But now that the new cars are in some of your hands, can anyone tell me which is the better quality car? A 2006 with Mercedes motor or the new Mitsubishi motored cars? I'm not talking about just the motor either. I see by looking at the pics that there are other differences too.
There are many differences between the older 450 and the new 451 model. IMHO the 451 is a much better car all around. Slightly larger, engineered to meet USA standards from the ground up, better fit and finish than the older cars. Different engine, but nothing you'd really notice in day to day driving.
And, it hasn't been "Americanized" by G&K in Santa Ana, CA. The 451 also comes with the full factory warranty, smart-1 roadside assistance and dedicated smart service centers nationwide.
But now that the new cars are in some of your hands, can anyone tell me which is the better quality car? A 2006 with Mercedes motor or the new Mitsubishi motored cars? I'm not talking about just the motor either. I see by looking at the pics that there are other differences too.
Which is tastier, yogurt or ice cream ? a better car, Toyota or Nissan ?
It is a matter of preference.
You will find people with strong opinions one way and just as many, just as strong, the other.
I personally don't mind either vehicle. Each one is different then a mainstream vehicle but you will likely love each one just as much.
You know how it goes. What ever they are trying to sell is the best in their opinion. Apparently they are asking over 20k for the '06 models and people are paying it. I'm just trying to figure out why. Is it because they are hard to get and people want them now or is it because they are a better quality product.
For instance, I just bought an SLK320 for my wife. It's a few years old but I think it is a much better quality product then a lot of newer, less expensive cars out there. However, I just can't see paying more for a used SLK if a new SLK was thousands less.
That's the situation I am in with the ForTwo and that's why I am digging in to it.
I appreciate any responses/opinions from those with experience in both cars.
Thanks
I think you're going to find that people are all pretty passionate about their own cars. Many of the Canadians I've met (either in person or on-line) consider their 450 the "real" smart car. You can't deny it's the original.
I have a feeling that if you put someone who's used to a 451, and then plunk him down into a 450 for the first time, he'd make a number of comments about how things got better. Likewise, reverse the situation and you'll get comments about lack of gas mileage and how the interior looks like a Buick.
Not many people in North America that can perform the first scenario yet; but in the second, the comments about the 451 are still very positive.
As best I can devine it, the 450 engines (gassers and diesels) are designed by Mercedes, but built by Suprex. Whereabouts unknown. I can only find fleeting references to Suprex, but they are apparently in the aircraft supercharger business, a truncated Google thread seemed to suggest that Suprex is a subsidiary of Daimler. And somewhere in the dark of time someone said that the Mitsubishi engines would be built in France near smartville. Maybe that was Suprex they were thinking of. At any rate, Suprex could be in Germany and still be near smartville.
Last edited by Old smart; 01-26-2008 at 10:42 AM.
Reason: sp.
As best I can devine it, the 450 engines (gassers and diesels) are designed by Mercedes, but built by Suprex. Whereabouts unknown. I can only find fleeting references to Suprex, but they are apparently in the aircraft supercharger business, a truncated Google thread seemed to suggest that Suprex is a subsidiary of Daimler. And somewhere in the dark of time someone said that the Mitsubishi engines would be built in France near smartville. Maybe that was Suprex they were thinking of. At any rate, Suprex could be in Germany and still be near smartville.
Fish, having lived in europe for 20yrs i have been associated with smart since it first came out i have been told on many an occasion that the engine for the 450 was produced by Renault.
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