[smark]

I know it a Brabus, a Cabio. But close to $26K. Your into base Miata and Fiat 124 territory. I wonder if that smart car, has the upgraded navigation sound system. There's no interior shots, on line. Does the Brabus model, have the same engine as the base car? Never thought, I'd see a smart car cost that much here.

 

[Huronlad]

I would be surprised if a better price could not be had on the 453. Regardless I would have the smart over the other two.

 

[kheran]

I know it a Brabus, a Cabio. But close to $26K. Your into base Miata and Fiat 124 territory. I wonder if that smart car, has the upgraded navigation sound system. There's no interior shots, on line. Does the Brabus model, have the same engine as the base car? Never thought, I'd see a smart car cost that much here.

I still have trouble with the $20k+ price for a nicely loaded up Passion coupe..

 

[SmArtist00]

Id be surprised if u could get more than a grand off of it... Its a brabus cab, which are even more rare than our brabus coups. Mine was almost 23k sticker price. Granted I have the Prime, but still. Id take that car in a heartbeat. <3

 

[jimvw57]

A bit off topic but there was an Ed Hardy Edition smart (2009 I believe) that was a $25,000 option... that is after you pay for the car, it was an additional 25K. Only saw one in person on a cabrio. it was extremely nice, but too rich for my blood.

 

[Mister_smart_LA]

It's a Prime and it's LOADED. There are only 4 with the Brabus package in the United States, right now, on the ground. We have 6 model year 2017 cabriolets on the ground, and a few Brabus cabriolets waiting at the vpc. No rush to bring them in as we still have over 10 model year 2016's to sell off first. No rush to flood the lot with 17's.

Best deals right now are on the clearance '16's.

 

[10470]

I checked out this Brabus Cab yesterday. It's a handsome package. Call Nicolete if you're interested; she's the manager and it's easy to work with her.

 

[Snydermann]

The sticker price on my loaded (every option I could order except the nav radio) 2015 451 Convertible (not Brabus) was $23,100.00 so $25,700.00 for a loaded 2017 453 doesn't surprise me.

Base Cabriolet $17,930
Silver Metallic Paint $250
Crystal Grey Leather $1,450
Surround Sound $490
Center Storage $30
Luggage Cover $99
Brabus Wheels $550
Heated Seats $240
Alarm $200
Power Steering $550
Dash Gauges $120
LED Running Lamps $250
Ambient Lighting $190
Destination Charge $750

Not included in the above were new smart purchases at the parts counter of a Brabus front splitter, Brabus rear diffuser, wind deflector with Euro style end caps, Brabus pedal covers, and a Brabus steering wheel. Probably another $1000 or so.

If I remember correctly the navigation radio was a $1200 option. So if you add up all of the above (with nav) you're at $25,300.00 for a loaded 2015 451 that isn't even a complete Brabus.

The numbers add up fast when you start adding factory options. I did negotiate a substantial discount and I made money on my 2008 451 cabriolet trade, so I didn't pay anywhere near the list price.

 

[SmArtist00]

Plus the matte paint on the body panels is an extra $450, AND trideon is an additional $100...

 

[Mister_smart_LA]

Anybody interested in that car, don't mess around and play games. There won't be another one like it, ever again. Gas is out of production, and there are very few 2017's of any variety waiting in the pipelines. Especially Brabus. I don't even believe there will be more than probably 50 to 75 BRABUS models coupe+cabrio available for all dealerships combined. It's nearly a wrap already.

 

[Ferragamo4me]

Is a pic available of this vehicle? I recently purchased a 2017 Brabus coup but 2 could be twice the fun of one !

 

[Snydermann]

The reason I bought a loaded 2015 451 was because I didn't care for the looks of the 453. I did drive a 453 and I do appreciate their mechanical superiority. But, now that we will probably never see a "real" European Brabus 453, let alone gasoline engines, I have no regrets in buying a deluxe late model 451.

 

[Ferragamo4me]

At first I felt the same way but eventually 453 grew more and more on me now I love my 453

 

[Snydermann]

At first I felt the same way but eventually 453 grew more and more on me now I love my 453

If smart imported the car that I attached to my previous post I'd have no problem paying, even a premium, for it. But until then I just can't bring myself to make the trade. The current models available in the USA do not appeal to me. I know the 453 is mechanically superior, but I have no issues with my 451. How much better does it need to be if you are happy with what you have and the new model is ugly in your eyes?

Smart has always had their head in their aish when it comes to the USA market.

 

[Snydermann]

To pay a premium for matte paint on ANY vehicle? No thanks. I have a career in auto body and auto repair. Matte paint is just going to be a disaster to maintain and repair. Matte paint and matte black wheels are the biggest scam to hit consumers since magnetic fuel economy enhancers.

"Let's use matte paint to hide our defects and then charge those idiots a premium for it." Doesn't anyone remember having a POS rusty dented beater car and painting it in matte primer to make it look better?

 

[Miss Mercedes]

To be honest, a fully loaded 451 with the same paint and similar options is only a couple grand south of this Brabus. The price does tend to leap pretty far for pretty much any modern car once you start checking those option boxes.

My nearly base passion coupe 451 (it had the optional wheels and optional paint, that's it) was $16,200 on the Monroney, and my edition #1 is somewhere south of $20k...which imo is pretty good for a limited launch edition car.

With that out of the way. Is the matte paint on the 453s like the paint used on the matte 451s?

While I love the matte smarts their official upkeep is hilarious. No automatic washes (especially ones that touch the car), no wax, no abrasive cleaners, no scrubbing, don't wash it in the sun, no to some common car washing chemicals (like the active agents in spot free rinses), gotta clean any organic matter off immediately or else you'll get permanent damage, good luck getting a touch-up in the event of scratches, and questionable longevity in states that use salt.

- For the record, that's something you have to deal with any matte car, but still.

 

[Mister_smart_LA]

This car has the "Brabus Tailor Made" grey top. It is quite simply the only car in America with the grey top. Laugh if ya want, talk about Mazda's and Fiat's all you want. But those vehicles are a dime a dozen, this one is not.

If you're interested in it, don't dilly dally. Get it now. The other day I checked and there were 4 Brabus cabriolets on the ground in the United States. Well today there are only 3. :nerd:

 

[Snydermann]

This car has the "Brabus Tailor Made" grey top. It is quite simply the only car in America with the grey top. Laugh if ya want, talk about Mazda's and Fiat's all you want. But those vehicles are a dime a dozen, this one is not.

If you're interested in it, don't dilly dally. Get it now. The other day I checked and there were 4 Brabus cabriolets on the ground in the United States. Well today there are only 3. :nerd:

I totally agree. If you are going to buy something it might as well be something unique. It will definitely help at resale time, if not in more value, it might make for a quicker sale. Maybe both.

However, there is not enough uniqueness in that car to inspire me to step up and pay that price.

 

[Godfather]

Silly. Our new 2017 Elantra will run away from, and out handle, our 2015 smart, and got 44.6 mpg on a recent jaunt to Ohio. I've had three smarts, like 'em a lot, but that is crazy money for one, when there are LOTS of options that have twice the warranty at 7 or 8K less in price.

 

[Mister_smart_LA]

Silly. Our new 2017 Elantra will run away from, and out handle, our 2015 smart, and got 44.6 mpg on a recent jaunt to Ohio. I've had three smarts, like 'em a lot, but that is crazy money for one, when there are LOTS of options that have twice the warranty at 7 or 8K less in price.

So comparing your 2017 Elantra to prior generation smart fortwo vehicles with largely technology dating back to the 90's makes more sense than comparing it to the 2017 smart cabriolet that you're criticizing?