With no options, the pure presents a clean, uncluttered, light weight efficiency.
Instead of a smart clear roof, the std solid roof gives lots of cool shade while driving.
No power windows, means less weight. Manual windows will work forever.
The two items still pondering, is the air and clear roof.
Passing on the fully loaded Cabrio (and its higher sales taxes), for this pure, would leave $7,056 (only $4,697 difference if air is allowed on both, and compared to a base silver tridion cabrio. hmm.) extra after tax earnings cash.
The pure gray interior, would be a good neutral, soil hiding, and pleasing for years to come. the pure gray interior advantage extends to blending well with a later date exterior panel color purchase.
Tempting. At $11,765, plus tax, destination, registration.
The clear roof comes with a built in blind on the 451, easily operated with one hand from the driver's seat. So no additional heat build up in the summer, but perhaps useful solar gain in the winter?
Air conditioning does have a negative impact on gas mileage, but only when you're using it. Where I live I would only use it maybe three months of the year, but I'd hate to do without it during those three months. Not having A/C might also hurt eventual resale price?
The additonal (dash top) insturments are an extra cost option on the Pure, Passion and Cabrio, so no advantage or disadvantage there.
Electrically adjustable mirrors get used the day you pick up the car from the dealer, and that's pretty much it. On the other hand, heated mirrors are very useful in cold and snowy winter climates. The mirrors on the Passion are both electrically adjustable and heated.
Manual windows are fine, except you can't easily roll the passenger window up and down from the driver's seat (well, at least I can't without swerving all over the road).
In my experience, those plastic wheel trims always end up falling off, cracking or getting stolen at some point (this may be due to carelessness or bad luck on my part).
The Passion comes with the three-spoke steering wheel, which looks nicer than the two-spoker on the Pure (IMHO). You also get the paddle shifters, which are fun to use but not essential.
I'm with the Cash man. My Pure will have black Tridion, A/C and Radio/CD. That's it. I don't need the bells and whistles. I'll prolly add rims later. If I had $17k to spend I wouldn't be buying a Smart Car.
I'm with the Cash man. My Pure will have black Tridion, A/C and Radio/CD. That's it. I don't need the bells and whistles. I'll prolly add rims later. If I had $17k to spend I wouldn't be buying a Smart Car.
what could you buy for $17 that would be this cool. mines going to have it all and then some. I can't wait \ I want it now
Well Mr. Cash, there is alot of merrit to what you say.
If I may offer a few things to think about.
The A/C is a personal choice, I like it and use it all the time.
As mentioned above, the clear roof is great. It does have a full shade if the sun bothers you but in any other situation the panoramic view is really a joy. You mention that you live in an area of cooler climate so the shade may not be as important as the beautiful view. It really is kind of neat in the rain also. The current 450 smart sliding shade only covers 1/2 of the roof whereas the new 451 shade will cover the entire roof when neeed.
The power windows are also a personal choice. I don't think there has been any issues with power window failure so not really a problem either way.
The current radio is marginal at best. I am not sure if you ordered your smart without a radio, that there would be any speakers in the car. With the current smart, the radio upgrade seems to have more value in the additional speakers provided than the radio itself.
As for the tachometer and clock, I find myself using the tach all the time. With the radio on and the windows open or the A/C-heater fan on, it's very difficult to hear the engine for shifting. It is not difficult to be driving happily along in a lower gear than desired, a quick glance at the tach reminds you to grab another gear. The clock is much easier on my older eyes than the small readouts on most radios. Besides I think they look neat sittin up there on the dash.
The electric mirriors don't mean much to me but the heated mirrors are really nice in inclement weather.
As for the wheels, again a personal choice. Steel wheels will hold a tire as well as an alloy wheel in normal circumstances and I don't think the weight difference would be noticeable in the fuel economy. I don't believe theft is a big issue as I don't think these wheels will fit on anything else at this time. Not really a hot item at the midnight auto supply.
Again just my thoughts on a few things to think about.
what could you buy for $17 that would be this cool. mines going to have it all and then some. I can't wait \ I want it now
Don't get me wrong because I wouldn't buy my Smarty if I didn't like it. But the Honda Civic, Saturn Quad coupe, Volkswagen Rabbit, Dodge Caliber, Chevy Cobalt to name a few. but NOTHING matches the Fortwo for bang for your buck and I am on a Limited budget. I share your impatience, I want my Smarty NOW!
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