Showed Dad The New Smarts

"TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut" (twincharged) 07/16/2014 at 12:37 • Filed to: None

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He likes them, especially the ForFour! RWD, tiny size, better mileage than our current car and now offered with a manual, what's not to like? And this is coming from a man who's owned Celicas, MGs and is a steadfast user of three pedals.

I know that in the US, a Smart is a bit redundant purely because there isn't a need for such a small car, but here in a densely populated city such as Hong Kong, we definitely do. Maybe a second car will come in a few years…

Jayhawk Jake > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 07/16/2014 at 12:41

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I'm curious to see how much space the ForFour actually has. It might be a really good alternative to the current crop of small hatches.

Sure, a 1.0L Fiesta EcoBoost is probably going to be a better value, but the quirkiness and fun of having a rear engined, RWD hatch may be enough to justify.

I don't want one, but I do want to drive one!

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Jayhawk Jake 07/16/2014 at 12:44

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I kinda want one, actually ._.

Jayhawk Jake > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 07/16/2014 at 12:47

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I should have written that differently.

Do I want to trade my relatively new Sonic that I owe too much money on for one? No.

If I didn't have a relatively new Sonic and was shopping for a new car would I want one? I think so. It depends. I fear it's going to be one of those things that's great in theory, but lame in practice. In theory a pokey little 1L RWD hatch should be a hoot, but I doubt it'll be that good in reality.

Do we even have a Smart dealer? No matter how good or bad it is I still want to drive it. I also still want to go test drive a Mirage. I passed the Mitsu dealer not too long ago, it looks like a fun piece of crap.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Jayhawk Jake 07/16/2014 at 12:51

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Same here, although I don't think it'll be too terrible for us. We currently have a Cooper S and reviews have always pointed out that space in the back is limited for adults. It's not the case with us, since us Asians generally have smaller builds than Western people, so the three of us can comfortably sit in a Mini with all our weekly shopping. I'm assuming it'll be a similar case with the new Smart.

Exception: Mercedes CLA - reviews pointed out that the rear was cramped and they weren't joking. I'm only 5ft 7in and I don't fit in the back of a CLA.

Jayhawk Jake > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 07/16/2014 at 12:54

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Any of the little hatches are actually surprisingly roomy, but this is even smaller.

I guess I'm curious because I use my hatch to carry big things, so I wonder if this would even be doable. Not that I'm going to get one, but I figure I'm a good example of making the most of the space, so if I could live with it no doubt most people could.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Jayhawk Jake 07/16/2014 at 12:57

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Same here, we can do so much with the space in the Mini. Since the Smart is actually a pretty good car for headroom, I suppose tall things like pot plants won't feel squished once you pop them in the rear.

Jayhawk Jake > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 07/16/2014 at 13:06

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I wish hatchbacks/wagons/SUVs would incorporate some better means of utilizing vertical space when all the seats are down.

Tall items are one thing, but I mainly use my hatch to carry RC airplanes. I will store some wings along the roof by running a bungee between the hand holds (Chevy was nice enough to put one on the drivers side), but even then I have this sizeable pocket of empty space. I'm planning on putting together a PVC rack at some point, but it'd be nice if there was a feature built in (Ideally with some sort of stowable 'shield' to keep items from flying into the driver's space in an emergency stop). It would make cars like the Smart ForFour that much more practical

Mercedes Streeter > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 07/16/2014 at 13:08

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I own the current generation fortwo. Love it to death. But...Three pedals, better MPG, and higher quality materials? Count me IN!!!!

BATC42 > Jayhawk Jake 07/16/2014 at 13:23

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I hope Brabus will do something with them, just like they did with the current one.

ranwhenparked > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 07/16/2014 at 19:36

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I think the ForFour is something that could appeal to quite a few people beyond the ForTwo's usual demographic. Only thing that remains to be seen is if Daimler will be smart enough to market it correctly to take advantage of its winder appeal and also federalize it in the first place.