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23-03-2004, 09:57 PM
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#46
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Re: Renting SMART car in Europe
"Brian Wasson" wrote
| Actually, a quick perusal of the Smart Web site shows they plan a
| 2006 entry into the USA market... I don't think Americans buy cars
| just for city use.
It'll be great for driving down the drive to the mailbox, and other little
errands like that. Or for putting on the roofrack of the Winnebago so the
kids can drive to the campsite shop when on vacation.
Owain
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23-03-2004, 09:57 PM
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#47
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Re: Renting SMART car in Europe
On 24 Feb 2004 08:04:02 -0800, Brian Wasson wrote:
> Actually, a quick perusal of the Smart Web site shows they plan a 2006
> entry into the USA market. I'm not sure how they will fare. The
> roadster would do well, I think (just saw one in Paris for the first
> time two weeks ago), but I don't know about the original Smart. Would
> be good in urban areas, but I don't think Americans buy cars just for
> city use.
That has been the downfall of many small cars in the past, but if (as the
news reports) gas prices go up to $3/gallon by the end of the year, this
trend could change. That little thing MUST get some great mileage! I've
never seen a car that can park in such a small space, which is also to its
favor.
My 14-year-old fell in love with them, but they seem way too vulnerable on
the highways with all the trucks and SUVs.
--
-BB-
To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)
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23-03-2004, 09:58 PM
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#48
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Re: Renting SMART car in Europe
Following up to Owain
>It'll be great for driving down the drive to the mailbox, and other little
>errands like that. Or for putting on the roofrack of the Winnebago so the
>kids can drive to the campsite shop when on vacation.
don't a lot of Americans have more than one car? I have a BMW and
a little auto town car (not a Smart as I want more carrying
space).
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Walking, Wasdale, Thames path, London etc "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
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23-03-2004, 09:59 PM
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#49
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Re: Renting SMART car in Europe
Actually, now that I think about it, the much-maligned Yugo sold more
than a few cars in the USA, despite its lack of reliability. The price
was right. From what I've seen, the Smart cars are well-designed and
conceived, and are backed by a major manufacturer. If the price is
right, they might do OK in the USA. They aren't that much smaller than
the Mini, after all (although the Mini has an entirely different
image).
BB <bbauerAtitude@freeshell.org> wrote in message news:<c1gjlc$1i9mkh$1@ID-130844.news.uni-berlin.de>...
> On 24 Feb 2004 08:04:02 -0800, Brian Wasson wrote:
> > Actually, a quick perusal of the Smart Web site shows they plan a 2006
> > entry into the USA market. I'm not sure how they will fare. The
> > roadster would do well, I think (just saw one in Paris for the first
> > time two weeks ago), but I don't know about the original Smart. Would
> > be good in urban areas, but I don't think Americans buy cars just for
> > city use.
>
> That has been the downfall of many small cars in the past, but if (as the
> news reports) gas prices go up to $3/gallon by the end of the year, this
> trend could change. That little thing MUST get some great mileage! I've
> never seen a car that can park in such a small space, which is also to its
> favor.
>
> My 14-year-old fell in love with them, but they seem way too vulnerable on
> the highways with all the trucks and SUVs.
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23-03-2004, 10:01 PM
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#50
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Re: Renting SMART car in Europe
Brian, you missed the point I was making below. In 2006, they are
planning on introducing a ForFour model and an SUV derivative in the
US. Not the two-seater Smart, not the Smart Roadster, none of the good
stuff.
-- Larry
On 24 Feb 2004 08:04:02 -0800, briwasson@aol.com (Brian Wasson) wrote:
>Actually, a quick perusal of the Smart Web site shows they plan a 2006
>entry into the USA market. I'm not sure how they will fare. The
>roadster would do well, I think (just saw one in Paris for the first
>time two weeks ago), but I don't know about the original Smart. Would
>be good in urban areas, but I don't think Americans buy cars just for
>city use.
>
>> On Sun, 22 Feb 2004 00:10:58 -0700, randee <randee@zianet.com> wrote:
>> We'll never see it in the States, of course, since the Benz boys think
>> we only want the four-seater and the future SUV piece of crap.
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23-03-2004, 10:03 PM
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#51
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Re: Renting SMART car in Europe
Yes, I did miss that point. Sorry! Europe always seems to get the
smaller, more progressive (and well-designed) cars, and the USA gets
left out. I guess they feel there isn't a market here for them, as
they've pushed the very high-profit SUVs in the USA. Also, USA bumper
standards are, I believe, more strict than in Europe. This might be
why the smallest Smart won't be sold here.
I think we may see more of the European-inspired vehicles in the
future. Word has it that VW and a few other auto makers will be
offering new diesel options here in the near future (Jeep Liberty, VW
Passat, etc.), and Diamler-Chrysler is starting to offer some of their
nice vans like the Vito (which I love) and the Sprinter. If a nice,
turbo-diesel powered minivan like the Vito or the Seat were offered in
the USA, I'd buy it tomorrow.
