How to import Smart Roadster?

[jimvw57]

I wonder if you could get a title by licensing a car in Missisippi and then transfering it to another state. I have heard it done on old cars where the title is lost and no record of who owns the car.

I know there are companies that will do that for you

[jwight]

As Ron mentioned, you might be SOL when you tried to register the car in another state that's a little more, uh...rigorous in their compliance with various laws.

[jimvw57]

I would think all the states would have to follow the Federal guidelines at a minimum. The companies I mentioned usually do American old cars and bikes.

[jwight]

Originally Posted by jimvw57

I would think all the states would have to follow the Federal guidelines at a minimum. The companies I mentioned usually do American old cars and bikes.

Which begs the question, how did they get a federally non-compliant car registered in Mississippi without going through all the conversions like G&K did?

[headless]

Having seen how much you guys love your 451's, you would go nuts for the roadster, it is such a shame you can't get it over there, if I were you I would sent letters, e-mails, to the head of Smart America asking for a new roadster, if enough of you ask for one, they might think about doing a new one.
The roadster is the best car I have ever had, not the fastest, not the most practical, but for fun and the smile factor, it is unbeatable, 6 speed paddleshift gearbox, 700cc turbo engine, convertible, and it goes like stink and holds the road better than most supercars.
Ellis

[jwight]

Ellis, this is not a knock on your car - they are great. However, the roadster and the forfour almost killed smart financially. Too many models for their market (sound like any other car companies we know?) So my guess is the EU version of the roadster is it - a soon-to-be collectible car.

[headless]

Originally Posted by jwight

Ellis, this is not a knock on your car - they are great. However, the roadster and the forfour almost killed smart financially. Too many models for their market (sound like any other car companies we know?) So my guess is the EU version of the roadster is it - a soon-to-be collectible car.

No worries Jwight, I know it did, but when every roadster made cost M/Benz £18,500 to produce and they sold for £13,500, in Britain, it does'nt take a financial genius to work out the maths involved, that is why they only made the roadster for 2 years.
The good thing for me is, I think I got a bargain of a car, and as you said, they are now a classic already, so anybody that has one, is holding on to them, that is if they have a good one, cos' I will be the first to admit that a lot of roadsters have issues with reliability, there is a huge difference between a good one and a bad one, which is strange for a mass produced product, but 5 years on, my roadster has been fantastic, no reliability issues whatsoever.
Ellis

[jimvw57]

When Dave S. was asked about the roadster, he said it didn't make sense price wise as there are a LOT of roadsters in the same marketplace and it wasn't cost effective to compete with them. I can understand that but I don't have to likeit. If I could get one into the USA and get it licensed, I'd go for it. Sounds like it may never happen though....

[briansmart]

jimvw57 i'm with you there. I'd love to get a roadster or forfour into this country. I'm wondering with whom we have to become all buddy buddy to get the import laws bent for us?

[forestacademy]

Well if you did bring them in, you would have to get all buddy buddy with a local mechanic willing to source parts from over seas everytime you needed something. And these would be used parts most likely since neither has been made for a couple of years now.

It would be like owning one of those jaguars where your mechanic had your car more than you did.

For the cost and trouble, I would just go get a Sky Roadster. You would be able to enjoy it more for less