How exciting is this group of enthusiasts?

[miniBNZ]

Hello to all of my new-found brothers and sisters who were smart enough to discover and purchase a smart car! I am a new member of SCOA and am blown away with the vastness of this organization! I purchased my Passion Coupe in November of 2008. I had been on the waiting list when I discovered the "orphan car" concept in Riverside, CA. The smart continues to amaze me everytime I drive it.
This car is approached by so many people everyday. I do an average of 3 demos a day. I am aware of at least one family who bought one because of my ranting and raving about mine! He is my Chiropractor! I'm sure there have been others.
For one thing, I am surprised to find out that there are diesel engined smarts in the U.S.! Great! Now I have something else to lust after!
I first became acquainted with smart cars in my trips to Europe. Mainly France and Germany. I always said that I would buy one if it was ever imported to the U.S. You wouldn't believe how many pictures I have taken of smart cars in Europe! (Now, I "R" one!)
I look forward to being an active member of SCOA and know I will enjoy many hours (where did that time come from?) reading and discovering more about smart and the people who drive them.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Happy Trails (Oh, brother!)

MiniBNZ, Bob

[JPaul]

Welcome, and many smiling miles.

[headless]

Hi Bob, this is a great site with lots of enthusiastic owners, and you sound as if you will fit in quite well, so welcome to the site.
I am from Sheffield, England, but I am Scottish, and have a smart roadster, but really enjoy coming on to this site, some of the aftermarket companies have really got their act together so you guys have a great chioce of accessories and mods for your smarties.
I smiled at your Happy Trails sign off as I sometimes use it, as it is a western riding expression that we use.
So Happy Trails.
Ellis
ps. 1 great feature of this site is, if you look under peoples avatars and user names, if it has My SCOA Gallery in red under it, click on it and you can see pictures of the peoples cars, this is a feature I always use, as I am nosey and like to see what people have got.

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by miniBNZ

For one thing, I am surprised to find out that there are diesel engined smarts in the U.S.! Great! Now I have something else to lust after!

MiniBNZ, Bob

That would be a suprize. Many of us would like a Diesel smart but we would need to move to Canada A.

No - THe Diesels have not made it to the US

Oh and as for being exciting

[smart142]

Yes there are some ''grey'' market smart diesels in the US!

You have to love the creativity of this fellow:

'' James from Oklahoma, USA.

This picture is of my 2002 Smart Gas model, that I fully rewired and converted into a 2006 CDI Diesel drive-train. Most of the project was done in my kitchen, because it was winter and my garage was just too cold. This was one of the first Smart's legally imported into the US back in 2002, and the first in the world to undergo such an extensive engine conversion.

As of 2007, I sold my best friend my second 2002 Smart Gas model, and did the same 2006 CDI conversion again. As of 2009, I have recently begun a third conversion on another 2002 Smart Gas model. I am planning to install a 2000-2002 European Diesel engine in this last Smart of mine.''

Sorry, but I'm unable to post the pictures for you.
Can be found at club smart car.com

[Kyle H]

Whoa, I've never even thought of a diesel smart car. That would be sweet.


The US needs to learn to be more accepting of diesels, we don't get any of the cool engines.