Also, I'd love to see some of the Opel models sold here in the USA. In
general, I hate GM cars, but have enjoyed driving Opels when in
Europe. Fiat has a cool small convertible, too, which I think would do
very well here (like the Miata).
pltrgyst <pltrgyst@covad.net> wrote in message news:<j85s30d81pdjv79nn7v3v9kn8ch8dbj89a@4ax.com>...
> Brian, you missed the point I was making below. In 2006, they are
> planning on introducing a ForFour model and an SUV derivative in the
> US. Not the two-seater Smart, not the Smart Roadster, none of the good
> stuff.
> >
> >> On Sun, 22 Feb 2004 00:10:58 -0700, randee <randee@zianet.com> wrote:
> >> We'll never see it in the States, of course, since the Benz boys think
> >> we only want the four-seater and the future SUV piece of crap.
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23-03-2004, 10:03 PM
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#52
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Re: Renting SMART car in Europe
"Brian Wasson" <briwasson@aol.com> wrote in message
news:4c7bd0b3.0402270710.453d1b55@posting.google.c om...
> Yes, I did miss that point. Sorry! Europe always seems to get the
> smaller, more progressive (and well-designed) cars, and the USA gets
> left out. I guess they feel there isn't a market here for them, as
> they've pushed the very high-profit SUVs in the USA. Also, USA bumper
> standards are, I believe, more strict than in Europe. This might be
> why the smallest Smart won't be sold here.
>
Its got more to do with the fact that gasoline is 1/3 rd the price
that it is in Europe I suspect. Simple fact is that the incentive
to save gasoline by buying advanced engines that cost more to
produce just isnt there.
Keith
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23-03-2004, 10:04 PM
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#53
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Re: Renting SMART car in Europe
Then again, if it is anything like the cool small convertible that they
did market in the US it will have to have considerably better quality to
survive. FFM
Brian Wasson wrote:
snip
> Also, I'd love to see some of the Opel models sold here in the USA. In
> general, I hate GM cars, but have enjoyed driving Opels when in
> Europe. Fiat has a cool small convertible, too, which I think would do
> very well here (like the Miata).
snip
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23-03-2004, 10:04 PM
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#54
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Re: Renting SMART car in Europe
"Reid" <dontuse@fell-walker.co.uk> wrote in message
news tlj3093klaq8hm0l8e968b57t6kru0hnq@4ax.com...
> Following up to pltrgyst
>
> >We'll never see it in the States, of course, since the Benz boys think
> >we only want the four-seater and the future SUV piece of crap.
>
> If the planet does fry the SUV is going to look the most obvious
> and most pointless piece of stupidity in the whole shambles.
> After cheap air travel....
> --
> Mike Reid
> "Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
> Walking, Wasdale, Thames path, London etc "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <--
you can email us@ this site
> Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all,
it's a spamtrap
I saw the Smart roadster on display at Schiphol recently, it reminded me of
a small Mazda Miata, nice looking car. I agree in most part that SUVs for
suburban use are overkill. However, I must add that I own an SUV. I have a
home in the lakes district of northern Wisconsin and the only way I can get
to the home is using 4x4 when the snow is several feet deep in the long
winter or the with the mud in the spring on long unpaved roads. Even though
soccer moms give them a bad name there are those of us who actually need
them.
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23-03-2004, 10:04 PM
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#55
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Re: Renting SMART car in Europe
"Frank F. Matthews" <frankfmatthews@houston.rr.com> wrote in
news:Ab10c.16373$OH4.8578@fe2.texas.rr.com:
> Then again, if it is anything like the cool small convertible that they
> did market in the US it will have to have considerably better quality to
> survive. FFM
Oohhhh, speaking of fab new convertibles! (ok cool & small also fits!)
Have you seen the MINI convertible??? It's gorgeous! I might have to trade
mine in.....
http://www.mini.ch/CH/fr/themini/mini_cabrio/index.jsp
> Brian Wasson wrote:
> snip
>> Also, I'd love to see some of the Opel models sold here in the USA. In
>> general, I hate GM cars, but have enjoyed driving Opels when in
>> Europe. Fiat has a cool small convertible, too, which I think would do
>> very well here (like the Miata).
>
> snip
>
>
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23-03-2004, 10:07 PM
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#56
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Re: Renting SMART car in Europe
Following up to Stephen Ellenson
>However, I must add that I own an SUV. I have a
>home in the lakes district of northern Wisconsin and the only way I can get
>to the home is using 4x4 when the snow is several feet deep in the long
>winter or the with the mud in the spring on long unpaved roads. Even though
>soccer moms give them a bad name there are those of us who actually need
>them.
I often hire a 4x4 where the roads are dirt but the majority in
UK (where unmade roads are virtually non existent) just do the
school run. also more and more only look like jeeps with poor off
road ability, robustness or water resistance. I understand the
BMW X5 is prone to stopping after a large puddle!
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Walking, Wasdale, Thames path, London etc "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
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