Test drove a SMART car today

[Bill in NC]

I'd like to see more diesel passenger vehicles available.

VW's offered a few recently, but VW is known for performance, not so much reliability.

There's a case for federal pre-emption of the stricter 2010 standards to promote much more fuel-efficient diesel passenger cars in all 50 states.

Trade off increased NOx emissions for significantly less (30-40%) CO2.

Imagine what a diesel-electric hybrid could do.

Assuming we're serious about greenhouse gases.

[spearmint]

[quote Jp!]Base price will be $12,000

http://www.leftlanenews.com/daimlerchrys...12000.html

That is VERY DO-ABLE.

Was that an OFFICIAL dealer? Or someone that is bringing them in and marking them up?

WHERE was it?

The "Pure" entry-level model will start at $12,000. A better-equipped "Passion" model at $14,000 will add a stereo system and other convenience features. The convertible is only available in "Passion" guise, for $17,000.
That Price is very reasonable. The convert would be cool.

[3d]

My friend and i were driving that car in Greece. It was the only automatic rental on the island. Very fun car to drive. Got ALOT of looks and smiles from pedestrians and drivers. Not sure if they were laughing at us,, or they thought we were cute. Maybe 50/50. Two grown men in a Smart car. Uhhh... Maybe 20/80. Heh. Bleh.. it was a fun vacation car. We had a blast scooting around in it with the windows down :-D

[Racer X]

[quote Grateful11][quote ztirffritz] 50+ MPG with the gas engine, 70+ with the diesel. Unfortunately, the US has some screwed up laws preventing the diesel from coming into the US.
Sure they don't want a car coming into the US that gets that much mileage. With the new
low sulfur diesel I don't see why it would be a problem, other than fuel profits. Mercedes
is bringing back their big cars with diesels into the US, they're rated at about 35% high
mileage than their gas counterpart. .
But with the higher price of diesel most places, the economy of the diesel over the gas option when you factor in higher price for the diesel option basically makes it a wash unless you drive way too much, or hang on to the car for a decade.