SMART car???

[FB71]

Toyota iQ, should be coming to the states in the next few years.

[ejp2fast]

I'm actually contemplating this;

http://www.kiasoul.com/

I think it might be the closest thing to a new Festy since Festies were new...?

looks like a cross between Scion and Festy!

[lasvegascop]

I got a better one for ya!!!!!! These are all body kits which are or will be offered to completely change the looks of a Smart Car..
The Smamborghini


The Smorvette!


The Smaudi A3 AWD!


The Smerrari!


The Smorsche!





Dont you just wanna get a leash and pet it? hahahahaha

[turqfest]

Does the Kia Soul have an optional under seat tray, rear spoiler, etc ? I'm going to start stock piling all the optional equiptment ASAP.... I'll be rich! Muhahahaha! :toothy7:

[collegeboi]

I want the diesel version of the IQ in the us. Man that looks awsome, like a mini yaris?

[MJD]

[QUOTE=tulsacarman;186526]I passed a car hauler on HWY 169 here in Tulsa and it had, get this, 14 SMART cars on it. I drove beside the hauler for some time just to get the count right. I had to count them 3 times. He had them crammed to within an inch of one another but he got them all on.

I talked to a SMART car owner a couple weeks ago and asked him what he was getting out of his and he was proud to say he gets 37 in town. 37?? I didn't say anything to him but the only thing I could think of was all the people on a list waiting for their chance to pay for a Mercedes SMART CAR. Yeah, they're cute and you can haul more on a transporter for the same money but shouldn't those tiny things get more like 45 or 50.

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tulsa -- I have thought of the very same thing. We knew of the Smart car when over in Germany about 4 years ago, even toured the factory there in Hambach, France .....where they are built.
I know these first series Smart cars were getting better gas mileage than 37, and I know the diesel versions over there were upwards to 50 mpg, or better.
But --- with good old American emissions control and whatever else they restict here in USA, they are NOT getting the mileage seen over in Europe and other places.
I am like you.....we have a '90 Festiva L Plus getting about 45 mpg, and I have an '88 about the same when I use it at under 50 miles an hour, so I feel we are as well off with a Festiva over a Smart. I admit, they do look great, cute, and we may see even more little cars coming our way. I myself, like the Toyota iQ little model coming along, I am thinking might be in the USA later on.
Anyway....the Smart we seen in Europe was pretty popular, and drove like crazy on the Autobahn, but then there are a LOT of little cars there and they drive fast too. It was a real pleasure to see little cars mainly on the road, and not so many big trucks, pickups, SUV's, etc. They do think we Americans are awfully wasteful. I agreed.
Just my opinion here ..........


mjd

[stevewl1164]

The IQ looks like a shoe! UGLY!!!!!! They do not know how to make cars proportional anymore....even the big cars...they all have the high and round roof which slopes to a stub of a trunk. Compare a 1985 Camry or 1987 Camry to the new one...the old ones were way better proportioned. What is the deal with putting huge wheels on all cars? Especially the smaller ones...they eat up room that could be used in the interior or trunk. This IQ is a perfect example of how screwed up the designers are. Look at the Scion XD...tall hoodline, high beltline, huge wheel arches nd a front end with bug eye headlamps. The Festiva is simple, clean, and functional. The Kia Seoul is coming, but it is just another new SUV wannabe. I did hear Kia or Hyundai has a new small Festiva-like car, but I forgot what it is called.

[stevewl1164]

This MAY be what I was thinking about...not sure. Honda Fit style Kia CEED

http://tinyurl.com/6occaf

[stevewl1164]

The Mazda 2, Mazda's Fiesta may come to US

http://tinyurl.com/6b2awz

[Gforcefd]

I thought the Fiesta was already confirmed to be coming, but without the good engine options?

Logan

I really see few cars I like on the roads. I like the Mazda 6 but they just made it even bigger... I liked the Ford Ka but that will probably never make it to the states. I guess that is why people modify their cars though, because everyone has different tastes.

[neanderpaul]

I like the look of the IQ A LOT!

[Evan80]

I'll take a Smorsche or a Smerrari. Do like the look of the mazda 2 tho. Wonder what their price will be if they make it over here.

[stevewl1164]

Has anyone noticed the front wheels on the Smart are on a much narrower track than the rears? it is especially noticeable on the freeway.

[turqfest]

^^^ yes I've noticed that too, no idea why they're like that... perhaps to aid with stability. Remember those videos of Suzuki Sidekicks/Geo Trackers with outriggers attached to prevent it from rolling over in a lock to lock obstacle avoidance? Correct me if I'm wrong - but didn't Saab have a moose avoidance test?

[stevewl1164]

They look UNSTABLE on the highway...very squirrely to me. I have not driven one on the road so I do not know if the drive oddly or not.