Real world comparo of the older grey import smarts vs current US model?

[TheShok]

Hi, so I did a little searching and found this thread on smart cars coming to salinas, i can't post the link since my post count is too low,
and visited the guy since its almost walking distance to my house. He explained that part of the price difference was due to the mods a grey market car needs and also said that the original model he sells is better than the newer model. He gave me a ride and it seemed like a really fun car but the price does sting a bit. Can anyone who has driven both give me some comparison points and tell me what you like about the grey vs us market version?
He seemed pretty straight forward and let me check the car out as much as I wanted, including letting me see one that is being worked on and had body components removed so I could look at the guts. I do all my own repairs so I liked getting a look at the hidden bits.

[Stavros!]

I don't know about your area, but here in Portland Oregon, there isn't any place that will work on the grey market smart cars. The Mercedes dealers won't have anything to do with them, and the Smart Center said they can't get parts, but will do oil changes and tune ups, but nothing else. Seems like a good reason to stay away from the grey market cars, unless you like to do your own work....

[TheShok]

yeh i do most of my own work, from maintenance to mods, plus this lace is a full shop and will do repairs. There were one or two smarts there being worked on that day. So that part itself doesn't have me too worried. I'm more concerned aout one model being more reliable than another, harder to work on, just not as good a driver etc.

[Stavros!]

The only other difference between the older grey market and the new us
models seem to be the engine and transmisison. The new ones aren't
from Mercedes, and are slightly bigger, and get less gas mileage. I don't
know why the parts apparently don't fit the grey market cars (other
than the engine and transmission of course)....

[vwW12]

Originally Posted by TheShok

I'm more concerned aout one model being more reliable than another, harder to work on, just not as good a driver etc.

My brother in law in Spain drives one of the previous generation, as do 700,000 other people outside the U.S.

It is shorter, gets better mpg, the engine is less powerful, it does not share any parts with the new one, sports a Mercedes engine, and getting parts is going to be interesting. I'd be interested to know if it has 4 airbags.

In my opinion, the previous version looks better (spot the glass behind the doors: how cute is that?). I like the headrests and I think the semi-spherical A/C vents on the dash are ultra-hip (vs. the cylindrical ones we get on the new one).

But I am afraid I wouldn't buy it because of the headache of getting the parts.

[hsterk]

Here in CT I would not be able to insure (at least with GEICO) a Grey market Smart.

[RVGRINGO]

It wouldn't be all that bad because Canada and Mexico have had the original Smarts for years and have dealership networks and, of course, parts. Yes, you would have to have them shipped to you and then have them installed, but that isn't hard to do. Also, the UK has had Smarts even longer and has aftermarket support by several vendors, online maintenance manuals with illustrations, etc. Most of them will ship worldwide, as will those who offer modifications and accessories, even tiny camping trailers, etc.
My Smart isn't 'grey market' as I bought it in Guadalajara, just north of Lake Chapala. There are two large Mercedes/Smart dealers there and they are truly posh. Of course, Guadalajara is a large, beautiful world class city. Come and visit for the Pan American games in 2011. You should reserve now.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by hsterk

Here in CT I would not be able to insure (at least with GEICO) a Grey market Smart.

If you lived next door, GEICO will not insure anything here in MA the car is far funkyer than the new model all around. I am very glad to have the US version of the new world wide 451 here and now as a recognized import.
karl

[mimota]

The older model Smarts are diesel engines rather than gas. They are slower on the pickup, but get much better mileage. You may want to check out the clubsmartcar.ca site for lots of information about them. The members there have lots of how-to information.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by mimota

The older model Smarts are diesel engines rather than gas. They are slower on the pickup, but get much better mileage. You may want to check out the clubsmartcar.ca site for lots of information about them. The members there have lots of how-to information.

The gray market cars here in the US are imported gas jobs from Germany.
karl