Is America ready for The Smart Car?

Question

The Smart Car officially debuts in America in early 2008.

From the website:

Engineering and testing continues to take place on the vehicle that will be produced for the United States. The vehicle is designed to achieve 40 plus mpg under normal driving conditions and current standards. The gas tank of the smart fortwo is 8.7 gallons.

The smart fortwo has a rear storage area that can accommodate active lifestyles. Surprisingly, the fortwo has 8 cubic feet of storage space – 12 feet if you load up to the roof line. This area can easily fit numerous bags of groceries, gym bags and other items that are commonly transported every day, including golf clubs! The rear storage area can also accommodate many sizes of luggage making trips to the airport convenient.

The smart fortwo pure will start at $11,590, the smart fortwo passion couple will start at $13,590 and the smart fortwo passion cabriolet will start at $16,590.

http://www.smartusa.com/

Answer 1

I want one,  I see Canadians driving them all the time and they love them.   They say they get 71 mpg, they have a slightly bigger gallon in Canada.

Answer 2

40 miles per gallon and only 11 thousand dollars! good value!.Its definitely the smart choice.

Answer 3

Yes, but only for smart people.

Answer 4

That thing is a death trap!! A Honda civic would kill you if it hit you! I see a new game with 53foot van pullers. Watch how far that thing blows off the road!!

Answer 5

Some Americans will be ready for it - those who want an environmentally friendly car but can't afford a hybrid.

It's a useful car for a very specific sector of the public - individuals or couples without kids who just need a car for transportation purposes.  It's a great car for that segment of the population.

Answer 6

No thanks there's something better coming out  in 2008 that's going to amaze every one and affordable for every one not only that but totally environmentally friendly .

Besides all that why do you think you see so many old cars on the road ? Do you really think people want to breath all that pollution coming out of the old car they drive or could it be they just cant afford a new car .  

I know $11590 doesn't sound like much to some people or even $16590 but you know where i come from you could buy a house for that much so what do you think the wiser investment people are going to look at .

I'm not saying people aren't going to buy it or its a bad thing but what i am saying is most people cant afford new cars although it helps to clean up the environment and save fuel all this high price new technology is just to slow to make any impact on the quality of air or global warming to do any good . We need it now not 50 years down the road.

Save your money something better will be out soon unless your in the market for a new car then that looks like a good one if you want to die in an auto accident .

Answer 7

They have been very successful in Europe for years and I think the timing is right for them to come to the US, they will sell well because of their economy until something better comes along.

I can't wait to see the first one with a small block Chevy in it...of course, running on a bio fuel!

Answer 8

Is America ready for The Smart GOLF CART, don't you mean!? Personally, I wouldn't drive a car that I can practically wear or bench press. That thing is a coffin on wheels.

Besides, I've already heard of negative comments about it here on from a person who drove one in Europe here on Yahoo answers. a weak straining engine that makes the car only do 60MPH AND the car would only crank with the door open.

Those cars are pointless for traffic and parking situations because it's not the cars fault for being too big, it's the persons bad driving skills that's at fault. I drive a Chevy 350 15city/19hw.MPG 2500 High Top Sport Conversion van that weighs over 6000Ib, and I drive it and park it quite well I might add. As for MPG, what ever happened to a Diesel hybrid. A diesel car not only gets better MPG but the engine can also power a more powerful generator, that's a plus for a hybrid.

Answer 9

I really think that you are the change in this world and if one American will buy this car, they will inspire another person to. And you don't have to pay for gas-who wouldn't want this car? I really think this will be a good change fro Americans and across the world.