Another Smart Roadster, Can't wait to try it. Options

[Pugbug]

Kind of like an ultra modern 914....But a miser on gas.

4 cyl turbo...I don't know how small, 101 hp., so it must be tiny... front and rear trunks... hard top and soft top...six speed sequential paddle shifter. Cool looks.
Price starts around 25K

[swl]

The smart roadster has already been put on the Daimler chopping block. It was supposed to be out of production by now but there are still a few being made. Pity really. Especially when you consider that they are keeping their lackluster forfour.

smarts are not available in the US. There is a company called ZAP that is importing used fortwo's and getting them certified for US but they come with one heck of a price and no dealer network. Mercedes Benz US is convinced that Americans love their SUV's and won't tolerate tiny cars. Bunch of whackos if you ask me.

The problem with US imports are numerous. They include evaporative control (no room to install), Side impact (easy fix), no steering column interlock (show stopper - needs exemption) and a host of minor stuff. There is a major revision coming in the 2007 model year that is supposed to address those issues but MB USA still has no plans to import it.

Up here in the great white north the Transport Canada has a cell who's sole purpose in life is evaluating and championing high fuel efficiency cars. It was their work that brought the smart fortwo diesle to Canada. They arranged for some exemptions and actively lobbied MB Canada to bring it in.

Steve