Smart

Hockey4mnhs · 11-11-2007, 07:12 AM

I saw a smart today on the way home from my hockey game. I Freaked out at a stop light and didnt go when the light turned green. This was a little north of Omaha Nebraska so i was kinda freaked out to see one here. Does anyone know if you can even get them yet or is it not able to be sold here in the U.S. Yet.

Danronian · 11-11-2007, 07:38 AM

I've seen one in a parking lot here too. They must be here already.

8307c4 · 11-11-2007, 07:42 AM

http://www.smartusa.com/

rh77 · 11-11-2007, 08:28 AM

It bothers me that the only transmission available is the Sequential, Automated Manual. From what I understand, you cannot shift into Neutral unless you go in order from higher gears down to 1st, then neutral.

Why not a standard 5- or 6-speed manual?

RH77

Erdrick · 11-11-2007, 03:32 PM

I am with rh77, and am kinda perturbed that there is no manual option. I personally wouldn't consider the Smart without a diesel engine and manual transmission.

2TonJellyBean · 11-11-2007, 04:19 PM

Endrick, the diesel is even gone in Canada now...

Hockey4mnhs · 11-11-2007, 06:45 PM

hmmm i wonder where they could have gotten it.

rvanengen · 11-11-2007, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockey4mnhs

I saw a smart today on the way home from my hockey game. I Freaked out at a stop light and didnt go when the light turned green. This was a little north of Omaha Nebraska so i was kinda freaked out to see one here. Does anyone know if you can even get them yet or is it not able to be sold here in the U.S. Yet.

Did you see if it had US tags on it?

Mike T · 11-12-2007, 11:02 AM

If it was a first-generation car (likely) it is a gasoline powered conversion (grey market) by G&K in California.

The cars like mine can be shifted into neutral, though I can't fathom why one would want to do that when driving.....

The new ones going on sale next spring in he USA are gasoline engined too and will have an automatic-style shift gate, even though it's a sequential manual, so in that case you'd have to bump the lever from D to N to get neutral....

The gearbox is weird, but is part of the car's charm, love it or hate it, just like the car itself.