smart fortwo in the year 2040?

[NCC1701]

I was just pondering the smart 25-30 years from now, and wondering if anyone has pondered this...

Thinking back to current cars, new cars, of the 1980s. A lot of them are scarcely ever seen on the road today. I had a 1984 Plymouth Horizon/Dodge Omni. Haven't seen one of them on the road in years. Not really saying that car is comparable to the smart, but you get my drift?

I most certainly won't live long enough to see the day. But, thirty years from now, will surviving fortwos ALL be museum pieces? I think so.

Like my 1966 Toronado, I think they'll be non-existant on the road.

Friday night, working tomorrow, bored and babbling.

[jimvw57]

I have seen a few of the old Dodge Omni's, They were even in pretty good shape! A couple of Corvairs just down the street, and right across the street is an old VW convert, not sure what year. They are out there just have to look.

Sorry you have to work, I'm on until 10PM tonight, and tomorrow, brakes on the truck, Sunday is flea market day, monday, I may just sleep (after polishing the smart of course) --unless the wife takes the smart up to the cabin. Hard to argue with 230 miles each way on under 10 gals of gas....

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by jimvw57

I have seen a few of the old Dodge Omni's, They were even in pretty good shape! A couple of Corvairs just down the street, and right across the street is an old VW convert, not sure what year. They are out there just have to look.

Well, you may have a point there. Our delivery drivers tell me they see smarts all the time, and I go months between sightings. But, they're on the road all day. I'm not.

Sorry you have to work, I'm on until 10PM tonight, and tomorrow, brakes on the truck, Sunday is flea market day, monday, I may just sleep (after polishing the smart of course) --unless the wife takes the smart up to the cabin. Hard to argue with 230 miles each way on under 10 gals of gas....

I'm counting down the days to 16 days away from the workplace.
I work tomorrow, then have Sunday and Labor Day off, then work Tuesday through Friday ....
THEN, and THEN ... 16 glorious days of not even thinking about the time clock ... with OutSmarting the Dragon 2010 smack dab in the middle of it. Yeee Hawww!

[Kermit]

Do your delivery driver's come this way?

How many 1980 cars do you see on the road now? I'm thinking some will be tucked away in garages.

[pack smart]

NCC1701:

The Tornado is a one of a kind just like the smart. The '84 horizon is not an original thought, just a spinoff of the VW rabbit.

Sidenote: Do you know Glen Kelkoff in Milwaukee, the Tornado guru and Leno asked for consultation? (spelling of last name on purpose). I grew up 4 doors down.

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by Bum-bling-B

Do your delivery driver's come this way?

How many 1980 cars do you see on the road now? I'm thinking some will be tucked away in garages.

Yeah, every day. We do deliveries within a couple hundred miles' radius of Panama City. Pensacola and points between is nearly every day. So, your local hive of smarts is on their list, LOL

When was the last time you saw a Toronado on the road? I haven't seen one in decades.

Originally Posted by pack-smart

NCC1701:

The Tornado is a one of a kind just like the smart. The '84 horizon is not an original thought, just a spinoff of the VW rabbit.

I wasn't aware of that relationship. I bought my 1984 in 1988 for $2,500 in excellent condition, and drove it until 1994 (not in excellent condition when sold for $500) I bought my first brand new car, a 1st Gen Neon in March 1994. But, I haven't seen a Horizon/Omni on the road in at least 10 years.

Sidenote: Do you know Glen Kelkoff in Milwaukee, the Tornado guru and Leno asked for consultation? (spelling of last name on purpose). I grew up 4 doors down.

No, sorry. I owned my 1966 Toronado for two years, ending in 1977. The CV joints were going out, a mechanic quoted me $1600 to replace them ($800 each, 1977 dollars). I'd only paid $2500 for the car. Fact is, I moved out of the rental trailer I was living in and abandoned the Toronado. High maintenance costs. It takes a person of means to keep a car like that.

I suspect the fortwo will not be different, in that regard.

[Kermit]

Yeah, you have a point on the rarity of the Tornado. Even 24 years ago I don't remember seeing too many 66 Tornados when they were a whooping 20 years old. I kept my eyes peeled for that era of cars as I had a '64 Falcon, '67 Mustang and '67 Impala back then.

[NCC1701]

It was a cool car, many features way ahead of its time. Power seats, antenna, hideaway headlights, etc. Features which are pretty common now, but not so in 1966. I think it was the first USA built front wheel drive. But, what a boat!


So, back on topic ... smart fortwo in 2040 ....
collector's item? Or another Plymouth Horizon?

[smartcar111]

I think the 2008's will be of a more collectable version. They are the first year in the U.S. so naturally, they would be worth a bit more.

Also, if you have a discontinued color, the collectability of the car increases since they don't make that color anymore.

Finally, collectables are typically unmodified. Sadly, I have modified the pajamas off my car and will continue to do so. Collectable cars are more collectable with OE on and not aftermarket. Try finding OE parts for my 1978 Triumph Spitfire 1500 that aren't junked up and badly mishandled.

To make a car museum quality, that car better be garaged or perfectly maintained. So far so good on that part (knock on wood).

Eventually, depending on how the auto market shifts, it will end up becoming a collectable. The smart car is too ahead of its time and many people just don't get it. I'm typically an optimist, but I don't believe that smart car make it if they don't offer variety and a low price range while keeping up build quality and reliability.

[pack smart]

NCC701:

There are a few around. Garaged and well kept as I remember riding the BigWheel up the alley. My gang had the regular BW, but one buddy had the GreenMachine that could stear from the back. Get the picture?