Want to buy a Smart Car...

[Wazzunyc]

Thinking about purchasing one, and wanted to know any info anyone has about them. Any dealers in US? Are they legal here? I think they would be a great NYC car, and wanted some input.

[fastest VW Golf]

The thought of a SMART dealership in the US is a very good idea, and there are currently NO SMART dealerships in the US. Smart is thinking of coming to the US and wether they will or won't is still being questionedm so don't get your hopes up, BUT, YOU CAN BUY A SMART IN CANADA!!

[MagicRat]

The Smart car in Canada is a test market for it's future entry into the US market.

At present, the car is not legal for use in the US. It does not have emissions or safety regs approval.

You could buy one in Canada, but you could not register it in the US.

There are quite a few Smart cars here in Toronto, and frankly, the small cars from Toyota and Honda and only slightly larger, but are quite a bit cheaper, with more room and are much more practical.

[tyndago]

There is a place in the US thats been working on legalizing the Smart. They have done crash testing, and EPA testing. www.gnkauto.com

[Chris]

I doubt the current SMART will enter the US market, its even a stretch for Canada, which typically stradles US and European tastes, and we often get exclusive Canadian models and some foreign cars the US doesnt get (some of the nices examples would be the Acura EL, a Civic with the acura treatment, and some of the worst would have to be Lada's, which were at least cheap, vs the SMART's 30k+ price)

[tyndago]

Originally Posted by Chris

I doubt the current SMART will enter the US market, its even a stretch for Canada, which typically stradles US and European tastes, and we often get exclusive Canadian models and some foreign cars the US doesnt get (some of the nices examples would be the Acura EL, a Civic with the acura treatment, and some of the worst would have to be Lada's, which were at least cheap, vs the SMART's 30k+ price)

Perhaps not by Smart or Daimler Chrysler.... but by a Registered Importer.

G & K has done EPA and DOT testing and compliance work on the cars.

On a limited basis, I am sure they can sell quiet a few. perhaps not many to DC, but to an RI a lot of cars

[supervisor1886]

they are very slow and expensive for such a small car. 18 second 1/4mile

[tyndago]

Originally Posted by supervisor1886

they are very slow and expensive for such a small car. 18 second 1/4mile

The point of a Smart car is not to go fast... its a small in town commuter car.

[supervisor1886]

it sucks because at this price it could appeal to a wider crowd. I cool take a 1.1 4 banger and turbo charge it to around 150 hp/120 lbs. It would be a pocket rocket. Even a nice 1.6 diesel Turbo could make at least 100hp.