Edmunds' full test for the smart is out

[SmartIsland]

I so agree, august8. The cars generally cited as "better value" for having four seats, similar fuel mileage and similar cost are all variations on a theme: Four-cylinder, transverse-engine, front drive, three- or five-door hatchbacks with the same-old, same-old driving experience. The smart is exactly different, and that's the attraction.

[4-2NV]

Originally Posted by august8pm

It is testimony to the simple-mindedness of today's auto journalists (a term I use with profound reservation) that they feel the need to compare the fortwo with the Yaris, Fit, Versa, et al.

My favorite line in virtually every "stupid" smart review is "for the same money you can get four doors and a back seat." Um, if I wanted those, why would I be looking at a two-seater in the first place?

Sorry, had to vent.

I parked next to a Fit at coffee shop this morning. Guess which car everybody was looking at and talking about?

Fit Sport Automatic with no other upgrades MSRP $16,070
Versa 1.8 SL Automatic with no other upgrades MSRP $15,810
Yaris ( one of the 10 worst and possibly ugliest cars) 1.5S Coupe automatic no upgrades MSRP $14,450
smart Passion, no other upgrades MSRP $13,560

These others are cars folks need to get. smart is a car they want to get. 'Nuff said about the comparos.

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by august8pm

"for the same money you can get four doors and a back seat." Um, if I wanted those, why would I be looking at a two-seater in the first place?

Sorry, had to vent.

No need to apologize! In a similar vein as posted somewhere else (the absence of a clutch pedal doesn't make the smart an "automatic"); here too: the compactness of a comparatively tall smart doesn't make it anything but a two-seater! The other two-seaters are just extended in length instead of height.
Also posted somewhere around here: it's a "unique car" in the current market. So don't compare it to... Unique is just that: unique!
Now, about venting frustration towards "automotive journalists": as a (recently and still young retired) journalist myself, I have to say that, in order to cover whatever assignment the Editor wants, I had to be a "know-it-all" on all sorts of things. This never made me an expert in sports (that was an assignment I still have not swallowed). Enough about me. Just remember, there are only few true automotive journalists. Most of them don't know much about cars...