40mpg.
sean 2:20PM (9/06/2007)
It scores well in crash tests, but here in the UK my friend brought one after doing research on the safety as this is was his main concern with such a small car. After looking at the crash tests he was convinced it was very safe and went ahead and brought one. Unfortunately he was hit from behind by a larger car and suffered serious injuries to his back and is going through a very long treatment course.
The simple fact is that with a such a light car due to the conservation of momentum law, a small car is going to get rocked big time when its hit by a heavier car. My friend wouldn't be in the state he is now if he was in civic. I'd never drive a smart in a place where big 4x4's are so common.
Don 6:54PM (9/06/2007)
This thing should average 39 mpg city/45 mpg highway.
Dave T. 9:50AM (9/06/2007)
I think the lack of A/C in the base model will be a bit more pressing to car buyers than a radio.
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srivendel 9:50AM (9/06/2007)
The smartusa.com website also includes option prices. That is obviously where TCC got its information. Why not link to the original source, Auto Blokg?
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retsel 9:52AM (9/06/2007)
if they add an in ipod connection kit with an FM receiver... i would buy it... not... i would rather a used Mazda 3...
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phoenexius 9:54AM (9/06/2007)
safety
the tridion safety cell is really quite good
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02eghIfyHP0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnVNUvixWUQ&mode=related&search=
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gmporschenut 11:36AM (9/06/2007)
IT is safe in that the shell will not be crushed but the lack of crumple zones means that the occupants must survive the extreme g forces.
Ken 9:54AM (9/06/2007)
geo, Europe doesn't allow headphones (or cellphone use) while driving. I think the radio delete is a great idea. I'm extremely dissatisfied with most stock radio offerings so not having to pay for a factory installed one and being able to take the savings to put my own in would be a big bonus. So long as the base model has A/C I'd be happy with it. This might be the perfect car to park next to my MINI Cooper S and truck. I'll have the truck for the occasional haul, the MINI for long trips and autocross, and a smart for commuting and errands.
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rem83 10:04AM (9/06/2007)
I'm kind of amazed you can only get it with an auto. I would definitely prefer a manual, especially with a $500 price break.
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beaker 10:07AM (9/06/2007)
I'll still wait for the Pure Cabrio w/ a diesel.
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srivendel 10:09AM (9/06/2007)
That'll probably cost close to $20k properly optioned.
goat 10:12AM (9/06/2007)
This is the gasoline engine model. It doesn't get 65 mpg. It doesn't even get 50 mpg. It is pointless. If the diesel model were sold here, it might make some sense, as it at least gets 55 mpg or so.
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dan 10:55AM (9/06/2007)
Once you get into the 30s and 40s, gas mileage improvements are pretty close to meaningless. Put 8,000 miles a year on this, which is a whole lot for a city car (only a moron would use one of these for a non urban commute) and the difference between 40 and 60mpg is about 5.5 gallons per month ie. who gives a crap.