Article states cabrio 'not offered with a manual transmission'

[rfernatt]

Mazda MX-5 Miata still fun after all these years - NewsFlash - mlive.com

"Sure, the Smart fortwo convertible has a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price of $17,635 compared with the MX-5 Miata's $22,420.
But the fortwo looks odd, not sporty, and it gets just 70 horsepower out of its one-liter, three-cylinder engine. It's also not offered with a manual transmission."

Of course, they probably mean a manual transmission with a manual clutch, but the paddle shifters should count for something and it struck me as funny nonetheless.

Anyway, when did the fortwo cabrio become part of the 'roadster' class? I would never consider the Miata and the fortwo to be in the same class. If I was looking for a roadster, I don't think I would even consider the fortwo. If your only automotive criteria is convertible top, then I guess they're in the same class.

[Godfather]

Two seat drop top.......... sounds like a roadster to me. That said, they are certainly in two different classes.

[jwight]

From our friends at Merriam-Webster:

road·ster
Pronunciation:
ˈrōd-stər
Function:
noun
Date:
circa 1812

1 a: a horse suitable for riding or driving on roads b: a utility saddle horse of the hackney type2 a: a light carriage : buggy b: an automobile with an open body that seats two and has a folding fabric top and often a luggage compartment or rumble seat in the rear

Sounds like a smart Cabrio to me.

[psychobeth]

Oooh, I want a rumble seat!!

[rfernatt]

I guess I have a different connotation for the term 'roadster'. Oh well, what do those Merriam-Webster people know anyhow?

[forestacademy]

You want a Beepbeep Zip Bang?

[MB DNA]

Originally Posted by jwight

From our friends at Merriam-Webster:



Sounds like a smart Cabrio to me.

And Wikipedia sez:

A soft-top convertible may also be referred to as a cabriolet or cabrio, although two-seater soft tops often retain the name roadster, referring to their body style.

[grwhitaker]

Main Entry: cab·ri·o·let Pronunciation: \ˌka-brē-ə-ˈlā\ Function: noun Etymology: French, from diminutive of cabriole caper, alteration of Middle French capriole Date: 1763 1 : a light 2-wheeled one-horse carriage with a folding leather hood, a large apron, and upward-curving shafts 2 : a convertible coupe

cabriolet. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.
Retrieved April 29, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cabriolet

[jwight]

Also from M-W:

Main Entry:
cou·pé
Variant(s):
or coupe kü-ˈpā, 2 often ˈküp
Function:
noun
Etymology:
French coupé, from past participle of couper to cut, strike
Date:
1825

1: a four-wheeled closed horse-drawn carriage for two persons inside with an outside seat for the driver in front2usually coupe : a 2-door automobile often seating only two persons ; also : one with a tight-spaced rear seat — compare sedan

And a convertible coupe is a convertible "2-door automobile often seating only two persons" which describes the convertible smart to a tee. So, have it your way - the smart Cabrio is certainly a cabriolet, but also fits the definition(s) of a roadster IMHO. Another smart quirk.

[MB DNA]

Leaving me with this visual interpretation:


1950 Jaguar XK120 Roadster: a factory built two-seat car, traditionally without either a roof, side or rear windows


Ford Cabriolet: two-seater having windows and featuring a retractable roof


32 Ford Roadster: custom two-seater hot rod having no side or rear windows, no roof and sometimes no hood. As American as apple pie!


smart fortwo cabriolet: just a really cool interpretation of all of the above!

Top back, gotta go!

Tom