My dad used to drive one when he lived in Spain. We're talking about 6 years ago. His was very similar to the ones in the states. When it was time for him to move back home, he wanted to bring the car, but he would have to spend the cost of the car to get it altered to be street legal in the states. My recomendation- buy a new US Smart car. Much less hassel. And if it breaks... buy another one... and you'll still have just about broken even.
Well as a 450 owner I have a slightly (only slight) different opinion.
COST: yep it will cost you more to get a pre 08 Smart upgraded to US standards and yes everyone needs to make money
My friend @ work has had his 451 for about 3 months now and we go out to lunch every Thursday and we alternate who drives, so my impression of the 451 is as a passenger. The ride seems a little better in the 451 than the 450, as well as the shifting seems smoother, yet I would be concerned about the creep feature. My AC seems to cool my car faster , and even though dynos show different, I still think my car is peppier.
Room inside seems the same and the interior, well there are things I like about the 451 and things I don’t, but that a personal preference thing that can’t be debated.
Reliability: One of the reasons I chose the Gen 2 450 is because it was on the road for 4 years in the EU (with some serious mileage) and the problems were what I would expect. I viewed this car/parts as road tested and expected the same level of reliability as they are getting in the EU.
Parts: well as of today (this will change as time goes by) there isn’t a single part for my 450 that I can’t get overnight (of course parts will come from Ca. and EU and a hefty shipping cost), as of the today the 450 is better supported with a well established parts chain.
I do like the distinct look of my 450, BUT only a 450 owner could tell the difference between a 450 and a 451, to John Q public they look exactly the same.
I will be doing my own work as well, YET I have a G&K trained mechanic (at a dealer) 30 min from my house so that is reassuring (safety net) and there are some people working in the background to expand the knowledge pool on this cars electronics.
This would be a tough choice for anyone, and it’s a choice only you can make, for me, even though I could end up having a 1,600 pound paper weight in my driveway, it is worth it to me(look a some of my first posts here and you will see how my journey went).
My Pro.s: got it in a week, dealer 30 min away, model’s reliability has 4 years of proving, well established parts chain, well established support (forums) chains, and if I drive like a true Green Boy I would be getting mid 50s MPG.
My Con.s: Cost, risk of becoming a driveway paper weight, snubbed by MB, no parts supply chain in the US, and higher lever of preventive maintenance (this would be true of the 451 too).
Well I don’t want this to bee a book
ASM
Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
Thought I'd finally post to one of these threads. First I didn't know until today that my 2006 Smart passion has a nickname "Grey Market Smarts" besides "450 model". You learn something new everyday. As far as "TheShok", I think it's really how bad do you want a SMART regardless of the year. I personally couldn't wait for the 2008 451 model so I bought my Smart 1 year ago at a specialized dealer before SmartUSA dealers really had it together. If I knew that I could get a 2008 Smart 451 by Feb. 2008 then I would of waited and saved some money but back then SmartUSA had no clue on the time frame for the waiting list. I guess I also could of waited because My Smart is my secondary car aka "My Toy" so as far as the other Smart drivers I feel different because as of yet I don't drive it everyday. So to my point I knew what I was getting into before buying my Smart.
Yes I paid top price, yes there's a Benz engine, yes there's six speed manual sport shifter as well as auto and there were no problems getting insurance for my Smart. Also yes it's gas and as far as MPG I still don't know. I bought it brand new with only 200 miles and now have less then 3,000 miles. I drive my Smart like it's a Go Kart and love every min. of driving as I can't help but have fun where ever I go. Oh sorry I made one trip all Highway driving and avg. 44 MPG. Still I'm the last person you want to get a good MPG avg out of. Last yes my full moon roof is glass and yes my paint colors are Mercedes Benz. Check out my photos under my profile. With all that said I REALLY ONLY LOVE my toy NOW because only a few weeks ago I added a modified "S-Mann" body kit which includes the new front grill and lowering springs. The only thing which I hate on my 450 model compared to 451 is the shape of my headlights and my side mirrors. Those two things I love on the 451. Now the only thing that I really really really really really still don't understand is WHY is there a Mitsubishi engine in the 2008 Smart (Swatch Mercedes ART). I pray that Mitsubishi doesn't give Smart a bad rep in America. I'm hoping that engine will last because I know my Benz engine will. With that said a SMART (fortwo) is still a SMART (fortwo) regardless of which year it was made just like a Golf Cart is a Golf Cart. Much Love to all the Smarties.
thanks for all the info guys, before i decide i'll get a ride in a 451. i really want one but don't want to make a decision i'll regret, so more research.
thanks for all the info guys, before i decide i'll get a ride in a 451. i really want one but don't want to make a decision i'll regret, so more research.
The best way to never make a decision you don't regret is to never make one.
good luck karl
driving a GRAY MARKET 2005 fortwo coupe 450 in LA for year and half . been having great fun. it's cuter, more loveable, has a daimler-benz engine instead of that mitsubishi junk, and it gets better gas milage.
insurance: no problems
title and registration: no problems
loan: no problems
parts and accessories: no problems
service: no problems
no "Dealers": OMG, there are smart dealers in the US now? Who cares? Who wants to be held captive and gouged by a dealer?
Hi 85mpg, thanks for your comments. I have an '06 Passion of the same grey colour. Didn't realize it was a MB colour. It has a black tridon, so a bit darker, just still love it!
I've had my G&K converted smart for over 2 years and have not had any issues with it other than needing to recharge the AC. I have checked with local shops, and 3 different European service shops in the area have said that they would work on the cars, but so far, none of the 15 local 450 models in our local club have needed any work other than oil changes or AC recharge.
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