Nothing personal, but those who say American made cars are sub-standard aren't paying attention. They WERE substandard. Not anymore. My last three American-made cars bore a major American brand nameplate, and had zero defects. I reserved the smart because, at the time, it was a Daimler CHRYSLER product. I followed thru with the purchase largely because I was still curious, and don't believe in walking out on a deal. It is, frankly, less than it could be. My now nine year old PT Cruiser is a vastly better car. My wife's nine year old Chrysler minivan gets 32 mpg freeway, and is a much much better freeway car. But....... nearly ninety five percent of my driving is in town, and the smart shines there. But I stand by my comment. Someone currently driving a bum American made car has the right to complain. But I'll bet you this........... if I blindfolded you, and had you ride in a Toyota, and then ride in an American made car, you couldn't tell the difference. Or the Toyota is louder, and cruder. (As is my father-in-law's brand new Corolla. What junk)
Who cares were the car is made! Really guys, most cars are not MADE in a singular place. they are ASSEMBLED there from parts coming from all over the world.
Why don't the "Buy American" crowd buy 100% American oil..... or try to get American bananas picked by Americans in American trucks with American tires... YEAH impossible! The world thrives on commerce and the USA is the biggest IMPORTER of most all goods in the world. I really find it ridiculous to think that buying a car due to where it was made. Why don't you base your decisions on more important aspects like its crash worthiness, fuel efficiency, good looks, value... none of those are based on WHERE its ASSEMBLED! or else heck buy a Mazda, Kia, MB.. they are also made in the good Ol' US of A
Godfather, you bought the smart because it was part of Chrysler???? the companies had SOME corroboration and that made the smart AMERICAN to you! incredible!
I don't care if the smart was made by Pygmies in Madagascar using parts from Tasmania and Chile, I liked the car for what it is and not for whom sold it or where it was assembled.
Who cares were the car is made! Really guys, most cars are not MADE in a singular place. they are ASSEMBLED there from parts coming from all over the world.
Why don't the "Buy American" crowd buy 100% American oil..... or try to get American bananas picked by Americans in American trucks with American tires... YEAH impossible! The world thrives on commerce and the USA is the biggest IMPORTER of most all goods in the world. I really find it ridiculous to think that buying a car due to where it was made. Why don't you base your decisions on more important aspects like its crash worthiness, fuel efficiency, good looks, value... none of those are based on WHERE its ASSEMBLED! or else heck buy a Mazda, Kia, MB.. they are also made in the good Ol' US of A
Godfather, you bought the smart because it was part of Chrysler???? the companies had SOME corroboration and that made the smart AMERICAN to you! incredible!
I don't care if the smart was made by Pygmies in Madagascar using parts from Tasmania and Chile, I liked the car for what it is and not for whom sold it or where it was assembled.
Man, do you need a drink, or what? The smart is a mediocre car that is in a class of one. No competition. Yes I bought one, and yes I like it, but that doesn't change the fact that it's noisy, crude, rides like an old farm wagon, and isn't worth a crap in the wind or snow. The panorama roof is one of the biggest frauds ever perpetrated on the buying public, and face it, the fuel mileage could be a lot better. My '88 Omni got 35 mpg, and it was technological dinosaur. (That also never had a warranty claim) And if you actually think it doesn't matter where a car is made, go talk to someone who bought a Yugo....... they MIGHT argue the point. Have a nice day, though........
and face it, the fuel mileage could be a lot better. My '88 Omni got 35 mpg, and it was technological dinosaur.
Back to this discussion?
Would you have been happy with 40hp rather than 71hp? That was one of the major things that came out of the Smarts Across America test drive event: Americans didn't like the wimpy 40hp.
The fact that no other production car gets better gas mileage (that isn't a hybrid) counts for nothing?
If you want to harp on "could be better" then yes - ANYTHING could be better. Right now its the best you can get.
and face it, the fuel mileage could be a lot better. My '88 Omni got 35 mpg, and it was technological dinosaur. (That also never had a warranty claim) And if you actually think it doesn't matter where a car is made, go talk to someone who bought a Yugo....... they MIGHT argue the point. Have a nice day, though........
Gee my Omni didnt need a warranty claim because the body made it past the 3 year and the VW Powertrain was unstopable, but at 50K the car around it made in Belvidrre Il was falling apart around it. If CHRYSLER is so great, how come the small cars they make their now only get 26 miles per gallon. (Caliber) Sounds like they are still Dinosaurs to me.
Oh and my Chrysler mini van never got me more than 22 MPG and was costing me close to $1000 a month in stupid repairs when I traided it in for a Smart.
Once again, what is GM offering us that is new to help them come out of this Bankrupcy?
"Will we ever even see the Volt?" Forrest, I think the Idea of the Volt is interesting. Now the fact that the fusion and just about every other American mid-size car already looks like the Volt has me once again asking Why don't the American car manufacturers get a back bone and design something that does not look like EVERY other American car. every minivan was a clone, every "retro" muscle car today looks like a clone, every pickup truck with their bulbous train hoods is a clone, Does nobody else SEE this? I don't want a Chevy/ford/caddy Taurus in my drive.. And that is why I bought the smart! now the issues the smart has have me frustrated, but more with the service centers than the car itself.
Godfather, did your Omni have ESP, ABS, 4 air bags, and the rest of the safety systems the smart has? NO! I am sure if we retrograded the smart to your 88 standards it would haul ass and get 55+ mpg.. but than I don't think we would be so relaxed when driving it...
I'm ashamed that I can't be proud of American made cars. I truly wish we were leaders in this industry. But we are far from it. Criticizing US car makers is a very good way of sending the message that we want change. The other good method is just not buying sub-standard products. Maybe someday they'll hear us.
I COMPLETELY AGREE! When I first placed my order, the smart was listed as a "Daimler-Chrysler" model and as a "Daimler-Chrysler" dealership employee, I figured that was close enough for me. I would LOVE for Chrysler, GM or even Ford, to build a competing model with the smart. But I believe their plans are all 'short term' and they can't see the big picture.
While gas prices have somewhat dropped recently, I'm still a believer that NEXT summer (2010) we'll see the return of $5/gal gas and where will the former 'Big 3' be then? The only things I see are the Ford Fusion ($25k +) and the Fiat 500 (40?mpgs) and maybe the Chevy Volt if it ever gets off the ground. I'm happy I got my smart!
the G8 comes in two performance variants powered by V8 engines producing 361 hp and 415 hp, the latter with an EPA combined fuel economy rating of 15 mpg.
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