2008 smart fortwo Consumer Discussions

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

• cliche pic?

  Written by: steve_ on Sep 4, 2009 3:03:11 PM

  Long-Term Test: 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe (Inside Line Wrap Up) Upshot? Lousy resale but bulletproof. Except the parts that the Ford Explorer hit.

Smart Fortwo

• Re: Anyone Paying List Price? [priggly]

  Written by: swtnlovabl on Sep 2, 2008 10:49:37 PM

  A Safe Smart Car The smart car designers must have known that the size of the smart would raise questions of safety. In the event of an accident, how are occupants better protected beyond door beams, seat belts and airbags? Design a safety shell, like a walnut, and make it very strong. This high-strength "Tridion" frame has the ability to absorb tremendous impact, and although no automaker can guarantee against injury, ... Read More

Article Comments 2008 Smart Fortwo First Drive

• No mention of requiring Premium fuel

  Written by: tonyride on Feb 29, 2008 6:40:23 AM

  I just read Edmunds Full Test of a 2008 Smart ForTwo Passion. I thought it was very informative, especially when they compared it with the similiarly priced Yaris and Fit. But I wonder why they never mentioned that the ForTwo requires premium fuel. Shouldn't budget minded consumers be made aware of that fact? Especially with the price of gas these days and most places charge more that $.20 per gallon extra ... Read More

• Full Test Available!

  Written by: KarenS on Feb 27, 2008 2:56:14 AM

  Full Test: 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

• Smart fourtwo vs Triumph Speed Triple

  Written by: british_rover on Jun 6, 2008 2:49:47 PM

  I found this amusing... smart fortwo VS. Triumph Street Triple I've started seeing a few smart fortwos out on the road recently. I applaud their drivers for getting a cheap vehicle that suits their needs. Really, I do. All the same, they are inferior vehicles. I mean, we can see that in the first sentence of this post. Not only does their name not require capital letters (always suspect), but it's ... Read More

Smart Fortwo

• smart Wait

  Written by: dstrom on Apr 18, 2008 6:16:02 AM

  smart USA claims that they are building and delivering ForTwos in the order that customers made their $99 deposits. I made my deposit on May 9, 2007, configured it (added accessories) on March 14, 2008, and my current "Delivery Date Estimator" shows "3/21/2008 to 6/19/2008". How does that compare to others, both those who've received their cars and those still waiting? Thanks.

• Re: The ZAP Smart Fortwo [ironmike59]

  Written by: gregg_vw on Apr 13, 2008 6:26:19 PM

  The ZAP Smart Fortwo was even smaller, slower, less comfortable and quite a bit more expensive than the current FourTwo. I don't know how they sell a used 2006 smart when the 2008 costs considerably less than the money that has to be asked for a 2006. People complain about the 2008 smart prices, but they are literally many thousands less than the previous model. Mercedes has not made one dime ... Read More

• Re: smart ForTwo Safety [dstrom]

  Written by: gregg_vw on Mar 31, 2008 3:16:39 PM

  Looks like it did pretty well, considering how small it is. Marked down because of marginal pedestirian protection (lots of cars have that). I also think that was the previous version, not the 2008.

• Re: 2008 Smart Passion Owner Comments [paecific]

  Written by: tiff_c on Mar 22, 2008 2:35:42 PM

  10. I order the comfort package upgrade and the leather seat. Wanted the heated seats for cold Iowa winters. Will be interested on what it handles like on snow. It handles terrible in the snow! Our neighbors to the North have had the Smart car for a while and did a test of it in the snow along with many other cars. Here is the link. The Smart Car is in ... Read More

Article Comments: 2008 Smart Fortwo First Look and Drive

• Re: Sweetness. [6sptl]

  Written by: plekto on Dec 7, 2007 2:24:37 PM

  Again, they wasted their profits on failed attempts to make it into a full line company with that oh so cool but underpowered like a lawnmower was under the hood roadster to their 4 door. The electric version going on sale in the U.K. soon is also taking a major hit to their bottom line as well. Add in the old engine's cost and the extra cost for interior parts - ... Read More

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

• Re: Those are a lot of straws to be grasping at. [snakeweasel]

  Written by: Mr_Shiftright on Dec 6, 2007 6:38:30 PM

  Users are reporting higher mileage than EPA. So who you gonna believe? :P Sample comments: (no cherry-picking, I swear, just as I read them). "near 40 mpg on the highway" "been averaging about 38 miles per gallon" "We have managed to get 40 mpg" "The best is its fuel efficiency (40MPG)" "mileage averaging 39-41 MPG" "t consistently gets between 37-42 mpg." ANYWAY, we'll see..... I think the Edmunds review summed the ... Read More

Smart Fortwo

• Re: Good Potential [lightminer]

  Written by: fernatt on Nov 26, 2007 4:40:29 PM

  Another quick thought on fuel economy. Just doing some 'back of the napkin' calculations based on a 2008 Honda Civic Coupe AT and using some crude proportional logic, here are a couple of observations: 1. If you shrunk an '08 Civic Coupe proportionally and decreased it's engine displacement to 1.0L from 1.8L, it would weigh 1538 lbs. That's not a far cry from an '08 smart passion coupe. 2. If you ... Read More

• Re: Good Potential [lightminer]

  Written by: fernatt on Nov 26, 2007 3:56:33 PM

  While I also thought the fortwo would achieve better MPG numbers, let's not forget two important things: 1. The fortwo is being judged by new-for-2008 mileage standards. All 2007 and prior models would post better numbers. Heck, on paper, my 2007 Honda Civic gets noticeably better mileage than the 'new' 2008 Honda Civic. 2. I don't believe the 33/40 numbers quoted are actual numbers from any official EPA tests. I've only ... Read More

Article Comments: 2008 Smart Fortwo First Look and Drive

• First Drive!

