This Car Is Dangerous!!!!

[TheBlade]

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

Wait, Blade could your crossblade stay in America forever if you pleased?

The rules are strict:
In general, cars (like the Crossblade) that do not meet US safety & emission standards may not be imported to the USA.

However, a NON-RESIDENT may import one such vehicle for personal use but it must be exported within one year and may not be sold in the U.S. There is no exemption or extension of the export requirements.

Last time I imported The Blade (in 2004) I paid a broker $125 to process the paperwork and that was it - total $125.
This time (2009) the paperwork had quadrupled, the broker's fee had doubled, and the government charged me $750 - total $1000

[Neonspinnazz]

Originally Posted by TheBlade

The rules are strict:
In general, cars (like the Crossblade) that do not meet US safety & emission standards may not be imported to the USA.

Yeah I know about that temporary stuff, that's how a member on here got his roadster here.

But come on USA!

A Jeep without doors is less safe than a crossblade.

The average American SUV might pollute tons more than the crossblade (and roadster and forfour).

The government is just trying to find excuses to keep imports out of the country.

I get tired of seeing 10 of the same car model in 1 hour, I'm tired of not having that large of a selection when it comes down to car buying.

I get like what...

10 Ford models to choose from

10 GM models to choose from in like 100 different trim levels from other GM brands.

Roughly 20 Chrysler models to choose from, all them have dead steering.

Maybe less than 10 Hondas
Less than 10 Hyundais
About 10 VWs

1 of 6+ smarts (second-hand smarts, forfour, 450 almond, city coupe, roadster, roadster coupe, true brabus models)

My math may not be that accurate but when it comes down to it, the number of car models sold in America compared to other countries is surprising.

[TheBlade]

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

....................

The government is just trying to find excuses to keep imports out of the country.

.....................

As a guest in your country I shouldn't criticise it, but that seems to hit the nail on the head .....
In fairness the USA is not the only country to do that!

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by TheBlade

As a guest in your country I shouldn't criticise it, but that seems to hit the nail on the head .....
In fairness the USA is not the only country to do that!

I wish some of us Americans felt that way when we visited other countries. I can't count how many times I've been with people to other countries and they get mad at the shopkeepers because they couldn't understand them. I had to remind them, we're a guest in the shopkeepers country - we should be speaking their language. I try to make it a point to learn at least 100 critical words to get by whatever country I go to.

A few years back I sold my '67 Mustang to a German while I was in Germany. It was like a drug deal since he was so afraid of the tax people rushing in. Immediately after I sold the car he took it back to his mechanics shop and stripped it, then took it to the tax collectors office to show the shell he just bought. (It was really a fully restored car, I don't take that term lightly either)

[TheBlade]

Originally Posted by Bum-bling-B

..........................

A few years back I sold my '67 Mustang to a German while I was in Germany. It was like a drug deal since he was so afraid of the tax people rushing in. Immediately after I sold the car he took it back to his mechanics shop and stripped it, then took it to the tax collectors office to show the shell he just bought. (It was really a fully restored car, I don't take that term lightly either)

That's an interesting example of "When in Rome ..... "
Reminds me of another: people shipping a Smart without an engine ('glider') into the USA, then later shipping an engine for it in parts.
But no idea if this really happened.

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by TheBlade

That's an interesting example of "When in Rome ..... "
Reminds me of another: people shipping a Smart without an engine ('glider') into the USA, then later shipping an engine for it in parts.
But no idea if this really happened.

I had quite a few buddies who shipped cars back here to the US to be "race cars". If it was sent over to be a race car, all was OK.

[ambitionz]

i am 19 years old and i love this car since i got it for my 18th birthday..i don't care who tells me it's a death trap because i tell em, you'll die one day ;D

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by smartysmitten

This car causes other drivers to do nutty things

Yesterday at 40 mph on 4 lane st., a young woman ( 20's maybe ) hung out her drivers door almost up to her waste with both hands on a camera!!!
Her passenger drove from the right hand seat so her friend could get a picture of my smarty ! (Cabrio that is)

Ya gotta love this car!!!

Just a reminder about what this thread was meant to be about. It seems to have taken a darker turn. We already have plenty of threads about how people think the smart is unsafe, this is not one of them

[TheBlade]

Originally Posted by forestacademy

Just a reminder about what this thread was meant to be about. It seems to have taken a darker turn. We already have plenty of threads about how people think the smart is unsafe, this is not one of them

Well said!
Dare I suggest if inappropriate messages are posted to this thread, they be moderated to an appropriate thread elsewhere.

[lrsmall]

Yes, Baby sure turns heads. We have people constantly asking questions about our Smart Car. When we crossed the border into Mexico, the border patrol pretended to put her in his pocket, then smiled at us and waved us on.