Check out the cover of the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog

[SmartieParts]

Ok its obviously not a smart, but look familiar? When you can buy things like these mail order... I gotta think the economy is looking up!!

Hammacher Schlemmer - Summer Preview 2009

[jwight]

For folks at the top of the food chain the economy is always looking up.

[dichrodave]

Here's the page.
The 4,000 Watt Roadster. at Hammacher Schlemmer

[sato7]

Its a BArgain at $13,000.... hell you cant get.... oh you can get a pure for that.. But its not electric! so you will not have the thrill of 25mph top speed or the climatic experience no A/C has on a good 103F in the shade and 100% humidity... just think of how good you will look as you park it at the "club" and your best linens are see through

[smark]

Saw them at the auto show. They sell them here. Junk!!! Good for a planned community runabout. They do have 4 lug nut wheels. Over size go kart.

[Padawan]

For that price, I'd at least rather have one of these:

Xebra Electric Sedan Reservation $99 | ZAP Electric Cars | Green Electric Car | Electric Scooters

[jayhead000]

At least they have the zaps beat! 25 miles per charge! what a joke! plus i heard this company rips off its dealers, and leaves them high and dry. 60 miles is ok, but i am still waiting for the brabus electric smart... in lime green.

[SmartieParts]

for the record... when I started this thread I was by no means advocating anyone buy it. I simply thought it amusing a) that you can buy a car from a mail order catalog and b) how it is so obviously designed to resemble a smart (headlights look like the 1st gen smart in Europe but taller; looks to have something resembling the tridion safety cell; orange oval side markers look just like the older smart; front and rear fenders are similar; front vents are nearly identical; overall design is clearly smart-esque)

Like jay... I'm waiting on a Tesla Motors powered smart car!

- Steven

[Big Panda]

It's like an "Electric CrossBlade" only....uh, only....uh, ummm, NOT!

[Padawan]

Originally Posted by jayhead000

At least they have the zaps beat! 25 miles per charge! what a joke!

However, the Zap is an actual (albeit odd looking) "car", with 4 doors and most amenities we're used to. The range really isn't a big factor considering that these are all low-speed vehicles that you won't be taking on highways. The Zap also has an available solar panel to assist in charging the batteries.

If all you need is an open-air runabout, you can get a GEM e2 for about half the price.

None of these are particularly appealing to me though, especially for the price. As some have mentioned, you can get a Fortwo Pure for about the cost of these electrics, and that is indeed a truly useful, full-fledged vehicle.