"AMC/Renauledge" (n2skylark)
02/04/2015 at 22:22 • Filed to: None
1
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"AMC/Renauledge" (n2skylark)
02/04/2015 at 22:22 • Filed to: None | 1
| 14 |
At present, I'm happy with my Fiat 500. I work in a major city, and I don't carry passengers that often. When I do, the Fiat has plenty of space and enough comfort to keep my friends happy. Its 5MT and sunroof make it a lot of fun, and the overall character of the design makes me really happy to look at it and drive it.
But when I consider what my next car may be, I keep coming back to one vehicle that sort of embarrasses me to want. But want it, I do. The new Smart Forfour, which hasn't yet been confirmed for America, is that car. And should Daimler AG decide to prove the brand is aptly named by offering the Forfour in the US, I want to use this forum to think out loud and maybe get some feedback.
Pros:
-RWD and rear-engined.
-A 5MT offered as standard equipment.
-Tiny 30' turning circle for fun and maneuverability.
-4 seats and 4 short doors for greater practicality.
-What looks like more space inside than my current 500 has.
-Two different types of available sunroof.
-Available in fun colors, inside and out.
-A cool-looking, incredibly modern interior.
Cons:
-Daimler hasn't yet decided to sell it here.
-It looks like a Smart on the outside, which is to say, silly.
-Who knows what combination of transmissions and options it'll be available with should Daimler decide to sell it here.
-The "no one takes you seriously" badge and its Car2Go image.
I do think that the Forfour is incredibly Jalop, especially for a newer car. With its ass-engine layout and packaging efficiency, it's hard not to love. But am I, a 31 year-old guy, crazy for wanting one?
What do you folks think?
nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
> AMC/Renauledge
02/04/2015 at 22:30 |
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I'll just leave this here
BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
> AMC/Renauledge
02/04/2015 at 22:31 |
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Well, the only other four door, rear engined car for sale today is, wait, what? There aren't any others? Oh, wait, the Model S is kind of rear engined. I like it. You should go for it.
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AMC/Renauledge
> BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
02/04/2015 at 22:40 |
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Exactly. It's an incredibly affordable RWD, rear-engined 4-seater! How could it NOT be cool?! Except that it's a Smart.
Crest
> AMC/Renauledge
02/04/2015 at 22:52 |
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Ugh just looking at that interior and i'm already claustrophobic. But it should be a fun car for you. Have you considered a renegade with an abarth exhaust?
Makoyouidiot
> AMC/Renauledge
02/04/2015 at 22:56 |
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I've always said that Smart should bring the FourFour and Roadster over...although I wouldn't give up my 500 for one.
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AMC/Renauledge
> Crest
02/04/2015 at 23:02 |
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I want something that'll do better than 35mpg. And a Renegade is FWD and would probably cost $5k more than the Smart with the features I'd want.
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AMC/Renauledge
> Makoyouidiot
02/04/2015 at 23:02 |
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Why not? Which trim level do you have?
Alex from Toronto
> AMC/Renauledge
02/04/2015 at 23:09 |
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Have you considerd the Ford Feista or Chevy Sonic?
Ike
> AMC/Renauledge
02/04/2015 at 23:34 |
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wAit for a brabus edtion of it!
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AMC/Renauledge
> Alex from Toronto
02/04/2015 at 23:36 |
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I've considered a Sonic, but for the same money as a well-equipped Forfour, you're getting a basic, appliance-like Fiesta or Sonic, with an all-grey interior and the crummy base engine.
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AMC/Renauledge
> Ike
02/04/2015 at 23:38 |
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MichaelW
> AMC/Renauledge
02/05/2015 at 00:12 |
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The Fortwo is one of, if not, the worst vehicle I have ever driven. I wanted to like it. I test drove the Brabus Fortwo with the hope of buying it on the spot. If the gearbox in this car is not substantially better than its predecessor I would pass.
I now own a Fiat 500 Abarth and love every minute of driving it. It isn't the fastest car on the road but the handling is solid and it sounds amazing. Quite simply: It makes me smile when I drive it. While the press photos may appear to be as stylish as your Fiat 500 I'm willing to wager that once you sit down in the real thing it will be a let down. Every surface in the Fortwo feels extremely cheap and unsatisfying.
I think the novelty would wear off of this car rather quickly and you would miss your Fiat 500 in less than 6 months. If choosing between this and the new Jeep Renegade which is $5k or so more I would go for the Jeep all day.
In other news Ford dropped the new Ford Focus RS on the world recently. It will cost more than twice as much as the Forfour but it's 10x the car. 300+ HP and AWD in a very attractive package. As long as you don't go putting stickers or huge exhausts on it there is no problem with it being driven by someone north of age 30.
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AMC/Renauledge
> MichaelW
02/05/2015 at 01:24 |
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Well, since this is an all-new car based on the critically acclaimed Renault Twingo, I'll at least give it a shot.
They've ditched the semi-automatic trans for the 3rd generation car. They come either with a 5-speed manual or an automatic. As for my 500, I love it. I don't have the Abarth, though. And I doubt that a FWD Jeep CUV will be more fun to drive than a rear-engine RWD turbo 3-pot with a tiny turning circle.
But we shall see. Glad to you know you love your Abarth. It's amazing how much fun you can have in a small, cheap car these days.
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Makoyouidiot
> AMC/Renauledge
02/05/2015 at 06:46 |
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I have a Sport, and I wouldn't trade it because I love it. I plan to keep it till the wheels fall off or I wreck it.