  Written by: KarenS on Nov 21, 2007 8:51:27 AM

  First Drive: 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion

Article Comments 2008 Smart Fortwo First Drive

• Re: Article Comments 2008 Smart Fortwo First Drive [KarenS]

  Written by: smartwrap on Sep 6, 2007 7:34:29 AM

  I had a chance to drive the new smart and I like it! I put my driving impresions on my smart web page.link title

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

• Re: storage space??? [Mr_Shiftright]

  Written by: bumpy on May 14, 2007 8:12:16 AM

  As I might have stated before, one should look at one's transition from one vehicle to another in terms of GALLONAGE, not mpg 2000 Hyundai Accent- 28.5 gallons (1000 mi / 35 mpg) 2008 smart fortwo- 16.7 gallons (1000 mi / 60 mpg) Works for me.

• Coming Attractions

  Written by: bumpy on May 14, 2007 12:24:52 PM

  May 2008 The Shiftright Challenge! Movie voiceover guy: "Can bumpy get 60 mpg from a smart fortwo?" Shifty: "It can't be done, I tell you. You'll be lucky to get 45." bumpy: "I once got 30 mpg out of that old Isuzu pickup I used to have. Carburetor and all." Shifty: "Not gonna happen, my friend." Movie voiceover guy: He dared to dream the impossible dream. He defied the odds. He ... Read More

• Re: storage space??? [bumpy]

  Written by: steve_ on May 14, 2007 10:34:49 AM

  The European gas smarts are reportedly getting around 45 mpg overall, according to this poster: plekto, "Article Comments: 2008 Smart Fortwo First Look" #27, 5 Feb 2007 12:51 am

Article Comments 2008 Smart Fortwo First Drive

• Article Comments 2008 Smart Fortwo First Drive

  Written by: KarenS on Feb 22, 2007 8:48:10 AM

  Coming to a town near you? Check out our first drive and let us know what you think. First Drive: 2008 Smart Fortwo

Article Comments: 2008 Smart Fortwo First Look and Drive

• Re: Article Comments: 2008 Smart Fortwo First Look [zeniff]

  Written by: gypsy_tech on Feb 20, 2007 11:09:21 AM

  My wife and I are looking for a Chrysler dealer that is getting the car so we can put a deposit down. Of course Chrysler executives are going to be-little global warming, there line up is full of gas guzzlers. European nations are screaming louder because of one of the theories of a result of global warming would be a European ice age. I'd be worried as well, even if we ... Read More

• Re: Article Comments: 2008 Smart Fortwo First Look [KarenS]

  Written by: zeniff on Jan 11, 2007 10:42:59 AM

  No, I can't see myself driving one of these. The fact that they are being sold thru Daimler Chrysler just means that it's a false front towards environmental protection. You want to save the earth with your car? Buy one from a company that gives a rip about the earth. Check out the following sites that give Daimler/Chrysler's own words about their thoughts along these lines: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=119166 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6247371.stm?ls http://www.inform.kz/showarticle.php?lang=eng&id=147616

• Re: Article Comments: 2008 Smart Fortwo First Look [KarenS]

  Written by: scoville on Dec 27, 2006 11:47:30 AM

  does anyone have info on the tridion frames? it looks like its made of steel. any talk of an aluminum chassis? the one thing we see more of than snow in the north east is road salt. its got to be a diesel for me or not at all.

• Article Comments: 2008 Smart Fortwo First Look

  Written by: KarenS on Nov 21, 2006 7:08:33 AM

  Can you see yourself tooling around town in one of these? Check out our first look and post your comments here. First Look: 2008 Smart Fortwo

What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

• Re: I've never sat in a Smart... [snakeweasel]

  Written by: Mr_Shiftright on Sep 7, 2006 7:02:07 AM

  oh, c'mon...the Yaris and Scion xA are to a Smart as a house is to a bird feeder...it's WAY bigger, visually and voume-wise. Check out my carspace page and see pix of what I stuffed into an xA. You aren't getting too much more than a cat and a cantaloupe into a Smart. And yes, the xA comes standard with AC, CD, airbags and ABS...no extra cost. SOME STATS on new ... Read More

Article Comments: 2003 Smart Fortwo Full Test

• Remember: This is the Americanized 2003 smart fortwo

  Written by: august8pm on Aug 28, 2006 5:50:22 PM

  While the Zap/smart fortwo will be the only version available until 2008, a redesign debuts in Europe next year - and it isn't limited to the exterior. As mentioned previously, other, more fuel-efficient engine types already exist - it just wasn't selected for, (or more likely, capable of) being Americanized. A recent announcement by DaimlerChrysler stated that, in addition to fuel-based vehicles, a fully electric model with a 9 hour/90 mile ... Read More

SmartCar smart cars?

• Doesn't

  Written by: jchan2 on Jul 27, 2006 8:52:35 PM

  ZapCar sell a modified Smart ForTwo to American buyers who are deeply interested? They charge a severe premium, but when it arrives it will be street legal. This is all moot. Smart's coming to the US in 2008 anyways, so unless you're desperate for a Smart right now, then you might as well wait.